What does it really mean to provide neurodiversity-affirming care in schools? In this episode, Dr. Bryden Carlson-Giving—a neurodivergent OT and creator of the Empower Model—shares powerful insights and practical strategies to move beyond deficit-focused practices and truly center student voice, identity, and autonomy.

You’ll learn how to write strengths-based goals, conduct inclusive evaluations, and support authentic participation—while navigating the real-world challenges of school-based OT. Whether you're a seasoned OT or new to the field, this conversation will leave you inspired and equipped to better support neurodivergent learners.

Listen now to learn the following objectives:

• Learners will understand the foundations of neurodiversity affirming practice
  
  
• Learners will identify practical strategies to make OT services more empowering for neurodivergent students
  
  
• Learners will explore the empower model in School-Based OT

Thanks for tuning in!

Thanks for tuning into the OT Schoolhouse Podcast brought to you by the OT Schoolhouse Collaborative Community for school-based OTPs. In OTS Collab, we use community-powered professional development to learn together and implement strategies together.

Don't forget to subscribe to the show and check out the show notes for every episode at OTSchoolhouse.com

See you in the next episode!

In Part 2 of this important conversation, Dr. Savitha Sundar returns to explore what inclusive OT practice can look like beyond the buzzwords. In this episode, Savitha helps us shift from reflection to action, discussing how to align our evaluations, goals, and service models with the values of true inclusion.

We also talk about building meaningful collaborations with general education staff, embedding participation-focused goals into IEPs, and celebrating small wins in systems that are slow to change. If you’ve ever asked how to make your OT services more inclusive and collaborative, this episode is a must-listen.

Listen now to learn the following objectives:

• Distinguish between traditional “push-in” models and inclusive OT practices that center student participation in general education environments.
  
  
• Learn how to write IEP goals and conduct evaluations that promote inclusive outcomes for students with extensive support needs.
  
  
• Explore strategies for building trust and collaboration with general education teachers to support system-wide inclusion.

View the full show notes and Transcript at OTSchoolhouse.com/episode177

Thanks for tuning in!

Thanks for tuning into the OT Schoolhouse Podcast brought to you by the OT Schoolhouse Collaborative Community for school-based OTPs. In OTS Collab, we use community-powered professional development to learn together and implement strategies together.

Don't forget to subscribe to the show and check out the show notes for every episode at OTSchoolhouse.com

See you in the next episode!

Ever wondered how school-based OTs can meaningfully support students with extensive support needs? 

Supporting students with extensive support needs has long been one of the most challenging and under-resourced areas of school-based OT. In this first of a two-part episode, Dr. Savitha Sundar joins Jayson to unpack the history, systemic influences, and practitioner struggles that shape how services are delivered in special education classrooms today. From redefining outdated language to exploring how friendships and peer modeling can shift trajectories, this episode is a powerful reflection on the ethical and practical realities of inclusive education.

This episode sets the foundation for building more inclusive school communities—and why occupational therapists play a key role in leading that change.

🎧 Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll move into actionable strategies and systemic shifts.

Listen now to learn the following objectives:

-Learners will reflect on the historical and systemic factors that have contributed to the segregation of students with extensive support needs in school settings.

-Learners will identify challenges OTPs face when serving students in self-contained classrooms and how these challenges impact practice.

-Learners will understand the evolving terminology and research around inclusive education and how it relates to the role of school-based OTPs.

Thanks for tuning in!

Thanks for tuning into the OT Schoolhouse Podcast brought to you by the OT Schoolhouse Collaborative Community for school-based OTPs. In OTS Collab, we use community-powered professional development to learn together and implement strategies together.

Don't forget to subscribe to the show and check out the show notes for every episode at OTSchoolhouse.com

See you in the next episode!

In this episode, Jayson discusses the often misunderstood role of school-based occupational therapy practitioners. He emphasizes the need for OT practitioners to advocate for their diverse skills beyond handwriting instruction, highlighting the importance of collaboration with teachers and administrators.

The conversation explores teacher and administrator perspectives on OT services, the value of collaboration, and the challenges faced by OT practitioners in schools. Jayson encourages listeners to find ways to support teachers and improve the perception of OT in educational settings.

Takeaways

• School-based OT practitioners are often seen only as handwriting instructors.
  
  
• Teachers value collaboration with OT practitioners to support students.
  
  
• Many teachers want to see more OT involvement in classrooms.
  
  
• Administrators may not fully understand the workload model of OT services.
  
  
• OT practitioners need to advocate for their diverse roles in schools.
  
  
• Collaboration can lead to better outcomes for students.
  
  
• Teachers appreciate OT support in their classrooms.
  
