Jen Ruth’s heart has always been in pediatrics. “I’m still a child at heart,” she shares. “I bond with children easily because we share similar interests. I love to have fun, and the most important job for a child is play.”
After graduating from Alvernia University, Jen began her career as a behavior specialist, working with children from ages 2 to 21 and becoming very familiar with all the child development milestones. Once she became board certified, she began working as an occupational therapist in a school.
At the end of the school year she began looking for part-time early intervention positions. She had experience in the field, and the flexibility would allow her to work around her school schedule. She discovered Happy Hearts in the summer of 2021, and was hired soon after.
Although Jen loves all aspects of occupational therapy, she’s particularly skilled in sensory integration and enjoys helping children interpret and respond effectively to external stimulation. Because she has a minor degree in child psychology, she’s able to educate parents on both the functional and psychosocial aspects of their child’s development.
Her favorite part of early intervention is seeing the progress that’s made when strategies are consistently implemented and watching kids meet their goals. Since each child develops differently, every client is a learning experience for her as well. Some kids reach their goals in 3-6 months, while others have worked with Jen for more than 2 years.
“Discharging can be a bittersweet event,” she says, “because I enjoy all my clients and their families and it’s sad to no longer spend time with them. But it’s also the most enjoyable part to see clients graduate as they prepare for their next step.”
Jen describes herself as, “very flexible, very fun loving. Bring on your pets–I love pets of any kind!” When she isn’t working, she spends time with her horse, Gryffin, and rides both competitively and as a hobby. She also enjoys spending time with her husband and her dog, Ella, and traveling to Disney.
Jen’s advice for parents with kids in early intervention is to keep an open mind. “It’s okay to feel overwhelmed or scared when introduced to new strategies,” she says. “Just be open with your therapist and be sure to communicate if you need to slow down to take things at your own pace.”
She also encourages parents to trust their therapists, even if they are young or don’t have children of their own. “Know that new therapists are trained and experienced in the most recent as well as classic techniques. We have fresh and new strategies that are evidence based, and we also want what’s best for your child.”
Comentarios