About Us
Meet Our Dedicated Pediatric Therapists in Burnaby, Coquitlam and Vancouver
Serving Burnaby, Coquitlam, and Vancouver, we specialize in personalized pediatric therapy services designed to support children’s unique developmental needs.
Whether it’s occupational, speech, and behavioral intervention or therapy, our expert therapists work closely with families to create a nurturing and supportive environment for every child.
Trust us to guide your child’s growth and development with care, empathy, and professionalism.
Shawn Chuang
Shawn is the founder of Kidstart Pediatric Therapy. He is currently developing various OT treatment programs and therapy structure within several locations. He is listed on the Registered Autism Service Providers (RASP) list as an Occupational Therapist (OT).
Shaw has completed his Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy in Taiwan and graduated in 2009. He has advanced training in Sensory Integration and has completed ASI® certificate program from CLASI (Collaborative for Leadership in ASI). He is also a trained SOS (Sequential-Oral-Sensory) feeding therapist and a DIRFloortime® practitioner. Shawn has also attended many workshops including Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) for both introductory and advanced course as well as Relationship Development Intervention (RDI).
For more than 12 years of working with kids with special needs, Shawn has devoted his career to making a difference for these children and their families. After he moved to Canada in 2017, he continued his career with special focus on kids with Autism diagnosis. He enjoys working with them and loves to see them learn and grow through play and relationships.
Regarding his pediatric occupational therapy practice, he does initial Occupational Therapy evaluation, feeding assessment, report writing as well as direct intervention for children aged 3-18. He also attends to client’s home for home-based OT sessions as well as school visits for school aged clients.
Shawn believes in holistic approach with greater understanding of child development. He is also a strong advocate for creating awareness of children with special needs as well as promoting the importance of the involvement of the parents. He always tries his best to collaborate with the caregivers and walk with them through their journey. He enjoys working/playing and laughing together with kids, and that’s why he is never tired of finding fun and cool stuff for kids that he works with.
Professional Development/ Workshop and Courses
- Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) -Introductory and advanced courses
- Relationship Developmental Intervention (RDI)- Consultant training
- DIR Floor time introductory Level 1
- DIR Floor time Basic Certificate course (DIR 201)
- Integrated Listening Systems SSP training course
- ASI certificate program (CLASI)
- SOS Feeding approach course
- “The Traffic Jam In My Brain ONLINE” A Sensory Processing Approach to Challenges Associated with Autism, ADHD, Learning and Behavioral Differences
- Handwriting Without Tears K-5 Handwriting Workshop
- Keyboard Without Tears Workshop
Find us on Best of Vancouver as one of the best pediatricians for kids in Greater Vancouver!
Meet the team
Kidstart Pediatric Therapy
Kristie Shen
Occupational Therapist
Kristie began her journey as an Occupational Therapist after completing her bachelor’s degree of Occupational Therapy in Taiwan in 2007. Since then, her professional journey has led her to work with children and families in a variety of settings and treat many different diagnoses and developmental concerns.
For Kristie, positive relationships with children and families are fundamental to success in therapy. She believes that children learn best through meaningful activities that are fun and motivating, so letting children enjoy each occupational therapy session is always one of her goals.
As a therapist, Kristie wants to always be progressing and learning in her field. She always wants to be her best so she can help children be their best self.
Julia Kwan
Occupation Therapist
Julia is an occupational therapist who is passionate about working with children and their families. She has her Master of Occupational Therapy from the University of British Columbia. Julia approaches her work with a child and family-centred approach, focusing on collaborative-relational care. She is excited to work alongside you to achieve meaningful goals and increase participation in all domains of life. She is a life-long learner who strives to be grounded in evidence-based practices and continued learning.
Julia has experience working with children with autism, ADHD, DCD, anxiety and more in private OT practice as well as a lifeguard and swim instructor for the City of Vancouver for 7 years. Through this and working privately with Propel, she has taught adapted lessons to children of various abilities and diagnoses. She takes an individualized approach so that each child can learn to love the water and have fun in a safe and meaningful way. Julia is registered with the College of Occupational Therapists of BC (COTBC), the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT).
Leonardo Tam
Occupational Therapist
Leo is a dedicated occupational therapist who completed his Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at the University of Alberta. He gained extensive fieldwork experience at a school for children with disabilities, specializing in school-based pediatric OT. In this role, Leo developed individualized program plans, conducted assessments, and implemented treatment focused on sensory integration, fine motor skills, and executive functioning, using a client-centered, strengths-based approach. He believes that collaboration with therapists, assistants, and families is essential for creating support systems that empower each child to achieve their developmental goals. Committed to evidence-based practice, Leo tailors his interventions to meet his clients’ unique needs.
Before his graduate studies, Leo earned a Bachelor of Kinesiology from the University of British Columbia. His diverse experience includes working as a behaviour interventionist for children with autism, providing respite for teenagers with autism, and serving as a sports head coach for young children, where he promoted motor development and social skills.
