OUR TEAM - Discovering Abilities Occupational Therapy

		Robbie Bezati MSc.OT, O.T. Reg. (Ont.) Occupational Therapist Robbie obtained her Master of Occupational Therapy from the University of British Columbia. She has over six years of experience working in community clinics supporting youth diagnosed with serious mental illness. More recently, she practices school-based occupational therapy assisting students (5-17 years old) participate in the curriculum. In her role at Discovering Abilities, she works primarily with children on the autism spectrum on goals such as: emotion regulation, executive functioning, and fine motor and gross motor skills development to engage in self-care (toileting, dressing, meals), school and play. Robbie’s approach to therapy includes neurodiverse affirming practice while focusing on child and family strengths. She draws on her experience in mental health by using a variety of frameworks such as motivational interviewing (MI), brief action planning (BAP), cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), emotion regulation principles, sensory processing principles, and cognitive remediation and rehabilitation for executive functioning.
		Linna Chercover BSc., MSc.OT, O.T. Reg. (Ont.) Occupational Therapist Linna graduated from University of Toronto with a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy. Previously, she graduated from McMaster University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and minor in Health and Society. Linna is a registered Occupational Therapist with over 10 years of experience working with children and adolescents in school, home and clinical settings. Using a child- and family-centred approach, she provides assessment, consultation and direct therapy in areas such as fine motor, gross motor, sensory and self-regulation skills. Linna’s approach includes a strengths-based focus, while ensuring that interventions are both functional and meaningful to her clients. Her practice has been shaped over the years through training in many courses and workshops. Some of these include: Alert Program certification, Mindfulness, Brief Coaching, Floortime, Handwriting Without Tears, The Sensory Integration Perspective, Sensory Processing & Self-Regulation, and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Above all, Linna’s goal in therapy is to keep it enticing, fun and playful.
		Alessia D’Aliesio MSc.OT, O.T. Reg. (Ont.) Occupational Therapist Alessia graduated with a Masters degree in Occupational Therapy from McGill University. She has many years of experience working with children who have special needs, specifically children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. She works closely with preschool and school aged children to promote their overall development in a variety of different life skills such as fine motor, visual motor integration, visual perception, and self-help skills.
		Sara Jafri B.Sc. OT, Masters in Health Management, O.T. Reg. (Ont.) Occupational Therapist Sarah is a dedicated and seasoned Occupational Therapist with a Masters in Health Management. Although she has worked in many settings such as a clinical manager, college professor for an OT program, community OT, her passion is working with children. She has worked in a variety of peaditric settings, specializing with kids ages 0-14 years old. She is highly personable, friendly and organized, she aims to facilitate the exploration of creative play during her treatments that encourage participation in what matters most to clients and their families.
		Tasneem Kinaci BHSc., MSc.OT, O.T. Reg. (Ont.) Occupational Therapist Qigong Sensory Treatment (QST) Certified Therapist Tasneem graduated from the University of Toronto with a Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy, following a Bachelor of Health Sciences degree completed at The University of Western Ontario. Tasneem is a registered Occupational Therapist who has been working as a community-based Occupational Therapist for the past nineteen years, providing occupational therapy services to children in various community settings (school, home and clinic) within the Greater Toronto Area. Tasneem specializes in enhancing and promoting healthy physical, social and emotional development in children. In particular, Tasneem focuses on improving fine/gross motor skills and sensory processing in children. On a daily basis, she provides Occupational Therapy intervention and consultation to children with a wide variety of diagnoses including mild to severe fine/gross motor difficulties, developmental delay, autism spectrum disorder, sensory processing disorder, cerebral palsy and Down’s syndrome. Tasneem is also a Certified QiGong Sensory Treatment (QST) Therapist and Parent Trainer. Discovering Abilities was founded in 2011 by Tasneem.

		Erin Liapis BHK., MSc.OT., O.T. Reg. (Ont.) Occupational Therapist Erin graduated from Queen’s University with a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy, following a Bachelor of Human Kinetics, Honours Movement Science from the University of Windsor. Erin is a registered Occupational Therapist who has been working as a community-based Occupational Therapist for the past thirteen years, providing occupational therapy services to children in the school and home settings within the Greater Toronto Area. Erin has many years of experience working with children with a wide variety of diagnoses including mild to severe Fine and Gross motor difficulties, Developmental Delay, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Sensory Processing Disorder, Cerebral Palsy and Down’s Syndrome. In particular, Erin is passionate about assisting children and their families to promote independence in daily tasks, improving fine and gross motor skills, and addressing feeding concerns, and sensory processing difficulties. Erin strongly believes in a client centre approach to treatment to better engage children in their daily tasks, address Occupational therapy goals and reach their full potential.
		Meghan Passmore MSc.OT, O.T. Reg. (Ont.) Occupational Therapist Meghan is an Occupational Therapist who graduated from the MScOT program at the University of Toronto. Meghan has experience working with children and families supporting their individual sensory, regulation, and fine motor needs. Guided by a commitment to ongoing professional growth, Meghan strives to empower clients and their families by embracing a neurodiverse affirming approach. Meghan’s passion for mental health fuels her holistic treatment philosophy, where she integrates various facets of an individual’s well-being within their environment.
		Evelyn Smart BSc., MSc.OT, O.T. Reg. (Ont.) Occupational Therapist Evelyn graduated from the University of Toronto with a Master’s of Occupational Therapy Degree, following an Honors Bachelor of Sciences degree completed at York University. Evelyn is an Occupational Therapist working with children and families to promote optimal participation in everyday activities, such as those related to school, play, and self-care tasks. Evelyn uses a family-centered approach and works with both the child and family to achieve goals. Evelyn has experience working with children of a variety of ages and abilities in school, clinic and home settings. Evelyn uses a number of different approaches based on her experience and training in Handwriting Without Tears programs, Neurodevelopmental Approaches, and Moving and Handling courses. Evelyn also has experience working with adults and children with various neurological conditions such as cardiovascular accidents, strokes, cerebral palsy and has knowledge in Neurodevelopmental and Bobath facilitation approaches. Evelyn is passionate about working with children and strives to make a difference in her clients and their families.
		Suvaathy Vigneswaran MSc.OT, O.T. Reg. (Ont.) Occupational Therapist Suvaathy is a compassionate and skilled registered occupational therapist with a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from McMaster University. She also holds an Honours Bachelor of Medical Sciences with a Double Major in Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences and Pharmacology from Western University. With over two years of experience working with children aged 3-16, particularly those with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Suvaathy is dedicated to providing comprehensive assessment, treatment, and consultation to enable functional participation in everyday activities. Her practice is grounded in family-centred care and neuro-affirming approaches. Suvaathy provides specialized intervention and education in areas such as fine and gross motor skills, self-help abilities, visual-motor integration, sensory processing, self-regulation, and executive functioning. As a life-long learner, Suvaathy stays up to date with evidence-based practices and continually seeks opportunities for professional growth.

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