The OT is IN with Sarah Collins the Homeschool OT

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

Dr. Jody Jedlicka and I explore the signs and symptoms of APD, delve into its close connections with reading, speech, and even other sensory systems, and break down the process of getting a diagnosis. Most importantly, we highlight the hope and progress possible through effective treatments like auditory training and phonics-based reading support. With practical advice for parents, insight into how speech-language pathologists and audiologists work together, and recommendations for finding resources—even when specialists are hard to come by—this episode is packed with valuable guidance for families navigating APD.

• Introduction of guest, Dr. Jody Jedlicka, AuD
• Jody started as an educational audiologist in Milwaukee Public Schools.
• Responsibilities included hearing screenings and classroom support for hearing-impaired students.
• Early realization about the impact of hearing on learning and reading.
• Moved on to clinical supervision at University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh.
• Led graduate students; gained experience in auditory processing testing, diagnosis, and treatment.
• Involvement with LearningRx for treatment options.
• Overview of Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)
• Definition: Neurological condition affecting how the brain interprets sounds, especially speech.
• Individuals often have normal peripheral hearing but difficulties processing sound.
• Real-life example: Challenges understanding announcements in noisy environments (like airports).
• Behavioral manifestations: Appearing to have hearing loss despite passing hearing tests.
• Relationship Between Auditory Processing and Reading/Speech
• APD's impact on interpreting speech sounds.
• Difficulty filling in missing speech sounds (auditory closure).
• Critical role of auditory processing in reading.
• Blind individuals can read Braille with good auditory processing, but hearing-challenged individuals struggle more.
• Connection between APD and speech issues.
• Can stem from genetics, auditory deprivation (e.g., frequent ear infections), or developmental factors.
• Difficulty hearing certain sounds can impact both speech and literacy (e.g., issues with the "R" sound and spelling).
• Diagnosis and Treatment of Auditory Processing Disorder
• Challenges in diagnosis
• Intersection of speech and audiology in treatment.
• Speech therapists as a starting point if audiologists aren't available.
• Outcomes of APD overlap with things speech pathologists address (reading problems, following directions, listening in noise).
• Mention of alternative programs, such as LearningRx.
• Exploring the Link Between APD and the Vestibular System
• Parent perspective: Children with a history of ear infections often seek vestibular (movement) input.
• Signs and Symptoms of APD Parents Might Observe
• Expanded explanation of types of APD:
• Discrimination difficulties (hearing specific sounds).
• Prosody difficulties (interpreting tone/nuance).
• Integration: Putting all the information together.

• Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?
• LearningRX
• Auditory Processing Disorder (ADP) Symptoms
• Successful Treatment Techniques For Auditory Processing Disorders- Key Takeaways
• The Listening Program To Improve Auditory Processing Disorders
• Episode 2: Decoding Behavior in homeschooling- sensory overwhelm, emotional control, perseverance
• Episode 9: The Impact of Music on Executive Functioning: A Homeschooling Perspective
• Episode 35: Connecting Speech, Phonemic Awareness, and Literacy: Sydney Bessard Explains it All
• Episode 48: Transforming Fashion for Sensory Needs: An Interview with Julia, Adaptive Apparel Pioneer
• Connect With Sarah On Instagram

As Director of Support, Dr. Jody Jedlicka oversees the support of brain training programs and business processes for all LearningRx Centers and their owners. Jody and her husband, an educational psychologist, have owned 3 LearningRx centers in Wisconsin and Hawaii and know firsthand the day-to-day life of an owner/director. Dr. Jody is an audiologist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of children with auditory processing disorders. It was her search for effective treatment options for her patients that led her to LearningRx in 2004. She is also a certified success coach and trainer. Originally from Wisconsin, Jody has been married for more than 36 years, is mom to 3 adult children, grandma to 5 grandchildren and dog-mom to her rescue, Mikey. She spends her free time with family – traveling, biking, exploring breweries and restaurants and cheering for Milwaukee Brewers baseball. She also co-hosts a podcast, The Sisterhood of Success, with her sister.