  
• OT practitioners should provide practical strategies to teachers.
  
  
• Understanding teacher perspectives can improve OT services.
  
  
• Advocacy is essential for changing perceptions of OT in education.

Kick off the 2025-26 school year at the Back to School Conference!

Learn why so many OTPs dub the Back to School Conference their FAVORITE OT conference. Join 600+ school-based OT practitioners in accessing knowledge, resources, and support to start the school year strong. 

CLICK HERE to save $50 and secure your spot with code PODCAST25

Thanks for tuning in!

Thanks for tuning into the OT Schoolhouse Podcast brought to you by the OT Schoolhouse Collaborative Community for school-based OTPs. In OTS Collab, we use community-powered professional development to learn together and implement strategies together.

Don't forget to subscribe to the show and check out the show notes for every episode at OTSchoolhouse.com

See you in the next episode!

Kick off the 2025-26 school year at the Back to School Conference!

Learn why so many OTPs dub the Back to School Conference their FAVORITE OT conference. Join 600+ school-based OT practitioners in accessing knowledge, resources, and support to start the school year strong. 

CLICK HERE to save $50 and secure your spot with code PODCAST25

Thanks for tuning in!

Thanks for tuning into the OT Schoolhouse Podcast brought to you by the OT Schoolhouse Collaborative Community for school-based OTPs. In OTS Collab, we use community-powered professional development to learn together and implement strategies together.

Don't forget to subscribe to the show and check out the show notes for every episode at OTSchoolhouse.com

See you in the next episode!

In this episode, Jayson has a compelling conversation with guests Jaime Spencer, Kim Wiggins, and Serena Zeidler as they discuss their research into the barriers and opportunities for OTPs aspiring to leadership positions within the educational system. 

Discover the historical and legislative challenges OTPs face, the vast impact on school communities, and the innovative ways states are beginning to address these issues. With engaging insights and passionate advocacy, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in transforming the role of OTs in schools and ensuring their potential is fully realized for the benefit of students and educators.

Listen now to learn the following objectives:

• Learners will be able to explain how historical perceptions of OTs influence their current exclusion from leadership roles in education.
  
  
• Learners will identify legislative and credentialing differences that affect OT administrative eligibility across the U.S.
  
  
• Learners will identify the barriers that prevent OTs from being recognized as instructional staff in various states.

View the full show notes for this episode here!

Kick off the 2025-26 school year at the Back to School Conference!

Learn why so many OTPs dub the Back to School Conference their FAVORITE OT conference. Join 600+ school-based OT practitioners in accessing knowledge, resources, and support to start the school year strong. 

CLICK HERE to save $50 and secure your spot with code PODCAST25

Thanks for tuning in!

Thanks for tuning into the OT Schoolhouse Podcast brought to you by the OT Schoolhouse Collaborative Community for school-based OTPs. In OTS Collab, we use community-powered professional development to learn together and implement strategies together.

Don't forget to subscribe to the show and check out the show notes for every episode at OTSchoolhouse.com

See you in the next episode!

In this episode, Doug Vestal, author, and financial guru, uncovers the path to financial freedom for occupational therapists. He will dive into the heart of money management and share how he and his wife tackled $150,000 of student loan debt in three years and offer invaluable strategies to help you do the same. 

From budgeting tips to investing insights, Doug equips OTs with the tools to boost their financial health and leverage financial stability to become more effective practitioners. Whether you’re an OT seeking to start your own practice or simply aiming to get out of debt and plan for the future, this episode is your roadmap to financial empowerment.

Listen now to learn the following objectives:

• Learners will identify the importance of financial literacy
  
  
• Learners will identify strategies to help pay down debt
  
  
• Learners will identify budgeting strategies and how to allocate funds effectively

Kick off the 2025-26 school year at the Back to School Conference!

Learn why so many OTPs dub the Back to School Conference their FAVORITE OT conference. Join 600+ school-based OT practitioners in accessing knowledge, resources, and support to start the school year strong. 

CLICK HERE to save $50 and secure your spot with code PODCAST25

Thanks for tuning in!

Thanks for tuning into the OT Schoolhouse Podcast brought to you by the OT Schoolhouse Collaborative Community for school-based OTPs. In OTS Collab, we use community-powered professional development to learn together and implement strategies together.

Don't forget to subscribe to the show and check out the show notes for every episode at OTSchoolhouse.com

See you in the next episode!

Yesterday, after President Trump signed the Executive Order related to the Dept. of Education, I sat down with Abe Saffer (AOTA Senior Legislative Representative) to discuss the immediate and potential long-term implications for OT practitioners and those we serve.

