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Growing Strong Roots: an Occupational Therapist’s Perspective on Parenting, Self-Regulation, and Resilience
By Lee-Anne Bloom, MS, OTR/L; Oak Bloom OTHealth & FitnessMental HealthEducationSelf-ImprovementParentingKids & Family
Growing Strong Roots: an Occupational Therapist’s Perspective on Parenting, Self-Regulation, and Resilience episodes
- Permissive Parenting
Permissive parenting often comes from a place of love, but what happens when warmth comes without enough structure or follow-through? In this episode of Growing Strong Roots, occupational therapist Lee-Anne Bloom and parenting partner Tom Guiney unpack the research behind parenting styles and explore why permissive parenting can unintentionally fuel anxiety, dysregulation, and dependence, especially for neurodivergent kids. Through real-life examples and occupational therapy strategies, they discuss the difference between control and structure, why consistency matters, and how parents can hold boundaries without losing compassion. You’ll hear practical tools for managing meltdowns, scaffolding independence, and avoiding reinforcement of unwanted behaviors. This conversation is a grounded look at how loving limits and predictable routines help children build resilience, self-regulation, and confidence over time.
Linked research studies:
- Baumrind, D. (1966). *Effects of Authoritative Parental Control on Child Behavior*
Child Development, 37(4), 887–907.- Baumrind, D. (1967). *Child Care Practices Anteceding Three Patterns of Preschool Behavior*
Genetic Psychology Monographs, 75, 43–88.- Darling, N., & Steinberg, L. (1993). *Parenting Style as Context: An Integrative Model*
Psychological Bulletin, 113(3), 487–496.- Steinberg, L. (2001). *We Know Some Things: Parent–Adolescent Relationships in Retrospect and Prospect*
Journal of Research on Adolescence, 11(1), 1–19.- Kuppens, S., & Ceulemans, E. (2018). *Parenting Styles: A Closer Look at a Well-Known Concept*
Journal of Child and Family Studies, 28, 168–181.- Garcia, F., Serra, E., Garcia, O., Martinez, I., & Cruise, E. (2019). *A Third Emerging Stage for the Current Digital Society? Optimal Parenting Styles in Spain, the United States, Germany, and Brazil*
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.- Kim, S., Wang, Y., Orozco-Lapray, D., Shen, Y., & Murtuza, M. (2013). *Does “Tiger Parenting” Exist? Parenting Profiles of Chinese Americans and Adolescent Developmental Outcomes*
37 min - Baumrind, D. (1966). *Effects of Authoritative Parental Control on Child Behavior*
- Expert Perspectives on Autism Prevalence and Twice Exceptional AbilityDr. Lisa Hancock on Autism Spectrum Disorder, Twice Exceptionality, and Advocacy in SchoolsDr. Lisa Hancock, a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in neuropsychological assessment and therapy, with expertise in ADHD, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), dyslexia, anxiety, mood disorders, independent educational evaluations, and IEP/academic accommodations, especially for twice-exceptional and gifted individuals. Hancock explains her path from securities trading to psychology through advocacy for her four children’s varied needs, mentorship from Dr. Linda Silverman, and joining Summit Center with Dr. Dan Peters. She describes DSM-5’s 2013 shift combining autism and Asperger’s into ASD, and how traditional (male-based) criteria can miss females who may camouflage and have less “unusual” special interests. The discussion covers genetics, COVID-era changes affecting masking, workplace/school inclusivity and accommodations, barriers to school recognition of “functional impact” beyond grades, and how ASD often co-occurs with learning differences, processing issues, anxiety, and depression, supporting earlier identification and resources.00:00 Meet Dr. Lisa Hancock02:05 Career Pivot Story04:14 Summit Center Connection06:14 Why Autism Seems Rising07:51 DSM Five Changes10:28 Girls Women Presentation of ASD12:58 Genetics And Family Patterns14:06 Masking18:13 Inclusive Accommodations21:33 Advocating In Schools27:46 Early Diagnosis And Comorbidities32:01 Neurodiversity Future View35:15 Closing And Next Steps36 min
- 6 min
- Parenting with Guardrails and Attunement: Raising Kids in the Digital Age
In this episode, occupational therapist Lee-Anne Bloom speaks with educator and digital readiness consultant Betty Ray about raising children in today’s complex digital world. Together they explore how technology shapes emotional regulation, identity development, and family relationships, especially for neurodivergent children. The conversation introduces the concept of parenting with both guardrails and attunement, balancing connection, safety, and growing independence. Parents will learn practical strategies for navigating screen use, supporting healthy digital habits, recognizing warning signs, and scaffolding responsibility as children mature in an increasingly online environment.
