The OT Schoolhouse Podcast for School-Based OT Practitioners

Latest Episodes:

Why the CDC Updated the Developmental Milestones Checklist Oct 24, 2022

Show notes

Were you flabbergasted when the CDC changed the guidelines for developmental milestones In February?

You weren’t alone. But it is important to look deeper at why these changes were made. The CDC was tasked with updating the milestones and making them less confusing for those who rely on them most - parents. The milestones are still (mostly) the same, and they are backed by research, as we discuss with Dr. Kate Barlow, OTD, OTR/L, IMH-E®, in the episode.
Kate is an ambassador for the CDC, and she talks to us about the milestones established for the first five years of a child's life. Kate describes why this is important for us OTPs that are in schools. Tune in to find out why!
Listen now to learn the following objectives:

Learners will identify what the developmental monitor program is used for
Learners will identify why the 75th percentile is no longer included on the CDC milestones checklist
Learners will identify how the CDC milestones app can be used by OTPs

View the full show notes, including a resource list from the episode, at otschoolhouse.com/episode112

Thanks for tuning in!
Thanks for tuning into the OT Schoolhouse Podcast brought to you by the OT Schoolhouse Collaborative Community for school-based OTPs. In OTS Collab, we use community-powered professional development to learn together and implement strategies together.
Don't forget to subscribe to the show and check out the show notes for every episode at OTSchoolhouse.com
See you in the next episode!

Back To Our Roots: Mental Health and The School-Based Role Oct 10, 2022

Show notes

As OTPs we were taught that our profession was founded on providing a safe space for those who had a mental illness, and we were there to help them engage in occupations that were meaningful to them, yet we tend to forget the importance of this.

Today, we speak with Moni Keen to address her capstone research that addressed being an interprofessional team member and mental health in school-aged children. OTPs are often not seen as mental health providers, but we need to advocate and change that narrative.

Tune in to learn how we can advocate for mental health and how we can address mental health individually with our students and on a systems level.

Listen now to learn the following objectives:

Learners will identify reasons why mental health is not being addressed in schools
Learners will identify why OTPs are not labeled as mental health providers
Learners will identify mental health diagnoses of school-aged children and youth
Learners will identify and reflect on the causes of mental health issues among our students
Learners will identify how to advocate for mental health in OT
Learners will identify how to advocate for students on a systems level

Click here to view the full show notes including mentioned resources.

Common Core left Handwriting Behind! Sep 26, 2022

Show notes

School-based OT practitioners are not handwriting teachers! However, handwriting is often the most common reason for referral.

In our chat with Debra Collette, OTD, OTR/L, we are discussing a recent article where she surveyed teachers, administrators, and therapists on the missing pieces of handwriting in schools. Ten years ago, common core began to take over school standards, but the standards neglected to include handwriting. Tune in to learn how common core standards have impacted handwriting and how you can support students and teachers in implementing a handwriting curriculum.

Tune in to learn the following objectives:

Learners will identify the connects and disconnects between the common core curriculum with handwriting
Learners will identify the impact common core has made on children’s written expression
Learners will identify how common core and handwriting can impact OTPs
Learners will identify what OTPs can do to support curriculum and handwriting on a systems level

Earn Continuing Education for Listening to this Episode

Wish you could earn professional development for listening to the OT Schoolhouse Podcast? Now you can!

Click here to purchase the professional development opportunity that corresponds to this episode.
View the complete show note at OTSchoolhouse.com/episode110

From One Coffee Cart to an entire Community-Based Instruction Program Sep 12, 2022

Show notes

Did you know that transitional services can be implemented even before a student gets to high school?

In this episode, we talk about how community-based instruction (CBI) can be implemented in the elementary school setting and how these children benefit greatly from starting early. Debbie Schwind discusses how she developed a campus-based CBI program for the students with just a coffee cart and how the program grew with the help of supportive teachers, staff, and administrators.

Tune in to learn the following objectives:

Learners will identify what community-based instruction looks like in an elementary school setting
Learners will identify a model that can help with CBI program development
Learners will identify the benefits of a CBI program

Earn your certificate of completion for episode 109 now
View the show notes

Frameworks used in School-based Occupational Therapy Aug 29, 2022

Show notes

Have you ever thought about the shifts that have happened throughout the history of Occupational Therapy in the schools? Occupational therapy has been a part of the school systems since the ‘70s when legislation was enacted at the national level.

In this episode of the OT Schoolhouse Podcast, we will discuss several shifts in this field within the past 40 years.

Our guest today is Julie Bissell, OTD, OTR/L, ATP, FAOTA, one of the occupational therapists who jumped into the schools early on to address the educational model in schools. Julie discusses transitioning from a medical model to an educational model and shares how we can facilitate participation and help the children perform in the least restrictive environment.

