One of the first "big ideas" I remember having came when I was about 10 years old, sitting in the back of my parents' car, letting my mind wander (because we didn't have screens back then — a magical time!). I was thinking about the disabled kids at my school, wishing I knew them better, wishing they weren't so separated from me and my peers, and wishing someone would offer us the opportunity to play with them.
And then the idea came to me: how cool would it be to build a place where kids could learn to play with other kids of all different abilities? I pictured a fun play space where we could learn about each other, learn how to include each other, and have fun together.
Later on, when I had a high school project to research a career I might want to pursue, I found occupational therapy. I hadn't heard of it before, but it struck the same chord in my heart that had been struck at age 10. This was a career about helping others live life to its fullest potential while harnessing the power of inclusivity and individuality.
Years passed, and I explored all sorts of career paths, from medicine to biotech research. But in the end, I came back to occupational therapy. And I'm so glad I did, because I can honestly say I love what I do. My work lets me be creative, compassionate, academically rigorous, and constantly adapting — and I get to play as part of my job!
As for why I choose to work with neurodivergent children, it's as simple as this: it feels like breathing. It's hard to explain, but other settings I've worked in felt like treading water, while working with neurodivergent children just feels natural to me. I think I must have some innate qualities that make me well suited to it. People often tell me I have a grounding, calming presence, and I genuinely enjoy everything that nonverbal communication has to offer. That makes me feel at ease with nonverbal autistic children — rather than needing to explain every little thing, I love that occupational therapy can happen through play, demonstration, and hands-on therapeutic moments that leave a lasting impact.
At the end of the day, I became an OT because it comes naturally to me and draws on my greatest strengths. And if you know anything about my personal philosophy when working with children and families, you'll know I'm all about harnessing our natural strengths and adapting our environment so life can feel a little more "like breathing" and a little less like fighting to fit in.
