I read the other day that the compact will go into effect mid 2025 (June-August). Do we think this will actually happen? I have only heard about rumors of this starting for a very long time. Also, what takes so long? And it doesn’t look like all states are on board with it. I’ve been a traveling OT for quite some time and never understood why it was so easy for nursing to have their compact license and not us. If this truly happens, it will save $ and time and not make me question so hard whether I want to pursue a job in that state. Anybody with similar experience as a traveler and eagerly waiting for this to happen?

I’ve gotten to a point in my education, unfortunately only two semesters in, where I’m considering if this would ever be worth it. I know OT is my calling, but the way things have been going at school are starting to taint my view of the profession, and I hate that for myself.

One of the most bothersome things for me is the copious amounts of group work. I have three giant group presentations and a 20 page group paper due within the span of two days next week. Each group is with different people, so coordinating schedules has been a nightmare. One of these groups has treated me awful, blocking me on GroupMe and purposefully ignoring other communications. One girl won’t communicate or participate at all. I’ve sacrificed a lot just to keep that project afloat this semester. My advisor has been supportive of me during this awful experience, which is sometimes the only thing that keeps me sane.

Overall, my classes this semester haven’t been great. It’s been an overwhelming amount of busy work, and with all of the group work they’re expecting, we don’t have time. One of my classes was run by different guest speakers every week. There has been no flow of topics, nothing has built on itself, and it’s been an unorganized mess. One of my classes we were just read bullet points off the slides, which was not conducive to my learning at all. Our recent competency was so poorly facilitated and unfairly graded across most of our cohort, and my grade is suffering because of it. Preparing myself to fail the next competency because we get two weeks to learn all of the cognitive and vestibular assessments for it among all of these group projects and exams coming up. I just want to give up.

I’m unfortunately at a point of burnout in trying to keep up with everything that I am starting to hate OT. Again, I think it’s issues with my particular program, not the profession itself, but it’s been hard to remember that. Will this ever be worth it? Physically and mentally, I just don’t know how much more I’ll be able to hold out.

Hiiiii everyone!! Just started working at a SNF and have lots of questions

Evaled a LTC patient on Friday that has been living there for years. They are completely IND in ADLs, walks well with no walker or cane, normal muscle strength, good fine motor coordination, good balance at EOB and in stance. I’m feeling super confused about what goals to write for this patient or why they were set to have an OT eval. Any insight?

Alsoooo how is anyone meeting their productivity? Are you starting your time when you walk into the room (and including the time it takes to get down to the gym) or are you only including the time that is spent in the gym?

Parenting a Complex Kiddo — Seeking OT Perspectives on Documentation, PDA Profile, and Wilbarger Brushing Protocol

I’m a parent to an 8-year-old girl with a very complex profile — multiple diagnoses including ASD (with a PDA profile), dysgraphia, anxiety, significant sensory issues and medical DXs to include Interstitial Cystitis, etc. We homeschool because her needs are high and public school just hasn’t been sustainable for her.

We’ve had a consistent care team for years — GP, behavioral therapist, mental health provider — all of whom have been supportive of her challenges and respectful toward me as a parent. Recently, we added OT to her care team (October–February), and this is where I’ve hit a bit of a wall.

After reviewing her chart for an SSI application, I noticed a shift in tone and language in the OT notes — things that raised red flags for me. For example:

• The OT questioned whether her ASD and dysgraphia diagnoses were “accurate” or possibly an “accident.” (asked me directly - nothing in her chart)
• There seemed to be an emphasis on her "ignoring" physical challenges — implying she could push through or that public school might "provide the structure" to eliminate those issues. (she should ignore bladder urge and not use restroom - they feel pubic school will force her to "wait")
• The documentation included what felt like subtle judgment around parenting and homeschooling.
  

This surprised me, as these concerns hadn’t been raised by any other long-term providers — and it left me wondering if my child’s PDA profile (which can be very counterintuitive behaviorally) is being misunderstood as oppositional or parenting-related.

Initially - wondering if PDA was the issue - I brought them information on it, to help their understanding (it's hard for me and I live it 24/7 - so I understand). I even had therapist/lic. school psych contact and see if they had questions. Nothing changed and....

We stopped all services about a month ago to regroup. Her anxiety has dropped significantly, but I’m second-guessing myself — especially when it comes to documentation that might follow her or influence how future providers, or SSA reviewers, see her. Do I need "thicker skin?". Waitlists here are LONG - she could go months before we find another set of OTs able to handle her PT/OT/speech etc.

So I’m looking for honest input:

• How do OTs typically approach documentation when family dynamics are involved?
• Is it common to see this kind of interpretation — and how can families navigate this without burning bridges?
• How can I be a better advocate in situations where neurodivergent behavior might be misinterpreted?

