As a pediatric occupational therapist, I used to encourage the families who asked, to pursue an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis because it opened up doors. In the states that I have worked in, sometimes that meant an easier time getting an IEP. More services from early intervention. Automatic qualification into the district special education preschool. …
Here is what I have learned so far and my advice for new grad occupational therapists. It has been 2 years since I started TheVirtualPediatricOT.com and a year since I started my mentorship programs. Even though I have supervised many fieldwork students, worked with a university on their program, and mentored many other occupational therapists…
Why More is Needed than a Developmental Milestone Checklist to Evaluate a Child’s Development For years I have said to families and friends…… Pediatricians are developmental screeners. THEY ARE NOT THE EXPERT. Neither do I want them to be. I want my pediatrician to be able to diagnose my child if they have a serious…
Setting up professional boundaries in healthcare that include not becoming too “friendly” or too forgiving with canceled sessions, etc, with clients is very important in our professions. I have seen this happen and it is not pretty. When it happens I believe therapists become too invested in not only the therapy outcome but their overall…