Timestamps00:00 Introduction and guest welcome
00:10 Betty Ray’s background and digital readiness work00:40 Why digital parenting is a timely topic01:31 Competing with screens in modern parenting01:53 Big picture question: what feels different today02:19 Technology designed to capture attention03:17 Devices moving from shared spaces to private pockets03:54 Screens and emotional regulation challenges04:50 Limits, conflict, and identity development online05:49 Belonging, agency, and purpose in digital spaces06:13 Benefits and risks of online identity formation07:06 Positive communities versus harmful influences08:11 Example of harmful online solidarity and self-harm09:06 Helping kids reflect on friendships and choices10:02 Parenting through relationship first10:18 Guardrails and attunement framework10:56 Parent self-regulation as the foundation11:18 Power struggles and secrecy around screens12:17 Parenting differently from previous generations13:07 Privacy, monitoring, and parental discomfort13:17 Building trust through relational connection13:25 Using reflective questions as guardrails14:27 Encouraging self-reflection and critical thinking15:52 Escalating boundaries when safety concerns grow17:02 Gradual developmental scaffolding17:41 Recognizing warning signs in kids18:18 Maintaining communication during adolescence19:33 The reality of daily screen exposure20:32 Parenting reactions to harmful online content21:37 Emotional responses and regulating yourself first22:19 Advocacy and responsibility of tech companies23:10 Responding with attunement instead of shame24:08 Talking openly about difficult online content25:18 Partnering with kids instead of opposing them26:03 Teaching body awareness and internal signals27:03 Limits of parental controls and collaboration28:03 Developmental stages of digital independence28:52 Safety first for younger children29:07 Building trust and gradual freedom29:38 Agency, responsibility, and real-world skills30:55 Service and values as the final developmental stage31:17 Building resilience and independence offline31:37 Occupational therapy perspective on independence32:21 Opportunity cost of excessive screen time45 min - Failing Well, Growing Stronger Together
In this episode, I share a heartfelt reflection on failure and why failing well is essential for growth in both children and adults. I talk about how setbacks are not a reflection of our worth, but signals pointing us toward areas that need strengthening. Using my own experience of not getting into graduate school on the first try, I walk through how reflection, feedback, and perseverance turned failure into forward momentum. We explore why it is especially important for parents and caregivers to model failure openly, rather than hiding it. I also discuss how perfectionism and fear of failure show up in bright, high-achieving kids. The episode closes with an invitation to reflect, share, and grow together through setbacks.
Timestamps
[00:00] Why failure matters for human development[00:27] Reframing setbacks as information, not inadequacy[00:47] Learning from past failures[01:06] Personal story: not getting into grad school[01:43] Sitting with disappointment and making a plan[02:18] Identifying gaps and rebuilding stronger[02:45] Perseverance and failing well[03:22] Modeling failure for children[03:43] Perfectionism, pressure, and fear of failing[04:09] Reflection as a tool for growth[04:16] Invitation to share experiences and connect5 min - Supporting Sensitive Children: OT Strategies
Join Lee-Anne Bloom, owner of Oak Bloom OT in Oakland, California, as she shares practical occupational therapy strategies for supporting highly sensitive children. Drawing from both professional expertise and personal experience as a parent, Lee-Anne addresses the challenges families face when raising children who experience intense emotional reactions to developmentally appropriate tasks.
In this episode, Lee-Anne explores:
- Understanding sensory sensitivities and why children become overwhelmed
- Breaking down occupational barriers that prevent children from participating in everyday activities
- Teaching self-advocacy and communication techniques for sensitive kids
- Creating adaptations for classroom and social situations
- Using gradual exposure methods to help children engage with challenging stimuli
Whether you're a parent, educator, or professional working with sensitive children, this episode offers compassionate, evidence-based guidance for helping kids navigate their sensitivities while building coping skills and resilience.
6 min - Has Gentle parenting gone too far?