Christine Chiu
Occupation Therapist
Christine is an empathetic and caring pediatric Occupational Therapist, holding a Bachelor’s degree and license in Occupational Therapy from Taiwan since 2016. Expanding her expertise, she obtained a diploma in Infant development and Supported ChildCare from UBC, further enhancing her qualifications in the specialized field of pediatric care. In 2023, Christine obtained her OT license in Canada, demonstrating her commitment to providing the highest standards of care. With a rich background in working with children with neurodiversity, Christine brings a deep understanding and a personalized approach to her practice, ensuring that each child receives tailored support to thrive. Her passion and dedication to pediatric Therapy drive her to continuously seek innovative strategies and interventions that can make a significant difference in the lives of the children and families she serves.
Regina Tai
Behavioural Consultant
As a Behavioral Consultant, I have worked with neurodiverse individuals aged 2.5 to 16, with a primary focus on supporting children with autism. Additionally, I have experience working with individuals diagnosed with ADHD and intellectual disabilities.
My passion for working with children began in my teenage years, but it wasn’t until later that I realized it could evolve into a fulfilling career. After completing my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and gaining valuable experience in education and management, I transitioned into Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) as a Behaviour Interventionist. I then progressed toward my goal, completed all the necessary requirements, and am now sitting for the examination to become a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA). This transition has been deeply rewarding, and I collaborate with and support families using ethical, evidence-based teaching strategies that incorporate assent-based interventions, ensuring both effective outcomes and respect for the individual’s autonomy.
Spoken Languages: English / Mandarin / Cantonese (basic daily conversation)
Preet Shah
Speech-Language Therapist and Audiologist
Preet has completed her Bachelors in Audiology and Speech-Language pathology from Topiwala National medical college (Nair hospital) followed by a Master’s degree in Audiology and Speech-language Pathology from Manipal University. She is certified by the College of Speech and Hearing BC and I am a practitioner in RASP.
She also held a Clinical Competence Certificate (CCC-SLP) from ASHA (American Speech and Hearing Association) and licensure from Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI). She has also received training in Oral Placement Therapy, Hanen- More than words and Natural Language Acquisition.
Preet specialize in working with the pediatric population with language delay or deviancy, articulation and/or feeding issues. She has also worked with adults with neuro-communication disorders and dysphagia and have completed my dissertation in creating a treatment manual for adults who have word-finding difficulties.
Her passion:
“After working with various therapists over the years, I realised the importance of using a holistic approach for the treatment provided and sharing this form of approach with other therapists for professional development. I have developed an online portal called “Uncleft” wherein experts from various fields share their expertise on a topic which in turn will help train professionals and students in the field. “
Preet believes that when we work on something continually and “be at it” (keep practising it), then over time, not only do we end up achieving our goals, but surpassing them.
Jaz Lee To
Behavioural Interventionist
Jaz graduated in Hong Kong in BSc (Hons) in occupational therapy. She moved to Canada in 2017 and has since focused on raising her two children. Now ready to contribute to her community, she is actively pursuing her occupational therapy registration in British Columbia.
Before the move, Jaz served as an Occupational Therapist with the Hong Kong Hospital Authority, providing comprehensive therapy services across various settings. Her role involved developing therapeutic interventions and ensuring continuity of care, which honed her skills in patient assessment and interdisciplinary collaboration.
She has a strong passion for pediatric occupational therapy, emphasizing play-based interventions that support children’s developmental milestones.
Jaz is eager to bring her experience and commitment to patient-centered care to Kidstart Pediatric Therapy and make a positive impact on children’s lives.
Tiffany Lee
Assistant
Tiffany is studying her Bachelor’s in Kinesiology at UBC, working towards getting her Masters in Occupational Therapy. She has worked with children with physical and cognitive disabilities as a gymnastics coach and continues growing professionally in that realm. Tiffany is excited to utilize her knowledge to support children and their families, foster growth, and gain skills needed for everyday life.
Kenneth Chue
Assistant
Kenneth graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy in Hong Kong in 2015 and has begun a fulfilling career as an Occupational Therapist in Hong Kong, specializing in various fields including mental health, child and adolescent service, and senior care. Recently, Kenneth relocated to Canada, and is in the process of obtaining formal registration as an Occupational Therapist in British Columbia.
Kenneth’s passion for working with children stems from his belief that each child possesses the inherent potential to flourish and lead a meaning life in their own unique way. He is committed to creating an enjoyable and positive therapeutic experience for every child he works with. By fostering a sense of enjoyment, Kenneth aims to facilitate progress and holistic well-being for the children he serves.
Natalie Leung
Admin
Natalie has a deep love for nature and an active lifestyle, but her real passion shines when she is interacting with kids. Growing up, she was surrounded by children of various ages as her mom worked as a babysitter at home. Likely influenced by those constant interactions, she chose to pursue a career as a kindergarten teacher after graduating, and you’ll often find her with a beaming smile.
During Natalie’s leisure time, she relished traveling, cycling, and skiing with her family. Balancing work and family is paramount to Natalie, as both hold equal importance in her life.