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  • Practical Sleep Solutions for Children: Insights from Occupational Therapy

    Practical Sleep Solutions for Children: Insights from Occupational Therapy
    2024/06/13
    Curious if OT could help your child's struggles? Download Why Choose OT to find out! ------ In this episode, Karen will break down the concept of sleep pressure and its relevance across different age groups, from babies to school-age children. We'll explore the critical relationship between physical activity, screen time, and sleep readiness. You'll hear insightful tips on managing screen influence on sleep, touching on both metabolic processes and circadian rhythms. Karen shares some incredible resources for parents, including key sites like the Sleep Foundation, pathways.org, and the must-read book "The Rested Child" by Chris Winters. You'll also get to know about Karen's journey from launching a cloth diaper business to returning to occupational therapy with a focus on infant and community-based sleep therapy—a path that perfectly complements her homeschooling endeavors. We'll discuss the importance of sleep for the entire family's well-being, especially in neurodivergent children, and provide actionable strategies for parents, including sensory-sensitive routines and safe practices around the use of weighted sleep tools. Plus, Karen gives her top techniques for calming a child's nervous system before bedtime and shares her favorite experiences in combining occupational therapy with homeschooling. In this episode you'll hear about: Sleep Pressure and Its Impact on Different Age GroupsPhysical Activity, Screen Time, and Sleep DriveImpact of Sedentary Behavior on SleepRelationship Between Physical Activity and Sleep ReadinessInfluence of Screens on SleepMetabolic Processes Affected by Screen TimeImpact on Circadian RhythmsKaren’s Experience Applying Occupational Therapy in HomeschoolingCollaborative Goal IdentificationCreative Application of Learning Goals through ActivitiesImportance of Sleep as a Pillar of OccupationEffects of Poor Sleep on Family DynamicsAddressing Sleep Issues in Neurodivergent ChildrenAge-Appropriate Sleep PatternsOccupational Therapy Techniques to Address Sensory NeedsTechniques to Calm a Child’s Nervous System Before BedtimeConcern Over Weighted Sleep Sacks for BabiesActivities to Regulate Sensory-Seeking Children Before BedtimeStrategies for Children Who Have Difficulty Staying Asleep Links and Resources From Today's Show Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?The Rested Child by Chris WintersSleep FoundationArticles on Babies and Sleep from Pathways.org How Occupational Therapy Can Treat Children with Sleep ProblemsChildren’s Best Bedroom Environment for Sleep manual Simple Sensory-Based Sleep Strategies from Sleep for Kids Connect with our Guest, Karen Randall With 24 years of experience, Karen combines her knowledge in Pediatric OT with a deep understanding of Sleep Science to support Neurodivergent and Neurotypical families to achieve healthy sleep patterns as a foundation for their meaningful participation in everyday life. Using frameworks and learning from the areas of development, sensory processing, psychology, and mental health, with a focus on providing a neurodiversity-affirming approach to care, Karen provides OT services that meet the needs of both the child and the family as a whole. At present, Karen works with ND school-aged children, infants, toddlers, and children to support sleep, and works in a NICU to provide developmental care, parent education, and feeding support. Outside of work, Karen is a mom to two teens who homeschooled for 7 years and enjoys spending time boating the coastal waters with her family. Visit Karen's Website, Follow her on Instagram 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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    37 分
  • Neuro Affirming Homeschool Environments with Keisha Berry

