Jodi Dietz, OTR/L, is a graduate of New York University where she earned a Master of Arts degree in Occupational Therapy in 1991. From 1991-1993 she was employed by the New York City Department of Education. She worked in an inclusion school in Brooklyn, New York with children of varying diagnoses and capabilities within the elementary school setting. While at P.S. 279, she co-wrote an article about the school’s new accessible playground. The article “Playground Opens a Window of Freedom” was published in OT Week and she was pictured on the cover of the magazine. Jodi worked in home health and private practice during the same period of time servicing children 0-18yrs of age.
Jodi moved to South Florida in 1995 and was employed by Boca Raton Community Hospital from 1995-2002. During her years at BRCH, she went from a staff Pediatric Occupational Therapist to Supervisor of the Occupational Therapy Department. She developed several pediatric specialty programs including NICU, Sensory Integration and Feeding and Swallowing. She was involved in a professional network of therapists from area hospitals who provided therapy services in the NICU and was a guest lecturer on OT in the NICU at Barry University. Jodi became one of the few Pediatric Occupational Therapists in South Florida to become Sensory Integration (SIPT) certified. She trained and supervised staff across all disciplines in each specialty area. In addition, Jodi was the Occupational Therapist on the Early Intervention Program clinic team for Palm Beach County and was a provider for EIP for Palm Beach and Broward Counties.
In 2002, Jodi ventured into private practice in order to be more accessible to her own family and opened Dietz Pediatric Therapy, LLC. Jodi currently evaluates and treats children from birth through elementary school age but primarily works with the preschool population. Treatment is provided in the child’s natural environment including their home or school. Therapy focuses on development of fine motor, visual motor and self care skills as well as sensory processing. Jodi works in conjunction with parents, teachers and other professionals in order to maximize a child’s success. Ongoing education is provided to parents and teachers in order to help them work toward therapeutic goals. Jodi has also had the opportunity to give workshops for school staff and parent organizations.