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 forLearners will identify why the 75th percentile is no longer included on the CDC milestones checklistLearners will identify how the CDC milestones app can be used by OTPsView the full show notes, including a resource list from the episode, at otschoolhouse.com/episode112Thanks 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.comSee you in the next episode!

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 schoolsLearners will identify why OTPs are not labeled as mental health providersLearners will identify mental health diagnoses of school-aged children and youthLearners will identify and reflect on the causes of mental health issues among our studentsLearners will identify how to advocate for mental health in OTLearners will identify how to advocate for students on a systems level Click here to view the full show notes including mentioned resources. 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.comSee you in the next episode!

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 handwritingLearners will identify the impact common core has made on children’s written expressionLearners will identify how common core and handwriting can impact OTPsLearners will identify what OTPs can do to support curriculum and handwriting on a systems levelEarn Continuing Education for Listening to this EpisodeWish 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 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.comSee you in the next episode!

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 settingLearners will identify a model that can help with CBI program developmentLearners will identify the benefits of a CBI programEarn your certificate of completion for episode 109 now View the show notesThanks 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.comSee you in the next episode!

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 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.comSee you in the next episode!

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 episodeThanks 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.comSee you in the next episode!

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 goalsListeners will learn the key components to writing a great goalListeners will learn how goals differ in a school-based setting and a pediatric clinic settingListeners will learn more about the long-term and short-term goals in the school-based settingListeners will learn more about changing and updating goals in a school-based settingListeners will learn how to write more collaborative goalsView the full show notes, including the shared resources, at otschoolhouse.com/episode106Thanks 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.comSee you in the next episode!

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 OTPsLearn why and how I decided to create Gray-Space PaperLearn how to use Gray-Space Paper to support students with handwriting difficultiesView all of the shared resources for this episode at OTSchoolhouse.com/episode105Thanks 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.comSee you in the next episode!

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 SPDListeners will learn what social stories are, and how they benefit many children with anxiety and SPDListeners will learn about the “Just right Challenge” for common sensory triggersClick here to view the full show notes including the resources mentioned and impactful quotes from this episode. 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.comSee you in the next episode!

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 LearnListeners will learn the principles and guidelines of the CO-OP approachListeners will learn how the CO-OP was developedListeners will learn the difference between the behavioral approach and the cognitive approach Listeners will learn more about top-down approachesListeners will learn about guided discovery and what a supportive adult isResourcesCO-OP approach websiteTEDx - 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 ChildrenDevelopmental Coordination Disorder - CanChild.caView and listen to all episodes of the OT Schoolhouse website at otschoolhouse.com/podcast  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.comSee you in the next episode!

Are you a new grad OT practitioner ready to find your first school-based OT job? If so, hit play now!In this episode, I am interviewing Jhenny Rivera about her recent experiences of searching for,  finding, interviewing, and starting in a school-based OT position as a new grad OT.Jhenny graduated from OT school in the summer of 2021, passed the OT boards in the fall, and landed her first school-based OT job in January of 2022. That is why I have asked her to come on the OT Schoolhouse Podcast to share how she achieved her goal and what she learned in the process.  We talk not only about the hiring process but also about what the first few months were like as a new grad school-based OT.I hope you enjoy this episode. 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.comSee you in the next episode!

In OT school, most students are tasked with doing a deep dive into the OT Practice Framework, better known as the OTPF. But have you taken a second to reflect on the OTPF since you landed your school-based OT job?It is important to periodically go back and review your practice as it relates to the OTPF, especially when it is updated (like it was in 2020).In today's episode of the OT Schoolhouse Podcast, we are taking a look at the OTPF and how school-based OT fits within the OT Framework with two of AOTA's Commission on Practice members who helped to write the most recent iteration of the OT Practice Framework. Joining us today, we have Susan M. Cahill Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA, and Julie Miller MOT, OTR/L, SWC. Susan and Julie are both lifelong OTPs who love our field and have volunteered with AOTA in a number of ways. Have a listen to learn more about Susan and Julie and hear how the OTPF-4 came to be and how school-based OT fits into the equation. 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.comSee you in the next episode!

For our 100th episode, we are celebrating in a very special way. I don't want to give away too much, so I'll just tell you this. You may already be pretty familiar with our special guest today. Listen in to see who our mystery guest is and learn more about the OT Schoolhouse.  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.comSee you in the next episode!

