In this episode, we will learn about an occupational therapy practitioner who utilizes adaptive martial arts in her OT practice. Amanda Lynn Piepgras, COTA is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant since 2002 who moved to San Diego from New York in 2015. She has been working with children with special needs since 1999, beginning her career as a teacher assistant at the preschool her sister attended as a child with Spina Bifida. It has been her dream for years to combine her love of martial arts with her passion of working with children with special needs, whether it’s Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, learning disabilities, hearing/vision deficits, etc. She has studied karate, Muay Thai, and Jiu-Jitsu since 2006 and has competed in kickboxing and grappling on an amateur level. Coaching is her passion and Amanda believes martial arts has many benefits for all children, particularly children who have difficulties with sensory processing, maintaining attention span, focusing on tasks, impulse control, body awareness, and low muscle strength. Amanda has also taught adaptive martial arts and self-defense at South East Consortium for Special Services, Inc., We Rock the Spectrum, Gigi’s Playhouse, The Challenge Center, and various martial arts gyms around San Diego. 

Show Key Points:

·      Amanda gives us a glimpse of her background and interests

·      She describes her Uncommon OT work and whom she serves

·      She describes what inspired her to do this work and her path to entrepreneurship

·      She explains her service and how it can benefit others

·      She provides OT practitioners with valuable career advice

·      She provides resources and her contact information  

RESOURCES:

Website: www.amandasmartialarts.com

Amanda's Adaptive Martial Arts Methods: A course for anyone who wants to start their own adaptive martial arts class. 

IG: @amandas.adaptive.martial.arts

Facebook: Amanda’s Adaptive Martial Arts

As always, I welcome any feedback & ideas from all of you or if you are interested in being a guest on future episodes, please do not hesitate to contact Patricia Motus at [email protected] or DM via Instagram @transitionsot 

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