In this episode, we discuss the recent executive order signed by President Trump regarding the Department of Education. We also explore the implications of significant staff layoffs, the potential impact on school-based occupational therapy practitioners, and the shift of power to state education departments. The conversation also highlights AOTA's response to these changes and the financial implications of the executive order.

This episode was edited quickly to get it to you as soon as possible. We apologize for the rough audio in some sections, but we hope the content is helpful. 

References: 

• The executive order
• Navigating Change: Expert Perspectives on Recent Federal Education Actions on School-Based Practice (At AOTA Inspire) - Thursday, April 3 | 10:00 am–11:00 am
• Executive order eliminating the Department of Education (AOTA Article from Abe)
• Protecting Section 504 (AOTA Advocacy Article)

- Recorded on 3/20/2025 at 3 pm PT

Kick off the 2025-26 school year at the Back to School Conference!

Learn why so many OTPs dub the Back to School Conference their FAVORITE OT conference. Join 600+ school-based OT practitioners in accessing knowledge, resources, and support to start the school year strong. 

CLICK HERE to save $50 and secure your spot with code PODCAST25

Thanks for tuning in!

Thanks for tuning into the OT Schoolhouse Podcast brought to you by the OT Schoolhouse Collaborative Community for school-based OTPs. In OTS Collab, we use community-powered professional development to learn together and implement strategies together.

Don't forget to subscribe to the show and check out the show notes for every episode at OTSchoolhouse.com

See you in the next episode!

In this episode Jayson  teams up with guests Karen and Heather to get into the transformative world of Psymark—a digital tool designed to revolutionize school-based occupational therapy assessments. Karen’s journey from school psychologist to a tech innovator, alongside Heather’s experience as an occupational therapist, offers listeners a deep dive into how technology is reshaping the way we monitor and support students' visual motor integration. 

Discover the magic behind self-scoring iPad assessments that promise to simplify processes, provide teachers and therapists with precise insights, and potentially reduce referrals, all while laying the groundwork for essential interventions. Join us for an exploration of cutting-edge strategies making waves in the field of occupational therapy.

Listen now to learn the following objectives:

• Learners will recall the components and purpose of the Psymark tool 
  
  
• Learners will identify the specific visual motor assessment areas that the Psymark tool evaluates 
  
  
• Learners will be able to indicate some of the initial research and data analysis of the psymark tool

Kick off the 2025-26 school year at the Back to School Conference!

Learn why so many OTPs dub the Back to School Conference their FAVORITE OT conference. Join 600+ school-based OT practitioners in accessing knowledge, resources, and support to start the school year strong. 

CLICK HERE to save $50 and secure your spot with code PODCAST25

Thanks for tuning in!

Thanks for tuning into the OT Schoolhouse Podcast brought to you by the OT Schoolhouse Collaborative Community for school-based OTPs. In OTS Collab, we use community-powered professional development to learn together and implement strategies together.

Don't forget to subscribe to the show and check out the show notes for every episode at OTSchoolhouse.com

See you in the next episode!

Discover the transformative power of nature in the classroom with this episode of the OT Schoolhouse Podcast! Join host Jayson Davies as he chats with Alex Thompson, an experienced occupational therapist and former teacher, who has devoted her career to blending nature with school-based OT practices. Learn how Alex empowers teachers and students by redesigning classrooms, creating sensory-friendly environments, and fostering self-regulation through the innovative use of outdoor and nature-inspired strategies. Don’t miss the chance to reimagine classroom design with nature as your guide!

Listen now to learn the following objectives:

• Learners will recognize…the significance of collaborating with teachers and students to create learning environments (via classroom makeovers or modifications) that address the diverse sensory, emotional, and learning needs of all students.

• Learners will identify the role of occupational therapy in classroom design and understand how incorporating nature and holistic approaches can improve self-regulation and learning outcomes in students.
  
  
  
• Learners will associate that supporting teachers' self-regulation and wellness directly impacts the classroom atmosphere and student outcomes. 

Kick off the 2025-26 school year at the Back to School Conference!

Learn why so many OTPs dub the Back to School Conference their FAVORITE OT conference. Join 600+ school-based OT practitioners in accessing knowledge, resources, and support to start the school year strong. 

CLICK HERE to save $50 and secure your spot with code PODCAST25

Thanks for tuning in!

Thanks for tuning into the OT Schoolhouse Podcast brought to you by the OT Schoolhouse Collaborative Community for school-based OTPs. In OTS Collab, we use community-powered professional development to learn together and implement strategies together.

Don't forget to subscribe to the show and check out the show notes for every episode at OTSchoolhouse.com

See you in the next episode!