OT Potential Podcast | Occupational Therapy CEUs

Children with emotional disability (also known as emotional disturbance) are significantly more likely than children with other disabilities to:

• NOT be integrated into regular classrooms
• Experience a disciplinary removal
• Drop out of school

Over the years, multiple social-emotional learning (SEL) interventions have been developed to support children with emotional disabilities. But, New York City Public Schools found that one-size-fits all programs were not sufficient for their student population.

So, the district created—and began studying—an educational pilot called the Path Program. At the heart of this program are OT professionals and occupational therapy concepts.

The journal article we are reviewing in this 1-hour CE course describes the research-practice partnership that supported this program’s development—and the role of trauma-informed care in social-emotional learning interventions.

After we review the article, we will welcome Michelle Flemen-Tung, MSEd, the program director for the Path Program. She will share concrete ways we can all improve the support we provide to kids with emotional disabilities.

You can find more details on this course here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/emotional-disability-and-ot

Here's the primary research we are discussing:
Adapting SEL interventions to meet student needs: A research-practice partnership supporting students with emotional disabilities.

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Interoception is having a moment. 

The popularity of the 8th sense is likely due to the fact that it gives words to sensations that we all experience, like: hunger, fatigue, heart rate, and pain.

But, even though these sensations seem universal the reality is that there are vast differences in how and to what degree we experience the components of interoception. We are beginning to be able to correlate brain-level differences with different experiences of interoception. 

And, what’s really interesting is how these differences impact emotional regulation. 

And, what’s really, really interesting is that research is showing that interoception can be improved. And, there seems to be a correlation improvement with emotional regulation….(without ever working explicitly on emotional regulation.)

In this 1 hour CEU course, we’ll look at a school based program that does just that: improves interoception and emotional regulation. 

After we review the article, we’ll welcome to the podcast Kelly Mahler, the lead author of the paper and one of the pioneers of researching the practical implication of interoception for OTs and other health professionals.

Learn more about our guest:
https://otpotential.com/occupational-therapy-directory/kelly-mahler

You can find more details on this course here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/ot-and-interoception

Here's the primary research we are discussing:
An interoception- based intervention for improving emotional regulation in children in a special education classroom: Feasibility study.

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If you have not been paying attention to recent statistics on drowning, you need to be. 

After decades of decline, deaths by drowning are on the rise. 

Groups already at higher risk have seen the greatest increases in drowning deaths. This includes adults ages 65 years and older of all races and ethnicities, as well as Black people of all ages. 

But today, we’ll focus on an especially high-risk group: children (and particularly, children with autism). Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4, and children with autism spectrum disorder are 160 times more likely to experience nonfatal and fatal drowning than their typically developing peers. 

Whatever setting you work in, I hope these sobering numbers convince you to pay close attention to water safety. Here, we’ll look at an aquatic OT swim safety program that you could consider implementing in your community. 

Next week on the OT Potential Podcast, we will welcome the article’s lead author, Erika Kemp, for a discussion on the logistics of launching a swim safety program. We’ll also tackle big picture questions—like how to go about mobilizing the entire OT community to prevent drownings in our communities.

Learn more about our guest:
https://otpotential.com/occupational-therapy-directory/erika-kemp

You can find more details on this course here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/swim-safety-in-autistic-children

Here's the primary research we are discussing:
Addressing swim safety in autistic children: A pilot feasibility study using aquatic occupational therapy.

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Functional neurological disorder (FND) has been called a “silent epidemic,” a “crisis” in neurology, and psychiatry’s “blind spot.”

And, I have to admit it has been a huge personal blind spot for me. 

Luckily, others in the OT community have been hard at work standardizing care for these patients. Multidisciplinary treatment, including referral to OT is a best practice for these patients. And, today we will look at expert recommendations for OT assessment and treatment. 

After we review the OT recommendations for FND, we will welcome Naoya Ogura, OTD, OTR/L, he is the West Los Angeles Clinic Director at re-active and specializes in neurological conditions like POTS, EDS, MCAS, and FND.
 
Learn more about our guest:
https://otpotential.com/occupational-therapy-directory/naoya-ogura

You can find more details on this course here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/ot-and-functional-neurological-disorder

Here's the primary research we are discussing:
Occupational therapy consensus recommendations for functional neurological disorder.

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The world desperately needs OT leaders.

It needs leaders that can think holistically. It needs leaders that understand both individual level change and systems level change. It needs storytellers, collaborators, and compassionate thinkers. 

And, these are the qualities of an occupational therapy professional. 

Today, we’ll explore a paper on best practices in OT leadership curriculum development. This will help us understand the practical steps involved in leadership development. Both as an individual, and for preparing our profession to be one of leaders. 

After we review the article, we are thrilled to welcome to the podcast, Dr. Victoria Wilburn, State Representative for Indiana House District 32. Her and I will discuss the hard-won lessons she has learned about leadership. And, the advice she has for OTs to step into leadership, in whatever role they occupy.

You can find more details on this course here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/ot-and-leadership

Here's the primary research we are discussing:
Best practices in leadership curriculum development: A case study of a curriculum designed to foster authentic leadership skills in graduate students.

