Sydney C. Smith

Licensed Occupational Therapist with experience across pediatric outpatient and adult inpatient rehabilitation settings. Clinical background includes evaluation and treatment across motor, cognitive, sensory, behavioral, and self-care areas, with additional experience in feeding, developmental and neurological conditions, and constraint-induced movement therapy. Skilled in caregiver education and interdisciplinary collaboration to support functional participation, independence, and skill development across the lifespan, including medically complex populations.

Pediatric Occupational Therapist Full Time (Outpatient) - Nationwide Children's Hospital

(2025-08)

• Provide outpatient pediatric OT services for children with developmental delays, motor impairments, feeding challenges, and sensory processing differences to support functional participation
• Develop and implement individualized, evidence-based treatment plans targeting self-care, play, fine/gross motor skills, and school readiness
• Provide caregiver education and coaching on home programming, feeding strategies, and regulation supports to promote carryover across environments
• Collaborate with SLPs, PTs, physicians, and families to ensure coordinated, family-centered care
• Completed advanced training in pediatric feeding competency and CIMT to support upper extremity function and feeding outcomes

Inpatient Rehabilitation Occupational Therapist PRN - OhioHealth Rehabilitation Hospital

(2025-06)

• Provide skilled occupational therapy services in an intensive inpatient rehabilitation setting for patients with neurological conditions including stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, and other acquired brain injuries as well as orthopedic injuries, post-surgical recovery, and medically complex conditions
• Evaluate and treat deficits in ADLs, IADLs, mobility, cognition, balance, coordination, and safety awareness, and develop individualized, patient-centered intervention plans to maximize independence and support safe discharge to home and community settings
• Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team including physicians, physical therapy, speech-language pathology, nursing, and case management to optimize patient outcomes and ensure continuity of care across the rehabilitation continuum

Capstone Student - Specialized Speech Technologies

(2025-01 - 2025-04)

• Assessed current provider procedures at the clinic by collaborating with occupational therapists, speech therapists, and physical therapists to evaluate existing methods for family education regarding sensory challenges
• Conducted a comprehensive literature review to identify evidence-based best practices for improving provider education and interdisciplinary approaches, synthesizing findings to develop recommendations for enhancing clinic protocols and optimizing family-centered care
• Delivered outpatient services focused on sensory processing, developmental milestones, reflex integration, and functional skill development, and worked within the school district to create sensory rooms, conduct individual treatment sessions, and collaborate with teachers to support sensory needs in the classroom

Level II Fieldwork Student - Kennedy Krieger Institute

(2024-04 - 2024-06)

• Provided intensive, multidisciplinary occupational therapy services within a Specialized Transition Program to support children and adolescents recovering from traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord dysfunction, orthopedic procedures, and developmental disabilities
• Developed and implemented individualized treatment plans focused on functional skill development, independence in daily activities, constraint-induced movement therapy and successful reintegration into home, school, and community settings
• Collaborated with families, educators, and healthcare providers to ensure continuity of care, deliver patient and caregiver education, and establish follow-up plans for sustained progress and satisfaction

Level II Fieldwork Student - Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Sarasota

(2024-01 - 2024-03)

• Delivered comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation services, including evaluations, individualized treatment interventions, discharge planning, and family education to promote patient recovery and independence
• Designed and implemented both individual and group therapy sessions focused on activities of daily living, functional mobility, adaptive equipment use, balance training, cognitive rehabilitation, and neuromuscular re-education
• Collaborated daily with an interdisciplinary healthcare team, participating in medical briefings to ensure coordinated, patient-centered care throughout the rehabilitation process

Level I Fieldwork Student (pediatric school-based occupational therapy) - Columbus City Schools - Elementary School

Level I Fieldwork Student (medical/surgical and critical care settings) - Riverside Methodist Hospital - Acute and Intensive Care Units

Level I Fieldwork Student (pediatric/adolescent behavioral health) - The Buckeye Ranch - Mental Health Residential Program

Club Lacrosse President - The Ohio State University

(2020-02 - 2022-05)

• Executed strong communication skills by guiding and leading
• Executed strong leadership skill by planning practices, tournaments, and coordinating team activities

Director of Communications for Alpha Lambda Chapter of Alpha Gamma Delta - The Ohio State University

(2019-11 - 2022-05)

• Executed strong communication skills through communicating current activities and events to present members of the sorority and alumni

Clinical Doctor of Occupational Therapy - Occupational Therapy - The Ohio State University (2025-05) Columbus, Ohio

Bachelor of Science - Human Development and Family Science - The Ohio State University (2022-05) Columbus, Ohio