Curious if OT could help your child's struggles?  Download Why Choose OT to find out! 

Today, we are thrilled to have the incredible Leslie Martino, join us. She is a homeschooling mom, educator, and author of the inspiring book "The Joy of Slow." Join our conversation about the importance of slowing down in learning, finding balance, and igniting a love for education. Leslie shares invaluable insights about turning challenges into meaningful learning experiences, fostering resilience, and embracing expansive time. Whether you're a seasoned homeschooler or new to the journey, this episode is packed with wisdom and practical tips that will enrich your educational approach.

• Discussion on Rigor vs. Preparation
• Differentiating between rigor and preparation
• Parents' misconception about rigorous learning
• Holistic and meaningful education
• Ideal learning state: relaxed alertness
• Importance of meaningful and engaging learning experiences
• Avoiding mindless productivity
• Integrating leisure and hard work in learning
• Concept of slow learning, going deeper with learning rather than broader
• Addressing learning gaps
• Fear of missing out on opportunities
• The misconception of control in education
• Different aspects of time beyond productivity
• Time for rest, passion, creativity, and reflection
• Taking time for meaningful learning experiences
• Importance of processing and noticing
• Examples outside conventional subjects
• Metacognition: Learning how you learn
• Strategies for integrating reflection including conversations with children or writing reflections
• Value of child's self-assessment in their learning process
• Recap of the importance of expansive and reflective learning
• Noticing and embracing the child's perspective in education

• Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?
• Tips to Improve Prioritization - The OT Toolbox
• What is Executive Function? Course from Homeschool OT
• Exploring the Occupation of Rest - Research Paper
• Different Kinds of Rest - Chronic Resilience OT
• Episode 9- The Impact of Music on Executive Functioning: A Homeschooling Perspective
• Episode 10- Streamlining Your Space: Organizing for Better Executive Functioning
• Episode 11- Exploring Unique Learning Paths in Homeschooling with Guest Amy Bodkin
• Episode 12- Executive Functioning in Homeschooling: A Teenager's Experience with Organization and Planning
• The Joy of Slow: Restoring Balance and Wonder to Homeschool Learning
• Follow Leslie Martino on Instagram

Leslie M Martino has over twenty years of experience teaching—as an elementary school teacher, a home educator, and an adjunct lecturer for graduate courses focused on the role of the teacher in supporting children’s individual work preferences. She homeschools her four children and works as an educational consultant, writing curricula, training teachers, and coaching parents to approach learning in an interest-based and child-directed way. She is a speaker on topics of education and motherhood and is also a contributing writer for the Wild + Free homeschooling community.

Curious if OT could help your child's struggles?  Download Why Choose OT to find out! 

In this episode, we'll explore Nicole Santiago's approach to collaborative problem-solving, her emphasis on intrinsic motivation, and how she successfully integrates these strategies into both her professional work and personal life. Nicole is a seasoned IEP coach and special education advocate, bringing a wealth of experience from her background as a dual-language teacher and a dedicated homeschooling mom. With a focus on neurodivergent families, particularly those navigating autism and ADHD, Nicole is here to share valuable insights into creating more inclusive and supportive educational environments.

We'll also touch on the importance of family dynamics, the role of advocacy in understanding ADHD, and how Nicole leverages tools like the Social Emotional Competency Assessment (SECA) to highlight and build on a child's strengths. From discussing flexible schooling options to the necessity of family meetings, Nicole’s expertise sheds light on actionable ways parents and educators can foster a culture of kindness, curiosity, and collaborative problem-solving.

• Former dual language teacher with a specialty in Spanish for middle and high school students.
• Homeschooling experience with her own son diagnosed with ADHD.
• Rich history of supporting families in the special education system.
• Inspired by Dr. Ross Green's collaborative problem-solving methods.
• Focus on intrinsic motivation and mastery learning over traditional grading.
• Merits and challenges of homeschooling vs. public schooling.
• Tailoring education to fit individual family and child needs.
• Encouraging students to self-assess and use peer feedback.
• Addressing underlying issues affecting a child's behavior, such as undiagnosed learning disabilities or home troubles.
• Adopting firm boundaries with supportive measures for a functional family dynamic.
• Effective parent coaching emphasizing respect, curiosity, and firmness.
• Utilizing family meetings to foster culture and solve problems collaboratively.
• Creative approaches to generating solutions, allowing flexibility in task completion.
• Managing ADHD with Tools like Trello for task management.
• Nicole’s personal experience and insights on the strengths and weaknesses associated with ADHD.
• Strengths-Based Educational Approach:
• Utilizing the Social Emotional Competency Assessment (SECA) in IEP and ART meetings.
• Personalized learning projects involving second-language vocabulary and local immersive activities.

• Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?
• Reverse Planning Journal from Homeschool OT
• What are Executive Functioning Skills?
• Field Trips can Build Executive Functioning
• What are Executive Functioning Skills? - Course from Homeschool OT
• Episode 9- The Impact of Music on Executive Functioning with Mandy Doman
• Episode 10 - Streamlining Your Space: Organizing for Better Executive Functioning
• Give Grace and Reject Shame by Nicole
• Follow Family ADDventures on Instagram
• Like Family ADDventures on Facebook

Nicole Santiago, M. Ed, AC, is a disability advocate and learning specialist. She is the founder of Family ADDventures- a disability advocacy and training organization. We support neurodivergent students (and their families) so they thrive at school and in life!

Curious if OT could help your child's struggles?  Download Why Choose OT to find out! 

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In today's episode, I'm joined by Marnie Love, a seasoned homeschooling mom, certified parenting coach, and advocate for executive functioning skills. Marnie, who has been navigating the homeschool landscape for over two decades, shares her wealth of experience and insights, particularly within the "Connected Families" framework.

Join us as we chat about co-regulation, executive functioning, and explore how these concepts play out in everyday parenting—especially during the bustling holiday season. Learn about practical strategies to prepare children for the excitement and challenges of the holidays, including response inhibition, positive reinforcement, and the "if-then" approach to manage behavior empathetically and effectively.

We also discuss the importance of self-reflection for parents, the benefits of homeschooling, and how to create a balanced holiday schedule that honors your family's unique needs. Don't miss the valuable takeaways for integrating executive functioning skill development into daily life, ensuring both safety and joy amidst the festive chaos.

• Co-Regulation and Executive Functioning
• Overview of response inhibition and managing impulsivity.
• Marnie's personal experiences with the Connected Families Framework.
• Use of empathy and the "if-then" approach to behavior correction.
• Positive reinforcement and retrying situations to build skills.
• Managing a child's behavior with understanding and patience during Christmas activities.
• Emphasis on emotional regulation.
• Integrating Executive Functioning in Daily Life
• Importance of developing executive functioning skills beyond seasonal activities.
• Observing if tasks are challenging due to their nature or broader skills.
• Recognizing difficulties and asking for child feedback.
• Avoiding crowded areas and planning early visits.
• Preparation details: cars, snacks, hot chocolate, weather considerations.
• Family Roles and Contributions
• Strategies to simplify routines like traveling in pajamas.
• Setting expectations for behavior, safety, and fun.
• Executive Functioning Skills in Focus
• Metacognition: thinking about thinking.
• Time management: reverse planning and facing challenges with time perception.
• Planning strategies: night-before preparations and checklists.
• Use of Music and Visual Aids for executive function support
• Routine management through music playlists.
• Use of portable whiteboard checklist as a visual reminder.
• Introduction to Connected Families: integration of brain science, trauma-informed parenting, and gospel teachings.
• Importance of parent self-reflection on executive function skills.
• Marnie's Background and Homeschooling Experience
• Benefits of homeschooling for children with unique learning paces and brain breaks.
• Marnie's role as a certified parenting coach.
• Use of real-life activities in education.
• Holiday Planning and Executive Functioning
• Family meetings to prioritize holiday activities.
• Avoiding overloaded holiday schedules.
• Utilization of the "Smart but Scattered" model for planning and organizing skills.

• Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?
• Reverse Planning Guide from Homeschool OT
• What is Executive Functioning? Course from Homeschool OT
• Executive Functioning Skills in Holiday Activities 
• Episode 29- Parenting with Co-Regulation
• Episode 30- Sensory Processing and Co-Regulation: Insights for Parents
• Episode 31- Cultivating Calm: Understanding Nervous System Dysregulation in Children and Practical Solutions for Parents
• Episode 40- Crafting Holiday Memories while Building Handwriting Skills
• Episode 41- Building Your Support Network as a Homeschooling Parent Especially during the Holiday Season
• Marnie Love’s website
• Connected Families Framework

In this episode, we're discussing the world of early intervention with our special guest, Allison Carter, a seasoned occupational therapist with over two decades of experience. Allison provides insightful strategies for maintaining routines and supporting sensory needs during the chaotic December holiday season, ensuring our children are set up for success.

