I love meeting innovative occupational therapists. I met Cara Koscinski in one of the professional occupational therapy groups on FaceBook. We had both responded to an offer to share any book we have written. Since I love learning from fellow authors, especially authors who are OTs, I invited the OTs to join me for an interview.
Cara was the first OT to respond and it’s been such a pleasure to get to know her. It’s so wonderful to meet a dynamic, multi-talented OT. Cara certainly fits that description. Find out more in this interview with Cara Koscinski, MOT, OTR/L www.PocketOT.com
Shoshanah:
Hi Cara. Welcome to my blog on my Be A Happy Mom website. I thoroughly enjoyed taking a look at your website. It certainly sounds as though you have so much to help parents of special needs children so that they certainly can be happy parents in their journey to assist their special needs children. Can you share, how did you come up with the name “The Pocket OT”?
Cara:
Thanks!
I knew I wanted my work to be accessible for both parents and therapists. My books and blog are written to be pocket guides – to be read anytime anyone needs them. My Parent’s Guide to Occupational Therapy book is an example. If you need help with sensory processing, turn to the sensory chapter. Another day you may need help with toileting – read that chapter for tons of helpful activities. All my books are written that way. It’s important to me that information is accessible to readers.
Shoshanah:
Thank you for sharing. It’s so inspiring to see an active blog, 6 published books, courses and pintables. Where did you begin? When did you begin writing, aside from regular treatment notes?
Cara:
I was a therapist for adults in the beginning of my career. I felt like I hadn’t found my niche.
Many parents can relate to my story. When my sons were diagnosed, the doctor gave me a huge packet of information. It was so overwhelming! It took so long to figure out how to help my boys. I never wanted any parent to go through that. I took every occupational therapy education course for children with special needs to help my boys. I knew pediatric therapy was my destiny! Soon, I founded my first therapy clinic and never looked back. At that time, we started teaching parents the steps to take after their children received a diagnosis of autism.
Now, my boys are eighteen and sixteen. I have many years of experience under my belt! Many lessons learned the hard way and much enjoyment at embracing the small things in my life. Nothing has come easy for my boys and I’ve learned so much from their determination. Every baby step brings joy!
I wrote down everything I learned and started forming the information into books. I sent the first book off to a few publishers. Two of them contacted me and I was shocked! I kept writing and haven’t stopped since! I’m always creating things as I learn more and more. Book six came out this summer. My newest project is “52 Weeks of OT Treatment Activities.” I created and arranged hundreds of downloadable activities, handouts, games, etc. for pediatric therapists. They are so busy with requirements for productivity and huge caseloads. I want to help make things easier for them.
I knew my knowledge as a therapist and mother to my sons with special needs would help other therapists. I now speak across the US on my own and for many companies and offer seven continuing education courses via my website www.PocketOT.com
Shoshanah:
It’s great to see how you have combined your personal experience as a mother of sons with autism. What inspired you to write your first book? Is there a story behind it?
Cara:
I knew my sons needed carryover at home after their therapy sessions. I created fun graphics to remind myself of activities to do at home. I found that therapeutic. I made similar handouts for my pediatric clinic. Parents responded well so I compiled them all into my first book.
It’s great to explain why kids struggle but giving people ideas about HOW to help their children is so important. I’ve felt powerless as a parent and new pediatric therapist and never want anyone else to feel that way.
Shoshanah:
How has becoming a published author altered or changed your career?
Cara:
The biggest change is being seen as the ‘expert’ on a topic. People really listen to what I say and write. It’s always very humbling when someone asks for my autograph! I am careful to research everything I put in my books or courses. I am currently in school for my doctorate. It is important to me to educate myself and use evidence in my work.
Shoshanah:
Continuing to grow as a therapist is certainly important. To return to your books, it is exciting to see that one of your books won two awards. Can you share something about the process of obtaining awards and also what it felt like to win the first award?
Cara:
I was shocked when my first book won a Family Choice Award! I had no idea it was under consideration. My second book, The Special Needs School Survival Guide won both a Family Choice Award and the Educator’s Choice Award. Again, I felt very humbled and grateful. It brings me joy to see the award logos on the cover of both books.
The best award for me is seeing my first book translated into many languages! It’s even translated into Mandarin Chinese. It’s neat to receive e-mail from all over the globe from people who benefit from my work.
Shoshanah:
You mention freely, that your children are both special needs. Can you share what it has been like to be an OT with special needs children? What encouragement can you offer for other OTs who face some kind of challenge especially, if they have a special needs child. ( As an aside, I won’t publish it in the article, but it might help your answer. a few years ago, I was approached by a mother to help her child with writing and fine motor difficulty. The child is clearly struggling with so much more than this. I suspect ADHD and recommended further testing. The mother who is an OT struggled with this. From her behaviour it was clear she had difficulty accepting that she as an OT had a special needs child. Sadly, she was not open to discussing her resistance.)
Cara:
I can truly say that I eat, sleep, and breathe special needs! I think I always knew my children may have special needs but back then, doctors told me to ‘wait and see because boys might be slower to meet milestones.’ I accepted that. It wasn’t until a few months later when my husband and I repeatedly tried singing songs like, ‘Old McDonald Had A Farm’ and hoped the boys would imitate the animals. It hit us that neither of them responded well to their names and had trouble with transitions. There was a special on the 60 Minutes television show about autism and it all clicked! The wait was over nine months to receive their official diagnosis, so we could begin intensive services. We didn’t deny their disabilities because we knew how critical early intervention was to their success.
I honestly do not know of any other way of life and I never wish it was different! I feel thankful that God chose me to raise my sons. I do not think they would be where they are today if I hadn’t had the training in a health science field. I can’t tell you how many parents tell me they appreciate my honesty and personal experience with special needs. I really ‘get it’ when they talk about their struggles. My older son has delivered speeches at national autism conferences and enjoys advocating. He’s in college so I’ll have to write a book about that!
Shoshanah:
Thank you Cara for taking time from your busy schedule in completing work for your doctorate for this interview. It’s been a pleasure to get to know you and your work. I am sure that many parents will benefit greatly from your books and the wonderful example that you share. You must be very proud of your boys.