Every child deserves the opportunity to flourish, and Jenniffer Truitt has built a successful career making sure they do. As the founder of The Reading OT, LLC, she has created a unique approach to literacy and occupational therapy that bridges gaps in early childhood education. 

Jenniffer’s background instilled in her a lifelong passion for supporting others, particularly those who need a little extra encouragement, guidance, and a voice.

“I was a former foster kiddo who was blessed, as a preteen, to be taken in by an amazing family,” she shares. “They became my solid rock through those tough teen years and into adulthood.” 

Initially, Jenniffer pursued nursing, believing it was the best way to serve children with special needs. “Halfway through, life said no,” she recalls. Then a chance encounter with an amazingly intuitive occupational therapist changed everything. 

“How that OT knew what my life’s calling was, I will never know, but I will always be grateful for her guidance,” Jenniffer acknowledges. She quickly switched gears, enrolling at Spalding University for occupational therapy, where she found her true calling. During that time while studying she met her husband at a church service. 

Now a proud mother of three — ages 22, 14, and 12 — Jenniffer balances homeschooling, business, and a schedule packed with soccer, martial arts, flight clubs, and 4-H. 

“Most days are wonderful, but of course, some days are hard,” she admits. “But I am surrounded by amazing friends, family, and colleagues and am so excited to watch the next chapter unfold, both for my family and for The Reading OT.”

After working in pediatric special needs for over two decades — including roles in education, therapy, and private practice — Jenniffer saw firsthand the barriers families faced in accessing cohesive care. 

“Decreased carryover between therapeutic and educational settings, as well as barriers for access to services for my families, weighed heavily on my heart,” she shares.

That’s when she took a leap of faith. “I began going door to door at childcare centers offering a program that did not yet exist in our state and was still only a hopeful idea in my heart,” she recalls. 

Two directors saw the vision and signed on. That idea became Jump, Wiggle, and Read, a literacy and movement-based OT program that has been running for nearly two years.

Now, The Reading OT offers three core services: Direct Occupational Therapy, Childcare Programming, and State Credentialed Early Childhood Training. 

“As an independent therapist, there are no restrictions to frequency and duration of services, leaving complete freedom of choice with my families,” Jenniffer emphasizes. “It is my continued mission to bring the best access to care in both homes and education centers through programming, therapy services, and state teaching for our educators so that our children can thrive.”

Like any new business, The Reading OT has faced hurdles. “One of the main challenges has been finding the ‘just right path,’” Jenniffer acknowledges. “However, narrowing down your intentional purpose and structuring services to provide all the things you dream is so difficult.”

She’s learned to embrace change, refining paperwork structures, programming, and teaching methods to best serve families. And there’s plenty more to come. 

“On the horizon, I have a BIG idea that I am currently seeking guidance on,” she teases. “I cannot wait to be on the other side of that idea to elaborate soon!”

For more information about The Reading OT, visit www.thereadingot.org, call 502-210-0831, or follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheReadingOT.