『the OT is IN』のカバーアート

the OT is IN

the OT is IN

著者: Sarah Collins
無料で聴く

The OT is IN podcast merges the worlds of education and occupational therapy to empower families like yours. Sarah Collins, your host, an occupational therapist and homeschooling parent of 3 ranging in age from elementary to high school. Sarah Collins has experienced occupational therapy by supporting families for over 15 years but also through seeking out support for her own children- so, she's right there in the trenches with you. Though there is not one right way to educate your child, there is a lot to consider when individualizing an education. The goal of this podcast is to explain some of the "why" behind what an occupational therapist is thinking so you can artfully apply it to your own family especially with executive functioning, handwriting, and sensory processing. Each episode will be packed with practical tips, expert interviews, and real-life stories aimed at helping you create a supportive learning environment for your child.2024
エピソード
  • Resetting Expectations for the New Homeschool Year/ what I wish I knew as a new homeschool parent
    2026/07/23
    We're taking a clear look at what it really means to trust your instincts as a homeschool parent—while also navigating the pressure to measure up to systems and expectations that don't fit your child or your family. You'll hear directly about how to recognize when outside pressures are pulling you off course, how to distinguish between real needs and the fear of "falling behind," and why embracing a flexible, child-centered approach leads to more meaningful learning and stronger relationships. This isn't about finding a perfect method or escaping all doubts. It's about understanding that your context, your family, and your child's unique development are the true foundation of a successful homeschool—no matter what anyone else says or what the comparison trap tries to tell you. In this episode you'll hear about: Starting the Homeschooling JourneyInitial resistance to homeschoolingSearching for alternatives (private school, crunching numbers)Detail on work-life balance while freelancing and parentingUsing existing first grade workbooks during transitionEarly attempts to find community without social media (library searches, bulletin boards)Evolving Homeschool MethodsHow long initial workbook approach lastedBalancing working from home and homeschooling with help from a babysitterChallenges with babysitter's reactions and eventual switch to deschoolingMove to field trips, classes, and experiential learningGradual phasing in of curriculum "scaffolding" methodContinuing to phase in/out curriculum as a traditionTrusting Parenting and Teaching InstinctsDistinguishing between teaching background and homeschooling instinctsTimes when teaching background hindered home educationResponding to outside pressures versus trusting instinctsEmphasizing adjustment based on child's needs and family environmentReflection on how "dumping" too much at once lead to family stressHandling Negative Feedback and External JudgmentEarly defensiveness vs. later confidenceTypes of critics: curious, concerned, and judgmentalStrategies for responding to each groupPersonal stories: teacher confrontation, family and community criticismKey refrains: "This is what's best for our family"Importance of openness and humilityHomeschool Comparison and the "Falling Behind" FearThe tendency to compare progress to age/grade normsAsynchronous development in neurodivergent and gifted kidsPrioritizing relationship over academic performanceGaps in learning (examples: writing, citation skills)Handling gaps as part of a lifelong learning processReflections on Regret and Parental ImperfectionChildren pointing out what they missed in homeschoolingThe inevitability of regrets in all types of schooling and parentingMaintaining parent-child connection as a core valueAdvice: make the best decisions possible in the momentSocialization and Relationship BuildingAddressing the "socialization" question—a common concern for homeschoolersEarly strategies for finding peers and forming friendshipsRole of extracurriculars (e.g., theater, Girl Scouts) and neighborhood connectionsImpact of the pandemic and moving on social opportunitiesSpecific challenges for neurodivergent kids and non-joinersImportance of parental initiative in finding opportunitiesDistinction between opportunity and outcome in forming friendships Links and Resources From Today's Show Join the OT INsiders HereWhy Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?Connect with Sarah Collins on IGThe Homeschool OT Teachers Pay TeachersColleen's Website Raising Lifelong LearnersRaising Lifelong Learners PodcastConnect With Colleen On Instagram Check Out Our Title Sponsor LoveveryLearning RX WebsiteEpisode 2: Decoding Behavior in homeschooling- sensory overwhelm, emotional control, perseveranceEpisode 11: Exploring Unique Learning Paths in Homeschooling with Guest Amy Bodkin Episode 17: Neuro Affirming Homeschool Environments with Keisha BerryEpisode 27: Preserving Childhood in a Digital World: Greta Eskridge's Expertise for Families Episode 41: Building Your Support Network as a Homeschooling Parent Especially during the holiday season Episode 46: Navigating Homeschool Priorities with Amy Sloan: From Family Dynamics to Crisis Management Episode 49: Connection Over Curriculum: Building Strong Bonds in Homeschooling Episode 69: Modern Stress, Ancient Responses: Why Moms Need Rest and How to Get It Episode 80: Raising Resilient Kids Thank you to our title sponsor for this episode, Lovevery. You can check out their products and resources here. Connect With Our Guest, Colleen Kessler Colleen Kessler is an author, educator, podcaster, and international speaker known for her strengths-based, child-focused approach to homeschooling. With degrees in education and gifted studies, she specializes in the social and emotional development of neurodivergent children. Colleen helps parents understand and support their children's unique learning, emotional, and developmental needs. A homeschooling mom of four, she empowers ...
