Ideas at Play: An Occupational Therapy (OT) Podcast

Tired of Googling for interventions that actually work? We dive into the mother of all systematic reviews covering 129 studies and 52 occupational therapy interventions across nine decades of pediatric OT research. Discover which interventions landed in the green zone (do these!), which fell into the red (avoid!), and why parent collaboration and occupation-based approaches consistently outperform bottom-up methods. Michele and Lacy discuss this evidence-based, color-coded roadmap that you can apply in your therapy sessions tomorrow. Plus they answer a listener question about the differences between sensory integration, sensory processing, sensory stimulation, and sensory desensitization  We share our own thoughts in the Research Review and encourage you to read the article too.Novak, I., & Honan, I. (2019). Effectiveness of paediatric occupational therapy for children with disabilities: A systematic review. Australian occupational therapy journal, 66(3), 258-273.KEYWORDS - Occupational therapy; OT; evidence based practice; OT ideas; Peds OT; pediatric occupational therapy; intervention; systematic reviewStay informed, stay curious, and stay playful! Email us at IdeasAtPlayPodcast@gmail.com Find us on Instagram @ideas.at.play

Could better sleep for autistic children be as simple as shooting some hoops? In this episode, occupational therapists, Michele Alaniz and Lacy Wright, dive into fascinating research showing how a structured basketball intervention significantly improves sleep quality and executive function in children with autism. Learn how this intervention increases melatonin and boosts BDNF, enhancing neuroplasticity while being incredibly fun. Perfect for OT practitioners looking for innovative, effective approaches that can be implemented in clinics, schools, or home settings. Game-changing therapy doesn't get more playful than this!We share our own thoughts in the Research Review and encourage you to read the article too.Tse, C. Y. A., Lee, H. P., Chan, K. S. K., Edgar, V. B., Wilkinson-Smith, A., & Lai, W. H. E. (2019). Examining the impact of physical activity on sleep quality and executive functions in children with autism spectrum disorder: A randomized controlled trial. Autism : the international journal of research and practice, 23(7), 1699–1710. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361318823910KEYWORDS: Occupational therapy; OT; evidence based practice; OT ideas; Peds OT; pediatric occupational therapy; executive function; sleep improvement; basketball therapy; autism intervention; inclusive sports; OT in actionStay informed, stay curious, and stay playful! Email us at IdeasAtPlayPodcast@gmail.com Find us on Instagram @ideas.at.play

Up to 10% of children have difficulty with handwriting, yet only 12% of teachers feel adequately trained to teach it. This week, we break down the six evidence-based principles (plus one essential bonus) that should guide all handwriting instruction and occupational therapy intervention. We examine why focusing on the occupation of writing outperforms a sensory-motor approach, how immediate feedback accelerates progress, and why explicit instruction matters so much. Plus, get a glimpse into how AI technologies like Kaligo and Psymark are revolutionizing how OTs, teachers, and families can collaborate to support children's handwriting development in the digital age.We share our own thoughts in the Research Review and encourage you to read the article too. Bonneton-Botté, N., Miramand, L., Bailly, R., & Pons, C. (2023). Teaching and Rehabilitation of Handwriting for Children in the Digital Age: Issues and Challenges. Children, 10(7), 1096. https://doi.org/10.3390/children10071096The article comes from this special issue on motor learning, handwriting, and dysgraphia. Check it out!  https://www.mdpi.com/journal/children/special_issues/9F3723N2SM  KEYWORDS: Occupational therapy; OT; evidence based practice; OT ideas; Peds OT; pediatric occupational therapy; school based; handwriting; writing; penmanship; dysgraphiaStay informed, stay curious, and stay playful! Email us at IdeasAtPlayPodcast@gmail.com Find us on Instagram @ideas.at.play

What happens when a child isn't able eat? In this milestone 10th episode, Michele and Lacy explore the complex world of pediatric occupational therapy and feeding with medically fragile children and our guest, Yovana Harris, BA, COTA/L.  She shares both "Nailed It" and "Failed It" experiences, explains her “just give them the food” feeding philosophy, and gives a shout-out to her favorite OT feeding resources. Learn why building trust with parents becomes the foundation for effective OT intervention and how finding moments of joy at mealtime can be life-changing, even when full oral feeding isn't always possible. With remarkable candor, she discusses her journey supporting families through their most vulnerable times while also taking care of herself to avoid burnout. This episode provides valuable insights for any pediatric occupational therapist working with families through feeding challenges or with medically fragile children.KEYWORDS: Occupational therapy; OT; evidence based practice; OT ideas; peds OT; pediatric occupational therapy; feeding; eating; medically fragileStay informed, stay curious, and stay playful! Email us at IdeasAtPlayPodcast@gmail.com Find us on Instagram @ideas.at.play

Ever wonder how virtual reality could change your pediatric occupational therapy practice? Michele and Lacy dive into a randomized control trial where VR helped kids with brain injuries make progress in just four weeks of OT intervention! Hear about 3 game-changing elements occupational therapists can implement: instant feedback, kids actually wanting to do more repetitions in therapy, and automatic adjustments for that perfect "just right challenge" every OT strives for. No fancy equipment? No problem - these main ideas work in many OT settings. You'll also hear about a creative occupational therapy "Nailed It!" moment where a high schooler went from frustrating handwriting goals to playing guitar with adaptive equipment!We share our own thoughts in the Research Review and encourage you to read the article too.Choi, J. Y., Yi, S. H., Ao, L., Tang, X., Xu, X., Shim, D., Yoo, B., Park, E. S., & Rha, D. W. (2021). Virtual reality rehabilitation in children with brain injury: a randomized controlled trial. Developmental medicine and child neurology, 63(4), 480–487. https://doi.org/10.1111/dmcn.14762KEYWORDS: Occupational therapy; OT; evidence based practice; OT ideas; Peds OT; pediatric occupational therapy; virtual reality; brain injury; cerebral palsy; CPStay informed, stay curious, and stay playful! Email us at IdeasAtPlayPodcast@gmail.com Find us on Instagram @ideas.at.play

