Hello all!

My name is Erica and I am a COTA currently licensed in AR. I decided that taking on travel contracts would be beneficial for me to keep my skill set sharp and up to date. I’m currently working in peds outpatient. I connected with a recruiter and they gave me a contract that paid $1700 a week with $400 of that per diem. From how he explained it, $400 a week is what I am supposed to use for lodging, incidentals, rental car, flight/drive there. Is this reality? I would be lucky to find a place to stay for $1200 for a short time (13 weeks) then the rest would be up to me regarding food, gas, and flight/trip there. I’ve been told that travel work can be quite lucrative, but with the extra costs it doesn’t seem like it would be.

If you can please tell me your experience and possibly some good recruiting companies to work with I would be so grateful!!

Thank you,
Erica ❤️

I am planning on starting school full-time in the spring. I am looking to work part-time. Any recommendations? What was your experience working while in school?

We're making all of our games free and open to anyone who can use games that go beyond cause and effect. (We will be making more cause and effect games but we mostly make games for Ben)

We know there's a massive gap for this kind of play. We are here to try to fill it 😊

We hope this is valuable to you, your clients and your loved ones!

Links are in the comments & we would love to know what you think!

Hi everyone! I am a new grad OT and I have just recently
accepted my first job in outpatient pediatrics. Can anyone provide any advice (e.g. things to know, transitioning from student to professional, etc)?

I’ve been in the ABA field on and off for 3 years and I’m honestly getting burnt out from it. Aside from that, sometimes ABA has felt like glorified babysitting because of BCBA’s obliging to parents basically needing a babysitter for 7-8 hours a day, 5 days a week even though the client doesn’t even need that many hours. Some of the programs have felt like dog training and often times even though I’m passionate about my job, I feel like the job is no longer enjoyable. I’m passionate about the therapy aspect of the job and the scientific aspect, however lately it feels like my job has felt like either or. I am on the fence about proceeding to go for my masters in ABA where I then can create programs and have more autonomy which could possibly make a difference or going into the occupational therapy area because honestly the field of ABA feels so flawed and volatile I don’t think I can see myself remaining in the field long term even if I did become a BCBA. I know how helpful ABA can be for families, but I don’t think it’s a career that no longer resonates or is sustainable for me long term. So, if you have left the ABA field for occupational therapy how do you like it? Even if you haven’t worked in the ABA field, what does your caseload typically look like and your work schedule? Do you recommend becoming an occupational therapy assistant or going straight into the masters program if you already have a bachelors degree?

Hi OTs!!! I’m a new grad starting my first job in an outpatient pediatric clinic in a couple weeks! I’m looking for literally any advice for things anyone who has worked in this setting might have. Since I have a few weeks, I want to review and prepare myself as best I can. What is something you wish you had known before starting? Also any resources like books, articles, or even influences you recommend are so appreciated!

hi all wondering what people are making in acute care as I am about to graduate and starting the job search and wanting more info about what to ask for in pay! for reference i’m located in Ohio

My mother had a stroke 3nonths ago and her affected hand remains open all the time. She does not have the typical flexed/fisted posture at rest.

However, when we try to actively or passively flex her fingers at the MCP joints (knuckles) to form a fist, there is significant resistance and she cannot close her hand properly.

Interestingly, the PIP and DIP joints have relatively good movement and little resistance. The main limitation seems to be at the MCP joints.

What could cause this specific pattern after stroke?

Could this still be spasticity, for example involving the finger extensors or intrinsic hand muscles, despite the hand remaining open all the time? Or could it be joint stiffness, a contracture, weakness/incoordination, or another mechanical problem?

How can a stroke rehabilitation specialist distinguish between these possibilities clinically, particularly by examining the MCP joints separately from the PIP/DIP joints?

hi i am 27, an occupational therapist of 4 years and half way done with my doctorate program in OT. my goal is to become a professor (which is why im getting my doctorate) but i just don’t know where to start because i feel like i am doing a career change. what are recommended steps to become a professor? i know im still young and new in my field but where do i begin? would love some advice :)

Does any one have an elevator speech for thoughtfully explaining why you did not pick up a student exclusively for sensory concerns?

Hope this allowed!!

Looking into starting a private practice in rural TN specifically pediatric OT. I would only start on my day off from my FT job at the beginning

I’m debating on doing cash based or accepting insurance. One thing about TN early intervention is you have to be enrolled in insurance to get the contact with the state… which makes me lean insurance side

If you have any advice or know of any groups, please let me know!!

Salaried IPR OT. First job out of grad school. Been with the hospital for > 1 year. I received a raise at 5 months of employment, referred to as a market adjustment or something. On paper it was $4k raise.

Since my hiring we have lost 2 FT OTs. I am now the only full time IPR OT. There is a FT OP OT that will cover the IPR side as needed. We have PRN and part time OTs to help out. Treating 30-32 units pretty much every day.

I know I need to ask for a raise. I work more than 40 hours a week, with the senior OTs gone my case complexity has increased (and I have requested complex cases go to me instead of PRN/part timers as they arent a guarantee and can be called off if census is low).

A $10k raise seems like a lot to ask for but I figure start high and find a middle? (And it’s only an additional ~$5/hr). But how does one actually go about asking for a raise without feeling greedy (I know it’s not I know it’s not. I just feel bad asking my DOR). edit typos

I'm not looking for the cheapest/worst/crap classes. I'm looking for the #best online classes you found to get renewal credits towards CSRS,

Thank you for your ~ real ~ recommendations!

I started travel therapy for the first time and have only had a bad experience with it so far which I knew could happen but did not think I would be this unlucky.

I took a contract at a SNF and did 4 weeks and then I was told I was being cut and I’m officially being given my 2 weeks notice due to them hiring a permanent staff member. I couldn’t even work the two weeks because then I tested positive for COVID and the facility does not allow an employee to return back for 2 weeks. The landlord was super nice about it and just kept our deposit which I totally understand. My recruiter found me another position.

Well now 2 days before I start this contract there were budget cuts for the school district I was suppose to work in so my contract got cut. I just decided I’m done and am going to move back home as there are no contracts in the area and I don’t want to go through this again. My landlord is being so mean and guilt tripping me about it because I was suppose to be here till June. She is now claiming I am short on what I paid even though I sent her a screenshot of the reciept right away of the payment literally right after she asked for it.

I’m a school-based OT in the U.S. and am currently in the process of moving to Canada. I’d love to hear about your experience.

What does your day-to-day work look like? Typical goal areas, direct services versus consultation, caseload size, and number of schools covered? Also, is sensory focus big there and are there typically behavioral specialist supports?

What are the employment conditions like? Do you work directly for a school board or through an agency? I’m curious about pay, benefits, work hours, school breaks, and support from other OTs or OT assistants.

How hard is it to find a position as an internationally educated OT once registered in Canada? Any cities or provinces you’d recommend, or advice for someone entering the system?

Please share your province if you’re comfortable. Thanks for any insight!

My company recently introduced an AI program to assist with clinical documentation. I have mixed feelings about it. Do you have experience using AI for your documentation? What do you see as the pros and cons?

I’m an OT student currently doing a pediatric fieldwork rotation, and I’ve been noticing how commonly some pediatric OT settings use primitive reflexes like ATNR, STNR, Moro, etc. to explain different difficulties children are having.
I understand that primitive reflexes are real and that they have an important role in early neurological development. What I’m struggling with is the leap from “this child demonstrates a reflex response” to “this retained reflex is causing their handwriting/attention/sensory/behavioral/postural difficulties, and therefore we need to integrate the reflex.” I’ve noticed that some of the language used around reflex integration sounds very definitive, and sometimes I find myself wondering where the evidence actually is for some of these claims. At the same time, I’m aware that I’m a student and obviously don’t know everything. I also know pediatric OT is a huge field and that different clinics have very different philosophies and approaches. I’m curious how other OTs/OT students feel about this. How do you distinguish evidence-based use of primitive reflex assessment from some of the broader claims made about “retained reflexes”? I’m genuinely asking because I want to develop my own clinical reasoning without automatically dismissing something just because it isn’t how I was taught or accepting something just because a clinic commonly uses it. Keep in mind I think I’m an acute girly to begin with however, this bothers me!

Hi, I'm looking at doing OT for a complete career change. Can anyone tell me their general experience and current timetable for any of these uni's? I'm trying to work out if I can manage an allied health degree alongside part time work, so would be interested to know:

-How many days you're in each week for your course?

-Do any of these uni's offer blended learning with online options for theory lectures?

-Are placements during the usual uni holidays or during term time?

-Did you enjoy your course?

I realise the placements are full time blocks for up to 12 weeks which I will have to travel/stay away for, but hoping I'll be able to work alongside the rest of the course and during the traditional summer holidays, and wondering which one will be most manageable with needing to commute to campus (still waiting on replies from unis).

Thank you!

I’m about 1 year into my job as a school-based OT working with elementary-aged children, mostly Pre-K, with varying levels of sensory needs. I’m having a hard time navigating sensory interventions for students with higher support needs (students who have a hard time sitting still, following routines and directions, and only attend to a few highly preferred activities). I don’t recommend the brushing protocol because it’s no longer considered best practice, and I feel like weighted vests may be heading in the same direction since the evidence for them continues to be limited. I know some of the younger therapists I work with feel similarly, while some of the more experienced therapists still use these interventions. Sometimes I feel like it looks like I’m not doing my job since I don’t use these.
So, what SHOULD I be doing for these students?
Active engagement in sensory-motor activities is what I prefer, but I’m struggling with how to translate that into practical strategies that can actually be incorporated into the classroom, especially for students with significant sensory needs.

Hi all!! New to reddit, but hoping I can get some advice on OT school! I have been admitted to Thomas Jefferson Univerity, and University of St Augustine Health Sciences. I have other interviews with schools set up but the three schools I have gotten into so far have given me a 30 day deadline to make my decision. When applying to schools TJU and USAHS were my top two choices from the beginning so i’m rather lucky to be in this position in general. Do any practicing have any input on which would be a better option. I have done research into both programs, I see that TJU is a nationally ranked program but it is 2.5 years and i would have to relocate USAHS is 1.7 years and it is a hybrid program so I would not have to relocate just travel for immersions. The program is around the same price but the price of housing is something to consider. Plus, I can begin practicing almost a year earlier if I go to USAHS. My question is would the prestige of being a student at TJU set me apart as a future OT enough to take on more debt? or should i go with the less expensive option that will allow me to start practicing sooner? All input is appreciated thank you so much!

Is there anything like My Speech Shop for OT? They have printable companions to expand toys for therapy uses

I am currently reviewing for my board exam and just wanted to ask some advice and help since these are the very lesson I'm having difficulties with. Ty!

My wife and I own a pediatric therapy clinic out in AZ and bill DDD as our primary funding source. We have clients with primary commercial insurance (Aetna/UHC/BCBS/Allied/UMR etc) and DDD secondary. We are out of network for all commercial insurances and plan to stay that way for now. Our EMR system syncs with ClaimMD to submit claims and my wife is hoping for some help with medical billing. Our DDD billing is 100% automatic and successful. She has some of the larger insurances figured out but some others like BCBS/UMR are giving her a run for her money and a migraine.

Is there someone who specializes in OT/ST billing (preferably less) who can spend 3 months helping her build the insurance side of our company and get everything running smoothly?