by Niyoosha Raza N., 17
In a world that often overlooks the struggles of the neurodiverse community, there exists a place where joy, connection, and acceptance are at the core of every interaction. At Blue Dot, the journey of healing is intertwined with the warmth of a community that believes in the power of every small moment to create something extraordinary.
“It wasn’t really until I started working with Blue Dot that I realized how much every little moment in life can be joyful,” says Jenny Loshiavo, a part-time occupational therapist at Blue Dot.
Inspired by her experiences and interactions, Jenny Loshiavo has a deep desire to help others find their way in a world that often feels overwhelming. Her experiences from an early age shaped Jenny’s path to becoming an occupational therapist. Fresh out of grad school, Jenny found herself at Blue Dot, a community-driven organization that quickly became more than just a workplace. Here, she discovered the true essence of her profession—empowering individuals to lead fulfilling lives through joy, connection, and meaningful support. Following is the story of Jenny’s journey, as she describes it, intertwined with the heart and soul of Blue Dot.
Jenny Loshiavo’s journey into occupational therapy began with a deep, personal connection to the challenges faced by those who experience the world differently. Diagnosed with ADHD in the fourth grade, Jenny quickly understood the importance of support and the right tools to help individuals achieve their full potential. While attending a private school, Jenny was only offered a few of the accommodations and support she feels she would have been offered had she been in a public school. Until high school, she thought she could not reach the level her peers were at and that she was different and distant from them. It was in high school that she finally developed a better understanding of what the right accommodation and support looks like. With this support, she realized she could be just as successful as her peers, which motivated her to provide this support for people who faced similar struggles. This understanding would later inspire her to pursue a career in occupational therapy, a profession dedicated to helping others overcome obstacles and live fulfilling lives.
During her final year of graduate studies, Kean University required Jenny to complete one last fieldwork placement. This intensive, hands-on experience would allow her to apply the skills she had learned in a real-world setting. Her placement assigned her to Blue Dot, a community-centered organization specializing in supporting individuals with neurodiverse conditions. Jenny’s experience at Blue Dot during her final fieldwork placement felt more like a calling than a mere internship. Over three months, she immersed herself in the unique environment of Blue Dot, working closely with clients and building relationships that would soon become the cornerstone of her professional life.
“From the moment I walked into Blue Dot, I felt an immediate sense of joy and connection,” Jenny recalls. “It’s a place where everyone—staff and clients alike—feels accepted and supported. It’s more than just a job; it’s a community that thrives on love and understanding.”
After Jenny completed her fieldwork, Blue Dot offered her a part-time position, a role she embraced wholeheartedly, hoping to transition to full-time in the near future.
For Jenny, occupational therapy is much more than helping people recover from injuries or manage conditions. It’s about empowering individuals to live the lives they want, whether that means returning to work, taking care of a pet, or simply enjoying daily activities. At Blue Dot, Jenny has found a place where this philosophy is not only encouraged but also celebrated.
Jenny defines occupational therapy as a broad and dynamic profession focused on helping individuals achieve their wants and needs in life. She explains that it involves supporting people in accomplishing their daily responsibilities. These include basic tasks such as using the bathroom or eating and more complex needs and wants such as communicating responsibly with others or going to work. Jenny sees her role as an occupational therapist as one that empowers individuals to regain their independence and engage fully in the activities that bring them joy and fulfillment.
One of the aspects Jenny loves most about Blue Dot is the organization’s focus on creating meaningful connections. Blue Dot is not just a service provider; it’s a family where everyone is valued for who they are.
“The best part of treatment is seeing that breakthrough moment,” Jenny explains. “When a client feels comfortable and confident around you, you know you’re making a difference.”
Jenny’s journey has not been without its challenges. Like many in her field, she had to navigate different populations and settings during her fieldwork. However, these experiences only strengthened her resolve to find a community-based setting where she could make the most impact. Blue Dot provided that perfect fit, allowing Jenny to combine her passion for occupational therapy with her love for community work.
Occupational therapy requires clients to trust their therapists, and building trust and confidence is one of Jenny’s favorite parts of being an occupational therapist, but it is not always easy. She recalls one specific experience with a client where there was a lot of fear and mistrust of medical professionals; hence, connecting with this client and providing them with a safe space was challenging. Providing this client with comfort and building confidence so they could be able to engage in activities that are meaningful to them was one of the defining moments of Jenny’s career.
As Jenny continues to grow in her role at Blue Dot, she remains committed to the values that brought her to the profession. She is particularly passionate about the role of family and caregiver education in therapy.
“Families are the experts on their loved ones,” she says. “Our job is to support and empower them to continue the work we start in our sessions.”
Jenny believes that the joy and love permeating Blue Dot make it such a special place.
“Blue Dot has taught me to lead with love and joy in everything I do,” she says. “It’s about finding meaning in every moment, and that’s something I try to bring into all my interactions with clients.”
In occupational therapy, the focus is often on helping others find balance, wellness, and fulfillment in their lives. But as Jenny Loshiavo has learned, it’s just as important for caregivers to apply these principles to themselves. She emphasizes the value of occasionally stepping back and treating herself as her own client—assessing what’s going well, where she needs more support, and what she truly wants to achieve. This approach serves as a powerful reminder that to care for others, we must also take care of ourselves.
Jenny looks forward to transitioning into a full-time role at Blue Dot in the fall, where she can continue to make a difference in the lives of those she serves. The lessons from Jenny’s experience extend beyond the realm of occupational therapy. They remind us all that communities thrive when they embrace inclusivity, support, and mutual care. For Jenny, Blue Dot is not just a job—it’s a calling, a community, and a place where everyone, regardless of their abilities, can find joy, connection, and love.
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