The Integration Station

This year marks Tyson Klaassen-Smith's 10th year at OTFC and we couldn't help but take up the opportunity to chat to one of OTFC’s most loved, and longest serving OT’s. Father, amateur carpenter and mentor to many – Tyson has been such an important part of OTFC for many years.  Loved by his families and staff alike, Tyson embodies the values of OTFC and OT in general. 

Michael and Tyson chat talk about all things OT, Sensory Integration, values, play, family life and who you'd choose to save you if you were trapped in a lift?!

If you like what you have heard, follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. 

Any questions can be sent to [email protected] or via OTFC Group Website: otfcgroup.com.au/podcast/ 

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] 

Throughout the chat, Susanne makes reference to aspects of SI research and the role of her organisation, CLASI. Links to some of these areas can be found here.

Understanding the Nature of Sensory Integration with Diverse Populations 

https://www.proedaust.com.au/understanding-the-nature-of-sensory-integration-with-diverse-populations-1

Newell Kephart – brief biography 

https://www.csun.edu/~vcoao0el/webct/de361s114_folder/N.%20Kephart%20J%20Spec%20Educ-1979-Articles-218-9.pdf

ISIC Program 

https://www.cl-asi.org/program

International Council for Education in Ayres Sensory Integration 

https://www.ice-asi.org

CLASI

https://www.cl-asi.org

Previous Podcast with Dr Susanne Smith Roley - OT school house

https://www.otschoolhouse.com/single-post/sensory-63) 

ASI 2020 Vision 

https://sites.google.com/site/2020asivision/home

2019 Article by Lane et al. on the Neural foundations in Ayres Sensory Integration 

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/334103176_Neural_Foundations_of_Ayres_Sensory_IntegrationR

A selection of current evidence-based research regarding the use of Ayres' Sensory Integration for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. 

Bodison, S. C., & Parham, L. D. (2018). Specific sensory techniques and sensory environmental modifications for children and youth with sensory integration difficulties: A systematic review. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 72, 7201190040.https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2018.029413

Bodison, S. C. (2015). Developmental dyspraxia and the play skills of children with autism. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 69, 6905185060. http://dx.doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2015.017954

Hume, K., Steinbrenner, J.R., Odom, S.L., Morin, K.L., Nowell, S.W., Tomaszewski, B., Szendrey, S., McIntyre, N.S., Yucesoy‑Ozkan, S. Savage, M.N. (2020). Evidence‑Based Practices for Children, Youth, and Young Adults with Autism: Third Addieeration Review.Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04844-2

Lamash, L., Grady-Dominguez, P., Mailloux, Z., Parham, L. D., Schaaf, R. C., Smith Roley, S., & Gal, E. (2022). Brief Report—EASI Praxis tests: Age trends and internal consistency.American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 76, 7602345020.https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2022.049145

Odom, S.L., Hall, L.J., Morin, K.L., Kraemer, B.R., Hume, K.A., McIntyre, N.S., Nowell, S.W., Steinbrenner, J.R., Tomaszewski, B., Sam, A.M., DaWalt, L. (2021). Educational Interventions for Children and Youth with Autism: A 40‑Year Perspective.Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-021-04990-1

Omairi, C. (2022). Effect of occupational therapy using Ayres Sensory Integration®: A randomized trial. American Journal of Occupational Therapy. https://research.aota.org/ajot/article/76/4/7604205160/23325/Occupational-Therapy-Using-Ayres-Sensory

Pfeiffer, B., Frolek Clark, G., & Arbesman, M. (2018). Effectiveness of cognitive and occupation-based interventions for children with challenges in sensory processing and integration: A systematic review. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 72, 7201190020. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2018.028233

Schaaf, R. C. (2011). Interventions that address sensory dysfunction for individuals with autism spectrum disorders: Preliminary evidence for the superiority of sensory integration compared to other sensory approaches. In B.Reichow, P.Doehring, D. V.Cichetti, & F. R.Volkmar (Eds.), Evidence-based practices and treatments for children with autism (pp. 245–273). New York: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-6975-0_9

Schaaf, R. C., Benevides, T., Mailloux, Z., Faller, P., Hunt, J., van Hooydonk, E., . . . Kelly, D. (2014). An intervention for sensory difficulties in children with autism: A randomized trial. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 44, 1493–1506. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-013-1983-8

Schoen, S.A., Lane, S.J., Mailloux, A., May-Benson, T., Parham, L.D., Smith Roley, S. & Schaaf, R.C. (2018). A Systematic Review of Ayres Sensory Integration Intervention for Children with Autism. Autism Research, 1-14_._ https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/aur.2046

Smith Roley, S., Mailloux, Z., Parham, L. D., Schaaf, R. C., Lane, C. J., & Cermak, S. (2015). Sensory integration and praxis patterns in children with autism. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 69, 6901220010. http://dx.doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2015.012476

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 are excited to announce that The Integration Station will soon be returning for a second season!