This episode is an honest, unscripted conversation about gentle parenting and where it may have gone too far. Drawing from my experience as a parent and occupational therapist, we explore how cultural overcorrection has shifted parenting toward over-validation and emotional mediation. We discuss when gentle parenting can be supportive and when it may undermine independence, resilience, and long-term outcomes. Real clinical examples highlight downstream effects like anxiety, dependency, and difficulty functioning outside the home. We also talk through practical alternatives that balance empathy with firm boundaries. Ultimately, this episode centers on raising capable, independent kids who can grow into healthy adults.
Timestamps
[00:00] Gentle parenting as overcorrection[00:41] Episode format and conversation setup[01:00] Parenting perspective and lived experience[01:27] Defining gentle parenting[02:18] Cultural shifts and discipline backlash[03:19] Entitlement and overvalidation concerns[04:02] When gentle parenting works vs fails[05:16] Preparing kids for environments beyond home[06:33] Dependency, control, and separation challenges[07:26] Clinical case example: sleep dependency[08:22] Role of parent coaching in OT[09:18] Risks of total emotional mediation[10:12] Neurodivergence and regulation challenges[11:29] Concrete examples: bedtime and routines[12:30] Tracking behavior and gathering data[13:07] Ferber chair method and prompt fading[15:20] Progress, sleep gains, and family relief[16:40] Sustainability and long-term independence[17:06] Parenting culture and power dynamics[18:34] Ceding power and “child ruling the roost”[19:02] Hierarchy, boundaries, and learning to cope[20:14] Seeing kids as younger than they are[21:41] Raising expectations and capability[22:47] Ease vs growth for parents[24:32] Why this podcast exists[25:06] Needs vs wants and developmental growth[26:12] Finding the middle ground[27:05] Non-negotiables and parental bandwidth[27:57] Accountability and parent coaching[28:43] Predictable, consistent consequences[29:27] Holding boundaries and agreements[30:28] Long-term outcomes into adulthood[31:49] Independence as the goal[32:11] OT’s role across the lifespan33 min - Can OT help my child?
When a child is struggling with daily life skills, self-regulation, sensory challenges, or independence, Occupational therapy is often one of the best places to start. In this episode of Growing Strong Roots, Lee-Anne Bloom explains what OT truly is at its core: helping people participate more fully in the occupations that matter most in everyday life. She breaks down how occupational therapy supports development, why mismatched expectations can create barriers for children, and how parents can better understand what is age-appropriate. You’ll hear real-life examples of how OT empowers children toward independence while guiding families with practical strategies. Leanne also clarifies the three main practice settings in pediatric OT: medical, school-based, and private practice. This episode will help you understand when OT may be the right support for your child and what steps to take next.
[00:00:00] Areas of occupation and OT’s role in child development
[00:00:30] What occupational therapy really means at its core[00:00:52] Removing barriers to participation in daily life[00:01:19] Individualized therapy through real-life activities[00:01:42] Developmental timelines and pediatric OT focus[00:02:02] Supporting children who struggle with milestones[00:02:24] Holistic care in private practice OT[00:02:44] Mismatch between expectations and a child’s abilities[00:03:12] How helping too much can limit independence[00:03:41] Underestimating ability versus expecting too much[00:04:08] Example: shoe routines and building self-help skills[00:04:35] Parent-child dynamics and effort differences[00:04:56] Empowering independence through daily tasks[00:05:24] Letting kids do hard things and avoiding dependence[00:05:50] Observation as a key tool for understanding struggles[00:06:16] Example: wiping independence and motivation[00:06:57] Coaching parents to step back during routines[00:07:25] High expectations and ADHD-related challenges[00:07:48] Identifying where a child gets stuck in tasks[00:08:09] Practical adaptations: breaking tasks down, timers, rewards[00:08:39] OT guidance for problem-solving and regulation[00:09:02] Practice area 1: medically based occupational therapy[00:09:22] Practice area 2: school-based OT and curriculum access[00:09:45] Understanding IEP eligibility and OT services[00:10:27] School OT focus: handwriting, regulation, classroom skills[00:10:47] Limits of school OT versus home-based needs[00:11:12] When challenges fall outside the school setting[00:11:33] Combining supports across medical and private contexts[00:11:58] Practice area 3: private practice OT and family routines[00:12:23] Support without diagnosis and “gray area kids”[00:12:45] ADHD, autism, and kids who don’t qualify but still struggle[00:13:11] Sensory processing and self-regulation challenges[00:13:35] OT’s mission: helping children thrive in meaningful life roles[00:13:57] Choosing the right support path: school, medical, or private OT[00:14:23] Next steps: referrals, IEPs, and combined approaches[00:14:52] Closing thoughts and invitation to subscribe16 min - Should I seek a diagnosis for behavioral challenges?In this episode of Growing Strong Roots, occupational therapist Lee-Anne Bloom discusses the common parent question: should I pursue a diagnosis for my child? She explains how occupational therapy looks at a child’s daily occupations, including routines, emotional regulation, and participation at home and school. Lee-Anne explores how challenges with tasks, relationships, or self-management may signal a need for additional support. She also walks through factors that influence whether a diagnosis is helpful, such as access to school services or insurance coverage. Ultimately, diagnosis is only one path, and families can seek skill-building and support even without one. The goal is helping children and caregivers thrive with the tools they need.
