Driven by the desire to improve access to services for youth with motor or sensory difficulties, the CISSS de la Montérégie-Ouest Youth team’s occupational therapists have designed training videos that provide a very useful initial access to services.

In the past, interventions were based on an OT assessment and after a referral, it could take over a year and a half before services might be available. Following the implementation of the “Agir tôt” program, aimed at detecting developmental difficulties in 0–5-year-olds to provide early intervention, this service, in the form of video clips, serves as a cornerstone for supporting parents using an entirely new pathway.

With the “Agissons tôt avec les capsules ergo” project, communication between the OT and the parent begins within a few short weeks. A brief assessment provides key information about the child and enables the OT to provide the parent with the necessary tools by directing them to the videos on the most relevant topics.

A dozen videos were produced, designed according to age and needs. Intervention levers are therefore offered to parents, who benefit from the support of their OT through consultations, whether by telephone or teleconsultation, that are tailored to their individual needs and realities.

This intervention approach has been in place since late May 2021, and since its inception, the OT team has more than tripled their usual number of cases. Interventions often require no follow-up, with more than 60% of all needs being met following this initial service.

Project submitted by Andréanne Paquette, Occupational Therapist

Other contributors: Mélanie Farmer, OT; Noémie Lachance, OT; Mélissa Nepton, OT; Andréanne Paquette, OT; Alexandra Raymond, OT; Alexia Vincent, OT; Julie Globensky, Program Manager, Specialized Social Services and Youth and Family Development, Vaudreuil, Suroît and Haut-Saint Laurent sectors; Maxime Leblanc, Program Manager, Specialized Social Services and Youth and Family Development, Jardins-Roussillon sector