Minds in Bloom

04/15/2026

Wandering (elopement) can be one of the most stressful and scary experiences for families—but you’re not alone, and there are ways to support your child’s safety ❤️

In our latest blog, we break down:
• Why elopement happens
• Practical, real-life strategies you can use right away
• Safety supports available in Nova Scotia
• How to build skills like “stop” and “wait” through play

Whether your child is just starting to explore more independently or you’re already navigating elopement, this post is designed to give you clear, supportive, and realistic tools.

👉 Read the full blog: https://www.mindsinbloom.ca/blog/ready-to-run-supporting-neurodivergent-children-who-elope

If you’re looking for more individualized support, Minds in Bloom is here to help—reach out anytime for a free consult to see how we can help.

‍ If your child is always “ready to run,” you’re not alone. Elopement—when a child leaves a safe space unexpectedly—can be stressful, scary, and exhausting for families. It often looks like bolting from the house, running off in public, or slipping away during transitions. Elopement (als...

04/13/2026

Pay attention to how kids work around challenges—not just where they get stuck. 🌼

04/12/2026

Supporting confident writers starts with confident therapists!

Join Emma and Minds in Bloom for our signature Dysgraphia course! We offer this course live online once yearly as professional development for occupational therapists. This course equips OTs with practical, evidence-informed strategies to confidently assess and treat dysgraphia in school-aged children.

You will learn to:

Identify different types of dysgraphia and recognize key signs and symptoms

Apply effective, evidence-based treatment strategies and activities

Understand the occupational therapist’s role in supporting students with dysgraphia and dyslexia

Determine when to shift away from handwriting-focused interventions

Explore assistive technology that supports student success

Packed with accommodations and resources to recommend and use with students now, along with a free e-book to provide to parents, activity sheets for students and more.

This live, virtual course will be delivered via Zoom (access link provided after registration).

This course is designed for occupational therapists working with school-aged children and is also highly relevant for educators and other professionals supporting students with learning differences.

September 25, 2026 (2-4 PM MT / 6-7 PM ET/ 7-8 PM AT)

Purchase your ticket here:

https://buy.stripe.com/aFa7sK86K9MB1T4gLT2wU05

Or check us out on the Society of Alberta Occupational Therapists Workshops and Events page:

https://saot.ca/workshops-events/

04/02/2026

Today is World Autism Day 💙

Today is a great reminder that different ways of thinking, feeling, and experiencing the world deserve to be understood and respected.

At Minds in Bloom, we celebrate neurodivergent kids for exactly who they are 💙

Clinicians: I encourage you to make space to learn directly from autistic voices. My current read by Temple Grandin ⬆️ — such a valuable perspective.

Autistic people are the experts in their own experience. Listening to their voices helps us move from “fixing” to truly supporting — with more respect, better understanding, and care that actually fits.

12/04/2025

At Minds in Bloom, we honour the incredible strengths, insights, and resilience of neurodivergent children and their families.

Every child thrives when the world meets them with patience, flexibility, and respect. Our role as caregivers, educators, and therapists is to remove barriers, amplify strengths, and create environments where all children feel safe, supported, and seen.

✨ Let’s continue building a community rooted in inclusion, neurodiversity-affirming practice, and compassion—for today and every day.

08/01/2025

At Minds in Bloom, we don’t chase perfection—we cultivate self-trust, self-awareness, and meaningful progress. Whether a child is learning to write with greater ease, manage sensory input, plan and complete tasks, or build the everyday skills that support independence, our goal is to help them grow into exactly who they are—with confidence and clarity.

Because every child deserves to feel capable in their body, understood for who they are, and connected to the people and activities they love.

💬 Wondering if OT might support your child? Let’s talk. Book a free consultation or reach out to learn more about our individualized and group services.

📍 Based in Halifax | 💬 Book a consult or learn more: www.mindsinbloom.ca

03/10/2025

Recommended reading for all educators and school based therapists! 🍎

Understanding how the brain works is critical to effectively inspire, motivate and teach all types of learners. The Brain Based Classroom by Kieran O’Mahony provides a a blueprint for this as well as a a wonderful analogy that caught our eye:

“Some students are like dandelions. They are fairly resilient and grow without any specialized care. Other students are like orchids, highly sensitive and flourish only under the right conditions. The orchid child displays a high degree of susceptibility to both good and bad environments. The dandelion child is relatively unbothered by either.”

By the way, we think both “flowers” are beautiful.

If you read the book, drop your thoughts in the comments ⤵️

09/02/2024

It’s that time of year! Here are my Back-to-School Tips for Parents of Neurodivergent Children:

1. **Establish Routines Early** ⏰: Adjust sleep and daily routines a few weeks before school starts.

2. **Use a Visual Schedule** 🗓️: Create a visual plan for the school day to reduce anxiety.