Watch on YouTube
Timestamps
00:00:00 Introduction to podcast00:00:27 Purpose and mission00:00:50 Growing stronger together00:00:59 Asking if a diagnosis is needed01:01:02 Defining occupation in OT01:01:17 Why parents seek OT01:01:35 Challenges as signs of underlying needs01:02:01 When diagnosis may be considered01:02:28 Factors influencing the decision01:02:44 Matching support to a child’s needs01:03:02 Considering school feedback01:03:23 Challenges at home and routines01:03:45 Insurance and financial considerations01:04:09 OT support without a diagnosis01:04:30 OT also supports parents01:04:48 Reframing the diagnosis question01:04:55 Encouragement for next stepsQuestions? Comments? Suggestions for future episodes? Want to book me for a parenting or development consultation? Contact us at https://www.oakbloomot.com/contact. Please leave a comment here as well! Thanks for listening.
6 min - What’s in my backpack? Everyday self-regulation and self-care tools, an occupational therapist's persepctive
In this episode of Growing Strong Roots, occupational therapist Lee-Anne Bloom walks through “What’s in My OT Backpack” and shares the sensory, emotional, and practical tools she carries every day to stay regulated and prepared for dealing with challenging kids. She explains how each tool supports self-regulation, resilience, independence, and sensory needs, and how families can teach children to build their own toolkits for daily self-management.
Watch on YouTube
Timestamps
[00:00:00] Podcast introduction and mission[00:00:27] Helping children grow resilient with science-based support[00:01:01] Introducing “What’s in My OT Backpack”[00:01:28] Why carrying tools builds independence and executive skills[00:02:14] Sensory tools are individualized and support regulation[00:02:39] Touch and smell tools: lotion and grounding scents[00:03:10] Therapeutic benefits of lotion as simple self-care[00:03:38] Peppermint balm for calming and stimulation[00:04:05] Oral tools and taste as regulation strategies[00:04:37] Chewing, flavor, and regulating through the mouth[00:05:10] Ginger chews and tea for anxiety and stomach regulation[00:05:33] Keeping snacks and quick energy tools for busy days[00:05:57] Caffeinated endurance gels for sustained adult focus[00:06:20] Creatine gummies inspired by evidence-based wellness podcasts[00:06:40] Water and electrolytes for hydration and sensory balance[00:07:02] Tactile regulation: hairbrush, clips, and staying warm[00:07:23] Temperature awareness as a sign of dysregulation[00:07:56] Managing visual overwhelm with hats and sunglasses[00:08:25] Personal care essentials for comfort and readiness[00:08:49] Noise regulation: AirPods, music, and silence[00:09:15] Earplugs, sound protection, and performance needs[00:09:46] Practical items: cards, medication, pens, preparedness[00:10:11] Self-regulation and self-care tools woven into daily life[00:10:39] Periodically cleaning out the backpack[00:11:00] Backpack weight guidelines and ergonomic considerations[00:11:22] How a backpack should fit to protect the body[00:11:45] Checking posture and strap positioning[00:12:12] Using a hip pack for quick and ergonomic access[00:12:33] Final thoughts and invitation to share what’s in your bag13 min
About Growing Strong Roots: an Occupational Therapist’s Perspective on Parenting, Self-Regulation, and Resilience
From the publisher's feed
As a mom, owner and Occupational Therapist at Oak Bloom OT working with families for many years, I've seen firsthand how overwhelming it can be to raise sturdy children. My goal is to share…
science-based strategies, real-life stories and resources that can help you nourish those roots so that you and the children in your life can grow stronger, sturdier, and more resilient.