The OT is IN with Sarah Collins the Homeschool OT

Prepare to explore the deep connections between nature, vision, the brain, and how they intersect with occupational therapy and education. Kim Wilson, with her wealth of experience in adult neurorehabilitation, shines a light on the complexity of the visual system and its impact on learning, particularly in young children.

In this episode, we address the often-overlooked significance of vision in nature and how outdoor environments can be instrumental in developing visual and cognitive skills. From the foundations of visual attention to the integration of sensory systems for functional participation, we've got it covered.

Kim also shares practical advice for parents on monitoring their child's vision development, introduces us to the free InfantSee vision screening program for the little ones, and advocates for the benefits of play-based activities to enhance visual skills in a natural and engaging way.

Stay tuned as we delve into strategies for occupational therapists and parents alike to help children cultivate these vital skills through fun, stress-reducing activities that combine learning with the great outdoors. Plus, we'll touch on the challenge of engaging kids in therapeutic goals and unveil some of Kim's work in Colorado Springs, including her services that support homeschooling parents.

In this episode you'll hear about:

Importance of Nature and Vision in Occupational Therapy and Education

• Kim Wilson's experiences with neurological patients and vision effects
• The complex nature of the visual system in the brain
• The impact of vision on learning and how 80%-90% of learning is visual

Addressing Visual Issues in Children

• The repercussions of a malfunctioning visual system on learning and writing
• Integration of vision therapy with movement and proprioception
• Role of outdoor settings in developing visual and sensory skills

Occupational Therapy's Approach to Vision

• The necessity of addressing the visual system for functional participation
• Specifics of the Infant C free visual screening program for young children
• Simple home methods for vision assessment such as the Hirschberg test

Educating Parents on Children's Vision

• Encouraging parents to observe their children's vision
• The relation between visual skills and academic performance
• Visual skills in frustration management

Play-Based Activities to Address Visual Skills

• Convergence insufficiency activity example using a hammock
• Emphasizing activities over static exercises like tracking a pencil
• Challenges in engaging children with therapeutic goals and home programming

Nature-Based Learning and Skill Development

• Benefits of nature journaling for visual and fine motor skill development
• Outdoor activities as non-academic yet beneficial for children

Kim Wilson's Professional Services and Resources

• Information about her practice in Colorado Springs
• Parent coaching, mentoring, and a homeschool OT handwriting focus group

The Foundation of Visual Attention in Nature

• Benefits of developing visual attention outdoors
• Charlotte Mason's concept of the habit of attention
• Integrating all senses, especially in developing visual skills

Progression in Visual Skill Development through Play

• The importance of visual attention before higher-level skills
• Stress reduction and resilience from nature play-based activities
• Incorporating visual skills into challenging physical activities

Awareness and Evaluation of a Child's Visual System

• The critical role of clinician and parent awareness
• Addressing system dependency and recognizing children's visual and vestibular systems
• Challenges for parents to identify issues and the importance of professional vision screening

Comprehensive Assessments for Early Childhood Development

• The need for early and thorough vision assessments
• The importance of ocular motility examinations
• The relevance of auditory screenings in conjunction with visual assessments

Links and Resources From Today's Show

• InfantSee
• The Skills Nature Builds
• Movement Throughout the Homeschool Day
• What is Visual Attention
• Visual Motor Skills
• OT Assessments for Visual Motor Skills
• Homeschool OT Handwriting Focus Group
• Improving Handwriting without Actually Writing
• Vision Assessment Screening

Connect with Kim Wilson

• Nature's Path
• Nature's Path Instagram

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

In this episode, I interview Christine Kalicki, a developmental optometrist, to uncover the vital link between vision and everyday challenges faced by children and even older teens. Christine sheds light on the lesser-known aspects of vision assessments for children, including eye movements, convergence, accommodation, and depth perception, which are often overlooked in routine eye exams.

The episode unfolds with practical insights, personal experiences, and valuable resources that will help parents and caregivers identify symptoms related to visual challenges and seek the appropriate professional assistance. Christine also shares her expertise on the impact of vision on athletic performance and even driving anxiety in older teens. Join us for an engaging conversation that delves into the integral role of vision in various aspects of daily life and support in understanding and addressing visual challenges.

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

In this episode you'll hear about:

• Christine explains that routine eye exams for children typically focus on acuity and ocular health. She emphasizes the importance of checking skills such as ocular motility, pursuits, saccades, convergence, accommodation, and depth perception in children, which are often not part of routine eye exams.

• How parents can proactively inquire about these additional skills being checked during their child's eye exam.

• Advises parents to ask specific questions when scheduling an appointment and to ensure that the eye doctor is experienced in dealing with children's visual skills.

