Ideas at Play: An Occupational Therapy (OT) Podcast

Most OTs in early intervention think they're coaching, BUT the research says otherwise. In this episode, we discuss a scoping review on caregiver coaching in early intervention — the five key ingredients, why the model can be hard to do in real life, and five action steps you can take into someone's living room on a Thursday morning. Turns out coaching is a skill, not a vibe. Let's get better at it.We share our own thoughts in the Research Review and encourage you to read the original article too.Seruya, F. M., Feit, E., Tirado, A., Ottomanelli, D., & Celio, M. (2022). Caregiver coaching in early intervention: A scoping review. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 76(4), 7604205070. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2022.049143Williams, C. S., & Sawyer, G. E. (2023). Going beyond "I'm a coach": Adopting a caregiver coaching framework in EI. Young Exceptional Children, 27(1), 3–15. https://doi.org/10.1177/10962506231153660Stay informed, stay curious, and stay playful!✏️  Sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.📧  Email us a question or comment at IdeasAtPlayPodcast@gmail.com👉  Find us on Instagram @ideas.at.play  

Most of us teach zippers the same way—repeat, repeat, repeat—and hope it clicks. But what if there’s a better way? In this episode, we break down a simple, creative approach to teaching zippering skills that combines OT and speech strategies to help kids learn faster. We review a pilot study using storytelling, targeted vocabulary, and a themed zipper vest—and then show you how to apply it in real sessions using child-led language, special interests, and easy take-home supports. If zipper goals feel stuck, this episode will give you a fresh, practical way to move them forward.We share our own thoughts in the Research Review and encourage you to read the original article too.Silverman, F., & Knight, C. (2019). Facilitating zippering skills in preschoolers: An interprofessional pilot study using a pretest–posttest design. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 73(4 Suppl. 1), 7311515317p1. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2019.73S1-PO6026 Stay informed, stay curious, and stay playful!✏️  Sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.📧  Email us a question or comment at IdeasAtPlayPodcast@gmail.com👉  Find us on Instagram @ideas.at.play  

Sensory activity schedules—often called sensory diets—are used every day in school-based therapy, but how strong is the evidence behind them? In this episode, we review a recent systematic review that examined whether sensory activity schedules improve classroom participation for students with sensory processing differences. We unpack what the research found about its effect on school performance and share six practical ingredients therapists can use to build more effective sensory activity schedules. We share our own thoughts in the Research Review and encourage you to read the original article too.Latifi, K., Patterson, K., Rider, J. V., & Lau, C. (2026). Impact of sensory activity schedules on school performance of students with sensory processing differences: A systematic review. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 80(1), 8001185060. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2025.051334Stay informed, stay curious, and stay playful!✏️  Sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.📧  Email us a question or comment at IdeasAtPlayPodcast@gmail.com👉  Find us on Instagram @ideas.at.play  

Evidence-based OT for autism can feel overwhelming—but what if you had a clear menu of strategies to choose from? In this episode, we break down a study that identified 20 treatment components pediatric OTs use with autistic children and organized them into six major categories. Learn how this framework can guide your therapy sessions and strengthen your documentation.We share our own thoughts in the Research Review and encourage you to read the original article too. Crasta, J. E., Martis, J., Kromalic, M., Jarrott, S., Wengerd, L., & Darragh, A. (2024). Characterizing Occupational Therapy Intervention for Children on the Autism Spectrum. The American journal of occupational therapy : official publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association, 78(5), 7805205210. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2024.050734 Stay informed, stay curious, and stay playful!✏️  Sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.📧  Email us a question or comment at IdeasAtPlayPodcast@gmail.com👉  Find us on Instagram @ideas.at.play  

Let’s be honest: even the most playful, passionate OTs/OTAs can hit a wall. Burnout is more than just feeling tired after a long week — it’s a predictable response to specific job demands. In this episode, we unpack what research says actually drives burnout in OT practice — from workload and role ambiguity to the hidden strain of always being “on.” Then we walk through practical, research-based strategies — including job crafting — to help you prevent burnout, buffer growing stress, and recover if you’re already feeling fried. We share our own thoughts in the Research Review and encourage you to read the original article too. Lynner, B., Stoa, R., Fisher, G., Del Pozo, E., & Lizerbram, R. (2025). Feel the burn, heal the burn: Job crafting and burnout among occupational therapy professionals. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 79(1), 7901205080. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2025.050731Additional article: Cohen, C., Pignata, S., Bezak, E., et al. (2023). Workplace interventions to improve well-being and reduce burnout for nurses, physicians and allied healthcare professionals: A systematic review. BMJ Open, 13, e071203. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-071203Stay informed, stay curious, and stay playful!✏️  Sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.📧  Email us a question or comment at IdeasAtPlayPodcast@gmail.com👉  Find us on Instagram @ideas.at.play  