To celebrate OT Month, the #ABCsofOT are taking over the OT Schoolhouse Podcast for the month of April. More specifically, we are taking on the ABCs of School-Based OTIn this fourth episode in a four-part series, we will be expanding on the letters U-Z and how they relate to school-based OT.The ABCs of SBOT are brought to you by the A-Z school-based OT Course from the OT Schoolhouse. Learn more about the course to help you be a more confident school-based OT at OTSchoolhouse.com/a2z   Registration is also now open for the OT Schoolhouse Back to School Conference coming up in August. Learn more and register at OTSchoolhouse.com/conferenceThanks 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.comSee you in the next episode!

To celebrate OT Month, the #ABCsofOT are taking over the OT Schoolhouse Podcast for the month of April. More specifically, we are taking on the ABCs of School-Based OTIn this third episode in a four-part series, we will be expanding on the letters N-T and how they relate to school-based OT.The ABCs of SBOT are brought to you by the A-Z school-based OT Course from the OT Schoolhouse. Learn more about the course to help you be a more confident school-based OT at OTSchoolhouse.com/a2z   Registration is also now open for the OT Schoolhouse Back to School Conference coming up in August. Learn more and register at OTSchoolhouse.com/conferenceThanks 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.comSee you in the next episode!

To celebrate OT Month, the #ABCsofOT are taking over the OT Schoolhouse Podcast for the month of April. More specifically, we are taking on the ABCs of School-Based OTIn this second episode of a four-part series, we will be expanding on the letters G-M and how they relate to school-based OT. The ABCs of SBOT are brought to you by the A-Z school-based OT Course from the OT Schoolhouse. Learn more about the course to help you be a more confident school-based OT at OTSchoolhouse.com/a2z   Registration is also now open for the OT Schoolhouse Back to School Conference coming up in August. Learn more and register at OTSchoolhouse.com/conferenceThanks 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.comSee you in the next episode!

Happy OT Month!To celebrate, the #ABCsofOT are taking over the OT Schoolhouse Podcast for the month of April. More specifically, we are taking on the ABCs of School-Based OT In this first episode of a four-part series, we will be expanding on the letters A-F and how they relate to school-based OT. Over the next four weeks, we will cover the entire alphabet and share some terms, concepts, and ideas related to school-based Occupational Therapy. The ABCs of SBOT are brought to you by the A-Z school-based OT Course from the OT Schoolhouse. Learn more about the course to help you be a more confident school-based OT at OTSchoolhouse.com/a2z   Registration is also now open for the OT Schoolhouse Back to School Conference coming up in August. Learn more and register at OTSchoolhouse.com/conferenceThanks 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.comSee you in the next episode!

In this episode of the OT Schoolhouse Podcast, I am answering the questions submitted by several of our OT Schoolhouse Podcast listeners. From "what is a consult?" to "how do I implement sensory strategies?" I am answering a dozen questions that were submitted by OT practitioners that work in the schools and listen to the OT Schoolhouse Podcast just like you.Listen in to hear how I respond to these listener-submitted questions. A special thank you to all of those who submitted a question and made this episode possible! View the resources mentioned at OTSchoolhouse.com/episode95Thanks 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.comSee you in the next episode!

Today on the OT Schoolhouse Podcast, we are talking about OT Month coming up in April. Why are we doing this in March, you ask? Because OT Month is worth planning for, of course! In this episode, I am going to share with you 10 ways you can celebrate and promote our fantastic occupation in a serving manner (because that is what we do here at the OT Schoolhouse. We serve first. 🤝)Be sure to head over to the show notes for a free set of handouts you can use on your campuses during the month of April to help spread the word.  I also have all 10 ideas listed out there for you as a quick reference. Enjoy the episode! 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.comSee you in the next episode!

In this episode of the OT Schoolhouse Podcast, we are joined by Angela Provenzano, OTD Student, to discuss kinship families and what we should know as school-based OTs who support students who may be a part of a kinship family. Angela is going to share her experiences as being a member of a kinship family, what the research says about both the children and the guardians in kinship families, and how she is now supporting those who find themselves as kinship guardians. For more information, be sure to check out the show notes at otschoolhouse.com/episode93Thanks 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.comSee you in the next episode!

