When I look back at where my occupational therapy journey started, it is crazy to think about how much has changed in just a few years. I graduated from Quinnipiac University in 2024, and after graduation, I knew I wanted to continue my education and pursue a career where I could make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. That led me to Iona University and the Graduate Occupational Therapy Program, where I began learning what it truly means to be an occupational therapist.
Going into OT school, I knew I wanted to work with children, but I don’t think I fully understood what pediatric occupational therapy really looked like. I thought a lot about the skills children needed to develop, but I did not yet understand how important relationships, trust, creativity, and play would be. My Level II fieldwork at Building Blocks Pediatric Occupational Therapy Services completely changed the way I look at pediatric OT. 
Over the past 12 weeks, I have learned so much about being an OT, but I have also learned a lot about myself. I became more confident in my ability to lead sessions, make clinical decisions, write SOAP notes and evaluations, and most importantly, tailor interventions to the individual child in front of me. I learned that there is no perfect activity that works for every child. Sometimes you have to change the activity, change your approach, or completely change your plan based on what the child needs that day.
One of the biggest things I learned was the importance of meeting children where they are. Some children walk into a session ready to jump right in, while others need more time to feel comfortable. I learned that sometimes using a quieter voice, giving a child time to warm up, or simply following their lead can make a huge difference. Building that connection first can make a child feel safe enough to participate and try something new.
And of course, I learned that pediatric OT should be FUN! I love being playful with the kids and finding ways to turn their interests into meaningful therapeutic activities. Some of my favorite moments were not necessarily the biggest accomplishments on paper, but the little moments that showed me a child was proud of themselves or excited to share something they had learned.
One moment that will always stick with me is helping a child learn how to blow bubbles. At first, blowing bubbles was really difficult for him. Then, from one week to the next, he was able to take a strong breath and blow the bubbles on his own. It may seem like such a small accomplishment, but seeing how excited he was to show me that he could do it was so meaningful. It reminded me that progress does not have to be a huge milestone to be important. Sometimes the smallest victories are the ones you remember the most.
My time at Building Blocks also helped me discover areas of pediatric OT that I am especially passionate about, including feeding and emotional regulation. I loved being able to help children explore new foods, build confidence during mealtimes, and work through their sensory and emotional needs. These are areas I hope to continue learning about as I grow as an occupational therapist.
I am incredibly grateful for my experience at Building Blocks Pediatric Occupational Therapy Services. These 12 weeks have challenged me, pushed me outside of my comfort zone, and helped me become much more confident in the therapist I am becoming. I am especially grateful to Justine for everything she has taught me. One of the most meaningful things I will take away from this experience is seeing how much she genuinely loves and cares about the children she works with. She knows her kids so well, celebrates their successes, advocates for them, and brings so much energy and heart into every session. Watching her has shown me the kind of therapist I hope to be.
I am leaving Building Blocks with a lot more than clinical skills. I am leaving with memories, relationships, funny moments, lessons I know I will carry with me, and an even stronger love for pediatric occupational therapy. I feel so lucky that my first Level II experience allowed me to learn in a place where I could see firsthand how much of a difference an OT can make in a child’s life.
As I move on to my next Level II placement in acute care, I am excited to take everything I learned with me. I am especially excited because my next placement has a NICU, which has always been an area I have been passionate about. I know there is still so much for me to learn, but I feel ready to take the next step. 
From Quinnipiac in 2024, to starting OT school at Iona, to completing my first Level II fieldwork at Building Blocks, this journey has already shaped me in so many ways. I am excited to see where the rest of this journey takes me and, hopefully, one day become the kind of OT that a child remembers because I made them feel safe, supported, and proud of what they could do. ❤️
