The Itsy Bitsy Spider, If You're Happy And You Know It...What's Your Favorite?

Ms. Vanessa never knew she'd know all the words to AND have to sing songs all day to be an OT!

Do you remember the words to Pop Goes the Weasel?

1. What do you love most about being an OT?

The thing I love most about being an OT is being able to celebrate with families as their children gain new skills and independence.

 

2. What do you love most about your job in our pediatric setting?

The thing I love most about working in a pediatric setting is that everyday is a new adventure! When you go to work in the morning you never know if you will be a pirate, a princess, or even a contestant on wipe out that day.

 

3. What is your favorite memory as an OT?

I have so many great memories as an OT. My favorites are always when a child graduates!

 

4. What have you learned working as a therapist that you didn't learn in college?

The words to every kids song!

 

5. What advice do you most often give to parents?

The advice I give to parents most often is to get their child up and moving while completing homework, not only does it motivate the child but it also help with retention.

 

Thanks, Vanessa!  Happy OT Month!



Ms. Keira Takes Play Seriously!

 

Look at her gracefulness, now! Having lived in Hawaii,

this is a very natural pose for Ms. Keira!

 

 What do you love most about your job in our pediatric setting?
What's not to love?! When I first learned about the profession, I
remember thinking I could play with kids all day AND get paid for it?
I'm in! After almost 7 years of being an OT, from the outside looking
in, that is still the case! :) I love how we make "play" therapeutic
for our kids and can work on functional skills in a fun, motivating
setting.

Share one of the funniest moments you've had with a client.
"If you can't laugh at yourself, life's gonna seem a whole lot longer
than you like." I still have to bust out laughing, as I think back to
the time a couple years ago when I somehow managed to fall off a
bolster swing while swinging literally 6 inches from the ground. I
think we needed to be working on my core stability rather than my
client's! His sweet mother attempted to stifle her laughter and
sympathize by telling me about a time that she fell nearly 20 years
ago (not like me who can't even keep track of my klutzy mishaps
anymore!). Unscathed, other than my pride, I have welcomed taking on
the middle name Grace. :)

Describe your favorite therapeutic activity.
Shaving cream fun! I love getting messy with shaving cream to draw, to
write, to explore, to enjoy!

Share your favorite quote?

Piglet:  "How do you spell love?"

Pooh:  "You don't spell it, you feel it."

What do you love most about being an OT?
Having a child be successful and independent in those areas of life
that matter most to him/her and their family. Graduating from OT is,
without a doubt, bittersweet as it is often the most gratifying and
the most difficult moments (transitions and goodbyes can be hard for
us too!)!

Ms. Keira nurtures both her clients and the staff at TT! Thank you Ms. Keira!  Happy OT Month!

Meet Ms. Kristin! She's ready to help you, help your child!

Kristin is ready to help each of her clients

reach his or her peak!

1. What do you love most about being an OT? I love being an OT because I get to help people live their lives to the fullest! Whether a kid wants to be able to play on the playground with their friends or a family wants to be able to go out to eat at a noisy restaurant, I get to be a part of the team and figure out how to make it happen.

2. What do you love most about your job in our pediatric setting? I love the energy and the way of life at Touchstone. The bar is set high at Touchstone and you can see that the hard work pays off. It's awesome to see kids AND parents truly enjoy each Touchstone moment.

3. What is your favorite memory as an OT? I loved the moment when one of my most challenging kids with Autism got on a swing for the first time. He smiled and looked at me in the eyes! It was beautiful.

4. What have you learned working as a therapist that you didn't learn in college? I have learned that trusting my instincts is just as important as trusting my reference guides. I have also learned that tuition money can't buy the wonderful gift of experience and peer mentorship!

5. What advice do you most often give to parents? I like for parents to know that they have the ability to make a difference in their child, no matter what the challenge is. Parents know their child better than anyone, so don't ever sell yourself short!

Take Kristin's advice and trust your instincts!

Thanks, Kristin and Happy OT Month!

The Children Love Hanging Around

With Ms. Courtney!

What do you love most about your job in our pediatric setting?

Every day I have the opportunity to help children build their confidence and encourage families!

What have learned working as a therapist that you didn't learn in college?

