Career Profiles
"Watching kids grow over time and seeing the progress they make in their motor skills is incredibly rewarding. Those relationships and those small victories are what keep me inspired every day."
Grace Weddle, P.T., DPT
Physical Therapist
Special Learning Center
People often ask me what inspired me to pursue a career in health care — and truthfully, I’ve always felt called to work with children. Long before I knew what I wanted to do professionally, I babysat, mentored kids at church and coached gymnastics. It never felt like work — it was just something I loved doing. For a while, it felt almost too good to be true that I could build a career around something that brought me so much joy.
One experience that truly shaped my path was babysitting a child with Down syndrome during my teenage years. As I got to know him better, my passion for working with children with disabilities really came to life. There were many directions I could’ve taken with that passion, but I’m so grateful that I found my way to physical therapy.
Today, I work as a pediatric physical therapist in both early childhood special education and the school system. I serve children from ages 3 through 12th grade. My focus is on helping kids improve their gross motor skills so they can better access, navigate and function in their school environments.
What that looks like really depends on the child and the setting. I typically see students one to two times per week for 30-45 minutes. During sessions, I use play-based activities to help them reach their Individualized Education Program goals. I’m also part of a broader support team that includes teachers, occupational and speech therapists, behavior analysts, and paraprofessionals — we all work together to help each child succeed.
I’ve always been a relationship-oriented person, and that’s a huge part of why I love my job. In outpatient therapy, you might see a patient for just a few weeks. But in the school system, I get to build long-term relationships with my students, sometimes over several years as they move from early childhood into elementary school and beyond.
Watching kids grow over time and seeing the progress they make in their motor skills is incredibly rewarding. Those relationships and those small victories are what keep me inspired every day.
Like many new grads, I dealt with imposter syndrome when I first started out. If you’re going through that, I want you to know it’s completely normal, and it’s OK. My advice? Trust your training, ask questions and believe that you’re capable.
For me, finding a work environment that was supportive and empowering made all the difference. I wanted to be in a place that encourages growth and celebrates wins — big or small. Surrounding myself with people who push me to be better has helped me grow so much, both professionally and personally.
Try everything. Shadow as many roles in health care as you can. There are so many different paths that are meaningful, rewarding and fulfilling. Even if you have an idea of what you want to do, don’t be afraid to explore.
For me, there were several careers that aligned with my passions, and I’m glad I kept an open mind. You might discover you love something you never even considered.
Since becoming a pediatric P.T., I’ve realized that many people think physical therapy is just for adults recovering from injuries. While that’s definitely a big part of the field, it’s far from the whole picture.
My caseload includes children with cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism, genetic conditions and developmental delays. I don’t typically work on rehabilitating injuries. Instead, I help kids build or improve motor skills. For example, I may work with a 3-year-old who isn’t walking independently or help an older student who struggles with stairs or physical activity due to their disability. My job is to help them participate more fully in school, whether that’s in P.E., at recess or just getting around the building.
In physical therapy school, I had professors who were passionate about advancing the profession through research. They showed us how innovation can drive real change — and how sticking to the status quo can hold us back.
That really resonated with me. There’s still a noticeable lack of research in pediatric physical therapy, and I believe there’s so much potential for growth. With more evidence-based approaches and support for new ideas, we can make a bigger impact in the lives of the kids and families we serve.