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In a massive 53 page treatment guideline on Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), the authors state:

“Occupational therapists are the ideal therapeutic leaders in the functional restoration process…”

And, go on to devote 2 pages to what this OT care can entail. 

In this one hour course, we’ll pull out important implications for OT practice from the entire guideline. As you’ll see, when it comes to treating chronic pain, like CRPS there are a lot of best practices to draw on—but also a lot of unknowns that necessitates close attention to the individual in front of you. 

To help us flesh out what this means for OT practice, we’ll welcome to the podcast Megan Doyle, a program manager at an outpatient pain program and a leading voice on OT’s role in pain management.

You can find more details on this course here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/ot-complex-regional-pain-syndrome

Learn more about our guest:
Megan Doyle MS, OTR/L, TPS, FPS, CERT-APHPT

Here's the primary research we are discussing:
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: Practical Diagnostic and Treatment Guidelines, 5th Edition.

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In a rapidly changing world,  we as OT professionals need collective mobilization like never before. 

But, it feels like our systems of advocacy are all underfunded and difficult to navigate. 

Against this backdrop, which can feel discouraging, I think it is critical to shine the light on what I consider one of the greatest OT triumphs of the past decade: 

The breakthrough of OTs into pelvic health.

This is a story of grassroots organization, individual thought-leadership, Facebook groups, podcasts, phone calls, and ultimately collaboration on the individual, state and national level. 

We are thrilled to have 3 leaders from this movement, Alyson Stover, Carlin Reaume and Lindsey Vestal. Each has played a unique role in this movement and are here to share what they’ve learned from the wins and fails along the way. Ultimately, we hope this story and conversation helps you reflect on your role in advocacy in this new era.

You can find more details on this course here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/ot-advocacy-in-pelvic-health

Find a pelvic floor OT near you:
https://otpotential.com/blog/pelvic-health-occupational-therapy

Learn more about our guests:
Carlin Reaume OTD, OTR/L, DipACLM, PMH-C, PCES
Lindsey Vestal OTR/L
Alyson Stover MOT, JD, OTR/L, BCP

Here's the primary research we are discussing:
Pelvic floor dysfunction after childbirth: Occupational impact and awareness of available treatment.

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The idea of AI transforming occupational therapy stirs both hopes and fears. 

Will it help us revolutionize our broken systems? Will it augment the best of our care? 

Or will it bolster inequality and threaten our jobs? 

This is a story we are actively writing—and have the power to shape.

In this one hour course, we’ll talk to two leading voices on the adoption of AI and OT, Alyson Stover MOT, JD, OTR/L, BCP and Karen Jacobs OT, EdD, OTR, CPE, FAOTA. We’ll discuss how they are currently using AI, what they are learning—and the opportunities for OT in what is shaping up to be the revolution of our lifetime.

You can find more details on this course here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/ot-hopes-and-fears-ai

Learn more about our guests:
Alyson Stover MOT, JD, OTR/L, BCP
Karen Jacobs, OT, EdD, OTR, CPE, FAOTA

Learn more about Korro AI:
https://korro.ai/

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There is a growing public consciousness around the power (and difficulty) of habit change, especially as the impact of chronic conditions soars.  

And, as we’ll see in the featured scoping review on OT and habit change/health promotion, we’ve been addressing habits since 1912, it is a core part of our 2020 practice framework, and is increasingly embedded in OT research. 

On this OT Potential Podcast episode, we’ll welcome Dr. Zipporah Brown, and her and I will discuss ways you can embed best practices around habit change in your practice.

You can find more details on this course here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/ot-and-habits

Learn more about our guest:
https://otpotential.com/occupational-therapy-directory/zipporah-brown

Here's the primary research we are discussing:
Habits and health promotion in occupational therapy: A scoping review.

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The number of OT entry-level doctoral (OTD) programs has been expanding rapidly. In 2017 there were 7 programs. As of 2023, there are 95, with an additional 76 in development. 

The article we'll cover in this course presents early stage research on the doctoral capstone experience and employment opportunities. It backs up what I have now personally observed through mentoring a student: that doctoral students are uniquely prepared for more diverse job opportunities, and sometimes jobs are even created due to the clear value of the capstone experience. 

There seems to be a benefit for the profession as a whole, in terms of increased awareness. (Our Achilles heel!)

After reviewing the article, I’ll welcome our own student, Alana Woolley, and her capstone coordinator, Daniel Rortvedt. Our goal will be to help you decide if you should be a capstone mentor, and shed light on the experience from 3 perspectives.

You can find more details on this course here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/making-the-otd-capstone-matter

Learn more about our guests:
https://otpotential.com/occupational-therapy-directory/daniel-rortvedt
https://otpotential.com/occupational-therapy-directory/alanawoolley

See our Capstone Catalog:
https://otpotential.com/blog/otd-capstone-catalog

Here's the primary research we are discussing:
An exploration of the occupational therapy doctoral capstone: Perspectives from capstone coordinators, graduates, and Site Mentors.

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