It’s All Fun and Games at Natalie Waechter’s Pediatric Occupational Therapy Practice
By Judith Kelliher
All the signs were pointing to Natalie Waechter ’17, G’19, pursuing a career in the medical field. First, it was the inspiring work she saw her mother do as a pediatric intensive care nurse. Next, she discovered occupational therapy (OT) through a medical science program that her high school offered. Those experiences got her thinking about a helping field, specifically in pediatrics.
“Occupational therapy stood out to me because of its holistic approach—seeing the person beyond the diagnosis and finding creative, individualized ways to support their daily life,” Waechter said. “I knew I wanted to work in the pediatric setting but was unsure of what direction.”
To prepare her for these aspirations, Waechter first earned a Health Science: Pre-Occupational Therapy degree, followed by the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) at Springfield College. She was drawn to a field that “blends science, problem-solving, and meaningful relationships.”
“Springfield College is the perfect place to be an occupational therapy student. Occupational therapy is a medical field that focuses on treating a person holistically and that matches Springfield College’s mission in educating students,” she said. "Springfield College also has many connections and provides students with hands-on learning in the community in order to gain the skills necessary for future employment.”
Fast forward to early 2023 when Waechter, an occupational therapist, founded PlayPatch Pediatric Therapy in Los Angeles, Calif. She was inspired to open her own business, which allowed her to design services that meet children where they are, tailor treatment without insurance constraints, and build strong relationships with families.
“I wanted to create a space where kids feel supported, motivated, and celebrated, while also shaping a practice that reflects my values as a therapist,” she said. “I am very passionate about making therapy fun and enjoyable for my clients and their families. If a child is not having fun, no one is having fun. I have learned in my career that children accomplish goals and milestones through play and having fun, and use it as the foundation for all my sessions.”
In her work at PlayPatch, all of Waechter’s client appointments take place at their personal home or preschool. She believes that treating children in their natural environment allows for the most learning and generalization of skills. It also allows her to work hands on with the parents to provide them with the tools to best support their child. When working with children, she always starts with a fun play activity to introduce the focus of the day and then move to more therapeutic activities to support the skill development. At the end of the session, she shares with the parents the improvements their child has made.
“The thing I love most about my job is watching them grow and accomplish milestones, despite the variety of developmental challenges they face. It is exciting and always a joy,” she said. “I get to become a part of a child’s journey and become a small part of the family.”
Waechter credits her experiences at Springfield College with finding her purpose in her career. She believes being educated in a well-rounded way helped to prepare her for service to her clients and their families while building a foundation for leadership to start and run her own business. In particular, an anatomy course in which she experienced hands-on learning in the human cadaver lab included observing muscles on the human donor, an experience she will never forget.
It's not just Waechter’s career that gives her joy and purpose. Outside of her job, she works with families of children with disabilities in the Los Angeles area, which has provided her with the opportunity to meet and engage with different organizations in the community. For example, she currently volunteers her time with two nonprofits that provide adaptive bicycles to children with special needs.
While a student-athlete at Springfield College as a member of the swim team, she learned work/life balance, self-discipline, and determination. Those skills continue to serve her well as these days she also works part-time for Special Needs Aquatic Program to provide aquatic-based occupational therapy for children with special needs.
“Being a competitive swimmer throughout my life and being able to provide therapy services in a pool is a dream of mine. It is so fun and enjoyable,” she added.
Waechter feels she is in a career that is developing and growing, and that people are starting to understand what OT is all about, and leading prospective students to consider becoming occupational therapists.
“I continue to see occupational therapy expanding into emerging practice areas, such as aquatic therapy, telehealth, and virtual reality. Technology is progressing into occupational therapy with the development and use of telehealth to reach clients and patients who are not in close proximity to providers,” she said.
As Waechter reflects on her journey from growing up in California to ending up on Alden Street, she is grateful for all she has gained.
“I am thankful for the opportunity to live and experience New England and live through four seasons, although California is where I do love to be,” she said. “Springfield College drew me for their holistic mission, Occupational Therapy program, and swim team, and I am thankful for the opportunities and experiences that will carry me through my future endeavors.”
Help us share more stories like this! We’re proud to celebrate the accomplishments of our alumni. If you or someone you know would make a great feature, please reach out to marketing@springfield.edu.
