the OT is IN

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
  • Reading, Writing, and Growing: The Bigger Picture of Developing Fine Motor Skills in Children

    Reading, Writing, and Growing: The Bigger Picture of Developing Fine Motor Skills in Children
    Nov 7 2024
    Curious if OT could help your child's struggles? Download Why Choose OT to find out! --- Today we're thrilled to be joined by Kelli Fetter, an OT and founder of Handwriting Solutions. She has previously been a part of our Handwriting Focus Group. Our conversation focuses on the interconnectedness of reading and writing skills, the importance of fine motor development from early childhood, and practical tips for parents, especially those homeschooling. We'll also explore the misconceptions about handwriting development and the critical role it plays beyond basic literacy. Join us as we discuss research, developmental milestones, and Kelli’s hands-on strategies to help children thrive. Stick around—this episode is packed with insights and actionable advice you won’t want to miss! In this episode you'll hear about: Kelli’s motivation: personal experience with her daughter diagnosed with dyslexia and dysgraphia in first gradeEarly red flags in kindergartenImportance of finding experts specializing in learning disabilitiesCreated Handwriting SolutionsServices expanded to reading and spelling due to overlapping student difficultiesComplexity of HandwritingHandwriting involves multiple foundational abilities: fine motor control, core stability, visual skills, etc.Emphasis on building foundational skills and explicit handwriting instructionFine Motor Control is one component of handwritingKelli examines pencil use and hand movements to understand fine motor abilitiesKey observation points: pressure, smoothnessDiscussion on different grasp patterns impacting handwritingInterconnectedness of Reading and WritingImportance of reading for information and recognizing the value of writingKelli highlights writing as a beneficial life skill beyond academics Links and Resources From Today's Show Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?Handwriting Focus Group from Homeschool OT Handwriting Expectations by Grade Levels from Handwriting Solutions Handwriting but not typewriting leads to widespread brain connectivity, research from Frontiers Brain research shows why handwriting should be taught in the computer-age Teacher training text for dysgraphia, dyslexia, dyscalculia, and oral and written language learning disability (OWL LD)Episode 5- Beyond 20/20 Vision: Understanding Crucial Aspects of Visual Assessment in ChildrenEpisode 21- Exploring Primitive Reflexes: From Birth to IntegrationEpisode 22- Supporting Children Through Play-Based Reflex IntegrationEpisode 23- Blending Sensory Integration and Fitness for Better HandwritingEpisode 24- Understanding the Handwriting Journey: Tools and Techniques for Homeschoolers Connect with our Guest, Kelli Fetter Kelli Fetter is a Certified Handwriting Specialist and the founder of Handwriting Solutions, LLC providing handwriting tutoring virtually and in- person. She practiced as an occupational therapist in pediatric outpatient, early intervention, preschools, and private schools. She also served as adjunct professor teaching pediatrics and kinesiology. Kelli has extensive training in handwriting and dysgraphia. Kelli’s passion is driven by her own daughter’s dyslexia & dysgraphia journey.
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    31 mins
  • Disability Inclusion and Homeschooling: Lindsey Larsen Shares Her Unique Perspective and Resources

    Disability Inclusion and Homeschooling: Lindsey Larsen Shares Her Unique Perspective and Resources
    Oct 24 2024
    Curious if OT could help your child's struggles? Download Why Choose OT to find out! --- We're joined by Lindsey Larson, an inspiring OT professional and homeschooling mom who found herself unexpectedly all-in on homeschooling following her daughter's severe stroke. Lindsey opens up about her unexpected shift into pediatrics and the creation of her impactful children's book, "Meeting Exceptional Friends." During our conversation, Lindsey discusses her mission to educate both children and their caregivers about disabilities through engaging storytelling. She also shares her exciting role as the incoming director of Disability Book Week, an initiative aimed at promoting disability-inclusive literature. In this episode you'll hear about: Lindsey’s Journey to Pediatric Occupational Therapy (Peds)Birth of her child and the subsequent strokeTransition to Pediatrics out of necessityInitial reluctance and societal perceptions of homeschoolingDaughter’s preschool experienceHomeschooling her second daughterTransition of her second daughter to public schoolTailoring education to fit family needsFlexibility and adaptation in educational approachesObservations in the community regarding disabilitiesResponse to the need for inclusive educationCreation of her book "Meeting Exceptional Friends"Aimed at educating both children and parents about disabilitiesThe concept of the book: playground setting and inclusionThe repetitive phrase, "That's a great question"Encouraging open discussion about disabilitiesAmber Johnston’s concept: Windows and MirrorsRecommendations for other books and authorsDisability Book Week and its missionExpansion of booklists to include more disability representationsLimited physical book collections due to military lifeHeavy reliance on library resourcesEmphasis on supporting self-published authorsThe positive influence of inclusive books on her childrenDaughter’s essay on fire safety considering disabilitiesEncouragement to use Disability Book Week as a resourceImportance of advocating for more inclusive books in libraries Links and Resources From Today's Show Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?Handwriting Focus Group from Homeschool OTVision Therapy Screening Assessment from Homeschool OTMeeting Exceptional Friends by Lindsey LarsenDisability Book Week Website Books to Uplift Perspectives and Experiences of Disability from NEA Books as Mirrors & Windows With Simply Charlotte MasonEpisode 20: Tailored Kid’s Activities from Crafts to Sleep: Insights from Connie O'Neill Connect with our Guest, Lindsey Larsen Lindsey Larsen earned her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Creighton University. She currently works as a clinical abstractor for a genetic company. She is also the mother to two amazing daughters, a homeschool educator, parenting coach, military spouse, children’s book author, and the incoming director of Disability Book Week. Lindsey’s older daughter, Madelyn, survived a massive stroke in infancy which resulted in a variety of disabilities. Lindsey began homeschooling her children, so both of her children could succeed in their own unique way. In 2022, Lindsey decided to write a children’s picture book based on her personal experiences, to educate all children about visible and invisible disabilities. Lindsey’s book, Meeting Exceptional Friends recently won the 2023 Nautilus Book Awards for best picture book/fiction ages 2-6 and the 2023 Readers’ Favorite Bronze Award for best Educational Picture Book. Lindsey is leaping into a new role as the director of Disability Book Week, a volunteer organization that promotes and celebrates disability-inclusive books as well as authors with disabilities.
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    24 mins
  • Connecting Speech, Phonemic Awareness, and Literacy: Sydney Bassard Explains it All

