I am occupational therapist, Barbara A. Smith, M.S., OTR/L. I have been working with children and adults with developmental disabilities for over 40 years!
My human service career was launched in the mid 1970s when I graduated the State University of New York at New Palz with an English degree and no idea on what to do other than avoiding moving back to New York City. A friend told me about a job opening in Ellenville, NY where she worked with adults with developmental disabilities. This was the same historic moment when the education IDEA was being conceptualized and implemented so that children with disabilities would receive a public education. This job led to another as a “house parent” living with the 9 men I wrote about in an early blog post….
Other work settings over the following 40 plus years included1) sheltered workshops
2) community residences
3) public schools and special education collaboratives
4) state institutions
5) early intervention; and
6) hippotherapy settings.
7) day programs.
I have certifications in Sensory Integration and hippotherapy. I have contributed to a variety of journals and am author of
- The Recycling Occupational
- From Rattles to Writing: A Parent’s Guide to Hand Skills
- From Flapping to Function: A Parent’s Guide to Autism and Hand Skills
- Still Giving Kisses: A Guide to Helping and Enjoying the Alzheimer’s Victim You Love
If you have any questions about my books- please contact me at RecyclingOT@Gmail.com
Oh- How I Love Hippotherapy!!
I grew up as a city girl in Queens, New York and only had experience riding an old nag in small circles until I discovered hippotherapy by responding to a career advertisement! I since, took the training provided by the American Hippotherapy Association and enjoyed the sensory stimulation for both client and myself for 8 years at Ironstone Farm in Andover, Massachusetts. The following links share some of my experiences and love of using the horse as a therapeutic tool….
In 2017, I created an online course with OccupationalTherapy.com . Please check out the following related interview and article about why I love using hippotherapy.
How to Achieve Therapeutic Goals using Hippotherapy
Click below to see the hippotherapy search results on this website….
https://2019.recyclingot.com/?s=hippotherapy
My Geriatric Journey: Exercise, Stretching, Relaxation and other Strategies for Healthy Aging
My years of poor posture, working on a computer, helping to lift children and larger people on and off horses- combined with my low muscle tone, hypermobility and muscle tightening due to the stress related to being a special needs parent- have all contributed to chronic back pain. Click on this link for related geriatric blog posts on this website. …… and for readers young enough to still have parents in their lives- be sure to check out how I helped my mom during her years of Alzheimer’s Disease….