Dr. Amy’s Qualifications

Why take a course with Dr. Amy?

Self-Determined Kids helps teachers and occupational therapy practitioners address the needs of children to ensure successful participation throughout their education.  Dr. Amy is available for onsite and online workshops, in-services, and trainings for your schools or professional organizations. Her proven, efficient, measurable, engaging, and fun professional development activities can easily be incorporated across the school curriculum.

About Dr. Amy

Dr. Amy Coopersmith, OTD, OTR/L, MA Ed, has over 30 years of experience as an occupational therapy practitioner and educator. She has implemented all the ideas discussed in her workshops as an occupational therapist and teacher and found that children made faster progress demonstrating greater motivation and engagement using these methods.

Author of the Self-Determination Strategies Toolkit and the Captain Me program for young children, Amy strives to share her expertise with practitioners and educators on how to implement evidence-informed strategies to promote children's autonomy and success. Amy presents at national conferences and seminars where she shares her passion for translating research into practical, effective practice.

Earn professional development or CEU credits from Dr. Amy today!

  • "I think you are onto something AMAZING and a critical piece of treatment that yields results!"

  • "After 10 years as a practitioner, I feel a renewed understanding of my role and a sense of purpose. I'm excited to go to work tomorrow!"

  • "I have never had so many students move so quickly towards goal achievement (while pretty much getting rid of the need for external rewards)!"

  • "A lot of my students struggle with the daily demands that are placed on them. Self-determination shifts the paradigm from compliance to autonomy, which alleviates their anxiety. Thank you for the practical ideas!"

  • "It is amazing to see how quickly a hard session can turn around when implementing these strategies."

  • "I love the way you organized your material and feel I left with real, easily explainable and understood strategies."

  • "When implementing your self-determination strategies, my students have become so much more involved in OT sessions. As a result, they have made tremendous gains towards their IEP goals!"