    続きを読む 一部表示
    1 時間 3 分
  • How to Raise Expectations Without Power Struggles in Your Homeschool
    2026/07/09
    In this episode you'll hear about: Defining Success and Challenges in HomeschoolingEncouragement for parents to define "success" for their own familiesRecognition that listeners may be pursuing a nontraditional educational pathParental questions about raising expectations without causing power strugglesSarah Collins's current family homeschooling dynamics (older children graduating or not homeschooled, youngest still at home)Understanding the Roots of Power StrugglesParents balancing desire for independence/responsibility with understanding individual childrenCommon research interests in neurodiversity, learning differences, and diagnosesThe challenge of distinguishing when to support, accept, or expect growthExpectations exceeding the child's current skill setThe child ready for more independence than the parent is comfortable withEnvironment not supporting the child's success (focus on method over needs)Balancing Acceptance and ExpectationImportance of finding a middle ground between acceptance and expectationRisks of having only acceptance or only expectation (limited growth vs. frustration/conflict)First Mismatch: Expectations Ahead of Skills"Is this a skill problem or a will problem?"—reframing perceived defianceDetailed analysis using writing as an example: Potential motor, cognitive, or social-emotional challengesMisinterpretations leading to mislabeling skill deficits as character issues Importance of curiosity and skill identification for productive responsesSecond Mismatch: Independence and OwnershipStruggles when children want more independence than parents givePersonal example: child's new responsibility for a pet snakeParental tendency to take on ownership and responsibility that should belong to childrenMicromanaging vs. micro-noticing; consequences for child developmentThe importance of clear ownership and natural consequencesWhen parents give responsibilities before children are ready (e.g. technology/phones)Power struggles tied to misplaced responsibilityHow assumptions about learning environments create unnecessary struggles (e.g., sitting at desks, taking notes)Son's late literacy development and eventual academic successAsking correct questions: what is the learning outcome versus the method?Flexibility in reading methods—standing, listening, moving while learningMain point: focus on outcomes, adjust methods as neededOccupational Therapy Perspective on Challenging TasksOT's role: breaking down tasks, identifying underlying skill gapsParents are not expected to have all the answers—value of another perspectiveOrigin and ongoing purpose of Homeschool OT coaching and support Links and Resources From Today's Show Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?Connect with Sarah Collins on IGThe Homeschool OT Teachers Pay TeachersJoin The OT Insiders WaitlistCheck Out Our Title Sponsor CTC MathCTC Math Free TrialChores For Skill Builders BlogFace to Face Connections In A Screen To Screen World BookEpisode 8: Beyond the Pencil: Exploring Vision's Impact on Homeschool Handwriting SuccessEpisode 11: Exploring Unique Learning Paths in Homeschooling with Guest Amy Bodkin Episode 17: Neuro Affirming Homeschool Environments with Keisha BerryEpisode 27: Preserving Childhood in a Digital World: Greta Eskridge's Expertise for Families Episode 70: Tackling Homeschool Guilt and Finding Your Own Path with Kelly Edwards Episode 74: Navigating the Teen Years: Building Connection and Independence at Home Episode 81: Understanding Social Pressures and Masking in Kids Episode 86: Balancing Acceptance and Expectation: Building Executive Functioning in Homeschooling and Parenting Episode 88: Making Literacy Feel Natural in Your Everyday Life Thank you to our title sponsor for this episode, CTC Math. You can check out their FREE trial here.