    Neuro Affirming Homeschool Environments with Keisha Berry
    2024/06/06
    Curious if OT could help your child's struggles? Download Why Choose OT to find out! Welcome to another episode of "Homeschool OT: The OT is in," where we delve into the world of homeschooling through the lens of occupational therapy and speech therapy. In today’s episode, we are joined by Keisha Berry, a Speech Language Pathologist and seasoned homeschooling mom. Keisha brings a wealth of experience and insight into managing education at home, especially for children who are neurodiverse. We’ll explore her journey from being a special education teacher to choosing homeschooling for her own children, leading to the establishment of her practice, Spectrum Education and Therapy Center. Our conversation with Keisha will cover the challenges and triumphs of homeschooling, the importance of community support like co-ops, and how parents can navigate educational spaces for children with diverse learning needs. Keisha also sheds light on how to create neuro-affirming environments and the crucial role of conflict management and advocacy in nurturing inclusive and supportive educational experiences. This promises to be an enlightening discussion filled with practical tips and profound insights for both new and veteran homeschooling parents alike. So, let's dive in! In this episode you'll hear about: Combining roles as an educator, speech therapist, and a homeschooling parent.Keisha's decision to homeschool based on her child's experience in traditional school settings.Founding motives behind Spectrum Education and Therapy Center.The expansion of services offered, such as counseling, psychological evaluations, and behavior support.Challenges and Strategies in Homeschooling Neurodiverse ChildrenUnderstanding and adapting co-op environments for neurodiverse learners.The importance of neuro-affirming approaches and terminology.Implementing and supporting various communication ways, including use of communication devices.Encouraging appropriate responses and flexibility in behavioral expectations.Managing Expectations and Conflict in Homeschool Co-opsPreparing homeschool co-ops for embracing neurodiversity.Role-playing and scenario analysis to help children advocate for themselves and manage interactions.Social Skills Development including the distinction between manners and social skills.Creating inclusive and supportive educational environments that prepare neurodiverse students for real-world interactions.Teaching neurodiverse children to advocate for themselves.The double empathy problem and mutual adaptation needs for inclusive interaction.Preparatory Advice for Homeschoolers and Co-op LeadersRecommendations for books and resources to educate both neurotypical and neurodiverse children about diversity and inclusivity.Importance of proactive conflict management planning in educational settings. Links and Resources From Today's Show Handicrafts in Your HomeschoolWhat is Bullying? Double empathy, explainedExplicit Instruction of Self-Advocacy Skills ADA Accommodations at a Homeschool Co-op Connect with our Guest, Keisha Berry Keisha Berry is an accomplished professional with a background in education and communication sciences. Beginning as a special education teacher and co-chair of an Autism program, she transitioned to become a speech-language pathologist in 2010. Keisha holds a Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Howard University, demonstrating her dedication to advancing her expertise. In 2019, she founded Spectrum Education and Therapy Center, focusing on supporting homeschool families with neurodiverse learners. Keisha is passionate about partnering with parents to maximize learning at home. Over the last 13 years, not only has she homeschooled her own 4 children, but she has also been an advocate for families, championing children’s rights to receive optimal support. She sees culturally responsive education and therapy as powerful tools for accessing opportunities. Find Spectrum Education and Therapy Center on Facebook Find Spectrum Education and Therapy Center on Instagram Connect with Host 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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    33 分
  • Parenthood and Homeschooling: Choosing the Right Activities for a Balanced Lifestyle

    Parenthood and Homeschooling: Choosing the Right Activities for a Balanced Lifestyle
    2024/05/30

    This is a special bonus episode featuring my daughter, Annabelle Collins. In our previous episode, Executive Functioning in Homeschooling: A Teenager's Experience with Organization and Planning, we dove deep into prioritization, planning, and organizing within our homeschool day. We received an abundance of positive feedback, so we decided to follow up on one of your burning questions: How do we decide what activities to participate in?

    In this bonus episode, we'll revisit the key points from her previous episode, discuss the important principles of balance in work, play, rest, and sleep, and delve into how these concepts are applied in our family's homeschool journey. Annabelle and I will share our experiences, including her personal transition from swimming to volleyball and the factors we consider when choosing extracurricular activities. We'll also touch on the significance of community and the influence of adult mentors in shaping our children's development. So, whether you're a homeschooling parent, an educator, or just curious about our approach, stay tuned for some insightful and practical advice.

    Links and Resources From Today's Show

    • Executive Functioning in Homeschooling: A Teenager's Experience with Organization and Planning
    • The Evolving Landscape of Homeschool Community Support
    • The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World
    • Present Over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living
    • Growing Slow: Lessons on Un-Hurrying Your Heart from an Accidental Farm Girl

    Connect with Sarah Collins

    • Follow Sarah on Instagram @homeschoolOT
    • Join the Facebook Group: Homeschool and Occupational Therapy with Sarah Collins, homeschoolOT
    • Visit the Homeschool OT Website
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    18 分
  • Navigating the Interoceptive Sense: Insights and Strategies for Parents

    Navigating the Interoceptive Sense: Insights and Strategies for Parents
    2024/05/23

    In this episode, I'll be sharing personal insights and examples from my own experience homeschooling my children, shedding light on how interoception develops from infancy through childhood and how it can significantly impact our well-being.

    We’ll discuss practical strategies that can be used at home to nurture this vital sense and reflect on the challenges and successes my children have faced in their interoceptive growth journey, including the influence of modern technology like screens.

    Join us as we dissect these topics to better understand how we can help our children, and ourselves, fine-tune this internal compass. Stay tuned, subscribe, and dive into the intricacies of human perception with us.

