10 Reasons to Become a Pediatric OT

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Austen Lincoln

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Austen is a pediatric occupational therapist, entrepreneur, and total nerd when it comes to child development. In her private practice Steps 2 Grow, which she owns and operates, Austen specializes in typical and atypical movement and motor development of birth to five year olds. She offers pediatric occupational therapy, virtual parent consultations, and online courses for caregivers. Austen’s happiest days are spent playing with kids and empowering parents with practical tools to support their little one’s development.

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Occupational Therapists like myself work with individuals of all ages, from the first day of life to the last. We help individuals experiencing barriers develop, recover, improve, and maintain the skills needed for their daily activities. While most occupational therapists work with adults, there are many powerfully alluring reasons to become a pediatric OT. Here are 10 of the top reasons why you may want to consider specializing in pediatric occupational therapy.

Every hour of the day is different

Pediatric occupational therapy is one of those professions where practitioners rarely get bored. Given that child development is not linear, every child develops differently and on their own innate timeline. As a result, each child’s needs are extremely unique, and each child’s session will be highly individualized. Every hour of the day brings something new and interesting, meaning you’ll never be bored as a pediatric OT.

You never stop learning

To maintain your OT license, you pledge to complete continuing education. You promise to enroll in workshops or courses, mentor an OT student, give or attend presentations, or read scientific journals in order to keep your skills fresh, relevant, and evidence-based. But this comes so easily, because anything related to pediatrics, brain science, and child development is absolutely fascinating. You could pick a new topic every week to sink your teeth into, and it will be totally captivating.

You get to see progress

Seeing progress, big or small, is one of the most fulfilling parts of being a pediatric OT. From witnessing a kiddo spontaneously hold a pencil with a tripod grasp for the first time and seeing a child with cerebral palsy sit themself up for the first time to watching a kid smile and say “Miss Austen, I did it!” or a parent telling you they had an “Aha!” moment about their child’s behavior and sensory needs, being part of those joys and successes, and helping to make them happen, is incredibly gratifying.

Kids help you be present

Kids are such wonderful teachers. If you just observe a child for a few minutes, it won’t be long before you appreciate the joy, simplicity, and presence they exude, even when adversity, disability, or illness tries to stand in their way. For me, no matter what is happening in my life, the hours that are spent in the company of a child somehow make stressors, worries, and growing checklists magically disappear, connecting me with the NOW. Working with kids may help you fully enjoy life’s simple moments, too.

You get to collaborate with the whole family unit

Parent/caregiver education and involvement is so vital to a child’s growth and success. As a pediatric OT, you get the opportunity to facilitate that support for the whole family unit, ensuring they feel educated and equipped to cultivate the child’s sensory-motor development. You get to help the whole family succeed and thrive.

You get to positively influence a malleable young brain

The brain undergoes expansive growth and learning in the first years of life. By age 5, 90% of the brain is formed. Of the 1 in 6 children who experience developmental delays, many will be identified within those first 5 years. Pediatric OTs have the unique skill set to provide the conditions for a child’s brain to “blossom” and operate at its fullest potential during the years when it matters most. What a life changing opportunity, for the child and therapist!

Work doesn’t really feel like work

Since a child’s “occupation” is play, pediatric OT is all about – you guessed it – play! We use play and functional activities to help a child progress in their skills. A quick search for OT activities on Pinterest would yield pictures of crafts, messy play ideas using shaving cream and finger paint, homemade playdough recipes, tactile bin ideas, scooter board games, and a million ways you can use salad tongs. Pediatric OT’s use these types of activities to target skills each child is working towards. Although there are some “work” type tasks in a pediatric OT’s daily to-do’s, direct patient care hardly feels like work.

It is an active job

Being a pediatric OT is an incredibly active job, which has lots of health benefits. Moving around all day, versus sitting for long periods of time, has been shown to decrease the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and premature death. Active jobs keep the body in better shape, the mind clearer, and leave you with more energy overall. Luckily the dress code in most pediatric OT offices is pretty relaxed, because you’re up, down, rolling around, and crawling all day. I live in leggings!

You leave a lasting impression on the child, and the family

As a pediatric OT, you will be remembered. You will be remembered as the “gym teacher” with all the cool climbing equipment and swings, or the fun playmate that comes to the house every Tuesday with a rolling suitcase of surprises (that’s me!), or the teacher that helps make writing fun. You will be remembered for the difference you made in the child’s life, and in the parent’s ability to better understand and parent their child. You may even be added to the holiday card address list, or invited to dinner (in which case some boundaries need to be discussed).

It will help you be a better parent

Whether you are already a parent, or hope to be someday, being a pediatric OT will help you develop a parent toolkit you would not otherwise have. You will be versed in typical and atypical development, know about effective interventions if you notice something happening with your own child, and have a toy chest full of strategies to choose from should you need them. Collaborating with families will also expose you to information, opinions, and ideas that you may otherwise not know about.

Being a pediatric OT is not all rainbows and butterflies, although those themes do appear quite frequently when working with children. It is challenging, often exhausting, and requires lots of patience. However, it is an incredibly enjoyable and rewarding profession, and the one you will see me in for a very long time.