You Know You're a Pediatric Occupational Therapist When...

You know you’re a pediatric OT when…

1.       You are working on documentation and decide you need a sensory break.

2.       You don’t take offense at anything kids say – “you look not pretty with your hair like that”

3.       You kid-ize word, and catch yourself using the same words in the real world – see examples: “potty” (I had a really good example from today…But my brain is too tired to remember it.)

4.       Toys. Everywhere.  

5.       You wear the same hairstyle almost daily, but change it up one time and the kids don’t recognize you.

6.       You have the attention of a 5 year old…it all makes sense why you work with kids now.

7.       You feel like you are directing  3-ring circus...or maybe not even directing, just part of it

8.       You can move lightning fast to avoid getting bitten.

9.      You are a great motivator – *crying kid: “I don’t want to go to OT today!!” Me: “I’ll let you wear my magic ring.” – No problems after that.

10.   What personal space?

11.   People think you’re a teacher when shopping for supplies…I didn’t have THAT many markers…

12.   You can deal with the kids, it’s the adults who complicate things that you have no patience for.

13.   You NEVER wear dangly earrings – are you begging to have them ripped out of your ears?!?!?; or, you know what days you can wear them, depending on your caseload

14.   Kids you don’t even know come up and talk to you.

15.   This is a personal one: but my mantra is “I don’t listen to whining, animal noises, or grunting. Use words if you need to say something.”

16.   The whole classroom announces the child’s name you are there to see when you walk into a room, and subsequently, every time they see you at the school they ask if you are getting that kid.

17.   Pinterest is your favorite resource for ideas. Thrift stores are your favorite resources for toys.

18.   You can do a therapy session anywhere. Hallways, classrooms, empty rooms, conference rooms.

19.   You analyze your own handwriting (outside of work) for letter formation, alignment, and overall legibility.

20.   There are two types of teachers – the ones who think you know everything and the ones who think you know nothing.

21.   Sensory is so much fun – bean bags, bins of corn, shaving cream, back massagers, putty, water beads, the options are endless!

22.   You have a favorite kid (or a few!)… I know we aren’t supposed to have favorites, but it’s so hard not to! I mean, would you love working with a whiny kid???

23.   To people who don't know what you do, you have to explain why you play at work

24.    People ask you for advice on their friends/brothers/sons who have autism. My classic response "well it all depends on the level of functioning..." 

25.   And even though sometimes they make you want to pull your hair out and scream, you can’t help but have your heart melt a little when you’re with them.

I am sure there are tons more. But have I mentioned how much I love my job?!?!