    In this episode you'll hear about:

    • Definition and importance of interoception
    • How interoception affects internal state awareness, such as hunger, thirst, and emotional state
    • The early development of interoception in infants and the role of caregivers
    • The progression of interoceptive awareness as children grow
    • Influence of factors like genetics, environment, and early experiences on interoceptive development
    • Use of structured programs like the Zones of Regulation
    • Implementation of movement and physical activities in daily homeschooling
    • Importance of routine and sensory inputs in developing interoception
    • Challenges faced due to screen time and its influence on interoceptive awareness
    • Specific observations of behavioral shifts related to screen use
    • Observations and insights gained from reducing screen time with interoceptive awareness

    Links and Resources From Today's Show

    • Guiding Questions to ask Your child to build Interoception Awareness
    • Reset Your Child's Brain: A Four-Week Plan to End Meltdowns, Raise Grades, and Boost Social Skills by Reversing the Effects of Electronic Screen-Time
    • How to Integrate the Zones of Regulation At Home
    • The Emerging Science of Interoception: Sensing, Integrating, Interpreting, and Regulating Signals within the Self
    • Unveiling the role of OT in Homeschooling
    • Understanding Occupational Therapy: Clinic Expectations and Sensory Approaches
    • Navigating Vision Challenges in Homeschooling: A Parent’s Story
    • Sensory Balanced Homeschool Focus Group

    Connect with Sarah Collins

    • Follow Sarah on Instagram @homeschoolOT
    • Join the Facebook Group: Homeschool and Occupational Therapy with Sarah Collins, homeschoolOT
    • Visit the Homeschool OT Website
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    18 分
  • From Morning to Night: Incorporating Social Emotional Learning in Homeschool

    From Morning to Night: Incorporating Social Emotional Learning in Homeschool
    2024/05/16

    Navigating the world of homeschooling can be as rewarding as it is challenging, particularly when it comes to incorporating social emotional learning (SEL) into the daily curriculum. In the latest episode of our podcast, "The OT is in," we had the pleasure of speaking with Elizabeth Sautter, an expert in social emotional learning and a speech pathologist who specializes in supporting neurodivergent children. This episode is a resource goldmine for homeschooling parents looking to seamlessly integrate social emotional learning into their daily routines.

    In this episode you'll hear about:

    • Importance of Social Emotional Learning in everyday activities and routines.
    • Elizabeth’s resources are targeted primarily to parents of neurodivergent children.
    • Integration of social emotional learning in natural routines.
    • The connection between bodily sensations and emotional states.
    • The relationship between the interoceptive system and the management of social and personal responses.
    • Specific social emotional learning strategies and tools like the PACE acronym.
    • Integration of social emotional learning into regular activities such as meals, play, and travel.
    • Elizabeth’s book and its structure, focusing on different settings like home, community, holidays, and bridging home with school.
    • The use of literature and storytelling to teach emotional identification and empathy.
    • Activities and tasks from the book aimed at enhancing social emotional learning.
    • Utilizing journals and coloring books to foster mindfulness and gratitude.
    • Practical exercises for families to incorporate mindfulness in daily routines.
    • Common parental concerns about prioritizing daily tasks and integrating social emotional learning effectively.
    • How caregivers can use Elizabeth’s tools to assess and respond to emotional cues in children.

    Links and Resources From Today's Show

    • Fundamentals of Social-Emotional Learning
    • Bridges Learning System
    • What To Do When Your Child Is Having A Hard Time: Nurturing Neurodiversity, Morning, Noon and Night
    • Social and Emotional Learning Resources from Elizabeth Sautter
    • Practical Activities to Boost Executive Functioning for Kids and Teens
    • Adding Art to your Homeschool
    • Adding Literature to Lunchtime

    Connect with Sarah Collins

    • Follow Sarah on Instagram @homeschoolOT
    • Join the Facebook Group: Homeschool and Occupational Therapy with Sarah Collins, homeschoolOT
    • Visit the Homeschool OT Website

    Connect with our guest, Elizabeth Sautter

    Elizabeth A. Sautter, MA, CCC, is a speech-language pathologist/social emotional expert, speaker, author, and trainer. She is the author of Make Social and Emotional Learning Stick! Practical activities to help your child manage emotions, navigate social situations & reduce anxiety, along with many other resources, including an online course and community for parents. Elizabeth collaborates with the Zones of Regulation team as a trainer and is a co-author of the Zones children’s books, card decks, and games. She is also part of the EveryDay Regulation team with the focus on providing neurodiversity affirming resources for whole body regulation. She loves to connect on Instagram @elizabeth.sautter , Facebook ElizabethSautterMACCCSLP or via her website: ElizabethSautter.com
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    27 分
  • Outdoor Activities to Develop Interoception in Children with Guest Caroline Santangelo

