Amanda Lynn Piepgras, COTA: OTP in Adaptive Martial Arts
In this post, we will learn about an occupational therapy practitioner who specializes in adaptive martial arts in her OT practice. Amanda Lynn Piepgras, COTA is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant since 2002 who moved to San Diego from New York in 2015. She has been working with children with special needs since 1999, beginning her career as a teacher assistant at the preschool her sister attended as a child with Spina Bifida. It has been her dream for years to combine her love of martial arts with her passion for working with children with special needs, whether it’s Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, learning disabilities, hearing/vision deficits, etc. She has studied karate, Muay Thai, and Jiu-Jitsu since 2006 and has competed in kickboxing and grappling on an amateur level. Coaching is her passion and Amanda believes martial arts has many benefits for all children, particularly children who have difficulties with sensory processing, maintaining attention span, focusing on tasks, impulse control, body awareness, and low muscle strength. Amanda has also taught adaptive martial arts and self-defense at South East Consortium for Special Services, Inc., We Rock the Spectrum, Gigi’s Playhouse, The Challenge Center, and various martial arts gyms around San Diego.
Q & A with Amanda:
Please tell us a little about yourself and a few favorite occupations.
I grew up in the Bronx and have a sister with Spina Bifida. I was put into a caregiver role at a young age but always felt that it suited me. I love being a COTA because I feel like I have a lot of flexibility as to how I can help people. I enjoy reading, martial arts, cycling, live music, cooking, and watching hockey.
What motivated you to contribute to this podcast series?
Patricia is an inspirational person, plain and simple. I'm flattered that she is interested in my program and I want my fellow OTs to feel free to think outside the box in our profession and follow their dreams.
Please describe the UncommonOT work that you do and the setting in which you work, the population you serve, and the needs that you address.
My adaptive martial arts program is for kids between the ages of 3-18. Anyone is welcome to take my classes and I will adapt my curriculum to fit their strengths. Martial arts has many benefits to it, including self-discipline, strength, confidence building, and respect...as an OTP I also try to include activities that promote socialization, provide sensory input, and improve motor planning which are skills kids can carry over into functional activities.
What inspired you or drew you to this type of OT work?
Martial arts has helped me in so many ways, I felt that I was uniquely qualified to make it available to the special needs population as a COTA and a sibling of such an individual. I have been teaching a class here and there for 7 years now, but I had to shut down during the covid pandemic. When things started to open back up I had parents messaging me asking about my class because their kids had been cooped up for so long. I talked to a few friends who owned gyms or nonprofit organizations and they were all enthusiastic about offering me advice and support, so I went for it and it's been completely worth it.
How did you get there? Can you describe your path?
I originally went to school for audio engineering when I finished high school, and I enjoyed it but never felt it was a good fit for me long-term. I decided to keep searching for my dream job. In the meantime, I was bartending and didn't feel like I was having any kind of positive effect on the world. A friend of mine had recently taken a position at United Cerebral Palsy which is where my sister went to preschool. He suggested I apply for a job there and I did. The director was a fully dedicated woman and hired me on the spot because she remembered my sister and my family. I took to the job immediately, I loved the kids, I loved their parents, and I adored my coworkers, but I wasn't making much money as a teacher assistant. The OTs I worked with started nudging me towards going back to school. It was the best decision I've ever made and I'm so grateful to them for believing in me and helping me. The director was amazing about getting me tuition assistance and time off for fieldwork.
Please describe a typical day or OT session in your uncommon setting. What OT skills do you utilize?
Since the classes are kept small I'm able to adapt the program to each child's needs. As a seasoned therapist, I watch them to see their strengths and areas where they need improvement. We start with warm-ups which are always the same to ease the children into the class comfortably with a familiar routine. Then we do some drills for 10-15 minutes where I can give them all some 1:1 attention and instruction. After that, we'll play a game that requires eye-hand coordination, socializing, attention to task, and gross motor skills and is fun. After that, we'll do a strength training circuit, which I usually get the kids to help me set up. Typically, if I have time, I'll do some agility drills with them too because they're great for motor planning and attention. We often do races with animal walking and calisthenics built in that focus on following directions. We end with another game, and I focus on attention to task as well as rooting on your team, but staying competitive. Then we stretch and bow out. The kids like when I keep it routine and predictable, but I add new things all the time to prevent boredom and getting stuck in a routine and not growing.
Can you talk about some recent highs (successes) and lows (challenges) of your current role?
Starting a business teaches you a lot about your own strengths and weaknesses. Also, having to stay on your toes and watch out for people trying to take advantage of you. My recent highs have been my peers referring kids to me because they like what I'm doing and see value in it. My lows have been finding out that some people don't care about anyone but themselves and are just preying on me and trying to exploit me. I consider myself pretty people-savvy and street-smart from growing up in the Bronx, but I'm also open and trusting. I'm learning to recognize these people and avoid working with them.
How do you continue to learn in order to stay on top of things within your role?
Networking, networking, and more networking. There are other people out there with similar programs. I do my best to meet them, observe their classes and share ideas. I am not shy about picking people's brains and asking for advice. Most people are nice about helping someone when they think they're passionate and driven.
Can you share a little bit about salary and compensation in this setting? How do OT or the services you provide get funded?
The parents pay out of pocket for my program. It's a monthly fee and they are welcome to take unlimited classes. I don't want finances to be a barrier though, so I do fundraisers so I can help parents who need a lower rate. Once I get nonprofit status I'll be able to apply for grants to keep the program as affordable as possible.
Any career advice for our followers and listeners on how to get started on this path?
The Small Business Association is very helpful. Anything you're not sure of can be googled and studied. Most people will want to help you if you have a good idea and a plan, so sit down and write it out and share it with everyone.
What’s a common myth or misconception about your job/role you’d like to call out or demystify?
Martial arts do not make kids violent. It teaches confidence and self-control which are great characteristics. Martial artists don't need to prove themselves to people by being bullies, because they get to see what they're capable of every time they step into the gym. They build up the people around them instead of tearing them down because they already have self-confidence. Positivity breeds positivity.
How do we find you, follow you, be in touch with you, and promote your unique work?
I'm on Facebook and Instagram, also my website is www.amandasmartialarts.com. I'm very quick with communication whether it be phone calls, emails, DMs or texts. I'm happy to answer any and all questions.
Please list any resources you would like me to include with your Show Notes (courses, articles, assessments, tools, etc.)
Research on martial arts for kids with special needs is still very scarce. That's something I'd love to work with other professionals on. If anyone is interested in having me collect data and helping me write a professional article I'd be interested.
Website: www.amandasmartialarts.com
Amanda's Adaptive Martial Arts Methods: A course for anyone who wants to start their own adaptive martial arts class.
IG: @amandas.adaptive.martial.arts
Facebook: Amanda’s Adaptive Martial Arts
As always, I welcome any feedback & ideas from all of you or if you are interested in being a guest on future episodes, please do not hesitate to contact Patricia Motus at transitionsot@gmail.com or DM via Instagram @transitionsot
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