Wisdom From OTs in Early Intervention
Just for you!
“EI is a really unique wonderful way to work with families and make such a huge impact for kids.”
- OT Sarah
“Being in the home gives us such a unique view of what life really looks like for people”.
- Experienced EI Therapist
“It’s a different place, you have to remember it's their home and you can't tell them what to do, you just have to help them understand what is best for their kiddo.”
- OT Nicki
“It’s important to have confidence in being able to tell a parent ‘I don’t have the answer to that right now, but I’ll get back to you.”
-OT Sarah
“We want people to feel empowered to use what they have in their home to help to their kiddos”
- Experienced EI Therapist
“You don’t know what you don’t know if you're out there by yourself.”
- OT Nicki
On the importance of asking for help and finding mentorship
“The families! In EI especially you have first time parents, or parents that this is their 5th kiddo, and you are meeting them at a time where you get to help support them and help empower them to help their child.”
- OT Sarah
On her favorite part of EI
“It's important to have a little bit of knowledge in a lot of different areas.”
-OT Nicki
What is your favorite part of working as an EI OT?
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"Working with infants at one of the most critical development stages in their lives."
- High Risk Infant Program Director
"I love to meet families where they are at and provide realtime feedback in their natural environment."
-Anonymous OT
"I love my job! It's incredibly rewarding to work in a setting where I am able to work with the whole family, in the natural environment."
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-OT in EI for Three Years
“Any child that needs extra help is veering off of what a family typically expects when having a baby. It's a fragile time for bonding, understanding and connection. It's a very special opportunity to support the child and family collectively. ”
-PeekABooPedsOT
"I enjoy collaborating with caregivers to meet my clients and families where they are with the resources they have available."
- OT in EI for 1.5 years
“Don’t take anything personal, sometimes they don’t want to listen to you and that’s okay.”
-OT Nicki
What is your favorite part of being an EI therapist?
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" Seeing parents become confident in their ability to support their child’s development!"
-Experienced OT In EI
"Work in a company that will provide continuing education and mentoring. The myth that new grads can't do home health-EI is true only if you're working within an agency that does not provide the support for professional growth and development."
-High Risk Infant Program Direcotr
"EI is my passion as an OT and OT educator. I feel I truly make a difference in the families I work with."
-OT with 30 Years of Experience
"You can do all the research in the world but having someone that you can talk though things with is the most important thing."
-Anonymous OT
"My favorite part is being able to work with families on the things that matter to them. . . (other) pros include team culture with IFSP teaming, opportunities to support major milestone development, and the state funding that supports services for all."
- OT in EI for Three years
"Connect with more experienced clinicians, ask questions and don't be afraid of seeking help."
-High Risk Infant Program Director
"There is often a lot of flexibility and perks to the ECI setting but must be disciplined to seek out help, education, and work without close supervision"
- OT in EI for Ten years
"It is a very rewarding career, never boring because every child and family is different."
-Anonymous OT
What are your favorite things about being an EI OT?
"Getting to know families of different cultures and ethnicities, making a difference in the future of young child and their family, flexibility in scheduling and in my day, fun, keeps me young and energized."
- OT with 30 Years of Experience
"Because I do in-home services, I see families that are able to be more involved and carry over interventions into their routines easier than when I have been clinic based."
-OT in EI for 1.5 Years
"Establish rapport before laying on what your 'suggested' diagnosis may be. It's a big rupture to a relationship between family and child and family and provider if this is done too soon."