    Outdoor Activities to Develop Interoception in Children with Guest Caroline Santangelo
    2024/05/09
    In this episode, I chat with Caroline Santangelo, an occupational therapist who specializes in nature-based therapy for children in Pennsylvania. We dive into the world of interoception and explore how nature can help children develop self-awareness. Caroline shares practical insights on how movement, sensory experiences, and outdoor activities can enhance interoceptive awareness in children. She emphasizes the importance of facilitating conversations and providing language to help children articulate their internal experiences. Our discussion also touches on the benefits of nature in simplifying the learning process and promoting interoception. Tune in to discover how the power of the outdoors can influence the development of interoception in children. In this episode you'll hear about: Starfish Occupational Therapy's approach to developing children's grit, grace, character, confidence, and knowledgeUsing the outdoor environment for sensory-rich experiences and organic interceptive awarenessImpacting interoception through movement and internal body signals activationStarting Conversations with Children about Interoception including using open-ended questions like "What do you notice?" and "How do you feel?"Describing experiences to model language and providing visual feedback to help children internalize inputDiscussion on how external stimuli in nature can affect internal awarenessExamples of how different individuals experience the same stimuli differentlySuggestions for simple outdoor activities to promote movement, proprioceptive input, and vestibular movementEmphasizing the lifelong journey of learning and developmentHow nature's simplicity allows individuals to understand internal body signals and interception Links and Resources From Today's Show The Interoception Curriculum: A Step-by-Step Guide to Developing Mindful Self-RegulationThe Body Check Ring: Printable Cards, Activity Booklet, and Online Mini-CourseThe Interoception Curriculum in The Homeschool Setting with a Homeschooling MomBuilding Interoception Awareness: Questions to AskIntegrating Interoception and Language Arts in Your HomeschoolSensory Balanced Homeschool Focus Group Connect with Sarah Collins Follow Sarah on Instagram @homeschoolOTJoin the Facebook Group: Homeschool and Occupational Therapy with Sarah Collins, homeschoolOTVisit the Homeschool OT Website Connect with Caroline Santangelo Caroline is the owner of Starfish Occupational Therapy, PLLC a private nature-based occupational therapy practice for children in the Philadelphia region. Combining comprehensive neurology-based approaches with outdoor therapy, individual and small group sessions promote children's development in sensory processing, coordination, ocular motor skills, regulation, and daily living skills. Natural healing strategies and techniques for children with chronic pain conditions and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome are offered. Sessions are focused on fostering children’s Grit, Grace, Character, Confidence and Knowledge, all representing the five arms of the starfish. Let’s find the root cause for healing and get back to the basics all while splashing in the creek and building tree forts! Specifically, Caroline is Certified in the CONTIGO Nature Therapy approach and is currently in the process of obtaining her Pediatric Functional Vision Rehabilitation Certification. Caroline has expertise in pediatric chronic pain techniques and daily management. She also has pediatric occupational therapy experience in early intervention, outpatient, acute care, and horse therapy settings. Caroline loves the beach, her golden retriever, and hiking! Caroline hopes to travel all 50 states with only 8 left to visit! Starfish Occupational Therapy WebsiteLike Starfish Occupational Therapy on FacebookFollow Starfish Occupational Therapy on Instagram
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    25 分
  • Beyond the Five Senses: Understanding Your Child's Interoceptive World with Cara Kosinski

    Beyond the Five Senses: Understanding Your Child's Interoceptive World with Cara Kosinski
    2024/05/02

    In this episode, you'll learn how play-based learning isn't just fun—it's also an essential tool to help children connect with their internal world. Our guest, Cara Koscinski, offers her expertise as an occupational therapist and a homeschooling mother to provide practical strategies for recognizing and addressing interoceptive cues before the onset of a meltdown.

    Additionally, discover the challenges and joys of homeschooling as Cara and I discuss the balance between structure and the flexibility necessary for children to thrive emotionally and academically. For those homeschooling parents and all intrigued by the complexity of human emotions and body awareness, this episode is full of value.

