Staff Spotlight: Physical Therapist Lorraine O’Keefe Celebrates 30 Years at Marcus Avenue Preschool
For thirty years, Physical Therapist Lorraine O’Keefe has been providing therapeutic services to students at Marcus Avenue Preschool. She began her career with the school in April 1994 and was recently honored as an employee of the quarter.
“It’s great when people notice all the work that you do,” said Lorraine.
Her passion for learning, practicing and teaching physical therapy goes beyond Marcus Avenue’s walls. She’s also an Adjunct Professor at New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) and instructs doctoral candidates on the Foundations in Pediatric Physical Therapy Practice
“I feel so fortunate to have found this profession,” said Lorraine.
Whether or not a child receives physical therapy is guided by their Individual Education Plan (IEP) and can vary from one to three thirty-minute sessions per week. In session, students develop their gross motor skills, starting with “heavy work” to help prepare the body for further activities. This can include pushing and moving something heavy
A supplemental service that BCCS provides to parents of students who have physical therapy mandates is one-to-one training. This helps parents become more familiar with the skills their children are working on in school and supports their development at home.
“I love having parents come in and work with me so that they get a different perspective of what’s going on,” said Lorraine. “It’s important for them to do things at home and carry over lessons from school since they are still so young.”
Lorraine’s Top Tips for Parents
Although communications between physical therapists and parents are individualized and focused on the needs of the child, Lorraine found there are best practices that all parents of young children should consider.
One recommendation is proper footwear. She touts the advantages of visiting shoe stores to measure and ensure shoes fit properly. Lorraine also advises checking children’s vision early, even as soon as 6 months of age, to address any concerns.
Also, Lorraine advises prioritizing taking children on walks to benefit from moving outside.
“Children should be out underneath the open blue sky. That’s definitely something that’s important for them,” said Lorraine.
October is National PT Month. We’re grateful for Lorraine and the entire team of physical therapists supporting hundreds of children across our campuses. By working in collaboration with classroom teams, students are supported to be successful both inside and outside the classroom.