We will also discuss an article she co-wrote titled Frameworks, Models and Trends in School-Based. This publication discusses a few frameworks within occupational therapy and relates them specifically to school-based practices in individual states and the United States. Also, stay tuned as she enlightens us about an Israeli handwriting assessment and how she assisted in translating this fun card game into English.
Click here to earn a certificate of completion after listening to this episode.
View the show resources and learn how to earn your certificate for listening at OTSchoolhouse.com/episode108

Using PLAY as an Acronym to Support Students (Earn Continuing Education) Aug 15, 2022

Show notes

Our guest today proves how it is possible to make the best of a situation when unforeseen circumstances happen. The Covid Pandemic derailed Alvin from starting his private practice. Still, it allowed him to build up his social media and do something he enjoys, video editing. He has created videos to share with others about occupational therapy and his “P.L.A.Y on the Go Approach.” He shares content about treatment approaches, occupational balance, and self-care. He even shares his “Toy Tuesday,” in which he shares different ways to use games that have easy accessibility in therapy rooms or clinics.
Learn how you can earn continuing education for listening to this episode

Goal Writing in School-based OT Aug 01, 2022

Show notes

As OTP’s we know that goal writing can get a bit difficult at times. Understanding each component of a goal will ultimately lead to better goal writing. Taking the time to write goals is a huge part of helping the students and other people involved see what progress has been made.

Today we are speaking with Sarah Beaulieu, MOT, OTR/L. and Emily Deller, MOT, OTR/L. They are speaking in-depth about their experience with goal writing in their districts and how it can differ in different districts and states. If you struggle with writing goals in a school-based setting, their goal writing workshop can help with mastering SMART, client-centered goals that are easy to measure.

Tune in to learn the following objectives:

Listeners will learn about SMART goals
Listeners will learn the key components to writing a great goal
Listeners will learn how goals differ in a school-based setting and a pediatric clinic setting
Listeners will learn more about the long-term and short-term goals in the school-based setting
Listeners will learn more about changing and updating goals in a school-based setting
Listeners will learn how to write more collaborative goals

View the full show notes, including the shared resources, at otschoolhouse.com/episode106

Why I Created My Own Adapted Handwriting Paper Jul 18, 2022

Show notes

As an OT practitioner in the schools, it doesn’t take long to realize that most of the evaluation referrals coming your way are due to handwriting concerns. As such, you have probably begun to fine-tune your ability to promote increased fine motor, visual motor, and manual dexterity skills.

But another way to address handwriting is through adapting the environment and using tools to support students’ ability to learn handwriting in a new way.

In this episode of the OT Schoolhouse Podcast, I want to introduce you to an adapted paper I developed over 5 years and still recommend to parents and teachers today. I also want to give it to you for free so that you can use and share it as well.

Have a listen to learn the following objectives:

Learn about common types of adapted paper used by School-Based OTPs
Learn why and how I decided to create Gray-Space Paper
Learn how to use Gray-Space Paper to support students with handwriting difficulties

View all of the shared resources for this episode at OTSchoolhouse.com/episode105

Supporting Parents of Neurodiverse Children with Laura Petix of The OT Butterfly Jul 05, 2022

Show notes

As OTPs in the schools, we all work with children with Sensory Processing Disorder. But our guest today has gone a step further in how she supports the families of neurodiverse children. Laura Petix, MS, OTR/L, dives into her passion for helping parents gain the tools they need to understand information and strategies to help their children. She has even used these tools in her personal life with her daughter Liliana.

Tune in to learn the following objectives:

Listeners will learn about multiple resources for children with SPD
Listeners will learn what social stories are, and how they benefit many children with anxiety and SPD
Listeners will learn about the “Just right Challenge” for common sensory triggers

Click here to view the full show notes including the resources mentioned and impactful quotes from this episode.

Getting Student-Centered with the CO-OP Approach Featuring Dr. Helene Polatajko and Dr. Lara Barros Jun 20, 2022

Show notes

Are you constantly wondering how to be more evidence-based when working in a school setting?

In this episode of the OT Schoolhouse Podcast, we discuss how using client-centered top-down approaches will allow for more evidence-based practices and what top-down approaches look like with children in the schools. We are speaking with the creator of the CO-OP approach, Helene Polatajko, Ph.D., OT Reg. (Ont.), OT(C), FCAOT, FCAHS, OC, and the creator of “A Guide for Implementation: Using the Principles of CO-OP to Frame a Top-Down Approach with School-Aged Children,” Lara Collins Barros, OTD, OTR/L.

What you’ll Learn

Listeners will learn the principles and guidelines of the CO-OP approach
Listeners will learn how the CO-OP was developed
Listeners will learn the difference between the behavioral approach and the cognitive approach
Listeners will learn more about top-down approaches
Listeners will learn about guided discovery and what a supportive adult is

Resources

CO-OP approach website

TEDx - The Problem with Cookie-Cutter Therapy

University of Toronto course

(CO-OP) Principles for Participation A Guide for Implementation: Using the Principles of CO-OP to Frame a Top-Down Approach with School-Aged Children

Developmental Coordination Disorder - CanChild.ca

View and listen to all episodes of the OT Schoolhouse website at otschoolhouse.com/podcast