    Connecting Speech, Phonemic Awareness, and Literacy: Sydney Bassard Explains it All
    Oct 17 2024
    Curious if OT could help your child's struggles? Download Why Choose OT to find out! --- Today Sydney Bassard, a speech therapist joins us to delve into the fascinating connection between literacy and speech development. She works with individuals with dyslexia and those who are deaf or hard of hearing. We'll explore everything from phonemic awareness hierarchies and wordplay to practical tips for parents on integrating literacy into daily routines. Plus, we'll touch on what you can expect in a literacy-focused session with an SLP and the critical importance of early intervention. In this episode you'll hear about: Sydney’s profession as a speech therapist and unique career pathWorking for a reading intervention company during undergradScope of practice for speech language pathologists (SLPs)From birth to end of life careDifferent focuses within SLP training programs including Medical-focused programs, School and pediatric-focused programs, Programs with a literacy emphasisSydney’s place of practice: The Listening SLP, Charlotte, North CarolinaDyslexia, literacy-based challenges, and deaf and hard of hearingCreating equitable access to health information through social mediaMention of a research grant on writing interventions for deaf and hard of hearing kidsPhonemic Awareness and its Role in LiteracyDefinition and explanation of Phonemic AwarenessHierarchy of phonemic awareness skillsWord level, syllable level, initial soundsComplex tasks like segmenting, blending, and manipulationImportance of these skills for later reading abilityDevelopmental Stages and Speech DevelopmentTypical ages for different stages of phonemic awarenessStarting word play around age twoOnset and rhyme awareness by ages three to fourSegmenting, blending, and manipulating sounds by ages four to fiveImportance of developmental readiness for learning to readPractical Tips for ParentsIntegrating literacy into daily routines, Examples: Car rides, bath time, cookingConcept of wordplay and making learning engagingLiteracy tips backed by scientific researchLess effective literacy trick examples: Guessing words from pictures, reliance on visualsSpeech Disorders and LiteracyDifferentiating speech sound production issues from reading difficultiesImportance of collaboration with SLPsEvaluating intelligibility and language comprehensionWhen to Seek Speech TherapySelf-assessment questions for parentsChecking for language processing and comprehension difficultiesEvaluating speech intelligibilityRecommendation for early interventionQuestions to ask potential SLPsExperience, therapeutic style, comfort with specific diagnosesImportance of honesty and fitSchool-Based Vs. Private Practice for Literacy InterventionDifferences in literacy support between school-based SLPs and private practitionersRoles of reading interventionists in schoolsSLP caseload considerations for not covering literacy extensivelyExpectations for Literacy-Based Speech Therapy SessionsGeneral activities in literacy-focused sessionsWord reading, spelling, sentence reading, teaching spelling rulesTailoring sessions based on age and needsDifferences between play-based approaches for younger children and structured sessions for older students Links and Resources From Today's Show Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?Vision Therapy Screening Assessment from HomeschoolOTHandwriting Focus Group from HomeschoolOTWhat is Literacy? How to Support Literacy Skills in Speech TherapyReading and Writing (Literacy) from ASHAEpisode 19: Understanding Screen Time Effects on Children’s Development and RelationshipsEpisode 33: Dyslexia Demystified: Marianne Sunderland’s Approach and Homeschooling TipsEpisode 34: Hyperlexia Uncovered: Navigating Challenges and Developing Strengths Connect with our Guest, Sydney Bassard Sydney Bassard, MSP, CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist who specializes in working with individuals who are Deaf and hard of hearing and literacy. She owns The Listening SLP, which is her private practice and social media brand. Sydney was noted as a Distinguished Early Career Professional in 2020 and an Innovator in 2023 by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association for her work centered on the equity of health information. Through her social media page, she engages with professionals and parents on the topics of hearing loss and literacy. In 2023, Sydney co-authored a children's book, A Day with Mom, with her mother. The book tells the story of a little girl who is excited to spend the day with her mom on a typical Saturday. Sydney is actively involved with research related to both clinic 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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    30 mins

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