• The roles of optometrists, ophthalmologists, and neuro-ophthalmologists, along with the specific areas they specialize in.

• Reassures parents that the primary care for visual health tends to be optometry, with specialists being ophthalmologists.

• The impact of visual skills on functional abilities, such as reading, writing, attention, and coordination.

• Christine shares her approach to visual therapy, which involves using various exercises and tools to improve eye movements and coordination.

• The relationship between visual challenges and symptoms such as headaches, discomfort while reading, avoidance of schoolwork, and underperforming academically.

• Some children may not verbalize their visual difficulties, making the importance of parental observation in identifying potential visual problems valuable.

• Explores the connection between the visual system and other sensory systems, in particular proprioception and body awareness.

• How visual challenges can impact a child's overall sensory integration and motor skills.

• The relationship between dyslexia and visual challenges, especially regarding left-right orientation and eye movements.

• The importance of addressing underlying visual issues alongside dyslexia to gain a better understanding of their impact on the child's performance.

• Online resources such as COVD and OEPF to help parents find qualified vision care providers in their area.

• The impact of visual challenges on older children, particularly concerning anxiety while driving, judging distances, and handling crowded environments.

• Christine highlights the positive outcomes of addressing visual difficulties for older teens, especially in improving driving safety and comfort.

Links and Resources From Today's Show

• The Connection between Vision and Literacy
• Vision Therapy: An Interview with the Experts
• COVD
• OEPF
• Vision Therapy or Occupational Therapy?
• Eye Power by Dr. Stanley Applebaum
• Christine's Practice, My Visual Edge
• Vision Assessment Screening

In this episode of the OT is IN Podcast I chat with both Colleen Kessler and Christy Faith about community. Colleen opens our hearts to the evolving nature of finding and nurturing communities for our children, while Christy sheds light on creating meaningful connections beyond our traditional circles.

We covered a lot as we talked about the fluid essence of friendships and how some people fit into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. I shared anthropologist Robert Dunbar's community model which underscores the sobering statistic that 29% of people lack community support. Christy Faith shared her bold approach to establishing a homeschooling mothers community, revealing the highs and lows of building a support system.

We all agreed about the working homeschool mom's dance with balance, while Colleen reminded us of parenting's unpredictable nature. My friends shared valuable resources and personal experiences that illuminate the importance of community for homeschoolers and beyond.

In this episode you'll hear about:

• Sarah, Colleen, and Christy talk about the relevance of community, with references to public school and church sermons.
• Colleen shares her journey of finding the right communities for her children as their needs evolve.
• People enter one's life for a reason, season, or lifetime is discussed, alongside the changing nature of friendships.
• The significance of learning until saturation and allowing children to explore their interests with the support of their community.
• Various levels of connections in Robert Dunbar's community model and the spectrum of community support.
• Research shows 29% of people feel they have no supportive community.
• Christy Faith encourages putting oneself out there and being open to rejection to find a fitting community.
• Overcoming challenges and leveraging existing friendships to combat isolation after leaving a church.
• Sarah notes the difficulty in finding friends at different life stages and the benefit of children engaging in play across age groups.
• The struggle of balancing homeschooling and work, Colleen stresses the impracticality of perfect balance in parenting.
• Colleen's experiences with shifts in homeschool community dynamics during the pandemic.
• Challenges in finding appropriate programs as family needs change and Colleen's emphasis on her neurodivergent kids' needs.
• The relationship with children is prioritized over other tasks, including suggestions for managing priorities during crisis periods.
• Mourning the changing dynamics of relationships as children grow and being okay with those changes.
• Recognition of the complexity of forming relationships in a tech-driven world, especially for the younger generation.
• The significance of guiding children in distinguishing authentic community and connections outside of social media's influence.
• The value of homeschooling in facilitating important conversations about emotional intelligence and healthy relationship skills.
• Encouraging children to recognize red flags in various types of relationships.
• A caution to homeschooling parents, to stay conscious of their own social life, as it may influence their children's social experiences.

Links and Resources From Today's Show

• Robert Dunbar 5-15-50-150-1500 model
• Strengths Based Autism Interventions
• Christy Faith's Thrive Community
• Raising Lifelong Learners community
• 8 Quick & Easy Questions to Ask Your Homeschool Teen About Their Social Life

Connect with our Guests

Christy Faith

• Christy Faith's Website
• Instagram
• Buy Homeschool Rising

Colleen Kessler

• Raising Lifelong Learners Website
• Connect with Colleen on Instagram
• Pre-Order the Homeschool Advantage

In this episode, Sarah delves into the philosophy of homeschooling, her challenges, and the questions that arose for her family. Using her expertise as an occupational therapist, Sarah discusses the broad and deep role of occupational therapy, shedding light on the various areas of occupation and the detective work involved in understanding and supporting clients in achieving their goals.

