At CWO, students step into a collaborative pediatric therapy environment where learning happens every day through mentorship, hands-on experience, and teamwork. We partner with universities to provide meaningful clinical rotations for Physical Therapy (PT), Occupational Therapy (OT), and Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) students, giving them the opportunity to grow their clinical skills while making a difference in the lives of children and families.
What a rotation looks like
At CWO, a clinical rotation is designed to help students gradually build confidence, independence, and hands-on experience across our pediatric therapy programs. Students are exposed to two primary service models:
- Autism Program: In this interdisciplinary setting, ABA, PT, OT, and SLP providers work together to support children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other developmental disabilities. Students observe therapists collaborating in real time, sharing experiences, coordinating treatment goals, and approaching each child’s development as a team. This offers a unique opportunity to see how integrated therapy can make a meaningful difference in a child’s progress.
- Outpatient Pediatric Therapy: Here, students gain experience in individualized, one-on-one sessions that focus on helping children build essential developmental skills. Working alongside experienced clinicians, students encounter a wide range of diagnoses and therapy approaches, strengthening clinical reasoning, treatment planning, and family-centered care skills.
Students begin their rotation by observing sessions, learning clinic workflows, and becoming familiar with documentation and clinical processes. As they progress, they gradually take on more responsibility—assisting with treatment activities, participating in co-treat sessions, and eventually leading portions of therapy under supervision. Students collaborate across disciplines, contribute to team discussions, and engage in treatment planning. Each student works closely with a Clinical Instructor, a licensed clinician who provides ongoing guidance, coaching, and feedback throughout the rotation. Regular check-ins ensure students can refine their clinical skills and reflect on their professional development.
During their rotation, students also develop broader professional skills, including:
- Clinical reasoning and treatment planning
- Pediatric documentation and compliance standards
- Family-centered care and caregiver communication
- Ethical decision-making in clinical practice
- Time management and productivity in a therapy setting
Additionally, students may have opportunities to create and present educational topics to CWO staff, further building confidence in professional communication and knowledge sharing.
How to Get Started
Students interested in completing a clinical rotation with CWO should begin by contacting their Director of Clinical Education (DCE) or the person responsible for coordinating rotations at their school. Your program can confirm whether there is an active affiliation agreement with CWO. If an agreement already exists, your school can begin the placement process. If not, your program can contact us to establish a new affiliation agreement.
For questions about student placements or to establish a university partnership, please contact:
Melissa Baggenstoss
Program Operations Manager