What do I look for in an OT?

[Anonymous]

I am new to the world of SPD and OT. My DD was evaluated recently by an OT recommended to me by a mom whose son also had SPD. What should I look for in an OT? Do OTs have to be certified in SPD therapy? I don't live in the DC area so I am not asking for recommendations for specific OTs, just what I need to look for in an OT. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

You want to find someone who generates this kind of loyalty:

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/46314.page#317032

" not to discount the earlier poster's experience, but i would practically take a bullet for that woman for all she's done for our family. seriously."

[Anonymous]

My ds has been with a wonderful OT for about 3 months, and he's already made tremendous progress. She is absolutely wonderful - was trained by Stanley Greenspan, who came up with the "floortime" therapy approach. She uses floortime as well as the "gym" equipment (swings, scooter boards, trampoline, body rollers, etc) and is proficient in everything she does (with several decades of experience). But most importantly, we trust her completely. She makes my ds feel safe, secure, confident, and always makes him laugh. And uses very gentle, compassionate, yet firm direction and guidance when she needs to redirect him.

So I guess my advice at the end of the day is find someone whose philosophy, approach, and training you feel comfortable with. Good luck!!

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for the replies. Is is essential that the OT has the special SIPT certification? I was doing some research last night online and it seems like not all OTs have this special certification. Has anyone gone w/ a therapist who is not SIPT certified?

[Anonymous]

OP, this is something I would ask about on the phone when calling to set up a consultation. Tell them your concerns and tell them the philosophy and approach that sounds appealing to you. Give them a chance to respond. Maybe they'll expand on what you're saying and that will be comforting to you. Maybe they'll present a different approach and you'll want to ask follow-up questions and do follow-up research. Maybe they'll disagree and you'll get a vibe from that (either positive or negative) that makes your inner voice worth listening to.

[Anonymous]

Look for someone who will give you explicit treatment goals and regular reports on progress towards those goals. OT, like all interventions, can be expensive and you want to be sure your child is making measurable progress (particularly because there is research which suggests that ANY intervention may be seen as beneficial by the parents, even when there is no objective change).

[Anonymous]

I would suggest that you make sure your OT doesn't kick you out of the room when she does the OT. My OT was tolerant with me being in the room until the fourth time, after which she asked me to leave, citing that my son was less cooperative with me in the room. Sorry, that was complete hogwash. He NEVER once came up to me or was defiant when I was in the room. I think she just wanted the liberty to be more 'firm' with him and would have felt nervous and guilty being tough with him with me in the room. She lost our business after that. We found an OT who couldn't care less if we were in the room or not and who was also excellent.

[Anonymous]

Thanks PP. I was told I could be in the room during OT or I could watch through the 2 way mirror they have in some of the therapy rooms. I think it would be better for me NOT to be in the room but just watch. My son doesn't listen well to other adults if I am present. He always defaults to me as the "one in charge" so I think I might stay in the room once or twice to make sure he feels comfortable there and then just watch from next door. I am a single parent so he has no experience having to answer to 2 different people at one time.