We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dr. Amanda Speights a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Amanda, thanks for joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

For thirteen years, I had the immense privilege of walking the familiar hallways of east coast public schools. The echoes of children’s laughter and the gentle scent of crayons clung to my clothes like unseen threads. Through my work as an occupational therapist, I’ve witnessed countless moments of transformation—the joy of supporting a child with autism navigating sensory challenges, the triumph of guiding a student with learning disabilities to master handwriting, and the quiet contentment of a child with blindness gaining independence in the cafeteria. These experiences filled my heart with gratitude and reaffirmed my belief in the transformative power of my chosen profession of occupational therapy. However, a gentle restlessness began to stir within me. The comfort of routine, once my haven, started to feel like an invisible cage. I yearned for new challenges, a broader platform to share my expertise, and an opportunity to delve deeper into the science of occupation and its profound impact on equity. It was time for a change.

My interest in academia originated from nearly six years of coordinating and supervising experiential learning for graduate occupational therapy (OT) students. During my doctoral internship, I pursued the scholarship of teaching and learning in OT. USC’s reputation for cutting-edge research and opportunities attracted me. Fortunately, I met an associate chair at the USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at a virtual job fair and arranged a visit. The subsequent process of applying and interviewing for a full-time faculty position felt like a whirlwind and triggered my imposter syndrome. But the fear was outweighed by the sheer audacity of possibility. I envisioned myself collaborating with leading researchers, influencing national policy, and developing innovative therapy programs that could reach countless children across the country.

The journey westward was a complex and emotional tapestry. As I bid farewell to the familiar, a sense of anticipation grew with each passing mile. More than a career change, this was a transformative experience. I shed the familiarity of my East Coast life, eager to embrace the vibrant diversity of California. My identity transformed from solely a school-based therapist to a scholar, a leader, and a pioneer venturing into uncharted territory. Armed with thirteen years of experience, a heart filled with passion, and an unwavering belief in education’s transformative power, I embarked on this new chapter, ready to make a lasting impact on the lives of others.

Nearly a year later, I have begun to settle into my role as a professor, admissions team member, and academic advisor. I leverage my 13+ years of OT practice and my DHSc degree to inform administrative decisions and mentor the next generation of OT professionals. In addition to my academic role, I apply my OT skills and knowledge to professional and community settings. I am a certified accreditation evaluator for the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) and a reviewer for American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) publications and conference proposals. I also serve as a subject matter expert for Kinspire, a telehealth mobile application that supports caregivers of children with developmental delays.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

After completing my Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Human Nutrition in 2006, I initially considered a career in dietetics. However, upon evaluating the job outlook and the return on investment for graduate education, I was not convinced. As a result, I explored alternative healthcare professions that met my prerequisites. One such profession was occupational therapy (OT).

I recalled that my younger cousin had worked with an OT to address developmental delays after being discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). I felt that OT might be a suitable career for me. I only needed to take an abnormal psychology course to meet the prerequisites, and the program director for the local OT school was an alumnus of my undergraduate alma mater.
My first OT job was a travel school-based assignment in Portsmouth, Virginia. I also worked per diem for a local hospital to maintain my skills. I continued this model of working full-time in public schools and per diem in hospitals or outpatient clinics in Atlanta, Georgia, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, until I decided to return to school for my doctorate in 2017.

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing measures, my practice as an OT drastically changed from in-person and hands-on to virtual and coaching. I used the opportunity of my capstone project to explore research on the new service delivery model and effective strategies. I was excited to learn that research supports occupation-based telehealth coaching for increasing parent-self efficacy, as well as children’s adaptive skills, play frequency, and skill development diversity in as few as 12 weeks.
While seeking to disseminate my findings, I discovered a company called Kinspire Health that promotes a family-centered care model using app-based technology as the mode of service delivery. After sharing my findings, I was invited to join their team as a business associate.

So for the past 2 years , I have leveraged my knowledge and experience as an OT, child development expert, and ASD Subject Matter Expert to contribute to the following:
Informing content development and user experience of a telehealth mobile application
Testing content for alignment with treatment focus and goals
Providing telehealth services to subscribers
Assessing the effectiveness of the user interfaces for provider and caregiver use

I am most excited about the realized benefits of telehealth including active caregiver participation, authentic context, and increased service provision and utilization. This shifts therapy from a single in an isolated context to continuous dosage when parents are empowered with the knowledge and strategies to support their children throughout the day. Currently, I support 3 families using the Kinspire Learn, Try, Practice, and Reflect approach to parent coaching. And I look forward to growing with the company while influencing the future of pediatric occupational therapy practice.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

Combining professional service with mentorship can create a powerful synergy for career growth in any field. By actively contributing your skills and learning from experienced professionals, you can develop your expertise, expand your network, and gain valuable insights that accelerate your success. Engaging in professional service allows you to apply your existing skills in real-world scenarios, while also acquiring new ones. This could involve volunteering, participating in industry projects, or taking on leadership roles in professional organizations. By contributing your time and expertise to a worthy cause, you demonstrate your commitment, initiative, and leadership qualities. This is a great way to strengthen your resume and make you stand out to potential employers. Professional service also provides opportunities to connect with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and experiences. These connections can be invaluable for career advice, job opportunities, and future collaborations. Mentors can share their own experiences and insights, providing you with a broader perspective on your field and the industry as a whole. Having a mentor can also hold you accountable for your goals and provide constructive feedback on your work and progress.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

While working on my doctoral capstone project, I had to unlearn perfectionism. What could have only taken me one semester took two because I could not stop revising my paper. Perfectionism was a double-edged sword. While it drove high standards and meticulousness, it also led to procrastination, self-doubt, and ultimately hindered progress. Recognizing this and choosing to prioritize completion over unrealistic perfection was a significant step towards greater efficiency, resilience, and overall well-being. By embracing that mistakes and flaws are part of the learning and growth process, it allows me to focus on progress and iteration rather than dwelling on the unattainable ideal.