Meet the "Real World Kids OT" Team
Founder and CEO of Real World Kids OT
Hi, I’m Sarah Fenrich, a Registered Occupational Therapist and Holistic Sleep Coach with a deep commitment to supporting children and their families. Since earning my OT degree in 2007, I’ve dedicated my career to helping neurodiverse children thrive in their daily lives.
My journey began in Merida, Mexico, where I founded the city’s first occupational therapy clinic for children with special needs. In 2011, I moved to Vancouver, Canada, and spent several years working in pediatric clinics and early intervention programs, gaining extensive experience in diverse therapeutic settings. In 2018, I became a Holistic Sleep Coach & founded Holistic Sleep Solutions. I have since combined my OT background with sleep coaching, providing comprehensive support for toddlers and school-aged children facing sleep challenges.
I am also certified in the Safe & Sound Protocol, a validated listening therapy to support children with sensory regulation, anxiety, ADHD, and trauma.
Recognizing the importance of accessible and personalized care, I established Real World Kids OT in 2021, a mobile occupational therapy clinic designed to meet children in their natural environments, whether at home, school, or within the community. Throughout my career, I’ve specialized in assisting children with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), anxiety, autism (ASD), sleep challenges and other developmental concerns. My approach is rooted in attachment theory and neurodiversity-affirming practices, always considering the child’s unique environment and the family’s cultural background.
In the summer you’ll see me with “Elmo” cruising on my Vespa on my mission to help neurodivergent children thrive and making a difference in the world – one family at a time.
I am fluent in English, German, and Spanish. I am licensed by the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC (CHCPBC) , formerly called College of Occupational Therapists of British Columbia (COTBC) and a member of the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) and the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT). I am also registered on the RASP list for children with ASD.
I’m here to empower you and to foster meaningful growth in your child’s life.
Meet Our Virtual OT Specialist
Hi, I’m Heidi Watson. As an Occupational Therapist with over 10 years of pediatric experience, I’m proud to be part of the Real World Kids OT team—where we bring therapy into your child’s world.
I hold a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Manitoba and am a registered member of the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC (CHCPBC) and the RASP list.
I offer comprehensive assessments and customized intervention plans. I implement evidence-based strategies, collaborating with families, educators, and community partners to build inclusive environments and maximize therapeutic outcomes.
My practice is attachment-based, family-centered, and neurodiversity‑affirming, centering on each child’s community, environment, and daily routines.
I make virtual OT sessions engaging, playful, and effective, incorporating art, creativity and nature. One of my favorite online tools? Roblox and Minecraft! By joining your child in these universal play spaces, I can build rapport and support developmental goals through meaningful, fun interactions online.
I’m here to support your child’s needs—especially around goals like dressing independently, picky eating, sensory and emotion regulation, fine and gross motor coordination, anxiety, ADHD and PDA. I am also a Certified PEERS® instructor, delivering evidence-based social skills training for adolescents and young adults.
To make therapy accessible for busy families, I offer weekend and before and after school spots.
Watch this short video to learn what my support for you could look like.
What Families Are Saying ...
Parents of Emma (3, ASD & anxiety): “We were hoping for the opportunity to express to you how grateful we are of all the help you’ve given us these last 2 years. Without your guidance, our daughter wouldn’t be where she is today, and we would be more lost than ever. Your expertise has been essential to her progress, and we are indebted to you for it!”
Parents of Archer (6, ASD): “Working with Sarah has been very eye opening. Her experience in the field has helped us understand how our son views the world in so many ways. She is so kind and our son loves having sessions with her. They have created such a special bond.”
Parents of Jovi (5, ASD): “We’ve had a wonderful experience working with Sarah for Jovi. I really appreciate her playful approach and strong understanding of children’s sensory needs. She helped Jovi learn to rinse his mouth by turning it into a fun game – blowing water to ‘water the tree’ – and we’ve seen great improvement since. Her creativity and care make a big difference!”
Parents of Nathaniel (13, ASD): “We cherish and appreciate Sarah so much. We cannot thank her enough for her patience and dedication in helping Nathaniel in OT for almost 4 years. We are pleased with the results, and we thank her for all the helpful tips and support. It is amazing to see such progress in him. I know he will miss his time with her during his OT sessions. We are glad we have Sarah as his OT and we will always be thankful for all her hard work.”
Peer love ...
Macaela, SLP from SHARE: “Sarah brings passion into her work. She is supportive of the needs of neurodiverse children and their caregivers in a way that brings families closer together and results in amazing growth. She is an incredible source of knowledge and support and working with her has been one of the best experiences in my working life. She is inspiring and encouraging and brings so much of herself into everything that she does.“
Lina, SCD consultant from Kinsight: “Sarah’s kindness, wisdom and thoughtfulness have been an inspiration to me. I feel fortunate to have worked with her. She is so passionate about her work with children and families. She always listens with a ‘sympathetic ear’ and gives sound advice. She has an incredible work ethic, and thanks to her I am in love with the work OTs do. She is a source of inspiration.”
Courtney, SLP from SHARE: “I have quickly learned how fiercely Sarah cares about the children and families that she supports, and the people that she loves. We are all lucky to have experienced her compassion, and the families who will meet her in the future will be lucky.”
OUR MISSION
- To educate and empower you to help set your child(ren) up for success.
- To provide quality care to your family with a neurodiversity-affirming, sensory-informed and attachment-based approach.
- To customize our services to your family’s circumstances and needs using evidence-based practice.
- To support you in becoming a (more) confident parent and advocate for your child.
OUR CORE VALUES
- Compassion
- Commitment
- Creativity
- Integrity
- Enthusiasm
- Making a difference
- Empowering children & their family