Did you know that up to 16% of children have sensory processing challenges that impact their daily lives? In this evidence-packed episode, pediatric occupational therapists Michele and Lacy break down a groundbreaking randomized control trial from Brazil on Ayres Sensory Integration (ASI) that every peds OT needs to know about. Discover three practical tools that will transform your OT practice: data-driven decision making, the ASI fidelity measure, and goal attainment scaling. Plus, find out why golden retrievers and toddlers don't always mix in therapy sessions!We share our own thoughts in the Research Review and encourage you to read the article too.Omairi, C., Mailloux, Z., Antoniuk, S. A., & Schaaf, R. (2022). Occupational therapy using Ayres Sensory Integration®: A randomized controlled trial in Brazil. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 76(4).KEYWORDS: Occupational therapy; OT; evidence based practice; OT ideas; Peds OT; pediatric occupational therapy; sensory integration; ASIStay informed, stay curious, and stay playful! Email us at IdeasAtPlayPodcast@gmail.com Find us on Instagram @ideas.at.play

Forget everything you thought you knew about toilet training—this evidence-based pediatric occupational therapy approach is changing the game. In this episode, we dive into a hybrid telehealth intervention that transformed toilet training success rates through occupation-based coaching strategies that every peds OT should know. Learn the 4-step  framework that empowers parents to become the experts in their child's potty training journey, showing significant improvement in just 12 weeks! We'll break down practical occupational therapy ideas that therapists are using to guide families through this challenging milestone and reveal which resources parents actually use (spoiler: it's not the handouts!). Whether you're an OT in early intervention or an outpatient setting, this episode delivers evidence-based pediatric occupational therapy solutions that respect each family's unique dynamics.We share our own thoughts in the Research Review and encourage you to read the article too. Little, L. M., Wallisch, A., Dunn, W., & Tomchek, S. (2023). A Telehealth Delivered Toilet Training Intervention for Children with Autism. OTJR : occupation, participation and health, 43(3), 390–398. https://doi.org/10.1177/15394492231159903KEYWORDS: Occupational therapy; evidence based practice; OT ideas; Peds OT; pediatric occupational therapy; telehealth; toilet training; autismStay informed, stay curious, and stay playful! Email us at IdeasAtPlayPodcast@gmail.com Find us on Instagram @ideas.at.play

Struggling OT Fieldwork students? The shocking truth is that occupational therapy knowledge isn't what makes or breaks fieldwork success—it's professional behaviors! Join pediatric occupational therapists, Michele and Lacy, as they unpack evidence-based strategies for fieldwork in this must-listen episode. From communication skills to time management, discover the essential professional behaviors that make or break fieldwork experiences and learn practical tools that transform OT education. Whether you're a peds OT seeking fresh ideas, a fieldwork educator, or a student preparing for practice, this episode delivers actionable insights to ensure fieldwork success.We share our own thoughts in the Research Review and encourage you to read the article too. Hackenberg, G. R., & Toth-Cohen, S. (2018). Professional Behaviors and Fieldwork: A Curriculum Based Model in Occupational Therapy. Journal of Occupational Therapy Education, 2 (2). https://doi.org/ 10.26681/jote.2018.020203  KEYWORDS: Occupational therapy; evidence-based practice; OT ideas; Peds OT; pediatric occupational therapy; fieldwork; professional behaviors: sensory integrationStay informed, stay curious, and stay playful! Email us at IdeasAtPlayPodcast@gmail.com Find us on Instagram @ideas.at.play

Overwhelmed by your school-based OT caseload? Join Drs. Michele Alaniz and Lacy Wright as they discuss three decades of research into actionable, tiered interventions that deliver measurable results. Learn why the most successful school-based OTs are shifting from traditional pull-out services to classroom-embedded support, dramatically reducing waitlists while expanding their influence. This episode unpacks game-changing approaches at every tier with concrete, research-supported strategies, specific intervention dosage guidelines, and methods to convert teachers into enthusiastic collaborators. We share our own thoughts in the Research Review and encourage you to read the article too.Lynch, H., Moore, A., O’Connor, D., & Boyle, B. (2023). Evidence for implementing tiered approaches in school-based occupational therapy in elementary schools: A scoping review. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 77(1), 7701205110. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2023.050027Keywords: Occupational therapy; OT; evidence based practice; OT ideas; Peds OT; pediatric occupational therapy; school-based; workload; tiered interventionStay informed, stay curious, and stay playful! Email us at IdeasAtPlayPodcast@gmail.com Find us on Instagram @ideas.at.play

Think a messy backpack or desk is just carelessness? We don’t think so. This episode cracks open the complex world of executive function in school, showing therapists how the Weekly Calendar Planning Activity assessment can unlock insights into how adolescents may be struggling to think, plan, organize, and navigate their world. Plus - Lacy and Michele answer a listener's question, exposing a sensory-based myth found on Instagram.We share our own thoughts in the Research Review and encourage you to read the article too.Tamm, L., Hamik, E. M., Zoromski, A. K., & Duncan, A. (2024). Use of the Weekly Calendar Planning Activity to assess executive function in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 78, 7801205040. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2024.050295 Keywords: Occupational therapy; OT; evidence based practice; OT ideas; Peds OT; pediatric occupational therapy; executive function; assessment; autismStay informed, stay curious, and stay playful! Email us at IdeasAtPlayPodcast@gmail.com Find us on Instagram @ideas.at.play