We'll discuss the unique challenges faced by homeschool families when accessing occupational therapy services and offer practical advice on navigating these obstacles. Plus, Allison shares her extensive background in working with infants and toddlers, and her steadfast dedication to early intervention.

Curious if OT could help your child's struggles?  Download Why Choose OT to find out! 

• An Overview of Early Intervention
• Qualification: Diagnosis or a half-age delay in development
• Scope of OT's Role: Customized to family needs, strategies for feeding, motor, language, etc.
• Environment Impact: Homeschools are unique, similar to early intervention
• Comfort and Familiarity: Working in the child's own environment
• Family Goals: Aligning professional expertise with family desires
• Program Eligibility and State Differences for Early Intervention
• Standardized Tests: Fine motor, gross motor, social-emotional, speech and language, cognitive
• State Requirements: Differences in qualification criteria (e.g., Maryland's 25% vs. Missouri's half-age delay)
• Diagnosis-based Eligibility: Automatic qualification for certain diagnosed conditions
• Referral and Enrollment in Early Intervention Programs
• Self-Referral: Parents can call directly
• Hospital Referrals: Children's hospitals informing parents
• Pediatrician Awareness: Variable knowledge among local pediatricians
• Homeschool Community and Occupational Therapy
• Challenges: Homeschool community's distrust or lack of awareness about OT
• Communication Barriers: Difficulty in accessing homeschool groups or co-ops
• Mutual Understanding: Overcoming biases on both sides to find alignment
• Tools and Resources
• Interviewing OTs: Guidelines for ensuring compatibility between OTs and homeschool families
• Homeschool OTs Listing: A guide for OTs to join and parents to find appropriate professionals
• Changes in Routine During December
• Predictability and Familiarity: Importance for comfort, especially for sensory needs
• Emotional Responses: Excitement, distraction, overwhelm
• Real-Life Parallel: Comparing to the experience of starting a new job
• Strategies for Managing Changes
• Predictability: Making situations predictable and familiar objects
• Practicing Strategies: Calming techniques and breathing exercises at home
• Early Signs: Observing for signs of overstimulation or overwhelm
• Decompression: Taking breaks to calm down if needed

• Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?
• Where to Get OT: A Guide to Different OT Service Providers
• Working with Homeschool Families, Course for OTs from Homeschool OT
• What is occupational therapy?
• The Best Places to Find OT Services for Homeschool Families
• Episode 1- Unveiling the Role of OT in Homeschooling
• Episode 3- What to expect in an OT clinic
• Allison Carter's website
• Amazing Milestones Podcast 
• Play With Your Food: How to Get Your Toddler to Eat by Allison Carter

Allison Carter is an Occupational Therapist working in Early Intervention and Private Practice in the home and community settings. She is also the host of the Milestones Pod

Connect with Sarah Collins

• Follow Sarah on Instagram @homeschoolOT
• Join the Facebook Group: Homeschool and Occupational Therapy with Sarah Collins, homeschoolOT
• Visit the Homeschool OT Website

I'm thrilled to introduce our guest, Cynthia Heren, a mentor and team member behind the scenes, here at Homeschool OT. Cynthia's journey began when she discovered her family's neurodivergence through her child's occupational therapy sessions, leading to a broader understanding of autism, dysgraphia, and ADHD in her household.

In today's episode, we'll explore how Cynthia has used OT strategies to create a customized, supportive learning environment for her children. We'll discuss practical tips for managing handwriting, sensory processing, and executive functioning challenges, especially during the bustling holiday season.

Join us as we uncover the importance of building a knowledgeable support team, integrating children's interests into learning activities, and fostering their development through creative and adaptable methods. Get ready to be inspired by Cynthia's story and learn how to make homeschooling both effective and enjoyable for neurodivergent children.

