When students at East Hill Elementary need a little extra help mastering the skills that make learning possible, Lynsey Nielsen is there to support them—quietly making a big difference. For nearly a decade, Lynsey has served as an occupational therapist (OT) in the Kent School District, where she’s one of 45 dedicated professionals working behind the scenes to help more than 1,300 students thrive. From fine motor skills to sensory strategies, her work is as varied as it is vital—and rooted in a personal story of healing and hope. As a young child, Lynsey had surgery and received occupational therapy as part of her recovery. She stayed connected to the children’s hospital that performed her surgery and began volunteering there, leading to her becoming an occupational therapist later in life.
Occupational therapy is a highly collaborative field. Lynsey works closely with the school psychologist, speech therapist, and other specialists to create a well-rounded support plan tailored to each student’s unique needs. For example, the obstacle course at East Hill that touches on multiple skills for students was designed in collaboration with Lynsey and other specialists. Lynsey typically works with each student once a week and partners with their classroom teachers to ensure the skills they’re practicing during therapy are reinforced and used throughout the school day. This may include special accommodations or strategies that can be incorporated by the classroom teacher. Lynsey also works closely with each student’s parents, documenting progress and sharing strategies that may help at home as well.
Lynsey enjoys the mixture of direct service and consultation that occupational therapy requires. “I love working with kids. Day to day, my job is never the same, and I really like the collaboration piece.” Lynsey also bounces ideas off the other OTs in the district, using them as a resource. “I think it’s really fun when you get to see the small wins, when kids get a skill down that they’ve been working on and they’re so excited about it,” Lynsey said. Occupational therapists work with all ages in the district, supporting students as they transition to their next phase in life. By touching all areas, from students to teachers and staff to parents, occupational therapists provide critical resources that help support the whole child.