Today we’d like to introduce you to Nikita Jones.
Hi Nikita, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My path into occupational therapy was shaped early on by my nephew’s autism diagnosis in 2009, and in 2014 I graduated from Grossmont College’s Occupational Therapy Assistant program. After graduation, I worked in a variety of pediatric clinics and with the San Diego Unified School District, gaining hands-on experience with many different kids and needs.
Along the way, my love for creativity naturally found its way into my work. I started designing treatment ideas and crafts, which led to creating printable worksheets and a blog called OT Untangled. My goal was to break down complex OT concepts into information parents could actually use.
In 2022, becoming a parent myself shifted everything. I began seeing occupational therapy through a new lens and felt an even stronger pull to support families in the thick of real-life meltdowns. That’s what led me to create The Meltdown Collective, an online course designed to give parents clear, practical tools and a sense that they’re not alone. My goal now is to grow this into a supportive community of parents who truly get it and are ready to help their kids and themselves thrive.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road hasn’t been perfectly smooth. I went back and forth on what I wanted to offer families, questioned whether it was actually helpful, and wrestled with the logistics of making it work. Imposter syndrome tagged along the entire time. Still, each wobbly step helped me get clearer on my purpose and more grounded in the kind of support families truly need.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Throughout the years as an Occupational Therapy Assistant, I’ve become extremely well versed in regulation, and I’ve developed a very strong ability to stay calm when things get intense. That calm didn’t come overnight, and it definitely wasn’t magic. It came from experience, practice, and a lot of trial and error. That steady presence is something coworkers and families I’ve worked with often point out to me, and it’s something I want parents to have access to too.
My goal is to help parents shift how they see meltdowns so they can feel more confident in the moment. Because meltdowns ARE going to happen. When they do, I want parents to feel less frazzled and more prepared. That’s exactly what The Meltdown Collective is designed to support.
What are your plans for the future?
My course officially launches in January, and I’m so excited to connect with parents and families of neurodivergent kids and help them find their people. I understand how isolating it can feel, like no one really “gets it”. So I can’t wait to see this community grow, not just locally, but with families all over the country.
Pricing:
- A full year of access to The Meltdown Collective course and community: $400
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Meltdowncollective.com
- Instagram: @themeltdowncollective
- Other: https://dot.cards/meltdowncollective
