Helene Polatajko, PhD, OT(C), FCAOT, FCAHS, LLD(h.c.), OC, a renowned occupational therapist, researcher, and co-developer of the CO-OP Approach, joins host J.J. Mowder-Tinney for a thought-provoking conversation on how cognition can drive motor performance. Together, they explore the power of guided discovery, client-centered goals, and the surprising role of self-generated strategies in rehabilitation. From dancing to dressing to stroke recovery, you’ll hear how thinking differently about movement can change what your patients are capable of. Tune in to reframe your clinical lens and get inspired to incorporate “goal-plan-do-check” into your own sessions.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the evidence around CO-OP approaches to meaningful activities across pediatric and adult populations
• Apply evidence-based, practical strategies to actionably address challenges in occupational

• Solve patient case scenarios involving clients with coordination or motor learning impairment

Timestamps

• (00:00:00) Welcome
• (00:00:05) Introduction to cognition and motor-based performance
• (00:01:20) Dr. Polatajko's background and journey in occupational therapy
• (00:05:30) The self-driving car
• (00:12:40) Cognitive orientation to daily occupational performance (CO-OP)
• (00:14:35) Dynamic performance analysis
• (00:22:15) Guided discovery
• (00:30:24) Generalization and transfer of skills
• (00:34:14) Goal-plan-do-check
• (00:53:25) Key takeaways and conclusion

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