Inspiring Conversations with Tammy Balaban of I work for myself.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tammy Balaban.

Hi Tammy , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
When I was younger I knew I wanted to go into a profession where I could help kids. When I was in undergrad I volunteered at a school for kids with physical disabilities. They assigned me to work with the occupational therapist. I fell in love with the kids and enjoyed the work so I realized I found my calling. I have always worked with kids and my passion is still strong. I love working with children and their families and helping giving them strong foundations for their future.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t always been smooth—I had to work in different settings and with different populations of kids before I found the kids I really wanted to work with. I learned through experience that I don’t like working in schools. I also mainly love working with babies to 3 year olds. I love continuity with kids and their families so I also love seeing some kids for years. I have also had experiences where I’ve worked with families that are harder for me to collaborate with. In those situations I’ve had to made some hard decisions about whether to continue with the child or leave the situation

As you know, we’re big fans of I work for myself. . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I work as a pediatric occupational therapist in homes and in a sensory gym. I specialize in preemies who have had extended Nicu stays. My passion is supporting the whole family in their experience. I also love connecting families to other families in similar situations. I am known for being extremely passionate about the children I work with. I help families, support them emotionally and help their kids thrive. I also love toys and a great passion of mine is finding the right toys for each child. Then I use that toy to help each child meet their goals. This is something I’m known for—I’ve been called a toyologist because of my passion for toys. Parents text me years after I stop seeing their kids for toy recommendations. They know that I know the right toys to help kids grow and learn, whatever their age or developmental
Ability

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
When I knew I wanted to
Work with babies I found a therapist who I could shadow and collaborate with. This gave me the experiences I needed. This was more important than courses that I took. I have also found a group of therapists who I can speak to and collaborate with regularly. Since I work by myself it’s important for me to have other therapists of all disciplines who I can speak to and run ideas by. That way I know if I have a complicated case or situation I can get feedback and really help each child

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tammy-balaban.com/