Obstacle courses are not only fun, but extremely therapeutic!

What advice do you most often give to parents?

When working with children with poor sensory processing, the most important first step is for parents to first understand their own sensory preferences.

What is the funniest thing you've heard a child say?

After really thinking hard for several minutes, I had a little boy tell me with all sincerity, that the body part between your wrist and shoulder (arm) is your “elbow grease.”

Community recommendations?

Inner peaks climbing gym is a great place for families to go if they want to get in a really good sensory diet. Not only is climbing great heavy work, but it is a fun way to work on motor planning J

Ms. Courtney is also a yoga instructor and teaches early morning classes

at the Y!

 

Happy OT Month, Courtney!

Look at me now, Mom!

Elizabeth is in her 8th year of being an OT at Touchstone!

She's been busy having fun and doing what she was never allowed to as a child, all while helping children succeed!

We asked Elizabeth about her experience as an OT at Touchstone and she shared the following with us:

1. What do you love most about being an OT? My job is FUN! Also, I love how we can be creative and incorporate so many motivating activities to reach a client's goals.

2. What do you love most about your job in our pediatric setting? Watching our children grow, learn, and become independent with daily life skills. Also love jumping on the trampoline! (My mom never let me have one growing up!)

3. What is your favorite memory as an OT? A 2 year old client saying his first word during our session while performing the zip line.

4. What have you learned working as a therapist that you didn't learn in college? I have learned the majority of my knowledge since college, but the past four years have taught me the most by having my own children.

5. What is the funniest thing you've heard a child say? Singing "See ya, at Folger Kia" over and over and over, just to make me laugh and then to drive me nuts. I will never forget my Scott!

Thanks for eight great years, Elizabeth! Happy OT Month!

The Heart of Touchstone!

 This is Ms. Amy. She loves touching the lives of children and their families.

 

1. What do you love most about being an OT?  My favorite thing about being an OT is making a difference in the life of a family. There is no greater reward than seeing the smile on a child or parents face when a goal has been achieved and because of that, lives have been touched.

2. What do you love most about your job in our pediatric setting? I love working in a pediatric setting because the kids are always so happy to see us! They work hard, but are having so much fun at the same time. Kids keep you on your toes, and young at heart.

3. What is your favorite memory as an OT? Currently, my favorite memory is when Riley (who just had her feeding tube removed) told me the other day that she is getting bigger because she eats by her mouth now!

4. What have learned working as a therapist that you didn't learn in college? In college, your learn many clinical treatment ideas, and you are taught the concept of therapeutice use of self. But, they didn't teach you how much each client touches your heart and the bonds and memories that will last a lifetime.

5. What advice do you most often give to parents? Let your child live. No matter what your child's struggles may be, treat them as a typical child and let him/her experience each day to the fullest.

 

Doesn't it sound like she's describing our logo?

 

Staying true to her desires to help children maximize their potential in a fun manner, Amy co-developed Fundanoodle, a fun and engaging handwriting development program.  Visit www.fundanoodle.com to learn more about Fundanoodle!

Happy OT Month, Amy!

 

 

Oh, the things kids say!

Ms. Dana enjoys being creative, and it shows

in her treatment sessions!

 

What do you love most about being an OT?  Having the ability to be creative!!!!!!!

 

What is your favorite memory as an OT?   All of the many graduation parties, there's not a more bittersweet moment than when you realize that a child doesn't need you anymore!

What have learned working as a therapist that you didn't learn in college?  Real life does not exist in a textbook. Yes, school is important to build the fundamentals but it is through practice that you learn to put it all together. Just because a diagnosis or impairment typically means you will experience a certain limitation, it doesn't mean that you will or that you can't overcome it. And just because a certain intervention or strategy is suppose to work, it doesn't mean it's going to. Being a therapist sometimes means thinking outside the box!

What advice do you most often give to parents?   Trust your instincts. If your gut is telling you a certain situation is or is not a good fit for your child, you're probably right!

What is the funniest thing you've heard a child say?  Ms Dana, are you a vampire? (guess I forgot my makeup that day!!!!)

You can learn more about Dana and follow her blog at www.embraceyourchaos.com

Happy OT Month, Dana!