• Discovery of Neurodivergence
• Noticing child's fine motor delays at age three and Autism Diagnosis
• Homeschooling Experience
• Impact of Occupational Therapy (OT)
• Homeschooling Strategies to accommodate for dysgraphia and ADHD
• Tools and Techniques: "Handwriting Without Tears", Kid-sized chalkboard
• Building a Support Team
• Collaboration within the homeschooling community
• Developing Skills Through Activities
• Handwriting and Sensory Processing adapting to holiday environments
• Direction-following and Writing Skills
• Vertical surface activities for core and eye-hand coordination
• Integrating Interests in Learning
• Using Interests like Legos for developing fine motor skills and improving visual scanning and perceptual abilities
• Core Strength Development: writing on vertical surfaces, activities like setting the table while bouncing on a yoga ball
• Use of Resources and Creative Learning Strategies
• Utilization of Special Needs Scholarships supporting creative learning methods
• Persistence and Executive Functioning
• Sensory Processing Management
• Keeping Activities Engaging
• Managing Dysgraphia and Learning Preferences
• Child’s Learning Preferences, Using of Primary Ruled Paper
• Math Adaptations
• Transitioning from Math-U-See to CTC Math
• Holiday Activities for Skill Development
• Holiday Baking: Strengthens hand muscles, memory-making and patience
• Crafts and Community Events
• Creating Christmas ornaments
• Participating in local community events
• Crafts and Educational Crafts
• Educational Benefits: Motor, cognitive, and social skills development
• Crafting Ideas: Popsicle stick ornaments, Window decorations with contact paper
• Alternatives to Messy Educational Activities
• Preference for Less Chaotic Activities: avoidance of traditional hands-on experiments, success of high school children in advanced courses
• Handwriting Development and Custom Resources
• Addressing Handwriting Challenges
• Customized Handwriting Resources with Star Wars and Minecraft themes
• Accommodating Different Learning Styles
• Separating Writing Practice from Content Comprehension

• Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?
• Nurturing Creativity: Building Fine Motor Skills Using Handicrafts from Homeschool OT
• Baking as a Skill Builder – Workshop from Homeschool OT
• Christmas Crafts for Kids from OT Toolbox
• Christmas Fine Motor Activities from Empowering OT Resources
• Tips for a Struggling Writer in Early Elementary from Inside Our Normal
• Christmas Writing Bundle from Inside Our Normal
• Inside Our Normal on Teacher Pay Teacher
• Episode 24 Understanding the Handwriting Journey: Tools and Techniques for Homeschoolers
• Episode 8 Beyond the Pencil: Exploring Vision's Impact on Homeschool Handwriting Success

Curious if OT could help your child's struggles?  Download Why Choose OT to find out! 

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In this episode, we'll delve into the unique ways nature can enhance fine motor skills, core strength, and overall development in children. I will share my experiences with outdoor creative play using blow-up easels, while our guest, Carmela Trejo provides invaluable insights on respecting nature during therapy sessions and the importance of accessible, inclusive outdoor spaces.

We'll also discuss practical tips for parents to encourage safe and exploratory outdoor play, even in urban environments. Whether it's homeschooling integration, developing motor skills through fun activities, or fostering a child's natural curiosity, this episode is packed with advice and heartfelt stories. So, if you're keen on discovering how nature can be a powerful tool in occupational therapy, tune in and let's explore together!

• Encouragement of creative play with paint and mud.
• Importance of respecting nature and property rules.
• Choosing accessible and non-restrictive outdoor locations.
• Teaching children the "rules of nature" like respecting ecosystems.
• Encouraging exploration and safety rather than using "be careful."
• Fostering motor planning skills through outdoor activities.
• Role of exploratory questions in child development.
• The Denver Science Museum’s new 30-acre play area.
• Accessibility of free parks and trails in Colorado.
• Efforts to improve inclusiveness in outdoor spaces.
• Inclusive park event in Colorado Springs and creation of adaptive equipment.
• Limited school recess time necessitating outdoor play on weekends or after school.
• Role of engaging environments (e.g., inclusive playgrounds) in fostering activity participation.
• Emphasis on preliminary skills like hand strength before handwriting.
• Suggested activities: tracing objects, scavenger hunts, memory exercises, using tongs.
• Vertical coloring and coloring under a table to enhance shoulder and hand strength.
• Concerns from parents about children's fine motor skills.
• Explanation of in-hand manipulation.
• Nature-based activities for developing fine motor skills.
• Importance of core strength alongside fine motor skills.
• Use of natural obstacles and equipment for gross motor skills.
• Importance of respecting the environment when incorporating man-made items.
• Carmela Trejo’s interest in homeschooling due to dissatisfaction with traditional schooling.
• Nature enrichment programs for homeschooling.
• Advice on engaging families living in urban environments with nature-based activities.
• Differentiation between nature-based therapy and simple outdoor play.
• Mix of structured activities and unstructured, child-led exploration.
• Importance of child-led therapy and natural curiosity guiding sessions.
• Structured and open-ended play targeting development goals like fine motor skills, sensory integration, social abilities, and executive functioning.

• Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?
• Handwriting Focus Group from Homeschool OT
• Nurturing Creativity: Building Fine Motor Skills Using Handicrafts Guide from Homeschool OT
• How do I work on handwriting outdoors? from Treeline Enrichment
• Improving Handwriting without Actually Writing from Homeschool OT
• the Skills Nature Builds from Homeschool OT
• Follow Carmella on Instagram
• Inflatable Easel we mentioned
• Episode 6- Harnessing the Great outdoors for visual development and learning
• Episode 14- Outdoor Activities to Develop Interoception in Children with Guest Caroline Santangelo
• Episode 22- Supporting Children Through Play-Based Reflex Integration
• Episode 28- Risky Play: Understanding the Benefits and Strategies for Safe Child Development

Curious if OT could help your child's struggles?  Download Why Choose OT to find out! 

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rinity Hart and I first crossed paths nearly two years ago at the Virginia Homeschool Convention, she is an entrepreneur and fellow homeschooler. I am fascinated by her hands-on learning products designed to make education a fun and sensory-rich experience for kids.

Today, Trinity shares about being a homeschool student and now creating sensory kits and fine motor activities that cater to children of all learning styles and needs. We’ll delve into the creative process behind her unique products, discuss their educational benefits, and explore practical ways parents can utilize these tools both indoors and outdoors.

• Trinity being homeschooled
• Transition to teaching in daycares and preschools
• The need for hands-on learning activities sparking her business idea
• Brief mention of Trinity's siblings and their professions
• Influence of their homeschooling background on their entrepreneurial paths
• Description of sensory kits and fine motor activities
• Hands-on, fun learning experiences for kids
• Different educational items like Alphabet sets and themes
• Materials used like resin, acrylics, woods, and sensory foam
• Example of a child with speech apraxia benefitting from Trinity's products
• Fine Motor Skills and Sensory Learning
• Items integrated with sensory experiences and textures
• Use cases for teaching fine motor skills, core strength, and vision-related activities
• Hands-On Learning Tips
• Use of sensory bins
• Outdoor use and mud kitchens
• Encouragement of messy play and fine motor development
• Adapting products for older children
• Resourcing different puzzles and sensory trays for older age groups
• Practical examples like learning the keyboard layout
• Encouraging parents to explore and use new tools for their children's development

• Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?
• Building Fine Motor Skills with Handicrafts Guide from Homeschool OT
• Handwriting Focus Group from Homeschool OT
• Creating Adventuress Co (Save 15% with Code: homeschoolOT15)
• Building Handwriting Skills Without Actually Writing
• Episode 8- Beyond the Pencil: Exploring Vision's Impact on Homeschool Handwriting Success
• Episode 23- Blending Sensory Integration and Fitness for Better Handwriting

Trinity Hart is a homeschool graduate with a college degree in Early Childhood Development. She is also the author of The Homeschool Adventures of Harry and Hannah

Before getting involved in the private homeschool community Trinity taught at multiple daycares where she enjoys creating various hands-on learning activities and educational toy

Curious if OT could help your child's struggles?  Download Why Choose OT to find out! 

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Today we're thrilled to be joined by Kelli Fetter, an OT and founder of Handwriting Solutions. She has previously been a part of our Handwriting Focus Group. Our conversation focuses on the interconnectedness of reading and writing skills, the importance of fine motor development from early childhood, and practical tips for parents, especially those homeschooling. We'll also explore the misconceptions about handwriting development and the critical role it plays beyond basic literacy.

Join us as we discuss research, developmental milestones, and Kelli’s hands-on strategies to help children thrive. Stick around—this episode is packed with insights and actionable advice you won’t want to miss!

