Savanna Major joined Happy Hearts right after passing her boards, but her passion for working with kids goes back much further. During her undergrad years at Penn State, Savanna volunteered at a drama therapy club for children with disabilities and a summer camp for kids with muscular dystrophy. After graduating, she spent a summer working as a nanny before returning to school to earn her master’s degree in occupational therapy at Chatham University in Pittsburgh. During her master’s program, she gained even more experience working with children in a school based 3-5 program and a crisis nursery.
After graduating in 2018, she started searching for pediatric jobs in or near Schuylkill County, where she grew up. She found an online posting for Happy Hearts and has been there ever since. In the beginning, an awesome occupational therapist took her under her wing and helped her navigate early intervention.
As an occupational therapist, Savanna works with children and their families in addressing concerns with sensory integration, play skills, and feeding. She specializes in feeding therapy and has taken in depth courses related to that area of development. “I enjoy the challenge of figuring out what's going on,” she explains. “Sometimes it's an oral motor skill versus a behavioral or sensory concern. I like being able to problem solve with the family and teach them how to help their child thrive.”
One of her favorite aspects of early intervention is the creativity involved in finding the best strategies for each specific family. She particularly enjoys helping families realize the tools they already have in their home that can be used to help their child. She also enjoys working with the age range of birth to three years old. “Children are learning and developing so much during those years. It’s fun to be part of the team helping them grow.”
Savanna frequently uses play in her sessions. She enjoys bringing in songs, toys or characters that her clients already love to engage and motivate them to work on different areas.
Savanna has a five-year-old, a two-year-old, and another baby on the way. When she’s not working, she loves having adventures with her own little ones, such as going to parks or children’s museums. “I’m playing at work and playing at home,” she says.
She encourages any parents new to early intervention to remember that they are their child’s biggest advocate and role model. “Early intervention is a chance to connect with your child in a special way,” she shares. “Don’t be afraid to use your inner child as you interact with your kiddos during sessions. It’s important to play and sing and be silly. That’s how little ones learn best.”
She also reminds parents that their early intervention therapist is there to support them in every possible way. “If a strategy doesn’t seem to be working, please speak up. It’s our job to help you build those skills in the easiest and most beneficial way for your family.”
Comments