Diane Dous planted the seed for our team by providing inspirational OT services in the Cowichan Valley until 2014. Martin Middleton (OT) joined us in 2015, and after attending UBC’s Occupational Therapy program rejoined us as an OT in Sept 2018. Our team is grateful to Diane for the ongoing mentorship she offers us through the Neufeld Institute.
We have been fortunate to offer OT services, under the umbrella of ‘Sharpe OT Services’ since 2013 (Incorporated in November 2017). Did you know? We partner with: Tracey Parker (SLP) and Chloe McKinley (Registered Clinical Counsellor RCC), and Ross Jenkins (Sexual Health Educator and RCC from Parksville).
Linda Zimmerman, Occupational Therapist
Linda has been working with children of all ages and their families/caregivers since 2001. She has over 30 years of experience working in a variety of OT settings. Some of the therapy areas that Linda has specialty training in include sensory processing and sensory integration, fine motor skills, feeding and swallowing, executive functioning, social thinking, and child development.
Linda participates in life-long learning and is always looking to expand her knowledge for her client’s benefit.
Linda is from Alberta and completed her OT degree at the University of Alberta. She lives in the Cowichan Valley with her husband and their dog, and has 2 grown children. When she is not at work, she can often be found on a hiking trail, a ski hill or in a kayak.
Martin Middleton, Occupational Therapist
Born & raised in the Cowichan Valley, Martin has worked with children, youth and families for 20 years on Vancouver Island, in areas such as employment services, aquatics, sports and outdoor recreation & behaviour intervention.
Martin forms quick and easy rapport with colleagues, parents, and especially children. Kids become enlivened by his strength based approach dappled with energy, enthusiasm, and fun! He is very practical, curious, and dedicated to helping and supporting others.
Martin avidly pursues pretty much any sport or activity that is outside. As a nature enthusiast he is very often mountain biking, climbing/hiking mountains, kayaking, and growing food. He is also loving the adventure of parenting.
Diana Sharpe,
Occupational Therapist, Owner/Clinical Lead
Diana brings a forward-thinking, “can do” and calm attitude to her practice. She enjoys sharing with families and the team about the dynamic interplays she observes when a child moves, learns and plays. Diana feels the art of OT as much as the science.
Parent of 3, and certified in the Sensory Integration and Praxis Test (SIPT), she can evaluate a child's sensory integration which serves as the base that supports motor skills, perceptual skills and complex skills such as attending and following directions, and finally leads to ease of learning academic skills.
Diana has owned and operated Sharpe Occupational Therapy Services Inc. (SOS) in the Cowichan Valley since 2013. She began to work in paediatrics in 2004, within child development centre teams. She places high priority on play, connection, and multi-disciplinary collaboration.
Aiyana Chauhan-Kendrick, Clinical Coordinator & Program Assistant
Aiyana joined our team in 2018. They have demonstrated a diversity of strong talents since that time. They have diligence and ease in their role with our staff, clients, and groups.
Having been an early childhood educator for 3 yrs (with a focus in supporting children with exceptional needs) Aiyana is a keen observer and an intuitive leader of groups.
They hold their education assistant certificate and bring this background to being a tutor in our Susan Barton Reading & Spelling programming.
When not at work, Aiyana can be found walking, paddle boarding, and gardening; outdoor passions also include hiking and camping.
Stacey Schmidt-Aucamp, Site Manager & Program Assistant
Stacey joined our team in February of 2019. Her calm presence and desire to learn new skills has seen her administrative role expand to support sessions, as well as managing resources & site operations at Sharpe Occupational Therapy Services.
With 2 daughters at home and a decade of experience as a Girl Guides Leader, Stacey has demonstrated her strong communication and organizational skills. In her role Stacey displays a mutual joy in the health and happiness of others, and a desire to facilitate growth in the people around her.