• Kelli’s motivation: personal experience with her daughter diagnosed with dyslexia and dysgraphia in first grade
• Early red flags in kindergarten
• Importance of finding experts specializing in learning disabilities
• Created Handwriting Solutions
• Services expanded to reading and spelling due to overlapping student difficulties
• Complexity of Handwriting
• Handwriting involves multiple foundational abilities: fine motor control, core stability, visual skills, etc.
• Emphasis on building foundational skills and explicit handwriting instruction
• Fine Motor Control is one component of handwriting
• Kelli examines pencil use and hand movements to understand fine motor abilities
• Key observation points: pressure, smoothness
• Discussion on different grasp patterns impacting handwriting
• Interconnectedness of Reading and Writing
• Importance of reading for information and recognizing the value of writing
• Kelli highlights writing as a beneficial life skill beyond academics

• Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?
• Handwriting Focus Group from Homeschool OT
• Handwriting Expectations by Grade Levels from Handwriting Solutions
• Handwriting but not typewriting leads to widespread brain connectivity, research from Frontiers
• Brain research shows why handwriting should be taught in the computer-age
• Teacher training text for dysgraphia, dyslexia, dyscalculia, and oral and written language learning disability (OWL LD)
• Episode 5- Beyond 20/20 Vision: Understanding Crucial Aspects of Visual Assessment in Children
• Episode 21- Exploring Primitive Reflexes: From Birth to Integration
• Episode 22- Supporting Children Through Play-Based Reflex Integration
• Episode 23- Blending Sensory Integration and Fitness for Better Handwriting
• Episode 24- Understanding the Handwriting Journey: Tools and Techniques for Homeschoolers

Kelli Fetter is a Certified Handwriting Specialist and the founder of Handwriting Solutions, LLC providing handwriting tutoring virtually and in- person. She practiced as an occupational therapist in pediatric outpatient, early intervention, preschools, and private schools. She also served as adjunct professor teaching pediatrics and kinesiology. Kelli has extensive training in handwriting and dysgraphia. Kelli’s passion is driven by her own daughter’s dyslexia & dysgraphia journey.

Curious if OT could help your child's struggles?  Download Why Choose OT to find out! 

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We're joined by Lindsey Larson, an inspiring OT professional and homeschooling mom who found herself unexpectedly all-in on homeschooling following her daughter's severe stroke. Lindsey opens up about her unexpected shift into pediatrics and the creation of her impactful children's book, "Meeting Exceptional Friends."

During our conversation, Lindsey discusses her mission to educate both children and their caregivers about disabilities through engaging storytelling. She also shares her exciting role as the incoming director of Disability Book Week, an initiative aimed at promoting disability-inclusive literature.

• Lindsey’s Journey to Pediatric Occupational Therapy (Peds)
• Birth of her child and the subsequent stroke
• Transition to Pediatrics out of necessity
• Initial reluctance and societal perceptions of homeschooling
• Daughter’s preschool experience
• Homeschooling her second daughter
• Transition of her second daughter to public school
• Tailoring education to fit family needs
• Flexibility and adaptation in educational approaches
• Observations in the community regarding disabilities
• Response to the need for inclusive education
• Creation of her book "Meeting Exceptional Friends"
• Aimed at educating both children and parents about disabilities
• The concept of the book: playground setting and inclusion
• The repetitive phrase, "That's a great question"
• Encouraging open discussion about disabilities
• Amber Johnston’s concept: Windows and Mirrors
• Recommendations for other books and authors
• Disability Book Week and its mission
• Expansion of booklists to include more disability representations
• Limited physical book collections due to military life
• Heavy reliance on library resources
• Emphasis on supporting self-published authors
• The positive influence of inclusive books on her children
• Daughter’s essay on fire safety considering disabilities
• Encouragement to use Disability Book Week as a resource
• Importance of advocating for more inclusive books in libraries

• Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?
• Handwriting Focus Group from Homeschool OT
• Vision Therapy Screening Assessment from Homeschool OT
• Meeting Exceptional Friends by Lindsey Larsen
• Disability Book Week Website
• Books to Uplift Perspectives and Experiences of Disability from NEA
• Books as Mirrors & Windows With Simply Charlotte Mason
• Episode 20: Tailored Kid’s Activities from Crafts to Sleep: Insights from Connie O'Neill

Lindsey Larsen earned her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Creighton University. She currently works as a clinical abstractor for a genetic company. She is also the mother to two amazing daughters, a homeschool educator, parenting coach, military spouse, children’s book author, and the incoming director of Disability Book Week.

Lindsey’s older daughter, Madelyn, survived a massive stroke in infancy which resulted in a variety of disabilities. Lindsey began homeschooling her children, so both of her children could succeed in their own unique way.