3. **Visit the School** 🏫: Tour the school with your child to familiarize them with the environment.

4. **Meet the Team** 🤝: Discuss your child’s needs with teachers and support staff.

5. **Pack a Comfort Kit** 🎒: Include sensory tools like fidget toys or noise-canceling headphones.

6. **Role-Play Social Scenarios** 🎭: Practice common school situations to build confidence.

7. **Label Belongings** 🏷️: Clearly mark personal items to prevent loss.

8. **Create a Homework Space** 📚: Set up an organized, quiet area for homework.

9. **Plan Transportation** 🚌: Practice the commute and introduce your child to the bus driver.

10. **Communicate with School** 📞: Establish a system for regular updates from teachers.

11. **Support Emotional Prep** 💗: Talk about feelings and practice stress-relief strategies.

12. **Encourage Independence** 🎒: Build self-confidence with small tasks like packing their backpack.

13. **Review IEP or 504 Plans** 📄: Ensure accommodations are up-to-date and in place.

14. **Prepare for Changes** ⚠️: Discuss potential challenges like fire drills and how to handle them.

15. **Celebrate the New Year** 🎉: Start the school year with a special ritual or treat.

09/02/2024

With many kids heading back to school this week I wanted to share my list of “back to school” recommendations:

1. **Start Early with Routines**: Begin adjusting bedtime, wake-up times, and daily routines a few days before school starts to help your child transition smoothly.

2. **Create a Visual Schedule**: Use a visual schedule to map out the school day, including morning routines, class transitions, and after-school activities. This can reduce anxiety by making the day predictable.

3. **Visit the School Ahead of Time**: Arrange a visit to the school before it starts. Walk through the schedule with your child, meet teachers, and locate important places like the classroom, cafeteria, and restrooms.

4. **Meet with Teachers and Support Staff**: Schedule a meeting with your child's teachers, aides, and support staff to discuss your child’s strengths, challenges, and any accommodations or modifications they might need.

5. **Prepare a Comfort Kit**: Pack a small kit with sensory tools or comfort items like fidget toys, noise-canceling headphones, or a weighted lap pad to help your child manage sensory overload during the school day.

6. **Practice Social Scenarios**: Role-play common school situations such as making friends, asking for help, or coping with overwhelming situations. This can build confidence and reduce anxiety.

7. **Label Everything**: Ensure all personal items, especially those used for self-regulation or sensory support, are clearly labeled with your child’s name to prevent loss.

8. **Set Up a Homework Station**: Create a quiet, organized space at home where your child can focus on homework. Include any tools or resources they might need, and establish a consistent homework routine.

9. **Plan for Transportation Needs**: Review and practice transportation arrangements, whether it’s walking, taking the bus, or carpooling. If possible, introduce your child to the bus driver or whoever will be involved in their daily commute.

10. **Establish Communication Channels**: Set up a clear communication system with the school, such as a daily or weekly report, to stay informed about your child’s progress and any concerns that may arise.

11. **Focus on Emotional Preparedness**: Encourage your child to express their feelings about returning to school. Offer reassurance and strategies for managing stress or anxiety, such as deep breathing exercises or using a stress ball.

12. **Reinforce Independence**: Gradually build your child’s independence in tasks like packing their backpack, organizing their school supplies, and managing their time. This promotes self-confidence and reduces stress.

13. **Reassess IEP or 504 Plans**: Review and update your child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan to ensure it meets their current needs. Make sure any necessary accommodations are in place before the school year begins.

14. **Plan for the Unexpected**: Discuss potential changes or challenges your child might face during the school year, such as a substitute teacher or fire drill, and develop strategies to handle these situations calmly.

15. **Celebrate the Start of the School Year**: Mark the beginning of the school year with a special ritual or celebration that your child enjoys. This can help create positive associations with returning to school.

What are you doing to prepare for the start of the school year? 👇🏻

08/29/2024

Hi everyone! I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself and welcome you here 🤍

🦋 I’m Emma—an occupational therapist and the owner of Minds in Bloom in Halifax, Nova Scotia. I’ve been working as an OT for 15 years, supporting children and families across a variety of settings in early intervention, inclusive education and virtual settings.

🧩 My work focuses on supporting neurodivergent children in ways that honour who they are—through connection, understanding, and building on each child’s strengths.

❤️ Supporting parents is a really important part of what I do. You know your child best, and my goal is to work alongside you—sharing practical strategies and support so you feel more confident navigating day-to-day challenges.

🌱 Minds in Bloom is a space rooted in play, sensory understanding, and helping children (and their families) feel supported as they grow.

👩🏼‍🤝‍👨🏾 Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, educator, or just curious to learn more—you’re so welcome here.

I’m really glad you’re here. Feel free to say hi or share a bit about yourself!