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

Tom breaks down what misophonia really is, how it differs from simple sound sensitivity, and why it's so crucial for families to recognize the signs early. They discuss current research, the lack of mainstream resources, and practical, real-world strategies families can use to support children struggling with these intense sound triggers. Tom also highlights the importance of creating supportive environments at home and the need for professional guidance when self-help strategies aren't enough.

• Tom's background as a behaviorist and parenting coach
• How Tom was introduced to misophonia through a personal family story
• Understanding Misophonia
• Definition of misophonia as a reflex condition, not a hearing defect
• Types of triggers: auditory, visual, and olfactory
• Typical misophonia sounds (chewing, talking, birds, lawnmowers, repeating sounds)
• The inappropriately strong emotional reaction to common sounds
• Reflex pathways and the concept of the "lizard brain"/brain stem
• The process by which misophonia develops (pattern recognition, Pavlovian conditioning)
• Relationship between physical reflex and emotional response
• The lack of misophonia coverage in medical and psychology textbooks
• Practical Strategies and Supports for Misophonia
• Importance of adding background noise (fans, noise machines) at home
• Behavioral experiments and increasing body awareness in children
• Case of a young girl displaying unconscious physical reactions to triggers
• The analogy to fingernails on a chalkboard as a common non-misophonia sound aversion
• How physical reflexes can be more important than initially perceived emotional responses
• Techniques to increase body and emotional awareness as a means of reducing triggers
• The role of family dynamics and inherited patterns in misophonia
• Misophonia's prevalence in the general population (estimated 5-15%)
• Differentiating between normal sensitivity and a clinical level of misophonia
• Impact on daily life and family relationships
• Examples where sound sensitivity expands to more triggers or worsens over time
• When and How to Seek Help
• Indicators that professional support is needed
• How to test simple relaxation strategies and track changes over time
• Guidance on working with children and adapting interventions to their developmental level
• Encouraging early intervention to prevent escalation
• The importance of family support and teamwork
• The Role of Environment and Life Stages
• How environment (school vs. home) changes trigger severity and coping responses
• Influence of life stress and transitions on misophonia intensity
• Occupational Therapy (OT) and Misophonia
• OT perspective: modifying environment, activities, and body awareness
• Discussion on not altering foods, but instead targeting tolerance to normal sounds
• Gradual reintroduction to triggering environments as part of therapy
• Different therapeutic philosophies and methods (core response vs. tolerance training)
• Audiologist role in providing ear-level sound generators and alleviating triggers

• Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?
• Misophonia International
• Misophonia Institute
• So Quiet
• The International Misophonia Foundation
• Episode 1: Unveiling the role of OT in Homeschooling
• Episode 2: Decoding Behavior in homeschooling- sensory overwhelm, emotional control, perseverance
• Episode 13: Beyond the Five Senses: Understanding Your Child's Interoceptive World with Cara Kosinski
• Episode 29: Parenting with Co-Regulation
• Misophonia Treatment
• Connect With Sarah On Instagram

Tom Dozier, MS, BCBA, is a behaviorist who has researched and provided treatment for misophonia as a reflex behavior condition since 2012 and is a pioneer in misophonia research. He is author of Understanding and Overcoming Misophonia, A Conditioned Aversive Reflex Disorder and 10 journal articles. His research indicates misophonia includes both physical and emotional reflexes and explains how misophonia develops and often progresses with time. With this understanding of misophonia, Tom developed Relaxation and Counterconditioning Therapy as a behavioral treatment for misophonia. He has provided this treatment to hundreds of individuals in-person and by telehealth. Tom founded the non-profit Misophonia Institute in 2016 to promote misophonia awareness, research, and professional training, and he serves as president.

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

Dr. Moore, a cognitive psychologist and the Director of Psychology and Research at LearningRx, brings her wealth of knowledge and experience. With a background that spans cognitive training, homeschooling, and ADHD, Dr. Moore is an advocate for understanding and nurturing the unique cognitive landscapes of every individual.