Emotional regulation is often treated as a behavior problem — but what if we’re missing the bigger picture? In this episode, we unpack what emotional regulation really is, why it’s so complex, and how executive function, coping skills, co-regulation, and environmental supports all play a role. We’ll move beyond surface-level strategies and explore what the research actually says about improving regulation in meaningful, sustainable ways. This will shift how you think about “big feelings” — and how to support them with big, evidence-informed strategies.We share our own thoughts in the Research Review and encourage you to read the original article too.  Let us know which emotional regulation tool you want to hear more about next! Restoy, D., Oriol-Escudé, M., Alonzo-Castillo, T., Magán-Maganto, M., Canal-Bedia, R., Díez-Villoria, E., Gisbert-Gustemps, L., Setién-Ramos, I., Martínez-Ramírez, M., Ramos-Quiroga, J. A., & Lugo-Marín, J. (2024). Emotion regulation and emotion dysregulation in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: A meta-analysis of evaluation and intervention studies. Clinical Psychology Review, 109, 102410. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2024.102410Stay informed, stay curious, and stay playful!✏️  Sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.📧  Email us a question or comment at IdeasAtPlayPodcast@gmail.com👉  Find us on Instagram @ideas.at.play  

Why can a child complete every step of dressing… but still put the shirt on backward? In this episode of Ideas at Play, we explore a simple, research-backed occupational therapy strategy that improved clothing orientation using one small visual cue (yes — it involves duct tape). We break down why dressing orientation can be so tricky, how this approach compares to other OT and ABA interventions, and how motor learning can support independence. If backward clothes are a sticking point in your OT sessions, this episode offers a practical, low-cost strategy you can try tomorrow.We share our own thoughts in the Research Review and encourage you to read the original article too. Foster, H. G., Elliott, T.-C. C., & Ayres, K. M. (2023). Using a tag as a stimulus prompt to increase correct dressing orientation. Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 48(4), 203–214. https://doi.org/10.1177/15407969231205849Cahill, S. M., & Beisbier, S. (2020). Occupational therapy practice guidelines for children and youth ages 5–21 years. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 74(4), 7404397010p1–7404397010p48. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2020.744001Stay informed, stay curious, and stay playful!✏️  Sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.📧  Email us a question or comment at IdeasAtPlayPodcast@gmail.com👉  Find us on Instagram @ideas.at.play  

Drumming might not be the first intervention that comes to mind—but the evidence suggests it deserves a closer look for regulation, connection, and mental health for autistic individuals. We unpack what therapeutic drumming actually looks like (spoiler: no musical talent required), why a simple structure matters, and how rhythm can bring motor, sensory, and social skills together in one joyful intervention. If you’re curious about evidence-based strategies that feel meaningful, energizing, and genuinely fun—for both you and your clients—this episode is worth a listen. 🥁We share our own thoughts in the Research Review and encourage you to read the original article too.  Friedman, Z. L., Ochoa, J., Prisco, D., & Seruya, F. M. (2023). Connected rhythm: A scoping review of therapeutic drumming as an intervention for autistic individuals. The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 11(4), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.15453/2168-6408.2133Stay informed, stay curious, and stay playful!✏️  Sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.📧  Email us a question or comment at IdeasAtPlayPodcast@gmail.com👉  Find us on Instagram @ideas.at.play  

Sensory tools are a staple in pediatric OT—but not all of them are doing what we think they are. In this episode, we take a clear-eyed look at the evidence behind sensory-based interventions, from weighted vests and fidgets to caregiver coaching and environmental modifications. Drawing from a recent systematic review, we discuss what actually supports participation, what shows mixed results, and how to make data-driven decisions without losing sight of  day-to-day practice realities. We share our own thoughts in the Research Review and encourage you to read the original article too. Piller, A., McHugh Conlin, J., Glennon, T. J., Andelin, L., Teng, K., & Tarver, T. (2025). Systematic review of sensory-based interventions for children and youth (2015–2024). Frontiers in Pediatrics, 13, 1720179. https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2025.1720179 Get the OT Evidence Checklist mentioned in the episode  here Stay informed, stay curious, and stay playful!✏️  Sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.📧  Email us a question or comment at IdeasAtPlayPodcast@gmail.com👉  Find us on Instagram @ideas.at.play  

Episode 50 is all about YOU! Michele and Lacy tackle the questions that keep pediatric occupational therapists thinking, problem-solving, and sometimes scratching their heads. We dive into recommending OT service minutes with evidence (not guesswork) explore how AI can make your OT life easier while keeping therapy person-centered, and share prep hacks that save time without skimping on quality. Plus, we get real about finding mentorship and continuing education to fit you. It’s practical, honest, and full of those “aha!” moments that keep ideas—and your OT sessions—fresh and fun.Articles/Resources mentioned:Listen to episode 20 with Dr. Iona Novak and learn more about the READ Model in this article.   Novak, I., Te Velde, A., Hines, A., Stanton, E., McNamara, M., Paton, M. C. B., Finch-Edmondson, M., & Morgan, C. (2021). Rehabilitation evidence-based decision-making: The READ model. Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences, 2, 726410. https://doi.org/10.3389/fresc.2021.726410Listen to episode 40 with Dr. Heather Kuhaneck and read about the development of the Classroom Sensory Environment Assessment (C-SEA) at https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2015.019430Thank you to our sponsor OccupationalTherapy.com!  Use the code PLAY25 to support the show and get a free month of continuing education access when you sign up today at our podcast link  https://fas.st/t/Fe79v8vUStay informed, stay curious, and stay playful!✏️  Sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.📧  Email us a question or comment at IdeasAtPlayPodcast@gmail.com👉  Find us on Instagram @ideas.at.play