Spotlight on Malette Washington
"Everything is therapy," Occupational Therapist Malette Washington said. It doesn't matter if it's a song or a game or just coloring a piece of paper, she embraces the idea that each little aspect of a child's visit can help with their treatment.
"Everything is therapy," Occupational Therapist Malette Washington said. It doesn't matter if it's a song or a game or just coloring a piece of paper, she embraces the idea that each little aspect of a child's visit can help with their treatment.
After nearly 19 years with Cook Children's and 30 years as an occupational therapist, there is definitely wisdom in these simple words from Malette.
On this particular day, as she walked into the waiting room at the Mansfield clinic, Malette happened to see a young mother and her fussy toddler having just checked in for an appointment. Without missing a beat, Malette began singing a quick song to get the girl's attention and engage with her before the appointment even began. "You know there's a song for everything," she said, "so you can usually find me singing something to my patients."
It's building that trust with the child and that relationship with the parent in each interaction that will make their therapy successful. Gratefully, she sees this family-centered care and approach across all of Cook Children's, which is what makes this place so special.