Q: What are some of the most challenging aspects of your career, and how have you addressed them? A: One of the most challenging aspects of my career is figuring out how to approach and adapt to each individual child and family, as everyone has such diverse needs and every family dynamic is different. While this can be a tremendous challenge, it's also one of the most rewarding and exciting parts of my job, especially when I can build a strong rapport with a family and see their child make amazing gains. I address these challenges by working closely
with other team members, such as psychologists, speech therapists, and
physiotherapists, to ensure we're working collaboratively towards a common goal. I use, what we call in my world, therapeutic use of self, which is the ability to use empathy, shift power dynamics, collaborate, and build strong relationships with families. And lastly, I ensure I take breaks after work to allow myself to recharge so I can be at my best to serve these kiddos. This usually looks like playing in my recreation badminton or pickleball league, going for walks, making dinner for friends, or playing board games at home. Q: Can you highlight a project or accomplishment in your career that you are particularly proud of? A: My biggest accomplishment so far in my career is starting my own business! When I started my first OT job, I never in a million years would have thought I would want to jump into the world of business. Fast forward four years, after being an independent contractor for a private practice company, I felt confident in my skills and abilities, reputation, and relationships I had built with other practitioners, so I dove in and started my own practice!
Q: What is does a typical day look like for you? A: I'm currently a pediatric occupational therapist. I primarily work with kids with developmental disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and behavioural challenges. On a typical day, I spend the morning in a preschool or daycare, supporting little ones and their educational assistants to work on fine motor skills, play skills, and regulation in the classroom. Then, I usually spend my afternoon in meetings and prepping for intervention sessions. Once the school day ends, I usually have 3-4 treatment sessions throughout the evening in family homes, where I work with kiddos on daily living skills, picky eating, regulation, play, routines, and so many other activities that are important for kids and their families! Every day looks so different, so I'm always on my toes!
Q&A WITH ALLY HALLET
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