Dino, along with new host, Michael, will be introducing you to more of the amazing people we are fortunate to meet everyday. We can’t wait to reveal who will be joining us in the guest seat this season. 

Stay tuned and subscribe to get the latest episodes as they are released.

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] 

Kellie Halpin shares her powerful journey caring for her beautiful 8-year-old son, Fletcher, a beloved OTFC client who lives with various diagnoses. Kellie openly shares the struggles, challenges and joys of parenting a complex needs child. She also explores her experiences with various health professionals and therapies, as well as the pressure to 'find a solution' to Fletch's challenges. Kellie and Fletch's stories are real, powerful and inspiring - a must listen for any parent or therapist out there! 

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] 

Esther unpacks Kate Watts inspiring story. Kate is an OTFC client and University of South Australia Occupational Therapy student who advocates for young people on the Autism Spectrum. Formally diagnosed when she was 16 years of age, Kate shares how she felt liberated by her diagnosis and now benefits from regular OT and Psychology support.  Kate mentors younger adolescents on the Spectrum through volunteer and paid work at Mark Le Messuirer's What's the Buzz program. She is also a member of Tutti Art's 'Company AT' drama program, where she acts and produces with other performers on the Autism Spectrum. 

The Impersonal Questions Video by Company AT can be found here. https://www.facebook.com/watch/CountryArtsSA/382575162913855/

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] 

Dino and Esther interview Paediatrician Dr Anthony Chitti, from Adelaide Peadiatrics, Flinders Medical Centre and Calvary Hospital. Dr Chitti unpacks the medical and developmental milestones he looks for in children, as well as 'the thing' he believes every child needs to develop optimally. Dr Chitti and Dino also discuss the common misconceptions about prescribing medication to children and the considerations behind this decision for parents. 

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] 

Dino and Esther chat with Occupational Therapist and Kinesiologist, Veronica Steer, who founded OTFC over 30 years ago. Veronica shares how OTFC came to be, how it evolved and why she passed on the practice to Dino and Michelle Mennillo in 2005. Veronica also shares why Ayres Sensory Integration therapy is so effective and how OT can help to integrate children's primitive reflexes. 

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] 

Dino and Esther catch up with Andrea Ferguson, Senior Speech Pathologist and Clinical Manager of TALK Speech Pathology. Andrea shares key communication milestones for kids and strategies for working with children with speech delays. Andrea also unpacks the Speech Pathology role, Assistive Communication Devices, as well as the demand for rural clinicians.

Speech Pathology Australia Communication Milestone resource:

https://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/SPAweb/Resources_for_the_Public/Children_Communication_Milestones/SPAweb/Resources_for_the_Public/Communication_Milestones/Communication_Milestones.aspx?hkey=fb6753df-a757-4c4a-8100-aaebdd4451fd

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] 

Dino and Esther chat with Senior Clinical Psychologist Kerry Burke, who established the Children's Early Development Assessment Service (CEDAS) at Psychology South Australia.

When assessing, Kerry discusses the importance of understanding the whole child before jumping to diagnostic boxes. Kerry shares key strategies when working with highly anxious children and girls living with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Kerry also unpacks the importance of a collaborative relationship between a child's psychologist and OT. 

Kerry refers to the following resources:

• Hey Warrior by Karen Young (Australian Psychologist) https://www.heysigmund.com/products/hey-warrior/
• Hey Sigmund website by Karen Young  https://www.heysigmund.com/
• The Owl and the Guard Dog by Cosmic Kids

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] 

Mark shares his heart behind the internationally acclaimed 'What's the Buzz?' program. He also unpacks his top parenting tips when caring for 'tough' kids and his perspective on the number one issue young people face today - loneliness. If you're a parent, caregiver, support worker, teacher or therapist - you won't want to miss this! Mark is a legend and a good laugh!! 

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]