Banu Balaji, the host and an occupational Therapist chats with Dr. Michaela Connolly , senior educational and child psychologist with over 30 years of experience working in disability services. For 15 years, she worked on a multidisciplinary team in a specialist autism service, providing psychological support to autistic children and adults.

Michaela currently works on an interdisciplinary team in a disability service for children and young people.Michaela is a chartered member of the Psychological Society of Ireland and the co-author of the book "Making Space for Autism: Strategies for Assessing and Modifying Environments to Meet the Needs of Autistic Individuals

In the Therapod Podcast, Dr Connolly highlights the shift in terminology from "disorder" to "autism assessment" or "autism identification," reflecting a more person-centered and neuro affirmative approach. Dr. Connolly explains that autism assessments involve a multidisciplinary team evaluating communication, social interaction, learning style, sensory processing, routines, and preferences. She emphasizes the importance of considering autistic individuals' perspectives and using a strengths-focused approach. The assessment process can involve various tools, including structured observations and interviews with parents and the individual themselves. Dr. Connolly also notes that some autistic individuals may mask their true communication style during assessments, and that assessments can take several hours to complete. She emphasizes the need for a comprehensive understanding of autism and the importance of considering co-occurring issues and difficulties.

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Banu Balaji, the host and an occupational Therapist and co host Claire Barrett , Senior Clinical Psychologist chat with Dr. Jay Venkatraman, a paediatrician with 15 years of experience in South Africa and Ireland. Jay specialized in malnutrition, neonatal care, and child and adolescent mental health, particularly eating disorders. She emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive approach to care, considering mental health and cognitive development.. Dr. Jay's practice involves thorough history-taking and investigations to understand symptoms and developmental impacts. She stresses the significance of a holistic view, considering a child's life before and after illness onset.

In this episode DrJay emphasizes the importance of a child-friendly environment for medical procedures, using sensory strategies and distraction techniques. Dr. Jay acknowledges the challenges parents face in accessing services and offers support and understanding. She encourages parents to view every interaction with their child as therapeutic, emphasizing the impact of love and care on a child's well-being. Dr. Jay highlights the therapeutic value of parental support and advises parents to focus on building a strong relationship with their child and highlights the need for multidisciplinary assessment and intervention for neurodevelopmental issues

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The Therapod podcast features insightful discussions between pediatrician Dr. Jay and experienced occupational therapist Banu Balaji. Banu has a special interest in developmental trauma and supporting children in care.

In this episode, Banu provides an overview of occupational therapy and explains how OTs work with children and families to promote independence, self-care, and participation in meaningful activities. She emphasizes the importance of considering the person, environment, and occupation (the PEO model) when setting goals and implementing strategies.

Banu shares practical advice for parents navigating long waitlists and managing expectations, encouraging a child-centered, collaborative approach. She highlights the value of making small, manageable changes in the home and school environments to have the biggest impact on a child's development and well-being.

This podcast offers accessible, expert guidance for parents, caregivers, and professionals supporting children with additional needs, sensory processing difficulties, and neurodevelopmental conditions.

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Or email us at therapodpodcast@gmail.com. Thank you for listening !!

The Therapod podcast is a valuable resource created by a team of experienced clinicians- Hosted by Banu Balaji, an experienced occupational therapist and is joined by a speech and language therapist, a psychologist, and a pediatrician. This podcast aims to provide accessible and practical information for parents, caregivers, and professionals working with children, especially those with additional needs. Banu and her seasoned colleagues share their insights on various topics such as sensory strategies, communication, neurodevelopmental assessments, and promoting both physical and mental health in children and adolescents. They bring their years of training and experience to the table in a way that makes it accessible and meaningful.

The emphasis is on the importance of parents providing timely support and help when needed and aim to reduce overwhelm and bring joy to parenting. The podcast delves into the evolving challenges of modern parenting, the impact of changing environments on children, the significance of play in learning and development, and the value of balancing structured activities with free play. Through their discussions, therapod highlights the importance of understanding individual needs, fostering positive relationships, and supporting children's growth and well-being in today's complex world.

For more information on our work follow-

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Or email us at therapodpodcast@gmail.com. Thank you for listening!