WINTERFEST: OT Unbound: Discovering New Frontiers Beyond Traditional Practice

ON DEMAND WEBINAR

Presented by Whitney Steyer, MOT, OTR/L

1.0 Contact Hours

Description:

Occupational therapists are trained to be adaptable, holistic problem-solvers—but many feel confined to traditional roles. As healthcare and educational systems evolve, OTs may wonder how to grow professionally without leaving behind their identity or skill set. This presentation explores how core OT competencies can unlock new and unexpected career possibilities.

Drawing from my personal experience transitioning from a school-based OT to an Autism Support Specialist at a county-level school district, I’ll share lessons learned, mindset shifts, and practical ways OT skills supported my growth into a broader, more collaborative role. We’ll explore a few examples of non-traditional paths where OTs are making an impact, including program coordination, systems-level consultation, and team leadership.

Attendees will reflect on the versatile nature of OT training—such as client-centered thinking, environmental adaptation, and holistic problem-solving—and how these strengths can support new career possibilities. Occupational therapy is not just a job, it’s a mindset. When we recognize the versatility of our training, new doors open. This session invites you to reimagine your path, embrace the unknown, and apply your OT lens in ways that make meaningful, far-reaching impact—both within and beyond traditional practice settings.

Objectives:

• Identify and articulate the core competencies of occupational therapy that are transferable to non-traditional roles.
• Explore and identify alternative career pathways where occupational therapy skills can be effectively applied to meet diverse community and organizational needs.

Presenter bio:

Whitney Steyer is an experienced occupational therapist and autism consultant specializing in research-based best practices within school settings. She currently serves as an Autism Consultant at Monroe County Intermediate School District in Michigan, where she is the first to hold this role—developing tailored solutions for students and classrooms, streamlining operations, and building strong relationships with district and state-level partners through the START project. Prior to this, she managed the occupational therapy department at the county’s center-based school, providing therapeutic services to students ages 2.5 to 26 with moderate to severe cognitive and physical impairments. Her clinical background also includes leadership as a lead occupational therapist in skilled nursing facilities, where she supervised therapy teams, coordinated comprehensive joint replacement programs, and specialized in fall prevention, wheelchair safety, and community reintegration. Whitney holds a Graduate Degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Findlay, along with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy and a Bachelor of Science in Recreation Studies. She is an active presenter on topics such as inclusive practices, executive functioning, and understanding autism, and participates in multiple autism collaboratives and START communities of practice. She is licensed through NBCOT and maintains active professional memberships focused on autism and inclusive education.

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