Please welcome Dr. Heather Jackson Pena who is here today to share her typical day in the life of an occupational therapist who owns her own practice. Heather is a busy lady! Read on to see what a typical day looks like for her.
My schedule for this semester is arguably insane. But, here is a
typical school-based day (school-days occur 3 days a week, full office days
twice (one day being Saturday), and then one day for business administrative
tasks, staff/contractor lead meetings, grading for the leadership course,
evaluation write ups, IEP development, etc.)
8:00AM Check email, social media, confirm meetings with
contractors or school clients
8:30AM Commute from outpatient office in Maryland to DC Charter
School client(s)
9:30AM Provide intervention for first student receiving OT as
part of IEP for developmental delay, in the pre-k classroom setting during
small group and center activities with a focus on classroom tool use and fine
motor prehension patterns
1030AM Provide intervention for two students in 2nd
grade with learning disabilities as part of their IEP outside of the classroom
for intensive and structured visual motor and visual spatial interventions to
support classroom motor planning and sequencing
1130AM Data summary and entry from morning sessions into Google
docs/Daily progress notes from AM/Staff and/or contractor meetings/Mid-day
meetings/consultation hours/teacher rounds/social media update
1245PM Provide intervention for one 2nd grade student
with history of brain injury and current presentation of learning disabilities
as part of her IEP. Intervention includes visual tracking (eye-head
separation), visual spatial orientation, sequencing and handwriting instruction
as a functional skill to support visual motor development.
145PM Final data tracking and progress notes
2PM Classroom screening or observation
230PM Head back to outpatient office
330PM First afternoon client, typically pre-k student for
developmental delay
430-530PM Second and third afternoon clients, typically
school-aged child for sensory regulation, visual motor integration, fine motor
skill development and visual perceptual skills.
530PM Emails as needed, read journal articles/research, office
staff check-ins, prep for next day sessions or meetings
6PM Home
830PM Respond to emails, read for preparation, IEP or evaluation
write ups, business management, all as needed
930/10PM- Done
About Heather:
Heather has practiced occupational therapy for 10 years with the
use of meaningful childhood and youth
occupations to promote the health and wellness of children and young people. Her practice settings include preschools, elementary, middle and high schools, post-secondary schools and programs, and full-time special education schools in addition to ongoing outpatient pediatric intervention and consultation. The bulk of her current work includes owning and operating a private practice, an adjunct faculty position with Philadelphia University teaching a post-doctoral course on leadership, providing school-based related services as part of students’ IEPs, evaluating transition-age youth for vocational and life skill interests and goals, and consulting with a variety of school settings and families for children, youth and young adults, ages 3 to 25.
occupations to promote the health and wellness of children and young people. Her practice settings include preschools, elementary, middle and high schools, post-secondary schools and programs, and full-time special education schools in addition to ongoing outpatient pediatric intervention and consultation. The bulk of her current work includes owning and operating a private practice, an adjunct faculty position with Philadelphia University teaching a post-doctoral course on leadership, providing school-based related services as part of students’ IEPs, evaluating transition-age youth for vocational and life skill interests and goals, and consulting with a variety of school settings and families for children, youth and young adults, ages 3 to 25.
Connect with Heather:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/OTforKids
Twitter: @OT_for_Kids
Twitter: @DrPtheOT
Heather at AOTA 2015:
Thursday, April 16:8:30 - 11:30: WS 103: Leadership in School-Based Practice: Developing a Values-Based Mission to Create Effective Change
12:30 - 3:30: WS 105: (AOTA) Secrets from the Field: Transition Research, Resources, and Tips
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