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SERVING CHILDREN AGES 1 MONTH - 11 YEARS IN PENNSYLVANIA
Joyful Play.
Meaningful Progress.
At Joyful Connections, therapy starts with your child- how they play, what they love, and how they're wired. Through playful, individualized occupational therapy, I help young children build the skills they need for everyday life, and help families feel confident and supported along the way.
Meet Your OT!
Kerri Carpenter, MSOT, OTR/L, CASI
Hi, I'm Kerri!
I am an occupational therapist with over 25 years of experience working with children and families in home, clinic, and school settings. I started Joyful Connections to provide evidence-based and neurodiversity-affirming OT to children and families. My approach combines playful, sensory-rich, child-focused interactions with creative, goal-focused therapeutic activities. Throughout the treatment process, I engage the family (parents and siblings!) in a coaching relationship. Using the coaching model, family members enhance their understanding of the child's behaviors, strengths, and challenges. Together, we design home carryover strategies to support the child's self-regulation, increase skill development, and improve meaningful participation in everyday activities.
E.S.
“Kerri is organized, knowledgeable, and fun. She has such a broad spectrum of clinical knowledge. She is a genius at what she does.”
G.M.
"I have seen tremendous progress since my son began working with Kerri. She is a rare gem. She gets the whole picture."
C.K.
Kerri truly understood my son and listened when I talked about my concerns, particularly related to trauma and sensory issues."
Areas of Focus/Specialty:
Young children (birth through 11 years of age) · Delayed milestones · Developmental concerns · Motor coordination difficulty· Down Syndrome · Cerebral Palsy · DeafBlind · Autism Spectrum Disorder · Self-regulation difficulties · Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) · Twice exceptional (2e) · Sensory processing differences · Learning disabilities · Sleep problems · Picky eating · Toilet training · Parent coaching · American Sign Language · Ayres' Sensory Integration · Trauma-informed practice · TEACHH -based interventions · Neurodiversity-Affirming Care
Education:
AAS in Occupational Therapy, Delaware Technical & Community College · Diploma in American Sign Language and Deaf Studies, Delaware Technical & Community College · BS in Integrated Social Sciences, Pennsylvania State University · Master of Science in Occupational Therapy, Thomas Jefferson University · Advanced Practice Certificate in Autism, Thomas Jefferson University · Currently earning a Post-Professional Doctorate in Occupational Therapy, Thomas Jefferson University · Member of the Occupational Therapy National Honor Society, Pi Theta Epsilon · Member of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) · Certified in Ayres' Sensory Integration (CASI) ·
Professional Experience:
Delaware Autism Program · Delaware School for the Deaf · Easter Seals of Del Mar · Elementary School-based O.T. · Owen J. Roberts School District · Spring-Ford Area School District · Norristown Area School District · Perkiomen Valley Area School District · Research at Jefferson Autism Center of Excellence, Philadelphia, P.A. · Presenter at AOTA conference 2025, "Feasibilty and Preliminary Outcomes of Occupational Therapy Using Ayres Sensory Integration for 3-5-year-old Autistic Children"·
*The Real-Life Experience!
Full-time mother of two and CEO of household for 4 years · Currently raising two delightfully spirited teenagers