    In this episode you'll hear about:

    • Impact of Excessive Stimulation on Children
    • Interoception and Emotional Management
    • Cara Kosinski's book, "Interoception: How I Feel Sensing the World from the Inside Out"
    • The Role of Play-based Learning in Interoception
    • Challenges and Rewards of Homeschooling
    • Strategies for Teaching Interoception
    • Understanding Subjective Experiences and Behavioral Cues
    • Integrating Interests and Descriptors in Learning
    • Incorporating Sensory Experiences in the Learning Process
    • Discussion on the Ease of Teaching Interoception
    • Personal Experience with Screen Time and Behavioral Impact
    • Cara Kosinski's Background and Expertise
    • Interoception as a Growing Field of Research
    • Parental Guidance for Supporting Children's Interoceptive Awareness

    Links and Resources From Today's Show

    • Learning about Interoception and Language Arts Together
    • Questions to use to teach Interoception Awareness
    • Interoception: How I Feel: Sensing My World from the Inside Out
    • What Is Interoception and How Does It Impact Those With Autism?
    • Playing Video Games is Associated with Reduced Awareness of Bodily Sensations
    • Visit Cara's website

    Connect with Sarah Collins

    • Follow Sarah on Instagram @homeschoolOT
    • Join the Facebook Group: Homeschool and Occupational Therapy with Sarah Collins, homeschoolOT
    • Visit the Homeschool OT Website

    Connect with our Guest

    Dr. Koscinski earned her post-professional Doctorate in occupational therapy in 2019 at Rocky Mountain University and a master’s degree in OT from Duquesne University in 1997. She obtained her certification as an Autism Specialist from the International Board of Credentialing. Cara is a former lead of the Clinical Applications in Pediatrics Courses for MOT and OTD students at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences and serves as a capstone mentor for multiple universities.

    Dr. Koscinski enjoys presenting keynote and breakout sessions at state and national conferences on topics of executive function, interoception, behavior, and regulation. As the mother of two adult autistic sons, Cara can appreciate the unique perspective of the caregiver. She has published six books for caregivers and therapists and has written chapters in multiple others. Cara’s newest book detailing her Train Model of executive function, will be released in spring of 2024. As the owner of the largest pediatric occupational therapy group on Facebook, she encourages occupational therapy practitioners to connect, learn, and share with over 50,000 members across the globe.
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    35 分
  • Executive Functioning in Homeschooling: A Teenager's Experience with Organization and Planning

    Executive Functioning in Homeschooling: A Teenager's Experience with Organization and Planning
    2024/04/25

    In today's episode, I am joined by a special guest, my daughter, Annabelle Collins, to discuss executive functioning, planning, and organization from her perspective as a homeschooling teenager. She offers insights into her personal experiences, touching on topics such as setting up daily schedules, adapting to different learning systems, managing distractions, and finding motivation. Together, we explore the challenges and successes we have encountered. Join us as we dive into the world of adolescent executive functioning.

    In this episode you'll hear about:

    • Setting Up a Homeschooling Day for a Teenager
    • A teen perspective on transitioning from traditional schooling to homeschooling
    • Adapting to different learning styles
    • The impact of independence and supervision
    • Implementing strategies to motivate and support learning
    • The link between room organization and productivity
    • Using Pinterest for room organization ideas
    • The importance of habit formation
    • Establishing natural consequences for habits
    • Parenting Strategies for Executive Functioning Development
    • Fostering open communication and a strong parent-child relationship
    • Balancing gradual release of control with teenage independence
    • The significance of reflection in learning and self-improvement
    • Using planning to organize and manage daily tasks
    • Prioritizing tasks and setting productive habits
    • Encouraging self-reflection and independence in planning

    Links and Resources From Today's Show

    • Hatchet Book Guide
    • Picture Books that Teach Executive Functioning
    • 8 Quick & Easy Questions to Ask Your Homeschool Teen About Their Social Life
    • 9 Ways to Build Time Management Skills in Your Homeschool
    • What Are Executive Functioning Skills?
    • Executive Functioning Focus Group
    • Metacognition-Thinking about Thinking
    • How to Encourage Note-Taking in Every Stage of Homeschooling
    • Smart but Scattered Teens: The "Executive Skills" Program for Helping Teens Reach Their Potential
    • Participation Patterns of Adolescents with and without Executive Function Deficits: Parents’ Perspectives
    • How to Strengthen Executive Functioning Skills, Sarah on the Raising Lifelong Learners Podcast.
    • How to teach your high-schooler organization skills
    • 7 Organization Skills To Teach Your Teen

    Connect with Sarah Collins

    • Follow Sarah on Instagram @homeschoolOT
    • Join the Facebook Group: Homeschool and Occupational Therapy with Sarah Collins, homeschoolOT
    • Visit the Homeschool OT Website
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    28 分