OFFRE D'UNE DURÉE LIMITÉE. Obtenez 3 mois à 0,99 $/mois. Profiter de l'offre.
Page de couverture de The OT is IN with Sarah Collins the Homeschool OT

The OT is IN with Sarah Collins the Homeschool OT

The OT is IN with Sarah Collins the Homeschool OT

Auteur(s): Sarah Collins
Écouter gratuitement

À propos de cet audio

 The OT is IN podcast merges the worlds of education and occupational therapy to empower families like yours. Sarah Collins, your host, an occupational therapist and homeschooling parent of 3 ranging in age from elementary to high school. Sarah Collins has experienced occupational therapy by supporting families for over 15 years but also through seeking out support for her own children- so, she's right there in the trenches with you. Though there is not one right way to educate your child, there is a lot to consider when individualizing an education. The goal of this podcast is to explain some of the "why" behind what an occupational therapist is thinking so you can artfully apply it to your own family especially with executive functioning, handwriting, and sensory processing. Each episode will be packed with practical tips, expert interviews, and real-life stories aimed at helping you create a supportive learning environment for your child.2024
Épisodes
  • How to Spot and Support Social and Executive Functioning Skills in Your Child

    How to Spot and Support Social and Executive Functioning Skills in Your Child
    Oct 2 2025
    Curious if OT could help your child's struggles? Download Why Choose OT to find out! This week I'm joined by Dr. Isabella "Bella" Tate, a pediatric occupational therapist and recent doctoral graduate, who shares her journey from New Jersey to Sacramento as a traveling OT. I first met Bella at the AOTA Conference in Philadelphia, where Bella was presenting her doctoral capstone research on the STASI Protocol—a new screening tool designed to assess social skills and developmental needs in youth, especially in group therapy and community settings. We'll dive into the essential social, executive functioning, and communication skills that children need to thrive, with a particular focus on the homeschool community. Bella discusses the gaps she observed in existing screening tools, how her protocol helps parents and therapists identify strengths and challenges, and why building a supportive team and meeting children where they are is crucial for growth and participation—wherever learning happens. Whether you're a fellow OT, homeschool parent, or just curious about child development, this episode is full of practical insights, encouragement, and real-life experiences to support your child's unique journey. In this episode you'll hear about: Dr. Tate’s occupational therapy (OT) journeyRecent graduation with a doctorate from Duquesne University.Her first travel OT contract in Sacramento, California.Passion for pediatric OT but desire to travel and explore different settings.Personal background: originally from New Jersey, journeying cross-country.The STASI Protocol DevelopmentPresentation at AOTA conference: Capstone project titled "STASI Protocol."Initial working title "Sassy," later changed for appropriateness.Rationale for the protocol:Bridging the gap between parent-reported intake issues and observational presentation in therapeutic groups.Need for a quick, cohesive screening tool (not a full evaluation).Key Social Skills for Children (Developmental Focus)Social skill requirements for group settings (relevant to homeschoolers)Executive functioning as a core social skill componentProblem-solving, attention to task, and "theory of mind."Reading nonverbal cues and adapting behavior to environment.Communication’s pivotal roleExpressing feelings, needs, and navigating behaviors.Overlap and collaboration between OT and speech pathology.Executive Functioning and Social DevelopmentComponents of executive functioning discussedTask initiation, persistence, flexible thinking, impulsivity/safety.Challenges of observing executive function in homeschool settings:Parental accommodations mask struggles outside the home.Socialization in Homeschooling ContextsDifferences in socialization between standard schools and homeschoolsMixed-age interactions, multi-generational influence in co-ops.Opportunities to build communication skills across various ages.Homeschooling strengths: flexibility, diverse groupings, natural mentorship.The Assessment Process & Tools for ParentsDirect, quick, activity-based screening by the therapist (STASI activities) Links and Resources From Today's Show Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?Connect with Sarah Collins on IGThe Homeschool OT Teachers Pay TeachersExecutive Functioning For Teens Course Social Skills & Executive Functioning Dare To Lead By Brené BrownAmplify OT Child And Adolescent Scale Of ParticipationDevelopmental Milestones For ProductivityThe Relationship Between Children's Executive Functioning, Theory Of Mind, And Verbal Skills Social And Emotional LearningHomeschooled Children's Social SkillsEpisode 2: Decoding Behavior in homeschooling- sensory overwhelm, emotional control, perseveranceEpisode 15: From Morning to Night: Incorporating Social Emotional Learning in Homeschool Episode 17: Neuro Affirming Homeschool Environments with Keisha Berry Episode 49: Connection Over Curriculum: Building Strong Bonds in Homeschooling Connect With Our Guest, Isabella Tate Dr. Isabella Tate is an occupational therapist. She completed her occupational therapy doctorate (OTD) this past December from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. She has had a lot of experience working in pediatrics throughout her education and life. Her doctoral capstone addressed screening children for therapeutic groups at an outpatient pediatric site and the way she fell in love with the profession was by growing up watching her mom, who is also a pediatric OT. She feels not only do children have a lot to learn from us, but us from them as well, and looks forward to one day having a permanent job with the bright, young minds. She is working as a travel OT, currently on her first contract in Sacramento, CA at a skilled nursing facility.
    Voir plus Voir moins
    30 min
  • How Movement Influences Learning: OT Insights for Parents

