Do you want to work while you study OT?

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Hi there... I'm starting my MOT in a little over two weeks but I'm also a parent of a child with autism. So, I'm here to give some advice...

IF you think you can handle work while in grad school/doing pre-reqs and...

IF you can be RELIABLE and ON TIME and want to make a positive impact in a family's life,

Can I suggest a way to make some extra cash?

Write your local Autism Society, join a listserv in your area, and offer your services as a caretaker/tutor/activity coordinator with a kiddo with autism in your area, for exactly however many hours as you have to provide. Us moms of kids with autism really really need a break, and need people that are able to be consistent, on time, and FUN! You don't have to be an ABA Tutor to help a household. Kids need to be taken to the swimming pool. Kids need to be given opportunities to work with people outside of their families, to shoot hoops with someone, to have someone to go on walks with so mom can take care of their other kiddos or other household duties.

I can't tell you how much you'd get paid, as it totally depends on where you are. But I will stress, for the sake of the children that you'd serve, if you do this, BE CONSISTENT. Kiddos with autism need reliability and consistency... As do their moms, as they come to count on these kinds of arrangements.

Just a thought, as I know many of the students on this board are always looking for ways to augment their applications AND increase their understanding of the scope of disability in daily, family life.

I did the American Red Cross- Certified Nursing Assistant program to work as a CNA it can help you get use to doing ADLS it doesn't take that long to complete the program only 4 weeks and you can find plenty positions part time or full time. I just got hired last week near my campus with a sign on bonus!

My advice is before you start your MOT program locate an American Red Cross in your area and do the 4 week CNA program so that you can find reliable employment during your degree it will make the whole job hunt process easier. Good Luck!

Originally Posted by mco316

Hi there... I'm starting my MOT in a little over two weeks but I'm also a parent of a child with autism. So, I'm here to give some advice...

IF you think you can handle work while in grad school/doing pre-reqs and...

IF you can be RELIABLE and ON TIME and want to make a positive impact in a family's life,

Can I suggest a way to make some extra cash?

Write your local Autism Society, join a listserv in your area, and offer your services as a caretaker/tutor/activity coordinator with a kiddo with autism in your area, for exactly however many hours as you have to provide. Us moms of kids with autism really really need a break, and need people that are able to be consistent, on time, and FUN! You don't have to be an ABA Tutor to help a household. Kids need to be taken to the swimming pool. Kids need to be given opportunities to work with people outside of their families, to shoot hoops with someone, to have someone to go on walks with so mom can take care of their other kiddos or other household duties.

I can't tell you how much you'd get paid, as it totally depends on where you are. But I will stress, for the sake of the children that you'd serve, if you do this, BE CONSISTENT. Kiddos with autism need reliability and consistency... As do their moms, as they come to count on these kinds of arrangements.

Just a thought, as I know many of the students on this board are always looking for ways to augment their applications AND increase their understanding of the scope of disability in daily, family life.

Hi mco316,

I have a question a little off topic. I am a single mother with a 3 year old son. I am going to college full time and working part time right now. I am currently a sophomore pursuing a B.S in psychology. I plan to graduate in May 2015. I also want to go to OT school right after I graduate. I plan on applying to TWU Dallas ( 30 mins away from where I live) so I can commute. (I live with my parents right now and plan to do so if I get into Dallas). If I do not get accepted then the closet OT school is about 3-5 hours away from where I live and will have to figure something out.
If I get into OT school I really don't want to work b.c I know it is going to be a lot harder to undergrad and I will have to dedicate a lot of time. I plan on taking out loans. By this time my son will be around 6 years old and in the 1st grade.
Are you working right now during your MOT program? How do you handle it? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

When my gf was in OT school she was an RA for the school. Pretty easy job that allows you to study quite a bit and also looks good on resume when applying for jobs.