Careers simular to OT

Basically, I went into OT school hoping to work with children. I have always wanted to work with kids with autism. My first level 2 field work was at a school and I passed with flying colors and was even offered a job after I passed my second field work. My school required at least one phys dys rotation, so I worked in a hospital. Well as hard as I tried I could not pass the field work as was dismissed from that field work site. Part of the reason I had trouble was that I stutter, and on any given day my stuttering can range from mild to severe. The stuttering is also very situational and I rarely ever stutter around kids. Adults is another story. I was allowed to repeat field work once, and I asked my field work coordinator if I could do another peds rotation. She said no because AOTA or something wants students to complete fieldwork across the life span. She figured a SNF would be better for me because it would be in a much slower paced envirnoment. I did fine at first, but later my stuttering suddenly became much worse and completely affected my treatment. So I was dismissed from the program. And I want to know if there are any other careers that are simular to OT where I could work with special needs children? I had a period of depression for about two years after my failur, but now I am ready to go back into the work force with a job that pays higher than minimum wage :)

Sorry to hear about your FW. I may be wrong but I think your FW coordinator is incorrect about the "across the lifespan" focus on FW's. It makes no sense because Pediatrics is not a mandatory FW location, so how can FW's truly be across lifespan? Most students do both their FW's at locations that service adults, so I find what your FW coordinator said confusing. I also think you get two do-overs in the case of FW II, perhaps you can work at a hospital and work 50/50 in peds and adults. Either way you should contact AOTA and get the real info first hand (please do this, you may still have a shot at becoming an OT as you have 5 years to complete your FW II after completing school). Also brush up on ADA regulations, your stuttering is a medical condition and you have rights covered by the ADA.

ANYWAYS getting on topic, the jobs that come to my mind are: Special education, music therapy, teaching, or operate a pre-school.

I did what you suggested and this is the respose I got,

"All OT programs are required by the accreditation standards to ensure that graduates are prepared to practice as an entry-level therapist across the lifespan.- Neil"

So yeah, I guess no chance of becoming an OT :( I'll look into those careers you suggested

Jaya in Cincinnati, Ohio said:

"All OT programs are required by the accreditation standards to ensure that graduates are prepared to practice as an entry-level therapist across the lifespan.- Neil"

I thought that was the entire point of the NBCOT, that you had the skillset and knowledge to work in any setting. I mean I am doing my current FW II at a SNF, and my second one will be in acute care; but given the chance I could theoretically work in peds after the NBCOT, even though I have not really worked in peds, but I possess a base skill set in therapy. Just like how even if you did both of your FW II's in peds you have the knowledge and skills to effectively treat adults. The NBCOT is how you prove that, not your FW. I can't speak for your university but if I am correct if someone in our program couldn't finish their FW II, they had to retake some classes again and could have another chance (I could be incorrect about this).

Also something else about that quote. It says programs, not FW's. Your university should have taught you the skills needed to work in the real world. The FW is the application of what you were taught. Granted you learn a ton on FW, but its the education that is suppose to make you well rounded. Something about this entire situation just seems wrong.

How about becoming a nurse? You would get paid very well, work with kids, and their is no FW really to speak of (and you could do most of your practicums in peds). I think this is your best bet. You could work at a Shriner's where they provide therapy for children so you could have both worlds.

Yeah he didn't really respond to any of my questions, just gave a generic statement. (My e-mail was very long)Oh well, there is not much I can do.

I have thought about nursing, but I ama bit squeamish. And after OT school I don't know that I would have the money to go back to school.

Other careers I have thought about are classroom aid, pharmacy technician, or going back to work in retail. My undergrad for OT school, which everyone had to take, was liberal arts and there is not much you can do with that.

My school allows us to repeat FW once. I asked my advisor if I could transfer and take my last field work somewhere else, but she said that no program would accept me at this point.

I would fight to do another fieldwork since you couldn't pass due to a disability. You need to find a way to accommodate your disability.

You may need an occupational therapist or psychologist yourself to help you get over your stuttering. It sounds as if it is due to anxiety since you can mostly control it around kids. Get help for your stuttering / anxiety and try again.