    How Movement Influences Learning: OT Insights for Parents
    Sep 25 2025
    Curious if OT could help your child's struggles? Download Why Choose OT to find out! This week I sat down with Tiffany Parsons, a pediatric occupational therapist and homeschooling mom with a deep passion for supporting families outside of traditional school settings. Tiffany shares her unique journey from clinic-based therapy to homeschooling her twin boys, and how that experience inspired her to bridge the gap for homeschool, micro school, and private school communities seeking occupational therapy resources. We break down what occupational therapy really is, how parents can identify if their child might benefit from OT support, and why movement and developmental milestones—like crawling and rolling are so crucial to a child’s learning and emotional wellbeing. We discuss practical ways parents can observe their child’s movement to spot potential challenges, creative activities to support development (hint: it’s not just about handwriting worksheets!), and friendly, hands-on advice for making therapeutic activities a natural part of everyday life at home. In this episode you'll hear about: Tiffany's background as a pediatric occupational therapistExperience in outpatient clinics and decision to homeschool her twin boysRecognition of limited OT resources for homeschool, micro school, and private Christian school familiesInitial challenges in offering therapy services to families unaware of OT benefitsShift toward educating parents and educators through in-servicesDefining Occupational Therapy and Identifying NeedsTiffany’s broad definition of “occupation” for childrenExplanation of how OT addresses all areas affecting a child’s quality of life: play, academics, self-help skillsObserving and Understanding Movement in ChildrenTiffany’s perspective on observing children’s movement as an indicator of nervous system and brain functionDevelopmental Milestones and the Link to Functional ChallengesImportance of achieving developmental milestones in orderExample symptoms: emotional regulation difficulties, picky eating, sleep issuesThe connection between early movement and later strugglesThe neurological connection between spinal rotation, brain processing, and self-regulationSimple assessments (e.g., ask a child to turn while standing, observe ability to cross midline)The Critical Role of CrawlingRelevance of crawling, despite changes in pediatric milestone recommendationsDevelopmental foundation offered by crawling: proprioception, bilateral integration, ocular motor skillsThe impact of crawling on hand-eye coordination, depth perception, and learning readinessWhat to do if a child didn’t crawl or only crawled brieflyCreative and functional ways to encourage crawling behaviors at any agePractical difficulties: shifting focus between near/far tasks, copying from board to paperHow underdeveloped crawling or movement can impact visual and physical skills needed for reading and writingTips for parents to frame OT-based activities as playful and family-wide, not “fixes” for deficitsThe importance of making adaptations natural, fun, and group-orientedHandwriting Without HandwritingWhy direct handwriting practice is often less effective than movement and play-based activitiesVertical surface activities, Play-Doh, and other proximal (core/shoulder) to distal (hand/finger) strengtheningHow developmental readiness and explicit instruction should be balanced Links and Resources From Today's Show Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?Connect with Sarah Collins on IGThe Homeschool OT Teachers Pay TeachersConnect With Tiffany Parsons On FacebookExecutive Functioning For Teens CourseHandwriting Motor AssessmentPrimitive Reflexes Resource GuideEpisode 8: Beyond the Pencil: Exploring Vision's Impact on Homeschool Handwriting SuccessEpisode 23: Blending Sensory Integration and Fitness for Better Handwriting Episode 38: Practical Learning Tools from a Homeschool Graduate: Sensory Kits for Homeschool Success Episode 56: Unlocking Writing Confidence in Children: The Role of Personal Expression Connect With Our Guest, Tiffany Parsons Tiffany is a pastors wife, bonus mom, twin mom, homeschool mom and pediatric occupational therapist. She is a 2014 graduate from West Virginia University. She is passionate about educating others on what occupational therapy is and how it can benefit
    Voir plus Voir moins
    29 min
  • Turning Letters Into Play: How Doodling Builds Handwriting Skills with Sarah Muldoon

