Play to Thrive
Pediatric Occupational Therapy
About
Play to Thrive is a pediatric occupational therapy clinic that provides individualized OT services to children aged 3-18 years old in North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Vancouver, Squamish, and Chilliwack. Using a play-based, sensory-friendly, and neuroaffirming approach, we are dedicated to making therapy fun, exciting, and safe for children with ASD, ADHD, DCD, FASD, PDA, global developmental delay, learning disabilities, and others. We celebrate the unique strengths of each child and incorporate these elements in our intervention to encourage meaningful engagement and joyful exploration.
Through play, we strive to support children in building the skills and confidence they need to thrive at school, in the community, and at home. Common skills that we work on include:
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fine motor
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gross motor
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self regulation
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sensory processing
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executive functioning
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self-care
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social participation
We are family-centred and take great pride in playing an active role in supporting families as they navigate through their children’s developmental journey. We strongly believe that parents know their children best and value collaboration as we work together towards goals that are important to the child and their family. We currently offer in clinic (North Vancouver) and home/community visits.
We acknowledge with gratitude that we are privileged to provide services on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh), and xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations.
How we can support your child
Our Team
Matthew So (MOT), Reg. (BC) graduated from the University of British Columbia with his Bachelor’s of Kinesiology in 2019. He then went on to complete his Master’s of Occupational Therapy at the University of British Columbia in 2021. Matthew is a Registered Autism Service Provider (RASP) and a member of the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC (CHCPBC).
Matthew discovered his passion for working with neurodiverse children and youth as a Special Olympics coach and occupational therapy assistant at private pediatric clinics. He was able to experience first hand the transformative impact of play-based therapy on the everyday participation, engagement, and connection among children. Using a relationship-focused, strengths-based, and neuro-affirming approach, Matthew hopes to empower his clients and their families in working collaboratively towards their personal goals. Matthew strives to cultivate a safe environment where clients can be their authentic selves and be appreciated for their own unique identity and strengths. Most importantly, Matthew strongly believes that therapy should always be fun because play is one of the most powerful tools for learning and development!
Growing up in Vancouver, Matthew has always had a fond appreciation for the outdoors and is constantly searching for the next big hike or camping trip. In his free time, Matthew enjoys running, playing badminton, and walking his cuddly cat Pebbles (featured in the photo). He is also a hockey enthusiast and never misses a Canucks game despite their lack of playoff success. Matthew is fluent in both English and Chinese (Cantonese).
Madelyn (Maddy) Walther (MOT), Reg. (BC) graduated from the University of British Columbia Okanagan where she completed a Bachelor of Human Kinetics in 2022. She then attended the University of Toronto where she received her Master of Occupational Therapy degree in 2025. Maddy is a member of the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC (CHCPBC).
Throughout her educational pursuits, Maddy worked with children and their families in various capacities including as a supported childcare worker as well as a behaviour interventionist. During these experiences Maddy was
able to observe the value of play in supporting children of all abilities in their development. She recognizes the importance of working collaboratively with families and leveraging a child’s interests and strengths to work towards achieving their goals.
Having grown up in Pemberton, BC, Maddy continues to enjoy hiking and
skiing throughout the beautiful North Shore and Sea to Sky corridor. When she is not spending time outdoors she enjoys reading a good book and practicing yoga.
Cecilia Lee (MOT), Reg. (BC) holds a Masters of Occupational Therapy degree from the University of British Columbia and approaches her work using a child- and family-centred lens, grounded in collaborative and relational care. Cecilia is dedicated to working alongside families to help children achieve meaningful goals and enhance participation across all areas of life. As a lifelong learner, she is committed to evidence-based practice and ongoing professional development. Cecilia is a member of the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC (CHCPBC).
Cecilia has experience working with children with autism, ADHD, developmental coordination disorder (DCD), and other diverse needs. She has supported children through her work with Vancouver Adaptive Ski Sports and Canucks Autism Network, where she helped facilitate inclusive, adapted recreational experiences for children of varying abilities. Cecilia takes an individualized approach to therapy, striving to create engaging, and meaningful environments where each child can build skills, confidence, and joy in participation.
Vanessa Lim (MOT), Reg. (BC) completed her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at the University of Toronto in 2021 and is an active member of the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC (CHCPBC).
Vanessa works part time at BC Women’s Hospital and BC Children’s Hospital, supporting medically complex infants and children in their motor development, feeding progression, and early skill building. She has experience supporting children with various feeding challenges, assessing for developmental coordination disorder, and working closely with neurodiverse children.
Vanessa understands that every child brings their own strengths, preferences, and ways of engaging with the world. In her clinical work, Vanessa uses play-based, strengths-focused, and family‑centred approaches. She values collaboration with families and strives to create a warm, safe environment where children can build confidence, explore new skills, and shine in their own unique ways.
Outside of work, Vanessa enjoys training Muay Thai, discovering new restaurants and cafés around the city, and spending time with her cat, Toro.
Amy Williams (MOT), Reg. (BC) completed her Master’s of Occupational Therapy at the University of British Columbia and brings an international perspective to her practice, having grown up in South Africa. Her foundation in child development comes from a BA in Sport Science and a BSc in Kinderkinetics, where she gained experience supporting children’s neuromotor and gross motor development through play-based physical activity.
Before stepping into her role as an OT, Amy supported neurodiverse children and their families as both a Behaviour Interventionist and Occupational Therapy Assistant. In sessions, she takes a calm, collaborative, and child-led approach, following each child’s interests, and using their strengths as a starting point. Her goal is to help children feel seen and supported while building skills that make daily life feel more doable and enjoyable.
Outside of work, Amy gravitates toward the outdoors, whether she’s mountain biking, trail running, or skiing in the mountains. She's also an avid baker who loves showing up with a treat in hand for friends and family.
Kaley Arnoldus is an Australian registered Occupational Therapist who completed her Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) at the University of South Australia in 2021. She is currently based in North Vancouver, where she is working as an Occupational Therapy Assistant.
Over the past five years, Kayley has supported children using a child-led, trauma-informed, and strengths-based approach. She is passionate about helping children build the skills and confidence they need to participate meaningfully in their everyday lives and to feel a sense of success and independence.
Kayley is known for creating a fun, engaging, and supportive environment where children feel safe to explore, take risks, and develop new skills. She places strong value on collaborating with families and caregivers, recognising the importance of a holistic approach and empowering those around the child to support ongoing growth and development.
Having recently relocated from Australia, Kayley enjoys spending her spare time hiking and is excited to continue exploring everything British Columbia has to offer.
Kassaundra Robson is an Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at the University of the Fraser Valley and brings over five years of experience supporting occupational therapists in implementing individualized treatment plans. Kassaundra spent a decade providing dedicated in-home childcare, giving her a strong foundation in child development and family-centered care.
Kassaundra enjoys traveling, writing novels, sipping matcha and spending time with her sweet toddler, who is the center of her world. Kassaundra is deeply committed to promoting awareness and acceptance of neurodiversity and believes every child deserves to feel seen and celebrated. She finds great joy in supporting the growth, confidence, and quality of life of the children and families in her community. Kassaundra currently provides in home therapy sessions in Abbotsford and Chilliwack.
Fun Fact: Our awesome logo was created by a client at Play to Thrive, P.C (6 years old)
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