And one more thing:

Wilbarger Brushing Protocol — realistic or outdated?

This came up a few times in our OT sessions, but I’m having trouble finding strong evidence for its long-term efficacy. From their instructions: It needs to be done every 90 minutes to 2 hours for several months (2-4minimum) to be effective — is that still the consensus? Has this protocol evolved, or is it considered outdated in most practices?

Thanks in advance for your insights. I'm not here to bash anyone — just trying to learn and do better for my kid.

Hey y’all! I’m looking for some advice.
I’m graduating with my undergrad degree in May and recently got accepted into an OT Entry-Level Doctorate program that starts in January. I’m trying to figure out what kind of work I can do during the gap between May and January—and also something I could potentially keep doing while I’m in school to help cover rent each month.

Any suggestions for jobs that would be flexible and manageable with a grad school schedule? I’d really appreciate any ideas or personal experiences, thank you!

Some I am 4 weeks away from finishing my level IIB as an OTA student. It seems like everyone in my setting is asking me if I have found a job yet! Is it normal to start to looking for jobs before getting my certification and even my degree? Im thinking the board exam is a whole other beast and I don’t want to put out applications when I’m not even sure when I’ll be taking my boards. Any insight would be appreciated.

Looking at all of the in-state programs in Indiana, I’m having troubles planning out how I will afford grad school. All of the schools in my city’s area (Indianapolis) are either doctoral programs or extremely expensive masters’. But if I do attend a school in the city I live (IUPUI or UIndy) I will be able to live at home and cut down on the cost-of-living. Would it be a good option for me to take a full gap year and work to save up some money to reduce loans, or should I go straight from undergrad to maximize the amount of years I’ll be earning as an OT? Numbers wise, I’m looking at about 70,000 tuition in total in this area. I am graduating a semester early, which will give me some time to save, but I’m worried that won’t be enough.

i know this is stupid but i really want study advice. im really messing up my grades and i really wanna read all the frame of reference etc but i cannot find the motivation or the time for it. how do you all find to study everyday. what are your methods. ik im lazy but i genuinely wanna change

Congrats on retirement! Thank you for all you’ve done in this field. Got a few questions.

How long have you been retired?

How old were you when you become an OT?

How old were you when you retired?

What does your daily life consist of now?

Any new hobbies?

Do you feel financially stable/secured at this point?

Are you happy?

Feel free to add on anything

Need advice . Has anyone accidentally forgot to renew their NBCOT certification? I have had my certification since 1999 and this past week I realized I didn’t renew. My father passed away a few weeks ago and it just slipped my mind. I was his caregiver for the past few years and we were very close. Im still grieving. I still have a few CEUs to get before I can renew. Should I email or call and explain my situation? Will they allow me to have a few weeks ?

Im a Cota in a Snf. Lately I've been struggling a lot with what to do to progress my patients the best way and time management of how to do it. I wanted to ask for some feedback on how you plan day to day treatment with your patients.

(This is a made up scenario) but let's say you have an 85 year old with post fall due to pneumonia. Just generally weak. Previously had some home health and occasionally used a cane or furniture surfed at home. You see her Monday to Friday for 45 minutes. The goals are LBD, bed to wc transfers, toilet transfers and toileting. Right now she needs Min A with lower body dressing and CGA for transfers with cues to push up from the wheelchair. What would you work on each day? Like would you do dressing everyday? Would you have her stand to reach for items? Sometimes I just feel lost on what to do and I do just watch them and help them get ready and it doesn't feel skilled. The only cues I know how to give are 'lock your breaks. Push up/reach back. Rest when you feel tired, etc'.

Hello OTs!

I’m a recent grad working in a Pediatric setting, and I’m considering doing a master’s in OT. My goal is to work abroad (Australia or Europe) someday, but I’m unsure if a master’s is really worth the big financial investment, or if work experience is more valuable in the long run.

Would love to hear your thoughts, especially from those who’ve taken this route.

Thanks in advance!

Just kinda wanted to vent on here...lol

I've been a COTA for almost 4 years now. My first job was in-home early intervention which wasn't for me because I spent most of my time driving around the city instead of treating (ie: I drove 45 min for ONE patient....). I currently work in an outpatient pediatrics facility which I've really enjoyed up until the past 4 months. My pay was reduced $4/hour due to medicaid cuts; I just had my 3 year review with the company and won't be getting a raise. I'm currently making less now than I was 2 years ago with the same company....