We're getting into the intersection of cognitive science, homeschooling, and the challenges faced by neurodivergent learners. Dr. Moore shares her journey of using cognitive training to support her own children and clients in overcoming difficulties related to ADHD and other cognitive challenges. We discuss the role of metronome-paced activities in enhancing cognitive skills, the importance of explaining the 'why' behind these tasks to both children and adults, and how these techniques can support learners in real-life scenarios.

• Introduction of Guests and Podcast Collaboration
• Dr. Amy Moore's Background and Experience
• Cognitive psychologist and director of psychology and research at LearningRx.
• Board-certified Christian counselor, licensed pastor.
• Various roles: curriculum coordinator, classroom teacher, host of Brainy Moms podcast, ADHD mom
• Educational qualifications in education and psychology.
• Homeschooling Experience and Challenges
• Homeschooling her children during different stages.
• Merging Roles: Cognitive Science, Faith, and Education
• Integrating her roles as a pastor, scientist, and educator.
• Viewing every mind as uniquely beautiful and addressing struggles compassionately.
• Supporting Neurodivergent Children
• Critique of labeling ADHD or neurodivergent traits as a "superpower."
• Importance of acknowledging and supporting struggles rather than masking them.
• Understanding Cognitive Rehabilitation and Training
• Definition and explanation of cognitive training versus brain games.
• Unique human-delivered, intense training tasks to strengthen cognitive skills.
• Use of metronome pacing in cognitive training.
• Metronome Utilization in Training
• Connecting metronome use to neuroplasticity and brain processing.
• Different methods for pacing and intensity management during training.
• Real-Life Application of Cognitive Training

• Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?
• How To Use A Metronome To Increase Attention
• How To Improve Working Memory- The OT Toolbox
• Visuals For Talking About The Brain
• Free Stuff From Dr. Amy Moore
• Dr. Amy Moore's Website
• Learning RX
• The Brainy Moms Podcast
• Episode 11: Exploring Unique Learning Paths in Homeschooling with Guest Amy Bodkin
• Episode 15: From Morning to Night: Incorporating Social Emotional Learning in Homeschool
• Episode 19: Understanding Screen Time Effects on Children's Development and Relationships
• Episode 27: Preserving Childhood in a Digital World: Greta Eskridge's Expertise for Families
• Episode 54: Strengthening Executive Functions through Play: Insights from Carol Brown of Equipping Minds
• Connect With Dr. Amy Moore on Instagram
• Connect With Dr. Amy Moore on Facebook
• Connect With Sarah on Instagram

Dr. Amy Moore is a cognitive psychologist, clinical researcher, board certified Christian counselor, TEDx speaker, host of the Brainy Moms podcast, an ADHD mom, and a mom with ADHD. She is the Director of Psychology & Research for LearningRx in Colorado Springs, CO at the headquarters of the largest network of cognitive training centers in the world. Her ground-breaking neuroplasticity research has been published in peer-reviewed medical and psychology journals and presented at conferences around the country. She has a master's degree in early childhood education, a PhD in psychology, and 30 years of experience working with children and families. Dr. Amy and her husband Jeff have been married for 27 years and have 3 grown sons.

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

I'm sitting down with Tere Bowen Irish, an occupational therapist with over 45 years of experience who specializes in mindfulness and yoga, particularly for kids who don't fit into traditional schooling. Tere's name kept popping up for her innovative work in blending occupational therapy, mindfulness, and movement—from music and books she's written to her continuing education efforts for OTs. Today, we'll unravel the true meaning of mindfulness, moving beyond the buzzword to show how it can help children (and adults!) manage anxiety, build attention skills, and connect more deeply with the present moment.

