Lynn Wilde was sitting in a pediatrics lecture at Lone Star College some 20 years ago when she turned to a classmate and made a “so-called” promise.  

“I said, ‘I’m never working with kids with autism, that’s not what I want to do,’” recalled Wilde, an occupational therapy assistant (OTA) with Harris County Department of Education’s (HCDE) School-Based Therapy Services division. “Well, life sure does have a funny way of taking you where you’re meant to be.” 

Today, she not only assists students with special needs but also advocates for them at the state level. Governor Greg Abbott recently appointed Wilde to the state’s Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners, which oversees licenses and regulates all occupational therapy services in hospitals, schools, private clinics and more.  

It’s a role Wilde never envisioned for her career, as her professional journey didn’t start in education or healthcare. Instead, it was in fashion merchandising, where she worked as a retail manager. She later transitioned into banking and even spent time as a pre-K teacher before stepping away to raise her three daughters.  

When it was time to return to the workforce, Wilde needed something practical and flexible. She recalled the staff who worked with her daughter through multiple pediatric surgeries and felt called to practice therapy.  

“I thought occupational therapy was just brushing teeth and combing hair, and I thought I could do that,” Wilde said. “I went to school and realized my life was changing because a whole new world was opened to me.”  

That shift in perspective led her to school-based practice, where she found purpose. Wilde has spent the past 16 years providing occupational services to students in the Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District. She currently works with more than 40 students across six campuses. With her elementary students, the focus often centers on foundational skills like handwriting and fine motor development, while middle and high school students practice self-care, independence and the social skills needed to navigate daily life.  

Wilde plays a critical role in helping students meet milestones, but she is quick to redirect the credit.  

“I don’t really see it as me playing a part in their success, I see them being the ones that are playing a part in my story,” an emotional Wilde said. “If it weren’t for my students, I wouldn’t be doing this. I get to support their goals, but they are the ones putting in the work to meet those goals and be successful.”  

Her student-centered mindset is part of what makes her new appointment so significant, as this is the first time in the past few years that someone from the school-based practice has been appointed to the board.  

“Having someone who understands school-based practice at the table where decisions and rules are being made makes a huge difference,” Senior Director of Therapy Services Carie Crabb described. “Lynn can explain how different it is from medical settings like hospitals and clinics, and how we impact students’ academic success.”  

Wilde was recommended for the five-year appointment by Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners Chair Stephanie Johnston, who was a former professor and colleague during her time at Lone Star College-Tomball. Wilde joins two occupational therapists from Houston and Dallas to help protect consumers and ensure occupational therapy services across Texas meet an appropriate level of care and legal requirements. The board’s decisions directly influence how therapists and assistants are trained in the classroom and how they practice in their fields.  

“We have been at the forefront of school-based therapy for a long time,” Crabb said. “For HCDE to be recognized – by not only appointing one of our employees but seeking out her expertise – really solidifies our role in the state as leaders.”  

Added Wilde: “I’m not sure I would be here without HCDE. They have always stood by me, providing the workshops and legal knowledge I need to do my job successfully. I have so much support and never feel like I need to find resources outside of HCDE to get what I need.” 

Wilde will attend her first committee meeting in May and has plans to listen and learn for a while as she settles into the role. However, she is excited to represent an often-underrepresented voice: assistants.  

“I’m very passionate about therapy assistants,” she explained. “There are some districts that won’t use OTAs anymore, and I want to make sure our profession is protected.”  

She emphasized that while occupational therapists conduct evaluations, assistants implement interventions and work directly with students daily. 

“You have to have people in the classroom working with students,” Wilde said. “We are just as important to this community.”   

Added Crabb: “I think the assistant perspective at the state level is critical and recognizes the value assistants bring to therapy services. I’ve always said assistants are the masters of intervention because that is what they do all day.” 

Wilde sees her journey as a reminder that careers don’t always follow a straight path, and sometimes life will show you the beauty of a little irony.  

“You can never say never,” she laughed. “We never know where we’re going to end up. If I had stuck to my original plan, I would’ve missed out on years of amazing experiences with the kids, and I wouldn’t have received this appointment. I’m incredibly grateful for both.”