OT

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October Favorites

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October was quite a month! On the 16th, I turned 27 and on the 17th, I got a nasty concussion. But anyway, here are some of my favorite recipes, book, and everything in between from this month!

Eats:

Everything I ate at Limoncello on my birthday, but especially Paccheri Granchio (large-tubed pasta, blue crab, shishito peppers, cherry tomato ragú, spicy bread crumbs).

This fall salad recipe but with sweet potatoes instead of butternut squash 

Trader Joe’s Sour Scandinavian Swimmers with Nerds Clusters!

Products:

These grip socks for barre 

This sticker I put on the back of my kindle (hopefully she restocks it!)

This new gym bag that I got form my birthday! (it hasn’t made it to the gym yet, thanks to my concussion).

Media:

You, With A View by Jessica Joyce

Harlan Coben’s books, I read Fool Me Once and I Will Find You this month.

Something Was Wrong podcast 

Kristen Faith on TikTok. Her cooking videos are so relaxing. 

OT

School-Based Occupational Therapy Resources

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I have been compiling a list of resources that I have found helpful during my first few months as a school based OT! This is not a comprehensive list and I do not take credit for any of these resources-I just wanted to share them in case they could help someone else!

Websites with resources in many skill areas

Facebook Groups

Executive Functioning & Emotional Regulation

Visual Motor Skills

Handwriting

Typing

  • Typing Test
    • this is my favorite way to quickly calculate typing speed!
  • The Quiet Game
    • I haven’t tried this yet but it sounds so fun! You can only communicate during your virtual session by typing in the chat box!
  • A lot of the activities in the handwriting section above can be adapted for typing!

Gross Motor & Strengthening

  • Special Olympics School of Strength
    • I haven’t personally used this but it looks like it could be another good resource, especially for older students!
  • Wheel of Names
    • I have seen people make a wheel with animal walks or yoga poses which would be a fun movement activity!

Life Skills/Older Students

  • Cooking
    • Accessible Chef
      • while I haven’t done any cooking with my students, they love writing out “shopping lists” with the ingredients for their favorite foods

Autism

  • Learn Play Thrive
    • Check out the free resources on her website-there are a lot of blog posts that are interesting!

Worksheets

  • Worksheet Works
    • they have every kind of worksheet you could ever imagine and a lot of handwriting paper!
  • All Kids Network
    • Tons of worksheets, crafts, and more! My favorites are under the “activities” tab!

Sensory

Spanish

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24 Things I’ve Learned Before Turning 24

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23 was quite a year so I wanted to share a few life lessons I learned this past year.

1. Most people are good.

2. You have to stand up for yourself.

3. You’re allowed to leave a job.

4. You can learn something in every situation.

5. Don’t buy expensive work clothes because the tiny humans will ruin them.

6. Set an alarm, and then another alarm, and then another alarm.

7. Pack lighter.

8. There’s no shame in moving back in with your family.

9. Never say no to a weekend trip.

10. You are allowed to buy something just because you want it sometimes.

11. Don’t turn down free dessert.

12. Good things can happen when you leave your comfort zone.

13. Cheap wine is the best wine.

14. Who cares if yoga pants aren’t in style, they’re comfy, wear them.

15. Sometimes doors close because a better door is going to open soon.

16. Snuggle with your pets every chance you get.

17. Cooking can be kind of fun.

18. Say yes to things that scare you (like dates)!

19. If you always shop at the same stores and don’t have a rewards card, you’re losing money.

20. Make time to read!

21. But also always have an audiobook downloaded.

22. Put away your laundry.

23. Coffee is good. I don’t know why it took me so long to realize it.

24. Making a to do list is no good if you lose it.

Things I hope to learn this coming year: making your bed takes 1 minute and makes for a great start to the day.

OT

Wins in my first year as an OT

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My first year as an OT was much different than I expected.

I went in thinking I’d be just in a clinic and have tons of mentorship.

I was actually split between a school, homes, daycares, and clinics. And the mentorship was much less than I had expected.

I’d be lying to say that I thrived. It was a tough year. There were a lot of tears. A lot of stressed out calls home. And a lot of googling.

But, at the end of my first year, I can say that, without a doubt, I’ve made a difference. I touched the lives of my kids and it breaks my heart knowing I won’t get to see my sweet kids every week anymore. But I also know that I need to move on to a job opportunity that is a better fit for my personal and professional needs.

But here are some of the highlights from my first year as an OT:

Every single time a parent said “look, it’s Miss Becky!”

When I realized (after a solid 3 months) that my teen’s MORO reflex was retained and her mother thanked me profusely for finding this.

Every single hug I got from one of my kids.

When a mom told me she could take her son to the playground because I helped him.

When one of my kids drew a vertical line for the first time after 6 months of practice.

Every time I was able to get one of my babies to stop crying.

Every single moment I got to tell a parent what their kid accomplished for the first time.

All the laughs I shared with my kids.

Every single time I walked in the waiting room and my kid ran to greet me.

When my kid’s mom brought cake.

And when another mom gave me masks during COVID-19.

My first year wasn’t what I expected. It was far from ideal. But despite all of that, there were so many incredible moments that made me fall in love with OT even more.

I am so grateful that I got to be a part of these kids’ lives, even if just for a short time.

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An Open Letter to My First Kids as an OT

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Hey friends,

It’s Miss Becky. I know you’ll likely never read this but I still wanted to write this little note since we won’t be working together anymore.

You might have been coming to me for OT, but you gave me so much in return. You showed me how to be more patient. How important it is to celebrate every little victory. That sometimes you just need to have fun.

You taught me things that were never taught in school. Like sometimes you just need someone to lay down on the floor with you when the world becomes too much. Sometimes you just need a lot of stickers to feel better. And there’s some days where goals are just not getting worked on because you just need a hug and a friendly face and someone to talk to.

I will miss dancing to Disney music. The deep belly laughs. And the cheesy grins. I’ll miss getting to tell your parents all the great things you accomplished in OT.

You have something to offer this world. Each and everyone of you. You are kind and compassionate and creative.

Thank you for trusting me. For opening up to me. For loving me as much as I loved all of you.

Thank you for letting me be part of your lives.

You are all incredible kids who are capable of amazing things.

And I want you to know that you touched my heart and that I am a better person for having gotten to know you and work with you.

I’ll miss seeing your smiling faces each week but I have to move onto the next chapter of my life now and go help kids somewhere new.

I wish nothing but the best to you and your families. And I will always be cheering you on, even from far away.

Thank you for everything.

Love,

Miss Becky