In this episode of the OT schoolhouse podcast, we discuss mindfulness in school-based OT with Dr. Deirdre Azzopardi of TheMindfulSchoolOT.com.Dierdre is an experienced school-based OT who has been incorporating mindful practices into her life personally and professionally. She uses mindfulness to support students, teachers, and administrators in her school district and has seen the benefits.If you are unsure of what mindfulness fully entails or are already on board the mindfulness train and want to get some insight into how you can incorporate it into your sessions, be sure to listen to this episode. View the resources mentioned & a transcript of this episode at OTSchoolhouse.com/episode92Thanks 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.comSee you in the next episode!

Our role in special education was established in 1775 with the passing of The Education for All Handicapped Children Act. A lot has changed since then and we now have what is called the Every Student Succeeds Act, or ESSA.In this episode of the OT Schoolhouse Podcast, we are welcoming Abe Saffer, MPM. Abe is the Senior Legislative Representative for AOTA and I asked him to come on the show to share with us how laws created and updated in Washington D.C. impact us as practicing school-based OTs. Specifically, we will be discussing how IDEA differs from the Every Student Succeeds Act and what it means for us as OTPs, both now and in the coming years. Listen in to better understand your role as a school-based OT. View the show notes and a transcript of this episode at otschoolhouse.com/episode91Thanks 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.comSee you in the next episode!

During the pandemic, teletherapy found its foothold as the world shut down and continues to now reopen. However, despite schools and businesses reopening, this is just the beginning of the story for occupational therapy and the doors that have opened in the world of teletherapy. In today’s episode, we are talking with Occupational Therapist, Tasha Holmes, and Speech Pathologist, Kristin Martinez, from PresenceLearning. PresenceLearning is one of the largest providers of teletherapy services and in this episode, we are going to learn how they adapted during the pandemic and where they see teletherapy headed as the world continues to become more emerged in technology. Join us and we explore the future of teletherapy with Kristin Martinez, M.A., CCC-SLP & Tasha Holmes, MOT, OTR/LListen to the full episode and view a transcript of the episode at OTSchoolhouse.com/episode90Thanks 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.comSee you in the next episode!

In this episode of the OT School House Podcast, we have a very special guest with decades of experience in helping therapists, teachers, and adults around the world to support students with handwriting difficulties. Dr. Bev is a nationally recognized speaker with 43+ years of experience as an Occupational Therapist. As a school therapist, she serviced more than fifteen school districts, visiting over 60 individual schools. She has experienced the shift of practice in the schools over the years and shares her knowledge with us in this interview.A creative entrepreneur, determined researcher, and tireless professional, she is also the author of The Size Matters Handwriting Program. Currently used in every state and 5 continents, its concept-driven approach to teaching and remediating handwriting has been proven effective at a .001 level of significance in the largest research study ever done on handwriting. I am excited to have Dr. Moskowitz joining us to talk about all things School-Based OT.This interview was recorded on a youtube live video. If you would like to view the recorded video, you can do so at otschoolhouse.com/episode89Thanks 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.comSee you in the next episode!

School-based Occupational therapists have been a part of public education since legislation was initially enacted in the 1970’s. Contrary to this, school-based OT practitioners often do not have pathways to educational leadership. OT practitioners are unable to serve as administrators within a school system in 46 states in the United States.  In this special episode of the OTSH Podcast, we will explore the unique qualities that OT practitioners possess that support leadership roles within a school system.  Barriers to advancing into leadership positions (e.g., policy) OT practitioners’ face will be identified, and solutions will be discussed. View the show notes and watch the video recording of this presentation at otschoolhouse.com/episode88Thanks 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.comSee you in the next episode!

School-based occupational therapists wear many hats. Sometimes we treat students individually and other times we have to train the teachers in ways they can support students in the classroom. Today, we are focusing on supporting teachers in fostering safe and regulating environments in the classroom for students with sensory differences. Joining me today to discuss this topic is Dr. Jamie Chaves, OTD, OTR/L, SWC. Dr. Chaves is a pediatric occupational therapist and is also the OT Division Leader at the Center For Connection. Along with co-author, Ashley Taylor, Psy.D., Dr. Chaves has written two books to support therapists and educators working with students who have sensory differences. You can find both books on Amazon. They are titled “The Why Behind Behaviors” and “Creating Sensory Smart Classrooms”*Affiliate links included help the OT School House to earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. View the full show notes including resources mentioned in this episode at otschoolhouse.com/episode87Thanks 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.comSee you in the next episode!

