Red Oak Centre -

Nikki Zhang

Occupational Therapist | OT Reg. (Ont.), MSc OT
Area of practice: Occupational Therapy
Age Range: Children, Teens, Young Adults, Parents/Families

Nikki Zhang is a registered Occupational Therapist who supports children, teens, young adults, and families through collaborative, neurodiversity-affirming care. She is passionate about helping young people build confidence, develop meaningful skills, and participate more fully in the activities that matter most to them. Nikki takes a strengths-based approach and works closely with families to create practical strategies that support success at home, school, and in everyday life.

Areas of Focus

  • ADHD
  • Autism
  • Executive Functioning
  • Emotional Regulation
  • Anxiety
  • Sensory Processing
  • Fine and Gross Motor Development
  • Self-Care Skills

Clinical Expertise

Neurodiversity-Affirming Care

Nikki has experience supporting children and youth with ADHD, autism, anxiety, emotional regulation challenges, sensory processing differences, and school-related difficulties. She works collaboratively with young people and their families to build self-awareness, coping strategies, routines, and practical skills that support participation across home, school, and community environments.

Sensory Processing & Participation

Nikki has a particular interest in understanding how sensory preferences and environmental factors influence participation in daily activities. She works with families to identify individualized strategies and adaptations that support regulation, engagement, independence, and confidence in everyday routines.

Treatment Philosophy

Nikki believes therapy is most effective when children and young people feel understood, respected, and actively involved in the process. She strives to create a warm, supportive environment where clients and families can identify strengths, navigate challenges, and develop practical strategies that fit their everyday lives. Nikki values collaboration, flexibility, and family partnership, recognizing that meaningful progress looks different for every child.

Education, Training & Experience

MSc, Occupational Therapy
University of Toronto

BA (Honours), Psychology

Carleton University

Bachelor of Architecture Studies
Carleton University

Additional Training & Certifications

  • Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for OT Professionals (CAOT course)
  • Self-Regulation Strategies for Children & Youth (CAOT course)
  • Home & Community Modifications workshop
  • Wheelchair Service Provision workshop
  • Certified Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) Rater
  • Certified Functional Independence Measure (FIM) Rater

Publications by Nikki Zhang

A FASTER Approach to Developing and Evaluating a Smart Insole Technology for Persons Living with Early‐Stage Dementia to Sustain Out‐Of‐Home Participation

Conference poster
Nikki Zhang   |   2025

Comparing Better Building Design and Operation to Other Corporate Strategies for Improving Organizational Productivity

A Review and Synthesis
Nikki Zhang   |   2022
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