The Integration Station

For our final podcast of the year, we're joined Dr. Subashni Maharaj, a neonatal paediatrician specialising in developmental, behavioural, and learning impairments. 

Subashni’s goal is to equip families with the skills and self-assurance required to support their kids through every stage of life all while she tries to strike a balance between running her clinic at the Ashford Hospital in Adelaide and her role as a working Mum. 

Thank you for joining us over the course of the year, and we'll be back in 2026. 

00:00 Intro
01:29 Understanding the Role of a Neonatal Paediatrician
04:57 The Newborn Journey: From Womb to World
07:04 Postnatal Care and Parental Support
08:49 Addressing Developmental Concerns
09:41 Holistic Approach to Pediatric Care
22:07 Neurodivergent Children: Challenges and Support
31:31 Parental Self-Care and Co-Regulation
32:41 Understanding Developmental Milestones
33:46 Communication Strategies for Neurodivergent Children
37:19 Holistic Approach to Pediatric Care
40:16 Navigating Paediatric Referrals and Consultations

If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends,  family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! 

 If you have any questions you'd like answered, please send a question to the integration station via Instagram or our email [email protected] 

Michael walks us through an audience question about ADHD and impulsivity and how you can manage it using a few simple tricks! 

References
Stop, Think, Do - Lindy Peterson https://www.stopthinkdo.com/ 
Motivation Assessment Scale Template: https://www.carepatron.com/files/motivation-assessment-scale.pdf 
ADHD 2.0: New Science and Essential Strategies for Thriving with Distraction--from Childhood through Adulthood - https://www.amazon.com.au/ADHD-2-0-Essential-Strategies-Distraction/dp/0399178732 

*Disclaimer: We do not earn any commission or sales from any affiliate links; we only aim to provide the most relevant and up-to-date information where possible. 
 

If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends,  family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! 

 If you have any questions you'd like answered, please send a question to the integration station via Instagram or our email [email protected] 

Michael and Eleanor unpack how you can support an ASD client who only engages in repetitive play, and ways you can join them to foster connection for your toolkit. 

Plus, do you have a friend who's always asking you what OT's actually do? We've got the exact way you can frame it so they understand the whole picture about the profession. 

If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends,  family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! 

 If you have any questions you'd like answered, please send a question to the integration station via Instagram or our email [email protected] 

Are playgrounds too safe? 

Michael and Eleanor unpack why risky play is so beneficial for your young person, plus we tell you everything you need to know as a new grad looking to apply for jobs next year. 

00:00 Intro 
01:45 Therapy Activity of The Week 
07:45 Regulation Activity of The Week 
10:58 The Benefits of Risky Play 
29:35 Job Advice for New Grads

If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends,  family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! 

 If you have any questions you'd like answered, please send a question to the integration station via Instagram or our email [email protected] 

Michael and Eleanor clarify what the "reasonable expectations of parents" guidelines for parents accessing the NDIS to help distinguish what the NDIS will likely fund versus what is considered a normal part of parenting. 

Michael and Eleanor clarify what the "reasonable expectations of parents" guidelines for parents accessing the NDIS to help distinguish what the NDIS will likely fund versus what is considered a normal part of parenting. 

00:00 Intro 
01:49 Therapy Activity of The Week 
10:58 Regulation Strategy of The Week 
18:56 Defining NDIS Parental Supports 
20:37 What are Reasonable Parental Expectations 
23:12 What are not Reasonable Parental Expectations 
25:18 Examples

If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends,  family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! 

 If you have any questions you'd like answered, please send a question to the integration station via Instagram or our email [email protected] 

Imagine an environment where everything is always changing, the educators are different, and the transitions are tricky. 

This week, Eleanor & Michael unpack how we can support a young person to navigate out-of-school hours care (OSH), plus we discuss some audience feedback on the limitations of "Just Right" language. 

 

If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends,  family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! 

 If you have any questions you'd like answered, please send a question to the integration station via Instagram or our email [email protected] 

We're not removalists, we're OT's! 

And that means we're going to teach you how to find the fun in moving house and how you can best support your young person in doing so. 

Michael and Eleanor cover the importance of maintaining routines amidst the chaos, how to emotionally support your young person, and how to give them control by getting them involved in the process! 

 

If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends,  family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! 

 If you have any questions you'd like answered, please send a question to the integration station via Instagram or our email [email protected] 

Today is R U OK Day. 

Michael and Eleanor walk you through how to ask R U OK with the people who are closest to you, the power of pausing while holding space, and how sharing a hug can help make someone's day infinitely better. 

If this episode brings anything up for you or if you need crisis support, here is a list of resources/services that can help: 

Lifeline 13 14 13 
Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
R U OK - https://www.ruok.org.au/

If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends,  family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! 

 If you have any questions you'd like answered, please send a question to the integration station via Instagram or our email [email protected] 

Eleanor and Micheal unpack Engine Charts vs Zones of Regulation, what they are, and how you can use them therapeutically in the clinic. 

Eleanor brought her engine chart to show you how she models hers with her clients, and tell you how to help start these conversations with the young people you're working with. 

Plus, we provide a few alternatives to chew toys for someone who might seek oral input to regulate. 

References: 
Zones of Regulation https://zonesofregulation.com/ 
The Alert Program° https://alertprogram.com/ 
 

If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends,  family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! 

 If you have any questions you'd like answered, please send a question to the integration station via Instagram or our email [email protected] 

This week Michael and Eleanor unpack a question about managing tricky moments during transition time and what that looks like for a young person, adn they unpack what it's like to be on the receiving end of someone saying, "your job must be so rewarding." 

Plus, all the regular segments to help you find the fun in learning how to support the young people in your life. 

 

If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends,  family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! 

 If you have any questions you'd like answered, please send a question to the integration station via Instagram or our email [email protected]