• The OT is IN with Sarah Collins the Homeschool OT

  • By: Sarah Collins
  • Podcast

The OT is IN with Sarah Collins the Homeschool OT

By: Sarah Collins
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  • Summary

  • 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
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Episodes
  • Executive Functioning Skills for Families: Holiday Edition

    Executive Functioning Skills for Families: Holiday Edition
    Dec 19 2024
    Curious if OT could help your child's struggles? Download Why Choose OT to find out! -- In today's episode, I'm joined by Marnie Love, a seasoned homeschooling mom, certified parenting coach, and advocate for executive functioning skills. Marnie, who has been navigating the homeschool landscape for over two decades, shares her wealth of experience and insights, particularly within the "Connected Families" framework. Join us as we chat about co-regulation, executive functioning, and explore how these concepts play out in everyday parenting—especially during the bustling holiday season. Learn about practical strategies to prepare children for the excitement and challenges of the holidays, including response inhibition, positive reinforcement, and the "if-then" approach to manage behavior empathetically and effectively. We also discuss the importance of self-reflection for parents, the benefits of homeschooling, and how to create a balanced holiday schedule that honors your family's unique needs. Don't miss the valuable takeaways for integrating executive functioning skill development into daily life, ensuring both safety and joy amidst the festive chaos. In this episode you'll hear about: Co-Regulation and Executive FunctioningOverview of response inhibition and managing impulsivity.Marnie's personal experiences with the Connected Families Framework.Use of empathy and the "if-then" approach to behavior correction.Positive reinforcement and retrying situations to build skills.Managing a child's behavior with understanding and patience during Christmas activities.Emphasis on emotional regulation.Integrating Executive Functioning in Daily LifeImportance of developing executive functioning skills beyond seasonal activities.Observing if tasks are challenging due to their nature or broader skills.Recognizing difficulties and asking for child feedback.Avoiding crowded areas and planning early visits.Preparation details: cars, snacks, hot chocolate, weather considerations.Family Roles and ContributionsStrategies to simplify routines like traveling in pajamas.Setting expectations for behavior, safety, and fun.Executive Functioning Skills in FocusMetacognition: thinking about thinking.Time management: reverse planning and facing challenges with time perception.Planning strategies: night-before preparations and checklists.Use of Music and Visual Aids for executive function supportRoutine management through music playlists.Use of portable whiteboard checklist as a visual reminder.Introduction to Connected Families: integration of brain science, trauma-informed parenting, and gospel teachings.Importance of parent self-reflection on executive function skills.Marnie's Background and Homeschooling ExperienceBenefits of homeschooling for children with unique learning paces and brain breaks.Marnie's role as a certified parenting coach.Use of real-life activities in education.Holiday Planning and Executive FunctioningFamily meetings to prioritize holiday activities.Avoiding overloaded holiday schedules.Utilization of the "Smart but Scattered" model for planning and organizing skills. Links and Resources From Today's Show Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?Reverse Planning Guide from Homeschool OTWhat is Executive Functioning? Course from Homeschool OTExecutive Functioning Skills in Holiday Activities Episode 29- Parenting with Co-Regulation Episode 30- Sensory Processing and Co-Regulation: Insights for Parents Episode 31- Cultivating Calm: Understanding Nervous System Dysregulation in Children and Practical Solutions for Parents Episode 40- Crafting Holiday Memories while Building Handwriting Skills Episode 41- Building Your Support Network as a Homeschooling Parent Especially during the Holiday SeasonMarnie Love’s websiteConnected Families Framework
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    33 mins
  • Building Your Support Network as a Homeschooling Parent Especially During the Holiday Season

