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 From redefining outdated language to exploring how friendships and peer modeling can shift trajectories, this episode is a powerful reflection on the ethical and practical realities of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.

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!

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!

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

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

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

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. 

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!

Do you ever feel like daily notes are just another task on your never-ending to-do list? In this episode, we’re diving into the world of note writing in school-based OT with Jason Gonzalez, OTR/L, co-founder of Double Time Docs. We’ll unpack the purpose of documentation, discuss strategies to make it more efficient and explore how technology can simplify your workflow. Whether you're a seasoned OT or new to school-based practice, this conversation will help you streamline your notes and spend more time doing what you love—helping students thrive!

Listen now to learn the following objectives:

• Learners will identify the essential components of effective school-based OT documentation and its role in student progress.
  
  
• Learners will understand common challenges in note writing and how to streamline documentation without sacrificing quality.
  
  
• Learners will apply strategies for efficient documentation, including using digital tools like Double Time Docs to track progress and inform interventions.

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!

How can two school-based OTs have identical caseload numbers but vastly different workloads?

This episode promises a fresh perspective on evaluating the true demands of our roles, focusing not just on the numbers but the actual time commitments involved.

Join me as I introduce a new series of short, five-minute episodes designed to provide quick, actionable insights tailored for the OT Schoolhouse community.

Together, we'll explore:
• Misconception of measuring your caseload vs another
• Understanding the significance of workload in daily practice
• How different treatment frequency impacts your workload
• The implications of the 24-hour treatment threshold
• A shift in OT conversations from caseload to workload

So, let's break away from the norm and start asking the right questions to truly reflect the demands and responsibilities of our roles. Share your thoughts and let me know if this new format resonates with you!

Do you know your workload?

Grab your caseload spreadsheet and Identify your workload here.

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!