We’re thrilled to announce the latest episode of Growing OT! This time, we’re talking about aging in place and accessibility with Margot McWhirter, an inspiring OT with over 30 years of experience in gerontology and home modifications. 🌿🏠

Margot shares her insights on creating accessible environments, fighting ageism, and the importance of designing homes that support older adults in thriving where they live. Whether you’re an OT, caregiver, or interested in inclusive design, this episode is packed with valuable knowledge and heartwarming stories.

In this episode of "Growing OT," host Wilmari Myburgh engages with Kimberly Bitz, an occupational therapist committed to improving mental health and addiction practices. Kimberly shares her professional journey, starting in various settings in Weyburn, and evolving into her dream role with the Community Recovery Team, focusing on acute mental health and addictions. She passionately advocates for harm reduction, challenging the abstinence-based models prevalent in healthcare.

Kimberly discusses her research, particularly her dissertation on advancing Canadian occupational therapy practices for harm reduction among women who consume alcohol. The conversation delves into the challenges and nuances of addressing substance use, misuse, and addiction through an occupational therapy lens, emphasizing the importance of meeting clients where they are and reducing stigma.

The episode also explores the impact of Canada's new low-risk drinking guidelines, societal biases, and the necessity of a trauma-informed, client-centered approach in healthcare. Kimberly underscores the significance of community engagement and social prescribing in her practice, advocating for a holistic approach to care. She concludes by highlighting the importance of continued learning, professional development, and advocacy to improve client outcomes in mental health and addiction services.

Welcome to another episode of Growing OT! Today, we have an incredibly insightful guest, Kelly Mahler, joining us to delve into the fascinating world of interoception. In this episode, we're going to uncover the journey of interoception, unlocking its immense power, and navigating the intricate assessment puzzle.

We'll also explore the importance of language in bridging the gap between occupational therapy and interoception, and discover how interoception is the foundation of self-regulation. Kelly will share her expertise on empowering families to embark on this interoceptive journey and how to nurture awareness through fun daily routines.

You won't want to miss this episode! Stick around as we wrap up with some delightful and creative expressions clients have used to describe their sensations during interoception exercises.

Join host Wilmari Myburgh and occupational therapist Jayme Inkpen as they discuss dysphagia assessment and management.

In this episode, Jayme explains how she became interested in dysphagia therapy and developed her skills through mentorships. She gives an overview of her role as a dysphagia therapist and the importance of an interdisciplinary approach. Jayme discusses common populations seen and problems encountered, along with details on comprehensive assessments. She covers addressing dysphagia by understanding patient goals and values.

Jayme talks about developing documentation policies and procedures within her healthcare system. She provides recommendations for therapists to continue learning about dysphagia through mentorships, research reviews, and online communities. Jayme stresses the importance of critical thinking when reading research articles.

At the end, Wilmari and Jayme discuss some fun questions about favorite foods. Tune in to learn more about dysphagia therapy in occupational therapy practice!

Join host Wilmari Myburgh and Dr. Kay Toomey, a feeding therapist and the founder of the SOS Approach to Feeding, as they discuss the complexity of eating and the causes of feeding problems.

In this episode, Dr. Toomey explains how cognitive shifts can contribute to problem feeding and when picky eating becomes a problem. She gives an overview of the Sensory-Oral-Sequential approach to feeding and explains the myths of eating. Dr. Toomey discusses the best first approach to feeding therapy and how to attend an SOS Training Conference. She also provides resources for listeners to connect with her and learn more about the SOS Approach to Feeding.

At the end of the episode, Wilmari and Dr. Toomey have some fun with a rapid fire question segment. Tune in to learn more about the complexity of eating and the SOS Approach to Feeding!

Jump through this episode using our timestamped chapters:

[00:00:02] Start
[00:00:29] An Introduction to Dr. Toomey and How She Got Involved in Feeding Therapy
[00:08:21] The Complexity of Eating: Understanding the Causes of Feeding Problems
[00:16:30] Cognitive Shifts and Picky Eating: When Does Picky Eating Become Problem Feeding?
[00:34:33] Exploring the Sensory-Oral-Sequential Approach to Feeding
[00:42:17] Tenets of the SOS Approach: Understanding the Myths of Eating
[00:49:47] Systematic Desensitization: The Best First Approach
[00:54:51] Attending an SOS Training Conference: The Foundation for Feeding Therapy
[00:59:18] Connecting with Dr. Toomey: Finding Resources on the SOS Approach to Feeding Website
[01:01:18] Fun Rapid Fire Questions

In this episode, we're going to dive into what's important about executive functioning and why this is an area that we as OTs need to learn more about. We're very fortunate today to have the opportunity to have a conversation with Dr. Peg Dawson. She has over 40 years of experience as a psychologist in clinical practice and has worked with thousands of children and teens who struggle at home and in school. 

She and her colleague, Dr. Richard Guare, have written numerous books about executive skills, some of which you'll recognize as Smart But Scattered and Smart But Scattered Teens.

Dr. Dawson is also a recipient of the National Association of School Psychologist's Lifetime Achievement Award.

You can learn more about Dr. Dawson at smartbutscatteredkids.com.

Jump through this episode using our timestamped chapters: 

(00:00) Welcome Remarks

(00:30) Introducing Dr. Peg Dawson

(01:19) Peg's background and journey

(04:15) Leaders in the field of executive skills

(05:17) Brief assessment

(07:19) What executive functioning is and why it's so important

(10:20) Are there certain skills that kids or adults usually have greater issues with than others?

(13:34) Goal setting for children

(16:58) Goal setting in adults

(18:40) How to approach task initiation in adults

(20:58) Learning disorders and executive skills

(23:13) The challenge with using standardize test for measuing executive skills

(26:29) Recommendations for OTs specifically to learn more about executive skills

(28:00) How occupational therapy can help support excecutive skills

(29:43) Upcoming research in the area of executive skills

(31:50) Connecting with Dr. Peg Dawson

(32:28) About the SAOT workshops

(37:08) Rapid fire questions

Welcome to the Growing OT Podcast by the Society of Alberta Occupational Therapists (SAOT).