She explores the different systems through which families can seek occupational therapy services, including early intervention, the educational system, the medical system, and cash-based services. Sarah provides valuable insights into the positives and negatives of each option, helping families navigate the complex decision-making process.

In this episode you'll hear about:

• Definition of occupational therapy and its broad scope of practice.
• Explanation of OT's role in working with clients to support them in achieving their goals within their daily occupations.
• Examples of the various interventions and adaptations OTs may use to support clients.
• Discussion of the different systems through which families can seek OT services: early intervention, educational system, medical system, and cash-based services.
• Explanation of the differences and limitations of each system, including early intervention, educational system, medical system, and cash-based services.
• Emphasis on the importance of understanding the specific laws and regulations for seeking OT services in one's state.
• Discussion of challenges, limitations, and potential biases within each system, including insurance restrictions, productivity requirements, and socioeconomic limitations.
• Emphasis on the importance of understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each system when seeking OT services for homeschooling children.
• Explanation of the OT is IN membership and its role in providing support and guidance for families in making decisions about seeking OT services.

Links and Resources From Today's Show

• What is occupational therapy?
• The Best Places to Find OT Services for Homeschool Families
• Smart but Scattered Study Guide
• Join the OT is In Membership
• Where to Get OT: A Guide to Different OT Service Providers

In this episode, I welcome Kim Hazelton, an experienced occupational therapist and fellow homeschool mom, to discuss the expectations parents should have when seeking occupational therapy for their children. We discuss the importance of understanding sensory systems and autonomic nervous system behaviors, emphasize the need for personalized and collaborative therapy sessions, and share insights into carrying over therapy techniques at home.

In this episode you'll hear about:

• Discussion on Challenges Faced by Families in Occupational Therapy
• Sarah shares a story of a family and their struggles with occupational therapy for their son.
• Kim explains the impact of autonomic nervous system on sensory system and reflexes, particularly in children.
• Emphasis on understanding the child's regulation struggles and the importance of not creating power struggles during therapy.
• Kim discusses the importance of understanding the parents' concerns, struggles, and priorities.
• Emphasizes the need for collaboration and individualized approach in therapy sessions.
• Kim discusses the approach of addressing the child's challenges and working on goals specific to the parents' priorities.
• Emphasis on involving parents in the therapy sessions and providing them with techniques to use at home.
• Providing concrete proof of a child's progress through videos and feedback.
• Kim highlights the importance of collaboration and communication with parents in therapy.
• The significance of parents being involved in the sessions and following up on the techniques at home.
• Being an educator for the parents and empowering them with techniques for immediate success.
• The haller method and body mapping as therapeutic approaches.
• Body mapping in providing tactile and proprioceptive input to a child's body.

Links and Resources From Today's Show

• The Best Places to Find OT Services for Homeschool Families
• Calm Down Child
• Neuro Roots
• Learning about Interoception and Language Arts Together

Your child refuses an activity, becomes angry during a transition, or has a reaction that seems much bigger than the situation. You may find yourself asking a question many parents ask: Is this sensory or behavior?

In this episode of The OT Is IN, I explore why the answer isn't always either/or. Instead of focusing only on the behavior we can see, we can look at what happened before, during, and after the response to better understand what may be contributing to it.

We'll talk about sensory processing, the fight, flight, or freeze response, the demands of the activity and environment, and regulation and co-regulation. I also share questions you can ask to help you notice patterns and make more intentional decisions about when your child may need support, an adjustment, or encouragement through a challenge.

In This Episode You'll Hear About:

• Questions to ask when you're wondering whether a response is sensory or behavior
• Why behavior can give us information about what a child may be experiencing
• How sensory input, the environment, and activity demands can influence a child's response
• What happens during the fight, flight, or freeze response
• Why looking at what happens before, during, and after a reaction can help you notice patterns
• The role of regulation and co-regulation during difficult moments
• Why explaining the purpose of an activity can support participation
• How reflecting with your child after a difficult experience can help you understand what happened
• Why supporting your child doesn't mean removing every challenge or expectation

Links and Resources From Today's Show

• Is it Sensory or Behavior? Understanding Challenging Behavior
• Free Sensory Vs Behavior Checklist
• A Homeschooler's Guide to Sensory Processing & the Eight SensorySystems
• Sensory Input Activity List
• Sensory Balanced Homeschool Course for Parents

Related Episodes of the OT is IN

• Episode 13: Understanding Your Child's Interoceptive World
• Episode 29: Parenting with Co-Regulation