**Kristen80**

Re: **Kristen80**

• kristen80

  January 2012

  Hey there - sounds like you have an amazing skill set to add to an OT degree (esp since you want to work w/ kids).
  

  I went to Boston University and got my bachelor's degree there (right after I graduated, they started requiring Master's degrees for OT's but I'm grandfathered in).  One thing you could look into is whether there is a COTA program near you (Certified OT Assistant) - sometimes you can get your COTA degree while you're working toward the Master's, so you can practice and make money sooner  ).  I know down here Salem State University does that, but I'm not sure about up in Maine.  A COTA can work in any setting an OTR works in, but they don't do evaluations or develop plans of care on their own.
  

  I've pretty much worked in every setting except outpatient and psych...neither one is natural or fun for me but some people love it.  I've mostly worked in skilled nursing facilities/rehabs (nursing homes) with elderly people.  Basically I would be given a caseload of about 6-8 people per day, and would work with them on being able to take care of themselves (whatever "occupies" their day, hence "occupational" therapy!).  Typically they would be there due to a cardiac or orthopedic condition, like heart attack, stroke, total hip/knee replacement, etc.  So I still work in this setting on occasion, but I just started working as an early intervention (EI) therapist in November.

  EI is AMAZING!!!  I work with newborns-3 year olds in community settings (their homes or daycares), and you really get to work with the families to educate them on how to help their child develop.  I see kids for a variety of reasons - from diagnosed issues (prematurity, autism, Down's Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, etc.), to general developmental delays, to kids who are at risk for developmental delays due to parents' lack of resources/education.  The evaluation is done with a team of other professionals (developmental specialists, PT's, social workers, OT's).  After you deem the child in need of services, you go to their house and write up goals with the parents, and complete a process called the IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan).  We work on everything - communication skills, fine/gross motor, social skills, behavior, etc.  It's SO fun, and I love the setting because I'm working an impoverished city in MA so I feel like it's a bit of community outreach/social work at the same time...super fun and every day is different.  The hours are incredibly flexible and perfect for a family (I currently work 2 days a week, 7 hours/day, and am going to pick up a 3rd day within the next few months).  I see 5-6 kids/day.
  

  I've also worked in schools and that was so fun too.  School OT's pick up where the EI OT's leave off (EI stops at 3, and community preschools start at that age).  School OT's see kids either one on one, in small groups, in the classroom, or even doing little lessons for a whole class of kids (how to grasp a pencil, print letters, or doing a craft).  You evaluate kids and determine whether they could benefit from OT services, and participate in IEP (Individualized Education Program) meetings with kids' parents and other school professionals (special ed teacher, classroom teacher, guidance counselor).  Schools are really fun, the hours are great, etc. but the pay is usually lower and a lot of times you don't have your own room which can be hard...I was split between 3 schools and my "OT rooms" were on the side of a stage next to the chorus, the corner of a library, and the corner of the special ed room...it got old really fast always feeling like I didn't belong anywhere, and each school/district is very different so it just might work out if you find the right one.

  I just realized I wrote a book here!  Sorry about that!  Definitely let me know if you have any more questions though  ).  Best of luck!
  

  
  
  Jake blowing out the candle at Katie's coming home party )
  
  Katie Belle
  
  Kristen, Chad, Jake, Katie & Sadie the Wonderdog, est. 6/17/06

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• AngLK987

  January 2012

  Thank you that is SOOO helpful! I worked with a School OT at one of my past jobs (working with a little girl who is deaf - she saw the OT at school), and then I ended up being her nanny (The OT"s) for a summer.  I LOVE her work and admire her so much. I think I'd like to do the COTA sooner rather than later, but the closest place I've found to do the program is Husson University in Bangor, which is about 2 1/2 hours from me... I'm trying to find something I can do mostly online from home and then do what I need to in Bangor... So far I'm not having much luck finding any online programs, considering it's such a hands-on profession.  EI Sounds amazing too! I have always said I wanted to do pediatric OT, but I realize there are so many options I don't want to limit myself!  

   

  The agency I work for works with kids with a HUGE range of behavior disorders, I think I'll probably contract through them to do OT for their clients once I finally get my degree, they'd like to keep me on staff until then to do that, but the thing is I have to work a minimum of 20 hrs per week to keep my job and I just can't see 20 hrs week + school + baby happening anytime soon... I can barely swing 20 hrs + baby, and still feel like I can live in this pigsty I call a house.  

   

  Thank you so much for the info, i'm sure once I finally get into a school I'll probably have a million more questions for you! I'm so glad to have another contact to sound off ideas & ask questions... there are so many people who don't know what OT is and say "What is that?" when I tell them what I want to do! 

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