Empowering individuals for life, work and play
Rachel Hayward
Occupational Therapy
No two people are the same, and neither are the challenges they face. That’s why every treatment plan is tailored to you or your child’s unique goals, interests, abilities, and lifestyle. Whether you’re recovering from an injury, adapting to a health condition such as Autism, supporting your child’s development, or simply looking for ways to make everyday life easier, occupational therapy offers practical solutions that fit your life.
Helping You Get Back to Living Life Your Way
Life is made up of many everyday activities, from getting dressed, preparing meals, succeeding at school or work, enjoying hobbies, spending time with family, or simply doing things that bring you happiness. When injury, illness, disability, or other challenges make these activities difficult, occupational therapy is there to help.
Life is made up of hundreds of everyday activities—getting dressed, preparing meals, succeeding at school or work, enjoying hobbies, spending time with family, or simply doing the things that bring you happiness. When injury, illness, disability, or other challenges make these activities difficult, occupational therapy can help.
My goal as your occupational therapist is simple: to help you regain confidence, independence, and the ability to participate in the activities that matter most to you.
Occupational therapy helps you live life with more enjoyment, more confidence, and more independence, at any age. Whether you’re recovering from an injury, managing a health condition, or navigating neurodivergence, I can help you overcome obstacles and reach your goals.
Learn More About My Services:
Services focused on children
Every child deserves the chance to learn, grow, play, and participate confidently in everyday life. If your child is experiencing challenges related to autism, physical limitations, ADHD, learning disabilities, developmental delays, sensory processing differences, or other developmental needs, I can help them build the skills they need to succeed.
Occupational therapy is a science-based healthcare profession that looks beyond a diagnosis to understand your child as a whole person. I take the time to learn about your child’s strengths, interests, environment, and the everyday activities that are important to your family. Together, we create practical, individualized strategies that help your child become more confident, capable, and independent.
Why Everyday Activities Matter
For children, “occupations” are all the everyday activities that help them learn, develop, and enjoy childhood. These include:
- Playing and exploring their world
- Learning at school and completing classroom activities
- Dressing, eating, sleeping, and other daily routines
- Developing fine motor, sensory, and self-regulation skills
- Making friends, communicating, and participating in family and community life
Building confidence through hobbies and recreational activities.
These everyday experiences are the foundation for healthy physical, social, and cognitive development. When children can successfully participate in these activities, they gain confidence and the skills they’ll use for the rest of their lives.
Therapy Designed Around Your Child
Every child learns differently. What works for one child may not work for another, which is why every occupational therapy program is personalized to your child’s unique strengths, interests, and goals.
Whether your child needs support with sensory processing, attention, handwriting, motor coordination, emotional regulation, social participation, daily living skills, or learning at school, my therapy focuses on practical solutions that fit naturally into everyday life. The goal is not simply to improve skills during therapy sessions, but to help your child succeed at home, at school, and in the community.
Pediatric Occupational Therapy Services Offered:
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- Fine Motor & Handwriting Assessments and Intervention
Sensory Regulations & Sensory Processing Support
- Social Skills & Social Cognition
- Executive Functioning & Emotional Regulation
- Daily Living Skills (dressing, feeding, toileting, independence)
Supporting Your Child Through Every Stage of Development
As children grow, they encounter new expectations and challenges. Starting school, making friends, becoming more independent, or adjusting to changing routines can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially for children with autism or learning differences.
Occupational therapy helps children develop the skills and strategies they need to overcome these challenges and participate more fully in the activities that matter most. At the same time, they develop confidence in themselves and their ability to overcome difficulties. We also work closely with you—their parents and caregivers, providing guidance and practical tools that support progress beyond the therapy room.
Together, we can help your child develop greater independence, build confidence, and reach their full potential—one meaningful step at a time.
Services focused on Adults
Occupational therapy is a science-based healthcare profession focused on helping people of all ages overcome challenges that affect their daily lives. Rather than concentrating solely on a medical condition or diagnosis, occupational therapy looks at you as a whole person. We look at your goals, your lifestyle, your environment, and the activities that give your life meaning.
