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Kerri Carpenter, MSOT, OTR/L
Hello, I'm Kerri!​
I am an occupational therapist with over 25 years of experience working with children and families in home, clinic, and school settings. Throughout my career, I noticed that there is often a disconnect between parents and service providers. I started Joyful Connections with the goal of bridging that gap between practitioner(s) and families. I have witnessed parents seeking the best services and support for their child while simultaneously struggling to work through the day to day challenges of caring for and raising a child with developmental differences. The Joyful Connection approach provides skilled occupational therapy in the child's natural environment, with a strong emphasis on parent coaching and family collaboration. Using this approach, parents enhance their understanding of their child, learn therapeutic strategies for improving skills during daily routines, and experience a deeper connection with their child that is... well... joyful!
​Areas of Focus/Specialty:
Neurodivergent · Autism Spectrum Disorder · Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) · Delayed motor skills · Twice exceptional (2e) · Self-regulation difficulties · Sensory processing differences · Learning disabilities · Sleep problems · Feeding · Picky eating · Toilet training · Parent coaching · Picture Exchange Communication (PECS) · American Sign Language · TEACHH Technique · Neurodiversity-Affirming Care · Ayres' Sensory Integration ·
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Education:
AAS in Occupational Therapy, Delaware Technical & Community College · Diploma in American Sign Language and Deaf Studies, Delaware Technical & Community College · BS in Integrated Social Sciences, Pennsylvania State University · Master of Science in Occupational Therapy, Thomas Jefferson University · Currently working toward a Post-Professional Doctorate in Occupational Therapy & Advanced Practice Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorder, Thomas Jefferson University · Member of the Occupational Therapy National Honor Society, Pi Theta Epsilon
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Experience:
Delaware Autism Program · Delaware School for the Deaf · Easter Seals · Elementary School-based O.T. · Owen J. Roberts School District · Spring-Ford Area School District · Norristown Area School District · Research at Jefferson Autism Center of Excellence, Philadelphia, P.A. · Presenter at AOTA conference 2025, "Feasibilty and Preliminary Outcomes of Occupational Therapy Using Ayres Sensory Integration for 3-5-year-old Autistic Children"
E.S.
“Kerri is organized, knowledgeable, and fun. She has such a broad spectrum of clinical knowledge. She is a genius at what she does.”
G.M.
"I have seen tremendous progress since my son began working with Kerri. She is a rare gem. She gets the whole picture."
C.K.
"Kerri truly understood my son and listened when I talked about my concerns, particularly related to trauma and sensory issues.