    Building Your Support Network as a Homeschooling Parent Especially During the Holiday Season
    Dec 12 2024
    In this episode, we're discussing the world of early intervention with our special guest, Allison Carter, a seasoned occupational therapist with over two decades of experience. Allison provides insightful strategies for maintaining routines and supporting sensory needs during the chaotic December holiday season, ensuring our children are set up for success. We'll discuss the unique challenges faced by homeschool families when accessing occupational therapy services and offer practical advice on navigating these obstacles. Plus, Allison shares her extensive background in working with infants and toddlers, and her steadfast dedication to early intervention. Curious if OT could help your child's struggles? Download Why Choose OT to find out! In this episode you'll hear about: An Overview of Early InterventionQualification: Diagnosis or a half-age delay in developmentScope of OT's Role: Customized to family needs, strategies for feeding, motor, language, etc.Environment Impact: Homeschools are unique, similar to early interventionComfort and Familiarity: Working in the child's own environmentFamily Goals: Aligning professional expertise with family desiresProgram Eligibility and State Differences for Early InterventionStandardized Tests: Fine motor, gross motor, social-emotional, speech and language, cognitiveState Requirements: Differences in qualification criteria (e.g., Maryland's 25% vs. Missouri's half-age delay)Diagnosis-based Eligibility: Automatic qualification for certain diagnosed conditionsReferral and Enrollment in Early Intervention ProgramsSelf-Referral: Parents can call directlyHospital Referrals: Children's hospitals informing parentsPediatrician Awareness: Variable knowledge among local pediatriciansHomeschool Community and Occupational TherapyChallenges: Homeschool community's distrust or lack of awareness about OTCommunication Barriers: Difficulty in accessing homeschool groups or co-opsMutual Understanding: Overcoming biases on both sides to find alignmentTools and ResourcesInterviewing OTs: Guidelines for ensuring compatibility between OTs and homeschool familiesHomeschool OTs Listing: A guide for OTs to join and parents to find appropriate professionalsChanges in Routine During DecemberPredictability and Familiarity: Importance for comfort, especially for sensory needsEmotional Responses: Excitement, distraction, overwhelmReal-Life Parallel: Comparing to the experience of starting a new jobStrategies for Managing ChangesPredictability: Making situations predictable and familiar objectsPracticing Strategies: Calming techniques and breathing exercises at homeEarly Signs: Observing for signs of overstimulation or overwhelmDecompression: Taking breaks to calm down if needed Links and Resources From Today's Show Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?Where to Get OT: A Guide to Different OT Service ProvidersWorking with Homeschool Families, Course for OTs from Homeschool OTWhat is occupational therapy?The Best Places to Find OT Services for Homeschool FamiliesEpisode 1- Unveiling the Role of OT in Homeschooling Episode 3- What to expect in an OT clinicAllison Carter's website Amazing Milestones Podcast Play With Your Food: How to Get Your Toddler to Eat by Allison Carter Connect with our Guest, Allison Carter Allison Carter is an Occupational Therapist working in Early Intervention and Private Practice in the home and community settings. She is also the host of the Milestones Pod Connect with Sarah Collins Follow Sarah on Instagram @homeschoolOTJoin the Facebook Group: Homeschool and Occupational Therapy with Sarah Collins, homeschoolOTVisit the Homeschool OT Website
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    29 mins
  • Crafting Holiday Memories while Building Handwriting Skills

    Crafting Holiday Memories while Building Handwriting Skills
    Dec 5 2024
    I'm thrilled to introduce our guest, Cynthia Heren, a mentor and team member behind the scenes, here at Homeschool OT. Cynthia's journey began when she discovered her family's neurodivergence through her child's occupational therapy sessions, leading to a broader understanding of autism, dysgraphia, and ADHD in her household. In today's episode, we'll explore how Cynthia has used OT strategies to create a customized, supportive learning environment for her children. We'll discuss practical tips for managing handwriting, sensory processing, and executive functioning challenges, especially during the bustling holiday season. Join us as we uncover the importance of building a knowledgeable support team, integrating children's interests into learning activities, and fostering their development through creative and adaptable methods. Get ready to be inspired by Cynthia's story and learn how to make homeschooling both effective and enjoyable for neurodivergent children. In this episode you'll hear about: Discovery of NeurodivergenceNoticing child's fine motor delays at age three and Autism DiagnosisHomeschooling ExperienceImpact of Occupational Therapy (OT)Homeschooling Strategies to accommodate for dysgraphia and ADHDTools and Techniques: "Handwriting Without Tears", Kid-sized chalkboardBuilding a Support TeamCollaboration within the homeschooling communityDeveloping Skills Through ActivitiesHandwriting and Sensory Processing adapting to holiday environmentsDirection-following and Writing SkillsVertical surface activities for core and eye-hand coordinationIntegrating Interests in LearningUsing Interests like Legos for developing fine motor skills and improving visual scanning and perceptual abilitiesCore Strength Development: writing on vertical surfaces, activities like setting the table while bouncing on a yoga ballUse of Resources and Creative Learning StrategiesUtilization of Special Needs Scholarships supporting creative learning methodsPersistence and Executive FunctioningSensory Processing ManagementKeeping Activities EngagingManaging Dysgraphia and Learning PreferencesChild’s Learning Preferences, Using of Primary Ruled PaperMath AdaptationsTransitioning from Math-U-See to CTC MathHoliday Activities for Skill DevelopmentHoliday Baking: Strengthens hand muscles, memory-making and patienceCrafts and Community EventsCreating Christmas ornamentsParticipating in local community eventsCrafts and Educational CraftsEducational Benefits: Motor, cognitive, and social skills developmentCrafting Ideas: Popsicle stick ornaments, Window decorations with contact paperAlternatives to Messy Educational ActivitiesPreference for Less Chaotic Activities: avoidance of traditional hands-on experiments, success of high school children in advanced coursesHandwriting Development and Custom ResourcesAddressing Handwriting ChallengesCustomized Handwriting Resources with Star Wars and Minecraft themesAccommodating Different Learning StylesSeparating Writing Practice from Content Comprehension Links and Resources From Today's Show Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?Nurturing Creativity: Building Fine Motor Skills Using Handicrafts from Homeschool OTBaking as a Skill Builder – Workshop from Homeschool OTChristmas Crafts for Kids from OT Toolbox Christmas Fine Motor Activities from Empowering OT ResourcesTips for a Struggling Writer in Early Elementary from Inside Our Normal Christmas Writing Bundle from Inside Our NormalInside Our Normal on Teacher Pay TeacherEpisode 24 Understanding the Handwriting Journey: Tools and Techniques for HomeschoolersEpisode 8 Beyond the Pencil: Exploring Vision's Impact on Homeschool Handwriting Success
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    34 mins

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