Alison Miller, OTR/L: OT with Parents of Teenagers
In this episode, we will learn from Alison Miller, OTR/L, an occupational therapist of 25 years, who saw a transition gap that so many of us have probably witnessed but didn't always know how to address. She’s the founder of LaunchPAD, an online program that helps parents of neurodivergent teens prepare for life after high school, covering executive functioning, life skills, and confidently creating a plan for “the next step” into young adulthood.
Q & A with Alison:
Please tell us a little about yourself and a few of your favorite occupations.
I have been an Occupational Therapy for 25 years, graduated from the University of Missouri. I still LOVE the career path I chose and I know being an OT is part of my calling. I live just outside of city limits on 2O acres, with my husband and 3 kids (2 teen girls and 8 y.o. boy), I have an older son (25) living in Houston, TX. I have worked in a variety of OT areas (in-patient rehab, skilled nursing, out-patient adults, home health, school setting, mental health facilities, was a travel OT for 3 years, and then landed in Fayetteville, AR and started a pediatric therapy clinic with a group of OTs/STs). We have a successful clinical practice since 2009 and now have two locations. Getting to know people and their stories is probably my favorite leisure activity. I love Jesus and having a spiritual connection, keeping a morning meditation has been so meaningful in my life. I also enjoy yoga, painting, new adventures with my husband and family, and watching my kids do anything they are passionate about!
What motivated you to contribute to this podcast series?
Patricia!!
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 created the LaunchPAD program...Empowering parents of teens with Neurodiversity bridge the gap of support from the late high school years to early adulthood. I work closely with parents and teens to build awareness, confidence, and real-world readiness. Some of the topics include: Executive functioning and daily life organization Self-advocacy and communication skills Independent living and life skills Emotional regulation and stress management Career exploration and identifying a “best-fit” next step LaunchPAD was successfully piloted in the early stages and we had great results. It was so fun to be this creative and get to really dig in and help problem through this important life transition.
What inspired you or drew you to this type of OT work?
I LOVE teenagers! And I think people with Neurodiversity have SO MUCH to give to the world and I love helping them get past the "world norm" obstacles so they can use their gifts...they can be WORLD CHANGERS! I am living this at home and in a clinical setting. I have 2 teen girls at home now, and when my older son when moved in with us at 17, we were putting a lot of these techniques into practice to get him ready to graduate and live life on his own! I am the "teen go-to" at our peds clinic and I love problem solving through this phase of life. I have had several teens working on these life skills and adult readiness...but I have one specific girl who really inspired to create this LaunchPAD program. I began treating "Sammy" when she was 2 y.o. and just diagnosed with Autism...She and her family became a very special part of my life. We went through all the phases...early intervention, elementary years, pre-teen through teen years (and all the crazy transitions that goes along with that), and then later high school and graduation. We had practiced "all the things" in the clinic and in the community for independent living skills. During those last years, Sammy did very well on her ACT and was a good candidate for college. It was her dream to go to an Art School. We started looking into it, she applied and got in, she received scholarships, her family went to tour, we had a big fundraising/donation party to get her all the supplies for school and to set up the dorm and she was off! She loved it at first and was doing well! However, things got challenging...she called me several times and we were able to talk through it and come up with a plan. That would get her a couple more weeks. I was hoping to help her understand that "she can do hard things". Nothing major was happening, just adjustment. She still needed help with coping skills. She called her family and said it was too hard for her and they immediately went to pick her up, unenrolled and brought her home. Her family is so kind and loving, but they did not know how to help her be more independent and succeed...they just wanted to rescue. I realized that even though she was doing all this amazing stuff independently in the clinical and community setting...she was not doing it at home. Her family loved her so much, but the did not know how to push her "just right" so that she could grow and thrive.
How did you get there? Can you describe your path?
I have dreamed of creating a "post high school/young adult" plan for a very long time..but kind of kept it to myself because I just didn't know how to get it organized and what would actually work. I prayed about it, then waited. Finally I was ready to take the next step. I took a course taught by another OT to learn how to create an online OT business. This was intense for me working full time and doing "life" with the fam...but it was so worth it. I learned so much (and am still learning) and was able to get my first client signed up before my program was even complete!
Please describe a typical day or OT session at your uncommon setting? What OT skills do you utilize?
After the parent (and teen) have completed the online video module and weekly activities...I meet with them once a week on Zoom to discuss Wins and Challenges, and prepare for the next week. This is the fun stuff where we problem solve and celebrate! It's so fun to see them learning and doing things they did not think were possible.
Can you talk about some recent highs (successes) and lows (challenges) of your current role?
the biggest success was seeing my first parent/teen thrive in the program. It was so validating for me to see them really "get" the activities and have such good questions. Also...a personal success for me has been how so supportive colleagues, friends, and others have been when I tell them I am branching out to start this program. I'm so thankful!! Some major challenges for are navigating the online space and marketing...I am very comfortable with the skills to help people...but I've never had to market myself.
How do you continue to learn in order to stay on top of things within your role?
I feel like i'm learning now more than ever. Because I've been in the clinical setting for so long, I have a really solid baseline... but I am really trying to do my own "research" with parents and teens/young adults who have already gone through this phase in live and learn from their experiences...as well as other professionals working with the same population, but in a different service (counselors, teachers, etc.)
Can you share a little bit about salary and compensation in this setting? How do OT or the services you provide get funded?
Private pay
Any career advice for our followers and listeners on how to get started on this path?
Find YOUR "Therapeutic Use of Self"... and the sky is the limit!! It took me a while in my professional career to really understand what this mean. But then when I got it and I use it...I know it is my purpose!! When you are aligned with your God-given "purpose"...things will fall right into place for you and you'll feel the difference! Make sure to take time to notice that!
What’s a common myth or misconception about your job/role you’d like to call out or demystify?
OT's aren't helpful in mental health situations
How do we find you, follow you, be in touch with you, and promote your unique work?
IG: LaunchPadParentTeen (link in bio) and LaunchPadTeenCoach@gmail.com
Please list any resources you would like me to include with your Show Notes (courses, articles, assessments, tools, etc.)*
https://alison-miller-651b.mykajabi.com/launchpad-d610a537-f6a6-41a5-bbf9-efa3c282548f
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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