In 2022, Lindsey decided to write a children’s picture book based on her personal experiences, to educate all children about visible and invisible disabilities. Lindsey’s book, Meeting Exceptional Friends recently won the 2023 Nautilus Book Awards for best picture book/fiction ages 2-6 and the 2023 Readers’ Favorite Bronze Award for best Educational Picture Book. Lindsey is leaping into a new role as the director of Disability Book Week, a volunteer organization that promotes and celebrates disability-inclusive books as well as authors with disabilities.

Curious if OT could help your child's struggles?  Download Why Choose OT to find out! 

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Today Sydney Bassard, a speech therapist joins us to delve into the fascinating connection between literacy and speech development. She works with individuals with dyslexia and those who are deaf or hard of hearing. We'll explore everything from phonemic awareness hierarchies and wordplay to practical tips for parents on integrating literacy into daily routines. Plus, we'll touch on what you can expect in a literacy-focused session with an SLP and the critical importance of early intervention.

• Sydney’s profession as a speech therapist and unique career path
• Working for a reading intervention company during undergrad
• Scope of practice for speech language pathologists (SLPs)
• From birth to end of life care
• Different focuses within SLP training programs including Medical-focused programs, School and pediatric-focused programs, Programs with a literacy emphasis
• Sydney’s place of practice: The Listening SLP, Charlotte, North Carolina
• Dyslexia, literacy-based challenges, and deaf and hard of hearing
• Creating equitable access to health information through social media
• Mention of a research grant on writing interventions for deaf and hard of hearing kids
• Phonemic Awareness and its Role in Literacy
• Definition and explanation of Phonemic Awareness
• Hierarchy of phonemic awareness skills
• Word level, syllable level, initial sounds
• Complex tasks like segmenting, blending, and manipulation
• Importance of these skills for later reading ability
• Developmental Stages and Speech Development
• Typical ages for different stages of phonemic awareness
• Starting word play around age two
• Onset and rhyme awareness by ages three to four
• Segmenting, blending, and manipulating sounds by ages four to five
• Importance of developmental readiness for learning to read
• Practical Tips for Parents
• Integrating literacy into daily routines, Examples: Car rides, bath time, cooking
• Concept of wordplay and making learning engaging
• Literacy tips backed by scientific research
• Less effective literacy trick examples: Guessing words from pictures, reliance on visuals
• Speech Disorders and Literacy
• Differentiating speech sound production issues from reading difficulties
• Importance of collaboration with SLPs
• Evaluating intelligibility and language comprehension
• When to Seek Speech Therapy
• Self-assessment questions for parents
• Checking for language processing and comprehension difficulties
• Evaluating speech intelligibility
• Recommendation for early intervention
• Questions to ask potential SLPs
• Experience, therapeutic style, comfort with specific diagnoses
• Importance of honesty and fit
• School-Based Vs. Private Practice for Literacy Intervention
• Differences in literacy support between school-based SLPs and private practitioners
• Roles of reading interventionists in schools
• SLP caseload considerations for not covering literacy extensively
• Expectations for Literacy-Based Speech Therapy Sessions
• General activities in literacy-focused sessions
• Word reading, spelling, sentence reading, teaching spelling rules
• Tailoring sessions based on age and needs
• Differences between play-based approaches for younger children and structured sessions for older students

• Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?
• Vision Therapy Screening Assessment from HomeschoolOT
• Handwriting Focus Group from HomeschoolOT
• What is Literacy?
• How to Support Literacy Skills in Speech Therapy
• Reading and Writing (Literacy) from ASHA
• Episode 19: Understanding Screen Time Effects on Children’s Development and Relationships
• Episode 33: Dyslexia Demystified: Marianne Sunderland’s Approach and Homeschooling Tips
• Episode 34: Hyperlexia Uncovered: Navigating Challenges and Developing Strengths

Sydney Bassard, MSP, CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist who specializes in working with individuals who are Deaf and hard of hearing and literacy. She owns The Listening SLP, which is her private practice and social media brand. Sydney was noted as a Distinguished Early Career Professional in 2020 and an Innovator in 2023 by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association for her work centered on the equity of health information. Through her social media page, she engages with professionals and parents on the topics of hearing loss and literacy. In 2023, Sydney co-authored a children's book, A Day with Mom, with her mother. The book tells the story of a little girl who is excited to spend the day with her mom on a typical Saturday.

Sydney is actively involved with research related to both clinic

Connect with Sarah Collins

• Follow Sarah on Instagram @homeschoolOT
• Join the Facebook Group: Homeschool and Occupational Therapy with Sarah Collins, homeschoolOT
• Visit the Homeschool OT Website