Elizabethtown College Occupational Therapy Doctorate Student Helps Launch Gigi’s Playhouse Program

Elizabethtown College Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) student Gabriella Stawinski ’23, OTD ’25, recently helped to launch GigiFIT Infant, a program to address developmental needs in infants with Down Syndrome at Gigi’s Playhouse in Lancaster.

“Etown’s Occupational Therapy Program has a focus on applying our knowledge to the real world, which led me to explore working with a niche population while also giving back to the community by teaching at Gigi’s Playhouse,” Stawinski said. “I used my knowledge of pediatric occupational therapy that I learned at Etown to help launch this program, and I can utilize this lens to individualize the class to each child’s needs.”

The program is part of Gigi’s Playhouse’s GiGiFIT programs, developmental movement classes focused on addressing common physical issues for people with Down Syndrome, such as balance and core strength.

Stawinski launched GigiFIT Infant during her doctoral capstone studies at Etown. She was the program instructor for the class over 12 weeks this past spring and plans to use Gigi’s Playhouse as the site for her OTD capstone to be completed in Spring 2025.

“The best part of teaching this program was seeing all the babies progress,” Stawinski said. “At Gigi’s, we focus on celebrating our ‘best of all’ moments, and this means acknowledging that every day we work toward our goal. Over 12 weeks I got to see babies roll, sit, and walk for the first time.”

Stawinski also led Gigi’s Playhouse’s nutrition programming for adults and teens once per week, drawing on her experience working for the Bowers Center’s Student Wellness Advocacy Group (SWAG) during her time on campus as an undergraduate student.

As an undergraduate, Stawinski also participated in E-Motion, Etown’s student-led dance club. The club donates to Gigi’s Playhouse each year and features dancers from Gigi’s Playhouse program in their showcase. In the club’s Spring 2024 Showcase, Stawinski performed with Gigi’s Playhouse dancers, providing visual cues and aiding in the performance.

About Gigi’s Playhouse

Gigi’s Playhouse is a nationwide nonprofit network of Down Syndrome achievement centers with 61 locations across the United States. The organization provides free educational, therapeutic-based, and career development programs for those with Down Syndrome, their families, and communities. Gigi’s Playhouse in Lancaster opened in 2020.