In this journal club edition of the OT School  House Podcast, we are examining the  2020 Seruya & Garfinkle article about current workload trends in school-based OT. We will discuss the findings from a survey of 571 OT Practitioners working in the schools just like you and talk about the real-life implications your caseload can have on your practice as an OT practitioner in the schools.Spoiler alert: Your Caseload is likely holding you back, but listen in to hear how you are not alone and what steps you can take to move forward. Also, stay tuned until the end for a special announcement and giveaway from Jayson. Learn more about the Making the Shift: Caseload to Workload Workshop at OTSchoolHouse.com/maketheshiftView the full show notes at otscholhouse.com/episode86Thanks 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.comSee you in the next episode!

In this episode, I am bringing on Meghan Fox, OTR/L, from Wootherapy.com to talk about her transition from providing primarily pull-out OT services, to a more collaborative service approach. Meghan shares with us why she decided to make the move and what those collaborative services look like. Also, she gets very real with us and shares what is (and is not) working during the transition. There will always be students who need pull-out services, but there will also be students who learn best from in-class, contextually relevant services. So let's talk about how we do that. Listen in for more and check out the show notes at otschoolhouse.com/episode85 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.comSee you in the next episode!

Help! I was just assigned to a high school & I have no idea what to do!!Ever had that thought before? It is not uncommon for me to receive an email with something like that in my inbox. Now, I am no specialist in providing OT in high schools, but just like you, I can read some articles and listen to others who have done it before to learn from them. In this episode, I am sharing my experiences from working at the high school level and also what I learned from two recent articles about OTs providing Post Secondary Transitional (PSTP) Services. Check it out! The 2 articles:Doris Pierce, Amy Spence, Lisa Sakemiller & Celeste Roberts (2021) School-based Transition Readiness Services for Adolescents with Disabilities, Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools, & Early Intervention, 14:2, 207-224, DOI: 10.1080/19411243.2020.1835601Pierce D, Sakemiller L, Spence A, LoBianco T. Effectiveness of Transition Readiness Interventions by School-Based Occupational Therapy Personnel. OTJR: Occupation, Participation and Health. 2020;40(1):27-35. doi:10.1177/1539449219850129Thanks 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.comSee you in the next episode!

In this episode, Jayson shares the difference between screenings and evaluations. Using AOTA documents, IDEA references, and court cases, we will discuss when it is and is not appropriate to use screenings in a school-based setting. We will also briefly discuss how to ensure that your using a top-down approach when completing evaluations. View the transcript and resources tied to this episode at otschoolhouse.com/episode83Thanks 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.comSee you in the next episode!

Have you ever wondered if that handwriting intervention you provide is helpful? Or how about what that intervention in the research article actually looked like?In this episode of the OT School House Podcast, we are going beyond the article with the authors of the 2016 AJOT article titled Effectiveness of a Handwriting Intervention With At-Risk Kindergarteners. Join me, along with Sheryl Zylstra, DOT, MS, OTR/L & Beth Pfeiffer, PhD, OTR/L, BCP, as we dive deeper into this journal article that shows how a handwriting intervention can impact at-risk kindergarteners.   View the transcript and full show notes at otschoolhouse.com/episode82Thanks 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.comSee you in the next episode!

In this episode of the OT School House Podcast, we are talking to recent graduate, Alexa Corley, about her OTD capstone where she surveyed and interviewed therapists, teachers, and administrators about the idea and use of a workload model. Listen in to hear her findings and a discussion about the positive effects of using a workload model. View the full show notes and transcript at otschoolhouse.com/episode81Thanks 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.comSee you in the next episode!

We are kicking off the 2021-22 school year with the perfect topic - Ergonomics. For the better part of 18 months, many of us have been working from home and students have been learning from their couches, beds, & Kitchen table. If you are lucky, you have had a desk in your home to work from.  Now, Most of us are heading back into the school buildings and that is going to be a big change on our bodies. So today I am bringing on School-Based OT and Ergonomic Specialist, Kirsten Beshay, to talk a little bit about how ergonomics has and will continue to impact us, the teachers in our schools and the kids we serve. In this episode we dive into both her experiences as an ergonomic specialist in the private sector as well as her experiences in the schools. View the full show notes at otschoolhouse.com/episode80Thanks 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.comSee you in the next episode!

