Music Therapy to OT – A Day in the Life of an OT
This is a great interview with Tabitha, a music therapist who changed careers to become an occupational therapist. Join us for the Day in the Life Series. These are interviews with various professionals who help children succeed. Learn more about how she transitioned careers and has blended her past experience to be an amazing OT for her students.
LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW
You can listen and watch the interview. Just hit play or scroll down to read about instead.
You can watch the video on YouTube.
LEARN MORE ABOUT TABITHA
Tabitha is an occupational therapist who works in Arizona. She works with students from 2 years old to eighth graders. She was initially a music therapist and decided to go back to school after changes were made in the state of Arizona how music therapy was delivered. She was very interested in sensory processing and has been able to meld the two professions together.
School Based Occupational Therapy Screening Form Checklist
WHAT DOES YOUR WORK WEEK LOOK LIKE?
Tabitha incorporates music, tone, and pitch to movements to provide multisensory input for her caseload of 65 students. She shares the caseload with two COTA’s which allows her time for evaluations, paperwork, collaboration, consultation and pushing into the classroom.
Many students receive 60-90 minutes of occupational therapy per month but of course it is individualized depending upon the student’s needs. In her experience, some students benefit from smaller increments of therapy sessions. These small bursts of 15 minute sessions in the classroom setting have been helpful.
Overall, Tabitha loves the collaboration of staff at her job and the merging of both careers.
Check out the rest of the Day in the Life Series here.
