All About Me

 Hi! I'm Cara, and after more than 20 years as a pediatric occupational therapist, I'm still in wonder. In wonder at how children surprise me every single day. In wonder at their resilience, their humor, their incredible capacity for growth. In wonder at the families who work so hard, love so deeply, and deserve every bit of support we can offer. That sense of wonder is what brought In Wonder Still to life. It's a place where research meets real life, where professional expertise feels like a warm conversation with a trusted friend, and where every child's unique strengths are celebrated.

From a really young age, I knew I wanted to work with children. I was the teenager who loved babysitting, the college student working as a nanny, the one who chose early childhood education because being around kids just felt right. But honestly? I was nervous about working with children with different abilities. I worried I wouldn't know enough, wouldn't be good enough. I was so fortunate to have an incredible mentor when I first began. She instilled something in me that shaped my entire career: the importance of giving back to the profession. She showed me that being an OT isn't just about individual sessions. It's about mentoring the next generation, sharing what you learn, and constantly growing. That journey has taken me through early childhood centers, outpatient clinics, schools, a specialized autism program, teletherapy management, and clinic leadership. Each setting taught me something new about how children learn, how families cope, and how we can create environments where everyone thrives.

Here's something that shapes everything I do: I have my own sensory challenges. As a child, my mom had to sew my socks because I couldn't handle toe seams. Today, I rarely wear socks at all (thankfully, Florida weather helps!). I can't tolerate flannel, get motion sick easily, and I'm an extremely picky eater- no condiments, ever. These challenges are limiting, but I've learned to adapt. More importantly, they've given me deep empathy for children who experience the world differently. When a child melts down over clothing tags or refuses to try new foods, I get it. That understanding changes how I approach every interaction.

Years ago, I heard Toni Morrison's quote: "Does your face light up when your child walks in the room?" It became my north star. Every child deserves to have someone get excited that they're there. Every family deserves respect for the incredible work they do every day. When I work with children, I look for the joy first. Kids are funny, silly, and they want to do their very best for you. When you build that relationship first- when you genuinely fall in love with each child you work with, they'll work incredibly hard, even when things are challenging.

In Wonder Still exists because I believe children deserve everything we can give them, but I also know the reality of being a busy therapist, teacher, or parent. Planning time is little to none, research happens on your own unpaid time, and you're often scrambling to find quality resources that actually work. That's where I come in. I do the research, create the tools, and provide immediately usable, evidence-based resources so you don't have to. Whether you're a parent wondering if your child's behaviors are typical, a teacher trying to support a struggling student, or a fellow therapist looking for fresh ideas, I hope you feel my joy and love for children in everything I share. After all these years, children still impress me, astound me, and surprise me. I still learn from them every single day, and I still have the most wonderful time working with them. That's what In Wonder Still is all about- staying curious, staying hopeful, and never losing sight of the incredible potential in every child who crosses our path.

Because when wonder leads, learning truly does follow.

I'd love to hear from you at cara@inwonderstill.com or find me on Pinterest and Instagram @inwonderstill, where I share even more play-based learning ideas and developmental insights.