Welcome to the show notes for Episode 79 of the OT School House Podcast.Money makes the world go round. It's that simple... Okay, well, maybe it's not that simple. But even if you don't believe that money makes the world go around, as an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant who has graduated in the past 10 years, you know that money does pay your student loans. That is one thing for sure. So on this episode of the OT School House podcast, we have Amirra Condelee, OTR/L, who you may know as @marvelousmiracles.OT on Instagram, to share her experiences as a new grad occupational therapist trying to pay off student loans.We're going to talk about some different ways to go about paying off your student loans and a little bit about the idea of refinancing your loans. Amirra is also going to share with us where her and her significant other are at in relation ship to their student loan process, If you have ever felt overwhelmed by your student loans or even just finances in general, you're not going to want to miss this episode.View a transcript of this episode and links discussed at otschoolhouse.com/episode79Thanks 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.comSee you in the next episode!

Today we are talking with school-based OT and creator of the popular LegiLiner tool, Polly Benson, OTR/L.After years of drawing lines on paper for kids and trying to convince teachers to do the same for kids in classrooms, Polly took action in her own hands to create the LegiLiner tool back in 2019. With more than a dozen varied rolling stamps that instantly create lines for kids to write on, Polly is changing how teachers and therapists adapt writing assignments one classroom at a time. Check out the full show notes at otschoolhouse.com/episode78Thanks 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.comSee you in the next episode!

Today we are talking with a former school-based OT who is well aware of the struggles OTs come across while working in the schools. In fact, it is that school-based experience in conjunction with other OT experiences that led Joseph DiFrancisco, MS, OT/L, (AKA - Joe Friendly) to create a new line of adapted shoes for people of all ages! If you have ever had a parent ask about a shoe tying goal, be sure to listen to this episode. You may have a new favorite recommendation for those parents. After you listen, be sure to check out Friendlyshoes.com to see all the styles Joe and his team have come up with to support those who may benefit from an easy to put on shoe.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.comSee you in the next episode!

Have you ever heard of the Schoodles School Fine Motor Assessment tool? I recently became aware of it and have now added it to my repertoire of evaluations tools that I can use. In Episode 76 of the OT School House I am welcoming to the podcast the Authors of the Schoodles Assessment to further understand for myself why this tool is so valuable and how we as OTs can use it to support our practice as School-Based OTs. Please help me to welcome co-authors of the 4th edition of the Schoodles Assessment, Marie Frank, OTR/L & Monica Fortunato, OTR/LCheck out the full show notes at OTschoolhouse.com/episode76Thanks 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.comSee you in the next episode!

In this episode of the OT School House Podcast, Jayson gets real while breaking down a 2018 article outlining a specific typing program and it's effectiveness versus a free typing program. In this discussion, we will look at various typing methods, the lack of available norms for typing speed, Motor Learning Theory and Keyboarding, and how a premium paid program compares to a free program. Listen in to hear why the research is still not great when it comes to typing. Article Citation:Denise K. Donica, Peter Giroux & Amber Faust (2018) Keyboarding instruction: Comparison of techniques for improved keyboarding skills in elementary students, Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools, & Early Intervention, 11:4, 396-410, DOI: 10.1080/19411243.2018.1512067View the show notes and transcript at otschoolhouse.com/episode75 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.comSee you in the next episode!

 "What is the difference between ADHD and Sensory Processing disorder?" Has a parent or a teacher ever asked you that question? This has always been a touch question for me to answer. I could always explain sensory processing well, but I hadn't learned much about the neurological processes behind ADHD. To help you and I better understand the differences between ADHD and SPD, I am welcoming to the podcast, Debbie Lund, MS, OTR/L. Debbie is here to share with us her experiences of working with children who have SPD and/or ADHD and how our treatments may need to vary based on the child's needs. For the full show notes and transcript of the episode, head over to OTschoolhouse.com/episode74Thanks 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.comSee you in the next episode!

Today, we are going to talk about 10 things that you can do right now, at the end of this school year, to make NEXT school year a little bit easier. Some of these are going to be pretty straightforward and you may already be doing some of them. But some of these are going to be a little bit more reflective in nature. I'm going to ask you to go a step deeper with me and think about how you can make your next school year better by wrapping up this year in an organized manner.  It's just you and I today, so let's jump in to it! A-Z School-Based OT CourseBack To School Conference - Aug. 27-29, 2021 Edjoin.orgThanks 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.comSee you in the next episode!

Today, we are focusing on the activities children participate in during education in 3 specific grade levels as we discuss a recent brief report published in the American Journal of OT. The report is titled Fine Motor Activities in Elementary School Children: A Replication Study and was published in January of 2020. Together, we are going to discus what percentage of the day students spend completing various fine and gross motor activities. View full show notesThanks 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.comSee you in the next episode!

