Christopher Marotta, OTD, OTR/L: OT in Assistive Technology

In this episode we will learn from Christpher Marotta, OTD, OTR/L. Christopher is an occupational therapist who provides services to students with physical disabilities at the Henry Viscardi School in Albertson, NY. He has worked as an OT for over 20 years in a variety of settings, but his passion is assistive technology and enabling his students to be successful in and out of the classroom. Chris is an avid tinkerer and enjoys designing and fabricating adaptive devices. He shares his knowledge with others by lecturing occupational therapy students as an adjunct faculty member at Stony Brook University and Touro University. Christopher also presents and hosts workshops at national conferences and guest lectures at other schools and organizations. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in occupational therapy focusing on the impact of adapted sports on quality of life. Christopher is also volunteer co-leader of the NY Metro chapter of the Makers Making Change organization, where his goal is to teach others the skills of adaptation along with increasing awareness of disabilities.

Q & A with Christopher:

Please tell us a little about yourself and a few favorite occupations.

My name is Christopher Marotta, I am a Husband, Father, Educator, Tinkerer, Volunteer and of course, I am also an uncommon OT. I am married to my OT sweetheart, Christina who practices as a Preschool and Early Childhood therapist. We met in undergraduate school at Stonybrook University and continued together in the OT program. After we graduated, we were married and now we are parents to four children, Matteo, Lucas, Gianna and Chiara and a female chocolate lab named Coco. I love to tinker, solve problems and build, including designing using CAD software, and completing DIY projects. I’m the type that never calls someone to do the job. I love to take walks with Coco and go on hikes with my wife. I can go down rabbit holes when learning new things on the web but can’t wait to veg on the couch next to my wife and binge some Netflix. I’ve been an OT for over 20 years, initially starting as a staff OT at St. Charles Hospital inpatient rehabilitation specializing in orthopedics. I spent a few years there until I saw a job posting for the Henry Viscardi School. I learned about the school as a level fieldwork student and always thought it would be a great place to work because of their use of assistive technology in the classroom. Ironically, my wife spent her level two fieldwork there. I went for an interview and have been there ever since. The school has been a great place to learn and strengthen my knowledge of AT, which has led to teaching opportunities, presenting at conferences and consulting. I went back to school to obtain a Masters in OT from Misericordia University, and soon after started to teach adjunct for Stonybrook’s COTA to OT program in the topic of Assistive Technology. Recently, I returned to school to pursue a Doctorate in OT from Touro University, with plans of full time academia in the future. I am glad to have been given the opportunity to share my OT and AT knowledge as an adjunct or guest lecturer at other universities including Touro, Hofstra, NYIT, Iona, and Stonybrook. I find myself always moving, as my wife would agree I am never home. Soon after the pandemic, I began to volunteer for the NY Metro chapter of Makers Making Change. This has been a outlet for me to share my skills and knowledge with others while fulfilling my role as a volunteer. I am now a co-chapter leader of the chapter and help run events, foster partnerships with other organizations and facilitate disability awareness.

What motivated you to contribute to this podcast series?

I was motivated to be interviewed to participate in this podcast because I am a strong believer that every day you can learn something new, and I feel that I have information that others may be interested in learning about.

Please describe the UncommonOT work that you do and the setting in which you work, the population you serve and the needs that you address.

I work as a fulltime OT at the Henry Viscardi School, a K-12 school for children that are physically disabled and medically fragile. I am a assistant head coach of an adapted wheelchair basketball program for students and alumni of the school. I do assistive technology consulting. And I am a co-chapter leader of the NYC Metro chapter of Makers Making Change. I work with everyone, of all disabilities and abilities across the lifespan.

What inspired you or drew you to this type of OT work?

I am a hands-on OT and love to adapt. Whether it’s creating something with cardboard, designing on the 3D printer, gluing together PVC pipe or cutting foam, I love a challenge to create accessible and adaptive equipment for the students I work with so they can have greater independence in and out of the classroom. The Henry Viscardi School has facilitated this passion and now I look forward to sharing it with others.

How did you get there? Can you describe your path?

One of the main reasons I fell in love with HVS was the use of AT in the classroom and in OT. I am very thankful to the OT s and other staff at the school for their support and opportunities to learn. The OTs at school call me the “OT Nerd”, because I am always looking to learn what’s new. I proudly accept that title.

Please describe a typical day or OT session at your uncommon setting? What OT skills do you utilize?

My days vary depending on the week. I have a caseload and schedule of students to treat, but it is what I do before, in between, during and after sessions that makes the day uncommon. It can be problem-solving, a new method or device to improve independence with access, helping another therapist create an adaptation using 3D printing, coaching the basketball team, teaching AT classes or running a MMC workshop.

Can you talk about some recent highs (successes) and lows (challenges) of your current role?

A recent high is learning how to do some basic coding, which allowed me to recreate an adaptation for our basketball program, the Marotta Slamdunk. Now I can recreate it for a possible collaboration with a non-profit in Arizona that would like to host an exhibition game. The recent low is not being able to fix a printer I was using at work. I like to try to repair things that break, and I wasn’t able to salvage it. I did reach out for some hello. Another low is not having enough time and not enough space to expand the volunteer group.

How do you continue to learn in order to stay on top of things within your role?

Through self-teaching, continuing education, conferences and through presenting and teaching, I keep up with what’s new. I reach out for help when needed, taking advantage of the great professionals, I work with, the relationships I have formed, and the volunteers in our MMC chapter.

Can you share a little bit about salary and compensation in this setting?  How do OT or the services you provide get funded?

I work fulltime as an OT in a school, which is funded by the state, which means that we are not making a teacher's salary comparable to a public school funded by taxes. If I was in it for the money, I would have left HVS a long, long time ago. The grassroots volunteer efforts running the MMC chapter doesn’t offer any financial incentives, most of the time things I do are out of pocket since our fundraising efforts are not that successful. However, the work has lead to opportunities to speak at conferences and invites to host workshops for professional development.

Any career advice for our followers and listeners on how to get started on this path?

I volunteered for two years at an outpatient clinic thinking I would become a hand therapist, and I spent one day covering for a therapist in all my 20 plus years as an OT. Take chances and ride the waves to where ever your career takes you, don't be afraid to try new things and explore what our profession has to offer.

What’s a common myth or misconception about your job/role you’d like to call out or demystify?

No

How do we find you, follow you, be in touch with you, and promote your unique work?

Email: chrismarottaot@gmail.com

https://bio.site/chrisot

Please list any resources you would like me to include with your Show Notes (courses, articles, assessments, tools, etc.)

https://online.flippingbook.com/view/408930093/

As always, I welcome any feedback & ideas from all of you, or if you are interested in being a guest on future episodes, please do not hesitate to contact Patricia Motus at transitionsot@gmail.com or DM via Instagram @transitionsot

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