Grandview Children’s Center and Their Future Excellence in Therapy

By: Nicole Brunne

Trust, respect, and excellence. These are just a few of the values that Grandview Children’s

Centre stand by. Grandview is a rehabilitation and treatment center that offers therapy for children

with physical, communication and developmental needs. Amongst all of the services Grandview

provides, physiotherapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) by far stands out for the amazing

impact it provides for the community. Grandview’s PT and OT services will be the highlight of

the article.

“For Grandview, physiotherapy and occupational therapy has been one of the core services

for 65 years,” says Lorraine Sunstrum-Mann. This confirms the need for PT and OT services in

the Durham Region. Specifically, Sunstrum-Mann comments on therapy and the benefits for the

children, “The physiotherapy, increasingly is a really important prevision for post-operative care.

Specialized equipment, and thinking about the multitude of ways to have children and youth be

involved in their lives. It is a fundamental corner stone of the work we do”. She also says,

“Occupational therapy is through the roof for referrals…every child diagnosed with autism at

Grandview has had a referral to OT and SLP…the OT is able to support the environment for

emotional regulation, behaviours, it’s all connected, and has become one of our highest referred

programs”.

There is a waiting list of approximately 3,100 children to be seen at Grandview. Sunstrum-

Mann states that, families are waiting up to 18 months for OT and PT services. With Durham

Region’s population of zero to 19 years of age increasing each year, Grandview finds itself serving

at least 10,000 families. Sunstrum-Mann believes that number will only increase. With the need

for more room, Grandview has been approved by the government to build a brand new
rehabilitation centre in Ajax. With this new building, Grandview hopes this increased capacity will

help to shorten the waiting list for Durham Region.

I, myself had the honour to complete a 14-week placement at Grandview Kids and had

many moments that made me proud to be an OTA and PTA. As a therapy assistant student, it was

so meaningful to see the excitement and hope on the children’s faces before and after therapy. The

rehab sessions OTAs and PTAs provide at Grandview, not only improves their quality of life but

provides them with motivation and the eagerness to meet their goals. The OTA and PTA helps to

create a therapy session that doesn’t feel clinical but becomes part of the child’s daily routine for

success.

Therapy itself is not confined to the walls of Grandview either. “Therapy is about what the

child needs to work on and how we can help them get there,” says Sunstrum-Mann. Grandview

Children’s Center will continue their success and excellence with the new building, in hopes to

provide more services and opportunities to children with physical, communication and

development needs.

Finally, a special acknowledgement and thank you to

the preceptors at Grandview that provide OTA and PTA

students with an amazing clinical learning experience that will

help shape the future of the Occupational Therapy and

Physiotherapy Assistant profession.

Author: Nicole Brunne OTA & PTA Student