Today we’d like to introduce you to Lindsey Stamper
Hi Lindsey, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
As an occupational therapist for over 20 years, I spent much of my career working in traditional pediatric occupational therapy settings including schools and outpatient clinics. I loved working with the kids, families, and school staff, but started to dream of what it would look like to incorporate nature into my therapy. I was tired of working in windowless rooms with kids and felt it was impacting my mental and physical health and those of the kids I was serving. I have always had a love of the outdoors and worked at a summer camp in college. I had also seen the benefits of sensory-rich outdoor play for my own two sons.
A few years ago, I read the book “Balanced and Barefoot” by Angela Hanscom, a fellow OT, and became interested in her nature enrichment program, TimberNook. I also began following the work of other outdoor occupational therapists around the country. As nature-based therapy is unique, there were no existing practices in the Columbus area, and I decided to start Forestways OT in September 2022. I combined by expertise in working with children with sensory challenges, ADHD, Autism, and developmental delays with nature-connection. The calm, yet alerting sensory environment of the outdoors supports regulation for children. The kids thrive on experiences outdoors with new adventures during each season of the year which keeps therapy activities novel and engaging. I am helping support physically active, real-life engagement and connection to the natural world rather than the digital world where so many kids spend too much time. Our sessions together outdoors at local parks provide plenty of opportunities for working on developmental skills and help build flexibility, resilience, and problem solving skills. Parents are also able to see ways they can work on skills at home and in their own community without the expensive equipment often found in therapy clinics.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Starting a business is a huge undertaking! I have found the support of the wider nature-based therapy community via online groups and in-person conferences to be incredibly valuable in helping me start and grow my business. I also joined the local group Conscious Community Collectives last year and have made wonderful connections with other colleagues working with children and families in Central Ohio. Initially, finding a location and getting my first clients were challenging. Now, I am finding that continuing to get the word out to families, preschools, and private schools about Forestways OT and my unique practice is an area of priority.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At Forestways OT, we love helping children reach their potential with compassionate care and family collaboration. Parents often feel overwhelmed when their children struggle with skills that seem easy for others. Forestways OT offers neurodiversity-affirming, outdoor occupational therapy. Our family-centered approach helps children develop crucial skills so they can grow, connect, and thrive in daily life. We help children develop skills in sensory processing, fine and gross motor, coordination, balance, and executive functioning. We support building connections with oneself, others, and nature through increased self-regulation, social skills, and care for the environment. This unique approach helps children thrive in meaningful activities or “occupations” in home, community, and school life with increased independence, confidence, and joy.
Forestways OT provides individual therapy, small group OT, and summer nature enrichment experiences in local public parks. We provide comprehensive, individual OT evaluations and work together with families to establish goals and provide ongoing collaboration to make a real-life impact for children beyond the therapy session. Outdoor occupational therapy small groups focus on social skills, motor skills, and sensory health utilizing the ConTiGO Approach (Connection & Transformation in the Great Outdoors) developed by Dr. Laura Park Figueroa of Outdoor Kids OT. Groups include: individualized child goals, skilled therapeutic services, nature connection activities, social skill development, extended therapy time, and supported free play in an outdoor setting.
Summer nature enrichment groups are for all children (not just those in need of therapy services) and support important developmental skills, creativity, flexibility, resilience, and social skills. Summer nature enrichment program themes in 2024 included self-regulation, feeding/gardening, and fine motor/handwriting skills.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Families interested in inquiring about occupational therapy services or summer nature enrichment groups can visit www.forestwaysot.com to request a free discovery phone call and join our email list. Monthly email newsletters provide occupational therapy tips and updates on our programs.
We are also often in need of student volunteers (ages 16 and older) for OT Small Groups and Summer Nature Enrichment Programs. Volunteers can submit a contact form at www.forestwaysot.com
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.forestwaysot.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forestwaysot/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088711951348