• Tere's Background and Approach
• Tere's experience as an occupational therapist (45+ years)
• Current work: private practice, teaching mindfulness and yoga to children, especially those struggling in public school settings
• Personal journey into mindfulness through yoga and certification as a kids' yoga instructor
• Initial curiosity about mindfulness vs. meditation and influences
• Defining Mindfulness
• Reference to Jon Kabat-Zinn's definition: purposeful awareness in the present moment, without judgment
• Tere's personal understanding and evolution in practicing mindfulness
• Mindfulness for different ages
• Practical Approaches to Mindfulness for Anxious or Distracted Individuals
• Hands-on, co-active practice recommended
• Addressing perceptions and misconceptions
• Use of metaphors
• Gentle introduction with simple activities like listening to a bell, with options for howchildren participate
• Emphasis on comfort and emotional safety
• Engaging Children in Mindfulness
• Allowing children to process their experiences and respond naturally
• Using tactile exercises
• Avoiding rigid, prescriptive mindfulness (like mandatory class-wide videos)
• Positive role of interactive apps for teens (e.g., Calm, Ten Percent Happier)
• Visualization activities to engage kids' senses and focus
• The Role of Senses and Memory in Mindfulness
• Using sensory experiences and recall
• Reference to Charlotte Mason's educational philosophy
• Discussing the importance of "calling back" attention and deepening sensory engagement
• The Distinction Between Child and Adult Presence
• Illustrative cartoon: child present with surroundings, adult distracted by mental clutter
• Examples from Tere's personal life

• Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?
• Connect with Tere on Facebook
• My Mindful Music- Maryann Harman
• Are There Really 3 Types of ADHD?
• Mindfulness and Neural Integration: Daniel Siegel
• Yoga And Me: Come Be A Tree Book
• The Whole Brain Child Book
• 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
• Episode 44: Prioritizing Slow in Homeschooling: A chat with Leslie Martino

Tere Bowen- Irish has practiced Occupational Therapy in pediatrics and psychiatry for over 40 years. Through her business, All the Possibilities, she continues to provide treatment, assessment, and consultation for clients. Workshops for therapists, educators and parents are offered privately, or publicly on a variety of topics such as inclusion, child development, classroom management, behavioral challenges, executive function, and other topics relevant to the 21st century educational system. The focus is on a common sense, practical approach towards empowering educators and students to create a climate of learning, understanding and inclusiveness for all. Tere is also the creator/author of The Drive Thru Menu Suite of Exercises, which is an initiative to bring movement and mindfulness into today's classrooms. She is a certified YogaKids teacher and a Certified Mindful Schools Instructor. She is the author of Yoga and Me, Come be a Tree and co-authored My Mindful Music with Mary Ann Harman. Feel free to contact Tere at [email protected]

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

I'm joined by fellow OT Sarah Anderson—an incredible therapist with over a decade of experience, now specializing in mental health. We dive deep into the intersection of OT and anxiety, especially how it shows up in neurodivergent kids with ADHD or autism.

Sarah shares her journey into the mental health field and offers powerful insights into identifying anxiety patterns, supporting emotional regulation, and creating environments that help kids feel safe during transitions. If you've ever wondered how OT can support your child's mental health—especially when it comes to anxiety—you won't want to miss this one.

• Understanding Anxiety in Occupational Therapy
• Anxiety's function and origin
• Neurodivergence and its connection to anxiety
• Importance of understanding the base of anxiety for treatment
• Identifying Sources of Anxiety
• Patterns and manifestations of anxiety
• Anxiety's connection to neurodivergent conditions
• Sensory processing components
• Parent's Role in Identifying Anxiety
• Observing and understanding child's anxiety
• Early detection and support strategies
• Transition and routine change management
• Connecting Emotions, Feelings, and Body Responses
• Differentiating between feelings and emotions
• Interoception and alexithymia
• Methods to help children identify and express emotions
• Supporting Children Through Anxiety
• Tolerating discomfort and managing anxiety
• Environmental adjustments and tools
• Co-regulation and independence
• Therapy Approaches and Sessions
• What to expect in occupational therapy sessions
• Family-focused therapeutic approaches
• Sensory processing and executive functioning
• Progress and Emotional Management

• Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?
• Elevated Wellbeing OT
• Occupational Therapy For The Anxious Child
• How Occupational Therapy Can Help The Anxiety Epidemic
• A Chameleon Tale Book
• A Chameleon Tale Book Guide
• Episode 1: Unveiling the role of OT in Homeschooling
• Episode 9: The Impact of Music on Executive Functioning: A Homeschooling Perspective
• Bonus Episode: Parenthood and Homeschooling: Choosing the Right Activities for a Balanced Lifestyle
• Episode 13: Beyond the Five Senses: Understanding Your Child's Interoceptive World with Cara Kosinski
• Episode 14: Outdoor Activities to Develop Interoception in Children with Guest Caroline Santangelo
• Episode 15: From Morning to Night: Incorporating Social Emotional Learning in Homeschool
• Episode 16: Navigating the Interoceptive Sense: Insights and Strategies for Parents
• Episode 43: Collaborative Problem-Solving in Education and Parenting
• What Are Executive Functioning Skills?
• Field Trips Can Build Executive Functioning

Dr. Sarah Anderson is a licensed occupational therapist and founder of Elevated Wellbeing OT in Scottsdale, Arizona. She specializes in mental health, trauma, addiction recovery, and life transitions, using a neuroaffirming, client-centered approach to help individuals build sustainable habits and routines that foster resilience and well-being. With advanced training in perinatal mental health, trauma-informed care, polyvagal theory, and emotional intelligence (EQ-i 2.0, MSCEIT), she integrates sensory processing, cognitive strategies, and somatic-based interventions to support emotional regulation and recovery.

Dr. Anderson contracts with Scottsdale Providence Recovery Center, providing occupational therapy for individuals in addiction and mental health recovery at the PHP, IOP, and OP levels of care. She incorporates Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) and sensory-based interventions to support anxiety, executive functioning, and neurodivergence, with a specialization in working with Autistic individuals and those with ADHD.

After seven years as a full-time faculty member at Midwestern University, Dr. Anderson recently stepped back to expand into a group practice. She continues to serve as an adjunct instructor, teaching the mental health curriculum and mentoring future occupational therapists.

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

Joining me is my great friend and collaborator, Jackie Adrian. We've been friends since our early 20s, and today, we're thrilled to share something we've been working on together – our brand-new book that highlights the sensory processing journey of two chameleons, Sally and Seth. Jackie's not only an author and illustrator but also a fellow mom navigating the world of neurodiversity with her own children. As we discuss the book's path to fruition, you'll get an inside look at how we blended our expertise to create a resource that speaks to both kids and parents.

• About Jackie Adrian
• The New Book
• Inspiration and conception of the book
• The story of how Jackie's personal experiences influenced the book
• Personal Experiences
• Jackie's experiences with her son's diagnoses and sensory processing
• Importance of creating tools for communication between parents and children
• Book Details and Theme
• Chameleons as characters and representation of emotions
• The story of Sally and Seth
• Exploring sensory stimuli and responses through a narrative
• Illustration Process
• Jackie's process and thoughts in illustrating emotions
• Discussion on illustrating feelings and simplifying visuals to keep the focus
• Discussion Encouragement
• Suggestions on how parents can use art to encourage discussions with kids
• Empowering children to understand and regulate their emotions
• Other Works by Jackie Adrian

• Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?
• Learn More About "A Chameleon Tale" Book
• A Chameleon Tale Book Guide
• Jackie Adrian's Website
• Jackie's Portfolio of Artwork
• Connect With Jackie On Instagram
• Check Out Jackie's Books
• 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
• Episode 28: Risky Play: Understanding the Benefits and Strategies for Safe Child Development
• Episode 32: Homeschooling During Crisis: Finding Balance with Self Care and Family Support
• Connect With Sarah On Instagram

Jackie Adrian is an author, illustrator, and visual artist who creates work focused on celebrating the "wild and weird" in all of us, inviting us to be more ourselves. She currently resides in the suburbs of DC but has lived in six different states and has traveled to more than 30 countries. This slightly nomadic existence has given her perspective on the root commonalities we can find in different cultures and landscapes. Her art and writing aim to celebrate this with vivid color combinations and uplifting words of affirmation. Her art is playful while her words are soul-stabilizing.