In today's episode, we have Dr. Kelly Mahler on to introduce us to Interoception. Very few people have ever heard of interception and even less know what it means. This may even be the first time you hearing the word interoception. Well, whether it is or is not, you're going to want to listen to this episode. Dr. Mahler is a true genius when it comes to interoception and she has so much to share with us today. Press play to learn how you can assess your client and understand whether or not they have difficulties with interoception. 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.comSee you in the next episode!

Whether you trained in the USA, Greece, India, or anywhere else in the world to be an OT, this episode with Ushma Sampat is sure to teach you several valuable lessons on understanding cultural differences, systematic biases, and how to be a better school-based OT! Ushma is a now a private practice owner in the Bay Area of California where she see clients in their natural setting, including kids in school. But to get to this point, she had to learn so much. This is not an episode to skip!   View the transcript and full show notes hereThanks 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.comSee you in the next episode!

In this OT Month special episode, I am teaming up with Sarah Putt from the OT 4 Lyfe Podcast to talk about the importance of supporting our OT associations. We will discus the perks, the costs, and the reasons why we support our local, national, and world OT associations. The OT associations need our support so that they can turn around and effectively support us. At the end of the episode, we announce a giveaway put together to support you and OT associations all around the world. I hope you enjoy this special OT Month Episode! Enter for the giveaway here!Become an AOTA Member (Affiliate link) OT 4 Lyfe Podcast 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.comSee you in the next episode!

In this episode we are highlighting travel opportunities as an occupational therapy practitioner with Devon Breithart, OTR/L. But that's not all! We will start this conversation by discussing what you need to know if you are looking into a travel therapy position as an employee for a 3rd party company. But we are also going to discus with Devon how she used a coaching model during  the pandemic and what she learned from this. View all of the show notes at otschoolhouse.com/episode68Thanks 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.comSee you in the next episode!

Sometimes we simply forget what average is and need a reminder. In episode 67, we are having a discussion about a recent journal article that looks at the typical handwriting abilities among second graders and compares their scores on the Evaluation Tool of Children's Handwriting - Manuscript to the teacher's subjective observations of the children's work samples. Links to Show References:Long, D. M., & Conklin, J. (2019). Handwriting Performance of Typical Second-Grade Students as Measured by the Evaluation Tool of Children's Handwriting - Manuscript and Teacher Perceptions of Legibility. The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 7(4), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.15453/ 2168-6408.1492 The Evaluation Toll of Children's Handwriting 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.comSee you in the next episode!

Have you ever wondered what to do with your high school students? Did you there is such a thing as a Post Secondary Transition Plan that is required for every high school student on an IEP? If not, this is the episode for you! Today, I am welcoming to the podcast, Dr. Liz Abadiotakis, OTD, OTR/L to share with her experiences working with Post Secondary Transition Plans as part of an IEP team. Key questions to be answered:What is a Post Secondary Transition plan?When must a transition plan be put in place?What are the pieces to a transition plan?How are IEP goals similar or different from transition plan Goals?Who traditionally writes the transition plan?How can OTPs support post secondary transition?Links to Show References:Dr. Liz' Website IDEA Transition planning A Transition Guide to Postsecondary Education and Employment for Students and Youth with Disabilities AOTA Transition planningOT School House Workload Calculator Dr. Liz Summit WebinarJoin AOTA.org (Starbucks affiliate) View the Transcript at otschoolhouse.com/episode66Thanks 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.comSee you in the next episode!

In episode 65, we are having a discussion about a recent journal article that looks at school-based occupational therapists' role and capabilities in implementing a mental health tier 1 MTSS intervention. Today's article is titled The Comfortable Cafeteria Program for Promoting Student Participation and Enjoyment: An Outcome Study. This journal comes from the American Journal of occupational therapy and it was published in 2018. The research study itself occurred in 2014, and 2015, The Authors are Susan Bazyk. Luis Demirjian, Francis Horvath, and Laurie Doxsey. Article citation: Susan Bazyk, Louise Demirjian, Frances Horvath, Lauri Doxsey; The Comfortable Cafeteria Program for Promoting Student Participation and Enjoyment: An Outcome Study. Am J Occup Ther 2018;72(3):7203205050.  Show NotesThanks 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.comSee you in the next episode!