Meet The Team
Kali Jacobs
Owner & Lead Occupational Therapist
Beyond borders, Kali extends her impact globally. As a mentor to Occupational Therapists worldwide, she travels to various countries, offering therapy intensives to groups of families. Kali's vision is clear – to provide quality Occupational Therapy services that are not only effective but also fun and cultivating. Her innovative approach focuses on creating sessions that not only address therapeutic needs but also instill a sense of joy and growth in the children she serves. Through her determined efforts, Kali Jacobs continues to shape the landscape of pediatric Occupational Therapy, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of countless children around the world.
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Kali Jacobs graduated from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 2009 with a BSc. In Neuroscience and Recreation Therapy. She practiced as a Recreation Therapist at Sick Kids Hospital located in Toronto, Ontario for a year whereby she was introduced to the world of Occupational Therapy. Kali proceeded to complete her MSc. in Occupational Therapy & Occupational Science at the University of Toronto and graduated in 2012.
For the past 10 years, Kali has been practicing as a pediatric Occupational Therapist who strives to enable children and families to participate in meaningful daily occupations. Throughout her career, Kali has taken numerous courses including vestibular-ocular therapy, sensory integration, reflex integration, neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), the listening program, astronaut program, cognitive orientation to daily occupational performance (CO-OP) approach, alert program for emotional regulation, handwriting without tears, as well as the sequential oral sensory approach to feeding.
Kali has experience working with children/youth of various ages and abilities in private practice, schools, outpatient clinics, and in the community. Kali is the founder of the Occupational Therapy department at S.M.I.L.E. Therapy for Kids located in Toronto, Ontario and has since been involved in mentoring numerous Occupational Therapists worldwide. She travels to various countries to provide therapy intensives for groups of families who request her services. Through provision of direct therapy and therapist mentorship, Kali is determined to provide quality Occupational Therapy services worldwide to as many children as possible.
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OT Registration with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario
Vestibular-ocular therapy
Sensory integration
Reflex integration
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES)
Spinal stimulation (NISE)
The listening program
Astronaut program
Cognitive orientation to daily occupational performance (CO-OP) approach
Alert program for emotional regulation
Handwriting without tears
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PTA/OTA, Rebound Therapy Practitioner, Administrative AssistantMaya Perez is currently completing her undergraduate degree in a Bachelors of Science with a specialization in Kinesiology at Queen’s University. She has practiced as a paediatric Physical and Occupational therapy assistant since 2018. Her passion, commitment, and expertise in working with children has grown tremendously over the years. Maya’s extended practice in the field of paediatric therapy includes her 3 years of work as a certified Rebound Therapy Practitioner / Therapeutic Trampoline Specialist. Recently she has expanded her practice to involve student athletes serving as a student Athletic Trainer for her school's varsity sports teams. Maya uses her extensive background working with children and youth with complex needs in her volunteer work with various programs for children with exceptionalities. Maya strives to leave a lasting impact on every one of her clients, making therapy fun and celebrating every achievement.
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B.Sc. (Cur. Occ.), OT
Dublin, Ireland Location
Jemie completed her degree in Occupational Therapy from Trinity College Dublin in June 2024. With a longstanding passion for working with children, Jemie discovered Occupational Therapy through healthcare professionals in her family. She was drawn to occupational therapy as the profession’s holistic approach, focuses on the person, their environment, and their unique occupations, rather than just their condition. Jemie has volunteered with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and has developed a growing interest in supporting children with complex needs and their families to participate in meaningful daily activities. During her final placement, Jemie became fascinated with sensory integration, which ignited her enthusiasm to incorporate it into her practice. As a current mentee of Kali Jacobs, Jemie is excited to bring intensive, hands-on Occupational Therapy services to families across Ireland through her work with KJOT.
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B.Sc. (Cur. Occ.), OT
Cork, Ireland Location
Saoirse holds a B.Sc in Occupational Therapy from the National University of Ireland, Galway, which she earned in 2018. Her passion for working with children and young people began during her college years, where she took on her first role as an adventure center instructor. Since graduating, Saoirse has gained valuable experience working in both the UK and the UAE, supporting children and young adults with a wide range of additional needs. She is dedicated to delivering child-centered, play-based, and neuro-affirming therapy, helping young individuals and their families overcome challenges and thrive. Saoirse is also deeply committed to promoting mental health and well-being, ensuring her clients and families feel supported in every aspect of their lives.
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Administrative AssistantSiobhan Mannion brings 20 years of rich experience in the field of education, specializing in both early years and adult education. Her career has been dedicated to supporting learners in becoming inclusive educators who champion the rights of all children. Siobhan holds a BSc in Psychology and Child and Family Studies and an Advanced Diploma in Montessori Education. Currently, she is furthering her expertise through a postgraduate program in Inclusive Education.
Siobhan's personal journey as a mother of two sons has profoundly shaped her professional path. Her younger son, Jamie, has complex disabilities and medical needs, providing Siobhan with a unique perspective on the challenges and triumphs families face. For the past 4.5 years, Siobhan has been working closely with Kali Jacobs OT Services, where she has gained extensive hands-on experience in sensory integration and the KJOT approach. This direct involvement in her son's therapy, coupled with Kali's mentorship, has deepened her understanding of Occupational Therapy and its impact.
Joining the KJOT team allows Siobhan to merge her passion for early childhood education, her advocacy for inclusive education, and her personal experience with Occupational Therapy. She is committed to helping other families access the support they need, just as she did through Kali's guidance.
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MSc OT, Occupational Therapist
Mississauga, Canada Location
Harjot Shoker is a registered Occupational Therapist who holds a Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Toronto and an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from McMaster University. Her journey into occupational therapy was fueled by a passion for health policy, where she discovered the powerful ability of occupational therapy to support children and families in meaningful ways.
Harjot has developed a particular interest in pediatric occupational therapy and the KJOT approach, utilizing interventions such as sensory integration, vestibular-ocular therapy, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, vibration therapy and more.
As an occupational therapist with the KJOT team in the Greater Toronto Area, Harjot is fluent in English, Punjabi, and Hindi enabling her to connect with and serve a diverse range of children and families. She is dedicated to working closely with families to create positive, lasting changes in children's lives, helping them grow and thrive in meaningful ways.
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Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA)Krystal has a passion for occupational therapy (OT) that stems from her belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to participate in meaningful activities and that there’s more than one way to achieve that. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with a Minor in Psychology from McMaster University and is currently pursuing her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at Queen’s University.
Krystal has hands-on experience working with children at All About Kids Rehabilitation Centre, where she assisted physiotherapists and is excited to carry those experiences into her OT future to support the unique needs of every child. Her volunteer work with Best Buddies Canada and aphasia communication support groups has strengthened her creativity and taught her to use strength-based approaches to foster learning and growth.
Krystal is passionate about equitable care and recognizes the systemic barriers that many families face. She is committed to making therapy a safe, engaging, and empowering experience for children and their families while celebrating every win along the way!