Tag: school based OT

From time to time, we invite occupational therapists whose use of OT Wizard reflects strong clinical reasoning, real-world application, and thoughtful feedback to participate in a spotlight. These OTP’s have earned their wizard hats.

Meet Krystal Watkins, MS, OTR/L, ADSCS

Can you tell us a little about your background as an OTP,  and your work setting(s) ?

I am an Occupational Therapy Practitioner with 8.5 years of experience working across a wide range of settings. My background includes skilled nursing facilities (SNF), acute care, outpatient therapy, early intervention, home health, and school-based practice, which has given me a strong clinical foundation. Over time, my passion has increasingly focused on pediatric practice, particularly working with children with autism and ADHD in educational and community-based settings. I enjoy supporting students’ sensory processing, self-regulation, attention, and functional participation to help them succeed in their daily routines at school and home. I am eager to continue growing professionally and look forward to pursuing additional certifications related to ADHD to further strengthen my ability to support this population.

Do you have a favorite domain or type of challenge you enjoy treating most? What do you love about it? 

My favorite domain to work in is supporting students with autism and ADHD in school-based settings. What I love most about this work is how meaningful and practical it is. I enjoy helping students build the regulation, attention, sensory processing, and executive functioning skills they need to participate successfully in their daily school routines. Every child is different, and I find it rewarding to problem-solve creatively whether that means adapting the environment, using sensory-based strategies, or breaking tasks down so a student can experience success. I’m especially passionate about empowering students to better understand their own needs and strengths while collaborating closely with teachers and families. Seeing a child gain confidence, independence, and improved participation in the classroom even through small but significant gains is what makes this work so fulfilling for me.

What does a “normal” day look like for you?

As a school-based occupational therapist, a “normal” day is a balance of planning, direct treatment, and collaboration. I typically start my day by treatment planning and organizing materials to prepare for the students on my caseload. Throughout the day, I provide direct OT services to students, working on goals related to sensory regulation, fine motor skills, executive functioning, and classroom participation. In addition to treatment sessions, I regularly conduct evaluations and re-evaluations, complete documentation, and adjust intervention plans as needed. Collaboration is a key part of my daily routine. I spend time communicating with teachers, support staff, and other members of the school team to problem solve strategies and ensure consistency across environments. Each day is busy and varied, but the mix of hands on work, planning, and teamwork makes the role both dynamic and rewarding.

How did you hear about OT Wizard? 

I heard about OT Wizard through a COTA friend who shared their experience and recommended it to Rockingham County Schools.

Before subscribing to OT Wizard, what made you hesitant about trying OT Wizard?

I wasn’t hesitant at all. I was actually excited to try something new and explore a tool that could support my work as an OT.

What made you feel OT Wizard could work in your setting(s)? 

I felt OT Wizard could work well in my school-based OT setting because it provides practical resources and tools that directly support my work with students. Having access to ready to use evaluations helps me save planning time, stay organized, and tailor therapy to each child’s needs. It integrates seamlessly into a busy school day, where balancing evaluations, direct therapy, and collaboration with teachers is essential.

Was there a moment where OT Wizard really “clicked” for you? 

Yes, there was a moment where OT Wizard really “clicked” for me when I realized how much time it could save on planning and documentation. I was able to quickly pull a ready to use evaluation and immediately tailor it for a student, all while feeling confident that it was thorough and appropriate.

How has OT Wizard changed your approach to evaluations or reports now, even in small ways? 

Yes, It allows me to focus more on interpreting results and planning meaningful interventions rather than spending excessive time formatting or creating forms. Overall, it’s made the process more efficient, thorough, and less stressful, so I can dedicate more energy to supporting my students.

What is your favorite feature in OT Wizard?

My favorite features in OT Wizard are the Magic W.A.N.D. and the occupational profile section in the guided evaluations. The Magic W.A.N.D helps assess and identify writing difficulties. The Magic W.A.N.D. gives clear, structured insight into a student’s writing challenges. The occupational profile offers self-reflection type of questions that engage students in their own progress and provide valuable information about their perspectives, strengths, and needs. Both features make evaluations more interactive and meaningful.

What would you say to another OTP who’s feeling hesitant or skeptical about trying OT Wizard?

Give it a try! OT Wizard is designed to make your work easier, more organized, and more student-centered. The ready to use evaluations, tools, and resources save planning time and help you focus on what really matters which is supporting your students’ progress. 

What’s one thing you don’t miss doing since using OT Wizard?

I don’t miss spending hours creating and formatting evaluation forms and reports from scratch. With ready to use templates and tools, I can focus on interpreting results and planning interventions instead of getting bogged down in paperwork. It’s been a huge time-saver and stress-reliever!

In addition to what Krystal shared here, she has been a beta tester of both OT Wizard v1 and v2, demonstrating flexibility and patience as the platform evolved. Throughout that process, she consistently showed curiosity and a willingness to learn new technology in service of her clinical work. For these reasons, this OT Wizard hat is well deserved.