We recently connected with Jennell Chang and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennell, thanks for joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

Three big things catalyzed the creation of T.OT FM Camp, LLC.—(1) my previous job, (2) my son, and (3) COVID-19.

First of all, my previous job as a school-based occupational therapist really shed light on a great need for improved accessibility to strategic instruction on the subject! There was a huge shift away from handwriting, with a bigger focus on literacy and math when the common core was adopted. Whenever I did classroom observations, I rarely saw handwriting being taught in a methodical manner. In fact, I heard countless times that teachers were being told that as long as the letter LOOKS like the letter, then it did not matter how the children formed it.

My counterargument to that was and remains that at a kindergarten level, when writing expectations were very minimal, the letter could LOOK like the letter, even though it was formed in all sorts of interesting directions, lines, and angles. However, fast forward to when the kids are in upper elementary grades and are expected to write faster and for longer periods. These inefficient letter formation patterns can distort the letter as speed impacts motor precision in writing. The overall legibility decreases, and the children are penalized on their report cards due to the teacher not being able to discern what was written.

By this point, teachers and parents would try to get the children occupational therapy services for handwriting support, but qualifying for support is stringent and not always appropriate as school-based OTs are not handwriting tutors.

This leads me to my second and third point! My son was definitely a child who didn’t quite NEED OT, but could benefit from OT strategies. Thankfully, he has a mom who is an OT, but it made me wonder: If my child benefits from the strategies, wouldn’t other parents also find the information and tips beneficial?

This idea then came to fruition during COVID lockdown. I began recording my activities that I was doing with my son and posting it on my Instagram, @ot.umma. Furthermore, any resource I created, I would post it for free because… we were all in this global pandemic lock down together!

Technology use during lockdown and distance learning surged, but subjects like handwriting took the greatest hit as it is incredibly difficult, in my opinion, to teach this skill through a screen while working with young children. This was even more challenging when trying to teach this skill to children with varying abilities and needs.

A lot of our older elementary students were in kinder or first grade during distance learning, and a lot of these children come to my program because they are being penalized on their progress reports for illegible handwriting.

Overall, it’s been an amazing journey helping kids in preschool and elementary school with a curriculum that is inspired by Handwriting Without Tears, a handwriting curriculum created by occupational therapists!

However, what I truly pride myself in doing in T.OT Camp is building the children’s CONFIDENCE and MOTIVATION to WANT to write more neatly! I do this by utilizing positive behavioral strategies as well as with a huge emphasis on building a meaningful therapeutic relationship between myself and each child!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a licensed and registered occupational therapist who has created a handwriting program for children of all abilities! I am using my background as an OT as I analyze each child’s functional handwriting abilities, and I incorporate my expertise in fine motor, visual motor, neuromuscular, and biomechanical abilities into all the activities the children participate in!

I teach handwriting and critical writing in a methodical manner. I also scaffold the lessons accordingly to meet children—both neurotypical and neurodivergent— where they’re at!

What I pride myself in is my ability to help children WANT to write better. I always tell parents that not one child in my 10+ years in education has ever told me that they love handwriting! So I utilize my background experience as a behavioral interventionist to help build momentum, positivity, encouragement, and confidence in each camper’s journey!

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I became an occupational therapist, because I wanted to make a difference in people’s lives. I wanted to aide and to share in the journey of growth and rehabilitation.

What I didn’t realize when I became a school-based occupational therapist was the contention I would face due to the misconceptions circulating around what a school-based OT’s role was. I was not prepared as I went head to head with angry parents, intense advocates, and aggressive lawyers. I learned to navigate the school-based world, but I truly missed connecting with families without the fear of a possible lawsuit.

However, I loved my occupational therapy department, and I loved being able to work alongside some amazing teachers in special education! I, of course, adored the children I worked with as well! I just hated feeling wary and tense whenever I walked into an IEP. My heart longed for collaboration and camaraderie.

What finally pushed me to quit after being at the district was the death of my abusive father and my sudden liver resection surgery—events that occurred back to back. While grieving and recovering in my bed, I started feeling a stronger conviction that it was time for me to bite the bullet and pursue happiness.

So that’s what I did! I quit, built my business, and I’ve been blessed beyond measure!

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

When I quit my school-based job, I was paid out for all my unused paid time off. And it was quite an impressive sum as I never took time off due to being so overworked in the school district.

So every penny I received back, I invested it into my new business!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.totfinemotor.com
• Instagram: Ot.umma
• Linkedin: Jennell Chang

Image Credits
Jennell Chang