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

Katie Zelinski discusses the intricacies of motor planning, also known as praxis, and its impact on handwriting and daily activities. Katie, with over 11 years of experience in pediatric OT and founder of The Well Balanced OT, shares her wealth of knowledge on how motor planning affects children, from dressing themselves to participating in activities like catching a ball. Katie explores how challenges in motor planning manifest in tasks such as handwriting, and she offers insightful strategies to help parents support their children's development through creative play and practice without the pressure of traditional writing tasks. Whether you're a parent or therapist, this episode provides valuable insights into understanding and addressing motor planning challenges in children.

• Katie Zelinski's Background
• Katie's experience of 11 years as an Occupational Therapist (OT).
• Focus on pediatrics.
• Establishment of Katie's business, The Well Balanced OT.
• Discussion on Motor Planning and Praxis
• Definition and explanation of motor planning and praxis.
• Multiple components of motor planning.
• Steps involved in motor planning: Ideation, Sequencing, Execution.
• Practical examples of motor planning in learning activities.
• Differentiation between practicing motor planning as a skill and it becoming innate.
• Observations of Motor Planning Challenges
• Signs of motor planning challenges in children.
• Examples like dressing, catching a ball, play activities.
• Handwriting and Motor Planning
• Connection between motor planning challenges and handwriting difficulties.
• Ideation's impact on writing.
• Ways motor planning affects holding and using a writing tool.
• Strategies for practicing handwriting without writing.
• Motivating Children with Motor Planning Challenges
• Importance of making learning engaging and incorporating play.
• Use of resources and creativity to support idea generation.
• Avoiding stress by focusing on underlying skills.
• Addressing Motor Planning in Older Children
• Challenges faced by older kids.
• Strategies including using technology and alternative methods.
• Focus on typing and voice-to-text as alternatives to handwriting.

• Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?
• The Well Balanced OT
• From Clumsy To Capable: The Surprising Impact of Martial Arts on Kids' Motor Skills
• Motor Planning: What You Need To Know
• Motor Planning and Praxis: Understanding, Assessing, and Treating
• How Form Drawing Supports Vision, Handwriting, and Academics
• Blending Sensory Integration and Fitness for Better Handwriting
• Understanding the Handwriting Journey: Tools and Techniques for Homeschoolers
• Reading, Writing, and Growing: The Bigger Picture of Developing Fine Motor Skills in Children
• Crafting Holiday Memories while Building Handwriting Skills
• Making Sense of the Handwriting Puzzle – Homeschool OT Course
• Narration- A Path To Thoughtful Learning
• Connect With Sarah on Instagram

Katie is a pediatric occupational therapist who specializes in regulation and sensory processing. She has a certificate in Ayres Sensory Integration. Katie has worked in various settings including early intervention, preschool, and a pediatric outpatient clinic. She is the founder of The Well-Balanced OT which offers online resources, professional development, and mentorship programs for pediatric OTs.

Connect With Katie On Instagram

Connect With Katie On Facebook

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

This week I am talking with Rachel Tidd, an innovative educator renowned for her groundbreaking approach to learning through nature. Rachel has developed curricula like Wild Math and Wild Reading that I have been recommending to families for years. Her knowledge and insights into the outdoor learning world will leave you wanting to expand your homeschooling classrooms.