    続きを読む 一部表示
    36 分
  • When Reading and Talking Both Feel Hard for Kids
    2026/06/25
    In today's conversation, we dig into the real scope of speech-language therapy and why it's so much more than articulation drills—especially for homeschool families. We break down how feeding, reading, memory, and even a child's ability to follow instructions are deeply connected to language and brain development. We'll look at how challenges sometimes show up as frustrating behaviors, or why a seemingly "simple" reading delay doesn't always have a simple solution. This matters in homeschool settings because so much of what we do—teaching, supporting, noticing the little shifts in our kids—relies on understanding what's really going on underneath. When we get clearer on how language, sensory input, and cognitive processes all interact, we become better equipped to notice when our child needs extra support and when the right kind of challenge can open new doors. By the end of this episode, you'll have a sharper lens for spotting the early signs that language might need a different kind of help—and more confidence interpreting what you're seeing day-to-day. In this episode you'll hear about: What is Speech Therapy?Public perception: speech therapy as addressing only RsThe broader scope of speech language pathologyTraditional vs. modern speech therapy rolesAreas addressed: feeding/swallowing, infant to end-of-life, picky eating, choking risksVoice quality, professional voice users, resonance issues, cleft palates, hearing impairmentsConnection to the brain: stuttering, cluttering, rhythm disorders, phonological/phonemic awareness, executive functioning, literacyAuditory Processing and Language ComprehensionAuditory processing disorder (APD)—definition and signsHow APD can look like bad behaviorBreakdowns in auditory processing: signal transmission, brain processing of sound, acoustic profileRole of brain in sorting/organizing soundsVisual approaches aiding sound discriminationConnection to dyslexiaDifficulty with sound discrimination and memory in relation to language learningExamples of syntax and organization issues ("word salad")Multisensory Approaches and Sensory IntegrationUsing visual, auditory, and other senses to aid language developmentLinks between feeding skills, play, and language milestonesThe Connection Between Language and LearningHomeschool perspective: when to seek help vs. home interventionReading interventions (Barton, OG), when they're not enough, need for underlying cognitive/linguistic supportSigns that additional intervention is needed beyond curriculumDefining Technical TermsProcessing: definitions and what is meant in language/sound contextLink to handwriting, other learning skills (motor control, processing ideas)Support and Teamwork in HomeschoolingImportance of external support—SLPs as "buddies"Effects of language on other academic areas—math, comprehension Links and Resources From Today's Show Make sure to join our OT INsiders Membership Waitlist HereWhy Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?Connect with Sarah Collins on IGThe Homeschool OT Teachers Pay TeachersConnect With Amanda On IGAmanda's Website Check Out Our Title Sponsor LoveveryLearning RX WebsiteEpisode 2: Decoding Behavior in homeschooling- sensory overwhelm, emotional control, perseveranceEpisode 4: The Evolving Landscape of Homeschool Community SupportEpisode 9: The Impact of Music on Executive Functioning: A Homeschooling PerspectiveEpisode 11: Exploring Unique Learning Paths in Homeschooling with Guest Amy Bodkin Episode 17: Neuro Affirming Homeschool Environments with Keisha Berry Episode 33: Dyslexia Demystified: Marianne Sunderland's Approach and Homeschooling TipsEpisode 34: Hyperlexia Uncovered: Navigating Challenges and Developing StrengthsEpisode 35: Connecting Speech, Phonemic Awareness, and Literacy: Sydney Bessard Explains it All Episode 43: Collaborative Problem-Solving in Education and Parenting Episode 62: 62 Strategies for Enhancing Cognitive Skills in Children Episode 64: Understanding Auditory Processing Disorder: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Support for Families Episode 83: How Working Memory Shapes Literacy: Practical Tips to support the missing link between executive functioning and reading Episode 94: Understanding and Building Working Memory at Home: An OT Perspective Thank you to our title sponsor for this episode, Lovevery. You can check out their products and resources here. Connect With Our Guest, Amanda Owens Amanda Owens, CCC-SLP equips homeschool parents so they can teach their children how to talk clearly and confidently through speech therapy at home. A homeschool graduate and mom, she builds practical tools for parents, teaches how speech therapy works, and supports a growing community of parents.
    続きを読む 一部表示
    43 分
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1
まだレビューはありません