Together, we’ll identify what’s getting in your way and develop practical, personalized strategies to help you do more of what you need, want, and love to do.
Why Everyday Activities Matter
The word “occupation” doesn’t just mean the workplace. It refers to all the activities that make up your daily life, including:
- Learning, studying, or working
- Caring for your family or managing your home
- Looking after yourself, such as dressing, bathing, eating, and sleeping
- Playing sports, pursuing hobbies, or enjoying recreational activities
- Socializing and connecting with friends and loved ones
These activities give life purpose, build confidence, strengthen relationships, and support your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.
Therapy Designed Around You
What matters most to you may be completely different from what matters to someone else. That’s why every treatment plan is tailored to your unique goals, interests, abilities, and lifestyle. Whether you’re recovering from an injury, adapting to a health condition, or simply looking for ways to make everyday life easier, my therapy can provide practical solutions that fit your life. You become happier and more confident as life becomes easier and less stressful.
Occupational Therapy Services Offered:
- Wheelchair and Seating Assessments and Prescription
- Home Safety Assessments, Renovations & Accessibility Modifications
- Home Adaptations & Equipment Recommendations
- Functional Assessments for Independent Living
- Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) Occupational Therapy Services
Helping You Through Life’s Changes
Life is full of transitions. Illness, injury, aging, disability, or major life events can make familiar tasks feel frustrating or overwhelming. When that happens, it’s easy to lose confidence or feel disconnected from the activities that once brought you joy.
Occupational therapy helps you adapt, rebuild skills, and discover new ways to participate in everyday life. With the right support, you can overcome obstacles, maintain your independence, and continue doing the things that make life meaningful.
Together, we can help you live with greater confidence, capability, and quality of life.
Meet Rachel
Rachel Hayward is a licensed and RASP Certified Occupational Therapist with over 10 years of combined experience in Pediatric and Adult Occupational Therapy across the private and public health sectors. Her goal is to help clients and families develop the skills, confidence, and strategies they need to participate fully in the activities that matter most to them.
”I helped facilitate my dad's care and was thus fortunate to be in constant communication with Rachel who did so much to help him stay safe and mobile in his home. She is very modest but I wanted to share because it's not every day that you meet someone as OUTSTANDING as she is.
A. P.
I have been an Occupational Therapist for over 10 years, beginning my career in home and community care with adults and older adults before transitioning into community-based pediatric practice. My path to occupational therapy was not a traditional one, but the experiences along the way helped shape me into the clinician I am today.
I graduated with a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Biology with a brief focus in mechanical engineering. While exploring my career direction, I worked as a research laboratory technician studying autism before returning to school to complete a Diploma in Accounting. I later worked at a large accounting firm specializing in tax preparation while pursuing acceptance into the Master of Occupational Therapy program at UBC.
During my university years, I volunteered with CHIMO Crisis Services, Richmond Hospital Association, Sonrisa Orphanage Nepal, and Special Olympics BC. Through these experiences, I had the opportunity to work with children with developmental delays, adults in crisis, and older adults and their families navigating end-of-life care.
As an occupational therapist, I have worked at GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre, Vancouver General Hospital, Richmond Mental Health Team, and Richmond Home Health. My clinical experience includes supporting individuals across the lifespan in areas such as autism, sensory regulation, fine and gross motor development, executive functioning, mental health, home safety, custom seating, equipment prescription, aging in place, and community participation.
Building strong therapeutic relationships rooted in trust, empathy, and collaboration has always been the foundation of my practice. I believe every person deserves to feel supported, capable, and empowered in their journey. My goal is to help clients and families develop the skills, confidence, and strategies they need to participate fully in the activities that matter most to them.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time adventuring with my family both locally and internationally. Our adventures often include traveling, hiking, exploring the outdoors, and discovering new foods and cultures. I also love cooking and hosting meals for friends and family.
I am a Licensed Autism Service Provider in British Columbia and a fully Registered Occupational Therapist in Canada.
What Clients are Saying
Get in Touch
I would love to hear from you. I provide home and community-based services in Richmond. Let me know if you have any questions or would like more information about my services.