In this episode, we're discussing the world of early intervention with our special guest, Allison Carter, a seasoned occupational therapist with over two decades of experience. Allison provides insightful strategies for maintaining routines and supporting sensory needs during the chaotic December holiday season, ensuring our children are set up for success.

We'll discuss the unique challenges faced by homeschool families when accessing occupational therapy services and offer practical advice on navigating these obstacles. Plus, Allison shares her extensive background in working with infants and toddlers, and her steadfast dedication to early intervention.

Curious if OT could help your child's struggles?  Download Why Choose OT to find out! 

In this episode you'll hear about:

• An Overview of Early Intervention
• Qualification: Diagnosis or a half-age delay in development
• Scope of OT's Role: Customized to family needs, strategies for feeding, motor, language, etc.
• Environment Impact: Homeschools are unique, similar to early intervention
• Comfort and Familiarity: Working in the child's own environment
• Family Goals: Aligning professional expertise with family desires
• Program Eligibility and State Differences for Early Intervention
• Standardized Tests: Fine motor, gross motor, social-emotional, speech and language, cognitive
• State Requirements: Differences in qualification criteria (e.g., Maryland's 25% vs. Missouri's half-age delay)
• Diagnosis-based Eligibility: Automatic qualification for certain diagnosed conditions
• Referral and Enrollment in Early Intervention Programs
• Self-Referral: Parents can call directly
• Hospital Referrals: Children's hospitals informing parents
• Pediatrician Awareness: Variable knowledge among local pediatricians
• Homeschool Community and Occupational Therapy
• Challenges: Homeschool community's distrust or lack of awareness about OT
• Communication Barriers: Difficulty in accessing homeschool groups or co-ops
• Mutual Understanding: Overcoming biases on both sides to find alignment
• Tools and Resources
• Interviewing OTs: Guidelines for ensuring compatibility between OTs and homeschool families
• Homeschool OTs Listing: A guide for OTs to join and parents to find appropriate professionals
• Changes in Routine During December
• Predictability and Familiarity: Importance for comfort, especially for sensory needs
• Emotional Responses: Excitement, distraction, overwhelm
• Real-Life Parallel: Comparing to the experience of starting a new job
• Strategies for Managing Changes
• Predictability: Making situations predictable and familiar objects
• Practicing Strategies: Calming techniques and breathing exercises at home
• Early Signs: Observing for signs of overstimulation or overwhelm
• Decompression: Taking breaks to calm down if needed

Links and Resources From Today's Show

• Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?
• Where to Get OT: A Guide to Different OT Service Providers
• Working with Homeschool Families, Course for OTs from Homeschool OT
• What is occupational therapy?
• The Best Places to Find OT Services for Homeschool Families
• Episode 1- Unveiling the Role of OT in Homeschooling
• Episode 3- What to expect in an OT clinic
• Allison Carter's website
• Amazing Milestones Podcast 
• Play With Your Food: How to Get Your Toddler to Eat by Allison Carter

Connect with our Guest, Allison Carter

Allison Carter is an Occupational Therapist working in Early Intervention and Private Practice in the home and community settings. She is also the host of the Milestones Pod

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