This Occupational Therapy (OT) Month, we’re celebrating the occupational therapists at IWK Health who help children and youth build the skills, confidence and independence they need to participate in everyday life. From supporting development and communication to helping children navigate challenges at home, at school and in their communities, our OTs make a meaningful difference for patients and families every day. Thank you for all you do!
As a Clinical Interventionist with IWK Provincial Preschool Autism Services (PPAS), Lindsay Tynski draws on her background in occupational therapy to help children develop skills that can make everyday activities more accessible and meaningful.
“Occupational therapy is supporting clients to complete the activities of daily living that are meaningful to them,” Lindsay says.
In her current role, Lindsay applies pediatric OT skills she developed through her education and previous practice, including supporting children with independent dressing, fine motor skills and toileting. She also develops Positive Behaviour Support plans and works with children and families to build practical skills that can have an impact at home, in child care and in the community.
Her work with PPAS has also expanded her clinical toolkit. Lindsay has developed expertise in supporting children’s communication and language through approaches such as Pivotal Response Training, the Picture Exchange Communication System and speech-generating devices. She also provides leadership and support to program implementors on her team.
Collaboration is central to Lindsay’s work. She regularly draws on the expertise of colleagues from a range of backgrounds, including speech-language pathology and applied behaviour analysis, while collaborating with families, pre-primary and daycare staff.
“What I like about being an OT is that I have a broad range of knowledge for a variety of populations and clients,” she says.
For Lindsay, that breadth allows her to look at the whole child—and find practical ways to help children participate more fully in the activities that matter to them.