A Day in the Life | Pediatric Private Practice

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 2^nd 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 2^nd 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. 

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