    Turning Letters Into Play: How Doodling Builds Handwriting Skills with Sarah Muldoon
    Sep 18 2025
    Curious if OT could help your child's struggles? Download Why Choose OT to find out! Sarah Muldoon shares her journey from working in school systems, where she noticed traditional methods weren’t engaging kids—to self-publishing a series of imaginative, doodle-driven books that help children build core handwriting skills through play and storytelling. They dive deep into the foundational skills behind handwriting, from core strength and visual-motor integration to the magic that happens when kids are having fun and using their imagination. Whether you’re an OT, a parent, an educator, or part of the growing homeschool world, this episode is packed with insights and practical tips for making learning both functional and fun. Plus, hear about the importance of the “pre-writing” stage, the power of art in literacy, and how Muldoon’s journey led her to national recognition. In this episode you'll hear about: The motivation for bringing Sarah Muldoon onto the podcast: sharing her products and story with educators and the homeschool communitySarah Muldoon’s Occupational Therapy JourneySarah Muldoon’s background as a school-based occupational therapist (OT)Challenges with existing handwriting materials: lack of engagement for kidsThe significance of handwriting as a referral point (“canary in the mine”) for OT-related problemsThe OT perspective: the importance of imagination and play in children’s occupationsDevelopment of Play-Based Handwriting MaterialsThe spark for creating imaginative, play-based handwriting booksRealization of a gap in the market for handwriting materials that link letter formation to creativity and storySarah Muldoon’s process: self-publishing, using graphic design and illustration skillsRapid success: from publishing the first book to creating 15 titles, role of social media in her growthUnderstanding Underlying Skills in HandwritingDiscussion of foundational skills involved in handwriting:Core strength, wrist/hand strength, and their importanceVisual motor integration and oculomotor skillsThe complex interplay of visual scanning, board-to-paper copying, and neurological processesOT interventions: warming up muscles, adapting equipment, building visual-motor skillsImportance of Play in Learning and Skill AcquisitionRole of play in accelerating skill learning (“400 repetitions vs. 20-30 when play-based”)Ways to incorporate play into handwriting practiceHow Sarah Muldoon’s books embed playful, imaginative activities aligned with OT strategiesModifying Activities to Support Individual NeedsHow to adapt doodling and handwriting exercises for different children or needsExample: breaking down drawing steps, allowing for tracing, providing multiple attemptsEmphasizing creativity and engagement over perfectionDefining Play and Its Role in HandwritingOT’s definition of play: flow state, imagination, creation, intrinsic enjoymentLinking letter formation to storytelling and meaning-makingHow her books foster both skill development and personal expressionStandardized Assessment in Occupational TherapyIntroduction to standardized tests like the BOT (Bruininks-Oseretsky Test)What OTs are assessing and why: focus on function and “occupation”Using tests for pre/post measurements rather than just “teaching to the test”Translating test scores into meaningful activitiesBridging Functional Skills and Playful PracticeThe rationale behind combining assessment-driven skill-building and playful activitiesExamples of how handwriting and drawing practice support broader life skillsEncouraging continued skill reinforcement throughout daily activitiesExpanding the Reach: Products for Different Ages and NeedsOverview of Sarah Muldoon’s product line Links and Resources From Today's Show Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?Connect with Sarah Collins on IGThe Homeschool OT Teachers Pay TeachersExecutive Functioning For Teens CourseHandwriting Motor AssessmentHandwriting CourseDoodles Help Handwriting Website Connect With Sarah Muldoon On IGFree DoodlesImproving Handwriting Without Actually WritingSkills Nature Builds Building Fine Motor skills Using HandicraftsEpisode 6: Harnessing the Great Outdoors for Visual Development and Learning Episode 14: Outdoor Activities to Develop Interoception in Children with Guest Caroline SantangeloEpisode 22: Supporting Children Through Play-Based Reflex Integration Episode 28: Risky Play: Understanding the Benefits and Strategies for Safe Child DevelopmentEpisode 39: Outdoor Adventures: Developing Fine Motor Skills Through Nature-Based Therapy with Carmela Trejo Episode 40: Crafting Holiday Memories while Building Handwriting Skills Episode 56: Unlocking Writing Confidence in Children: The Role of Personal Expression Connect With Our Guest, Sarah Muldoon Sarah is an occupational therapist who has worked with kids as an OT and beyond. She has always been interested in drawing and loved handwriting.
    Voir plus Voir moins
    27 min
Pas encore de commentaire