• Introduction of Rachel Tidd and her work
• Background on Rachel's Children and Sensory Needs
• Discussion about her children attending an outdoor forest preschool.
• Focus on her youngest child's sensory issues and how the environment helped meet those needs.
• Challenges and Homeschooling Decision
• Rachel's consideration of traditional schooling challenges for her sensory-seeking child.
• Decision to homeschool and the process of developing outdoor-focused curriculum materials.
• Development of Wild Math and Reading Curriculum
• Steps Rachel took to create learning materials that integrated outdoor activities.
• Specifics on starting with math due to its hands-on nature and later addressing reading needs.
• Understanding Sensory Needs and Regulation
• Detailed description of her son's sensory-seeking behaviors at home.
• Discussion on sensory-seeking versus regulation and how outdoor environments supported her son.
• Advantages of Outdoor Learning
• Benefits of outdoor environments for sensory input and increased engagement.
• Support for executive functioning, risk-taking, and decision-making in children.
• Health benefits including improved vision and less illness.
• Adapting Outdoor Learning as Children Age
• Continuation of outdoor learning into older grades; adjustments as curriculum expands.
• Integration of indoor activities while maintaining outdoor experiences.
• Parental Tips for Outdoor Learning
• Advice for parents who aren't naturally drawn to the outdoors.
• Importance of having the proper gear to enhance outdoor experiences for both parents and children.
• Addressing Fears and Challenges in Outdoor Learning
• Strategies for dealing with kids' fears of outdoor elements like bugs or weather.
• Emphasizing gradual exposure and flexibility in outdoor activities.
• Wild Learning Resources and Access

• Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?
• Outdoor Education: Research Summary
• What Is Outdoor Education And How Does It Help Students?
• Handwriting Without Actually Writing
• Skills Nature Builds
• Building Fine Motorskills
• Harnessing the Great Outdoors for Visual Development and Learning
• Outdoor Activities to Develop Interoception in Children with Guest Caroline Santangelo
• Supporting Children Through Play-Based Reflex Integration
• Risky Play: Understanding the Benefits and Strategies for Safe Child Development
• Outdoor Adventures: Developing Fine Motor Skills Through Nature-Based Therapy with Carmela Trejo
• Narration: A Path To Thoughtful Learning
• Discover Wild Learning
• Rachel's Book
• Connect with Sarah on Instagram

Rachel Tidd is passionate about using outdoor and place-based learning to enhance literacy and math instruction. She is the author of the book Wild Learning: Practical Ideas for Bringing Teaching Outdoors and the Wild Math® and Wild Reading® Curricula series. Rachel is a former elementary special education teacher with an M.S. Ed. in Elementary and Special Education from Bank Street College of Education. She is a doctoral candidate at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, specializing in Educational Sustainability with a focus on literacy. Her research explores integrating sustainability and language arts. You can find her at discoverwildlearning.com.

Connect with Rachel on Instagram here.

Connect with Rachel on Facebook here

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

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Julie, a prolific author and expert in writing education, shares her journey from growing up with an award-winning author as a mother, to navigating the world of professional writing and homeschooling. We dive into the unique ways professional writers teach writing, contrasting it with traditional school methods that focus heavily on mechanics over the creative content of children's writing.

• Writing Education and Methodology
• Differences between how school teachers and professional writers teach writing
• The emphasis on mechanics versus content in educational curriculums
• Professional writers' strategies focusing on ideas and self-expression
• Julie's observations on how these methodologies affect children and her personal anecdotes
• Practical Strategies for Writing
• Importance of jotting down children's thoughts to bridge ideas and writing
• Role of parents in supporting children's writing processes and ideas
• Affirming children's thoughts through transcription and recorded memories
• Significance of engaging children in reading to develop writing skills
• Writing in the Context of Modern Technology
• Discussion on the use of AI and ChatGPT in writing
• Balancing technology with original thought
• Ethical considerations of AI written content versus personal expression
• Personal and Emotional Connection to Writing
• Writing as a dialogue with oneself
• Examples of practical journal use and value in preserving thoughts
• Emotional and creative benefits of recording significant memories
• Encouraging a Writing and Reading Habit
• Strategies to foster reading habits to improve writing
• Creating shared reading times without digital interruptions
• Understanding the difference between oral language and written language
• Practical Implementation and Advice
• Helping children struggling with writing through transcription methodologies
• Integration of speech-to-text tools for students with writing challenges
• Book Information and Resources

• Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?
• A Brave Writer's Life in Brief Podcast
• How To Help Your Kid Become A Better Writer
• Narration: A Path To Thoughtful Learning
• Teaching Kids To Write Who "Hate Writing"- The Occuplaytional Therapist
• Episode 8: Beyond the Pencil: Exploring Vision's Impact on Homeschool Handwriting Success
• Episode 23: Blending Sensory Integration and Fitness for Better Handwriting
• Episode 38: Practical Learning Tools from a Homeschool Graduate: Sensory Kits for Homeschool Success
• The Brave Writer Website
• The Brave Writer Blog
• Writing Blitz
• Julie Bogart Author Books
• Raising Critical Thinkers
• Connect With Sarah On Instagram

Julie Bogart is known for her common sense writing, critical thinking and home education advice. Julie's the creator of the award-winning, innovative online writing program called Brave Writer serving 191 countries and hundreds of thousands of families. Her highly anticipated new book, Help! My Kid Hates Writing, comes out in April 2025. Julie is also the author of the popular books The Brave Learner and Raising Critical Thinkers. Her Substack, podcast, and social media are wildly popular sources of support to weary, well-intentioned parents. Julie home educated her five children who are now adults and she has three grandchildren. Today, Julie lives in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Connect with Julie on IG

Connect with Julie on FB

Dysgraphia in children involves much more than messy handwriting. A child may have thoughtful ideas and strong verbal answers but still struggle to form letters, spell, organize sentences, or get those ideas onto paper.

In this episode, Sarah Collins is joined by occupational therapist, author, and dysgraphia consultant Cheri Dotterer. Cheri explains the brain-body demands involved in writing and shares a layered framework for understanding where the writing process may be breaking down.

Together, Sarah and Cheri discuss handwriting, memory, visual-spatial processing, language, written expression, and flow states. They also explore how direct instruction, accommodations, and technology can work together to support children without overlooking the ideas they want to communicate.

• what dysgraphia means and why it is more than messy handwriting
• handwriting and written-expression difficulties
• Cheri's personal and professional journey
• Handwriting Brain-Body DisConnect
• why writing may not become automatic
• flow states and their relationship to writing
• motor, visual-spatial, memory, language, and cognitive demands
• the difference between direct instruction and accommodations
• memory aids and visual references
• separating handwriting practice from academic learning
• recording, typing, and speech-to-text as writing supports
• balancing handwriting and technology
• helping parents recognize effective support

Making Sense of the Handwriting Puzzle is a self-paced course created for homeschool parents by an occupational therapist and homeschool mom. Learn how to observe possible barriers, understand dysgraphia, choose practical strategies, and make thoughtful decisions about accommodations, assistive technology, and AI.

Learn more about the handwriting course

• Read the complete article
• Dysgraphia Checklist
• Handwriting Brain-Body DisConnect Course
• Handwriting Brain-Body DisConnect Paperback
• AlphaTriangle
• Brain-Body DisConnect Discussion Guide
• Narration: A Path to Thoughtful Learning
• Episode 24: Why Is Handwriting Hard for My Child?
• Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?
• The Writing Glitch Podcast
• Dotterer Educational Consulting
• Connect with Cheri on LinkedIn
• Connect with Sarah on Instagram

Cheri Dotterer is an occupational therapist, dysgraphia consultant, author of Handwriting Brain-Body DisConnect, and host of The Writing Glitch Podcast. Her work helps parents and educators understand the motor, cognitive, language, and neurological demands involved in writing.

Cheri's professional work grew from her experience supporting her own child through spelling and writing challenges. She now provides education, resources, and practical frameworks that help families and professionals look beyond the finished page and consider the barriers affecting written communication.

Connect with Cheri through Dotterer Educational Consulting and follow her on Instagram.