I had plans to start a bridge program but there aren't any in the state I'm currently living in. Even though the curriculum is basically all online with an in-person lab every 8 weeks, I'd prefer to not have to fly out of the state to go to lab over the weekend once every 8 weeks. I also don't think the pay is worth the amount of debt that I'd be in after a bridge program since OTs only make ~$30-40k more than COTAs (at least in the state that I'm in). There's also the factor of having less of a work-life balance after becoming an OT due to all of the paperwork that would most likely need to be completed outside of scheduled work hours.

I feel like there's no room to grow as a COTA and have really been considering a career change, especially after the cuts with medicaid that directly affect our pay. I used to love OT, but the past 4 months my perspective has completely changed as I feel like I won't ever make more money than I'm currently making unless I got PRN job on the side.

Has anyone completed a bridge program? Is it worth it to go back to school for OT if I'm feeling like this?? If anyone had a career change, what did you switch to???

Does anyone work for/ know anything about UCSD, Scripps vs Sharp and their therapy departments? I would love to know whether they do 5x8 hours vs 4x10 hours, abt their rehab and specialty units

Is doctorate in occupational therapy really worth it? Do OTs in the US,UK,AUSTRALIA etc prefer DOT? what are the benefits of DOT.

My daughter is graduating from OT and her therapist is throwing her a little graduation ceremony. We absolutely love her and want to get her something to show our appreciation. I’m wondering if anyone could suggest a gift that she may like. We don’t know her very well personally so I’m not really sure what her interests are. I’m hoping for more of a generic, but meaningful gift. Any suggestions welcome! Thanks!

I plan to open my LLC for pediatric home visits in the next few weeks but I am stressing about the name! I have had Thrive Therapy reserved for years now in my state. I am in SC and it’s used in GA & NC… Thoughts???

Currently a school-based COTA that is contracted. One of the reasons I’m going back to school is so I can administer my own evaluations and assessments. I understand buying your own eval and assessments, receiving training, etc. can be pricy and this is why my supervising OT only uses one kind of assessment that evaluates fine motor and visual perception. Their excuse for not emphasizing sensory goals or assessments are that “it’s hard to measure”. However, aren’t there assessment out there that can help you have a good starting point to track measurable data? I feel stuck because since I’m doing the treatments, I’m the direct contact and often get questioned about the goals and receive MANY requests to implement more sensory based things. I do by default, but since it’s not in the goals it’s a tricky thing to document and provide data on. Am I overthinking? What are your thoughts? What would you do in this situation. It’s my first year in this specific setting so any advice is helpful.

I'm in the season of prepping to take the big exam and I am by no means organizational-ly gifted. However, if you found your organization system helpful, would you mind sharing your study schedule/study calendar that you made for yourself? Any examples welcome! It's okay if it's not "polished" or anything. As someone with ADHD, any kind of example helps a million. Thank you!

Hi! Anyone have any experience utilizing Ocean FriendsAI as their EMR? Pros, cons, experience? TIA!

Hi everyone

I’m an Irish OT by background have been working 3 years as an OT and completed seas which involved a load of reading of Canadian competencies pratice profiles standards of practice. I bought the ready to work bundle and have been studying using the Notce study guide and pratice exams. On my pratice exams I scored 66% twice and 74% in another. Any last minute tips or good documents to revise before the NOTCE exam or anyone else in the same boat in terms of pratice exams. Best of luck everyone doing it on Wednesday!!

Hi everyone!! I’m looking into being an OTA. I’ve volunteered at some pediatric clinics nearby and have loved it. I live in OC and was wondering if anyone would recommend any programs nearby? Or programs you would NOT recommend? Thanks in advance!

Hey OTs in SA — quick question! I’ve heard that if you’re working in private practice, you’re basically working your butt off for not-so-great pay. Is that actually true?? Really hoping it’s just a rumour. Would love to hear what it’s really like from those of you in private vs government!

I work in a SNF in northern Illinois and the administrator informed me that our therapy company is losing the contract with no hope of retaining it. However, she wants the entire therapy department to stay. She is willing to buy us out from our current company and request the new therapy company keep the same team.

If the new company is able to match current rates for the team and my salary then we will all stay.

My wife tells me that my current salary is significantly less than other program managers she works with, including those who are COTA’s (I’m an OTR).

Does anyone have a range of appropriate rates/salaries? Thinking I will inflate my salary when a new company is chosen and see if I can get them to agree to it.

Hey guys,

Not sure if this has been answered before but I’m currently looking at studying OT in the UK but currently have zero experience in the field. The uni I’m looking at asks for you to show an interest in the field, so I’m looking at getting some experience in a carehome environment, but I’m wondering if anyone can recommend any roles that are a little bit more specialist to OT, but don’t require masses of experience/qualifications to go for. 

Any help is much appreciated!