The OT Schoolhouse Podcast for School-Based OT Practitioners

By Jayson Davies

Jayson Davies, OTR/L, from OTSchoolhouse.com dives into the areas of school-based Occupational Therapy most frequently discussed by therapists. Join Jayson and special guests in exploring new practice... more

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FAQs about The OT Schoolhouse Podcast for School-Based OT Practitioners:

How many episodes does The OT Schoolhouse Podcast for School-Based OT Practitioners have?

The podcast currently has 212 episodes available.

Best of The OT Schoolhouse Podcast for School-Based OT Practitioners

The most played episodes among Podcast App listeners.

Number 1: Using the OT Lens to expand School-Wide Mental Health and Behavioral Supports
What if occupational therapy wasn't confined to pullout sessions and IEP goals? Nicole Pfirman, M.Ed., OTR/L, shares how she brought an OT lens to every role—designing multi sensory environments for behavioral regulation, creating prevention and wellness teams that operated outside of special education, and reframing the "mental health crisis" as an intensity crisis that demands systems-level change. You'll learn why sensory regulation and mental health can't be separated, how to advocate for OT involvement at tier one and tier two, and what it takes to shift from waiting for an IEP to meeting student needs proactively. This conversation will challenge you to reclaim participation as the core of your practice and see new pathways for OT leadership in schools. Listen now to learn the following objectives: — Learners will recognize the distinction between a "mental health crisis" and an "intensity crisis," and explain how this reframing reflects the current reality school-based OT practitioners are seeing in students' behavioral presentations. — Learners will identify that sensory system regulation and mental health outcomes are directly connected, and that trauma responses impact the sensory system — meaning trauma-informed care cannot be effectively delivered without also addressing sensory dysregulation. — Learners will identify how OTP's core focus on participation and meaningful occupation applies across all MTSS tiers — from tier one environmental and policy conversations to tier two consultation — not only at the point of IEP eligibility. 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!
August 24, 20261h 1min
Number 2: A School OTP'S Guide to Dysgraphia and Written Expression
In this episode, Jayson Davies sits down with Kelli Fetter, founder of Handwriting Solutions, to explore the world of dysgraphia — from the challenges of diagnosis and assessment to evidence-based, school-based intervention strategies. Kelli shares her personal journey as both an OT and parent of a child with dysgraphia, and explains why she believes school-based OTs are the most well-positioned experts to lead the charge on handwriting support. Kelli and Jayson dig into practical topics including how to assess handwriting across different cognitive load levels, the difference between top-down and bottom-up intervention approaches, and how MTSS frameworks can be used to build tiered handwriting programs in schools. They also discuss the emerging "science of writing" movement and why now is a critical moment for OTs to step into a leadership role in this space. Whether you're new to school-based practice or looking to sharpen your handwriting intervention skills, this episode is packed with actionable strategies you can bring directly to your students. Listen now to learn how to confidently support students with dysgraphia and written expression challenges — and why it's never too late to make a difference. Listen now to learn the following objectives:Explain the OT's role in supporting students with dysgraphia within a tiered MTSS framework, including how to collaborate with teachers, SLPs, and special educators to address written expression as a shared team goal. Apply assessment strategies across varying cognitive load levels — from tracing and near-point copying to dictation and self-generated writing — to identify automaticity gaps and guide intervention planning. Design intensive, frequency-based handwriting intervention models (such as handwriting clubs or camp programs) that leverage motor learning principles to produce faster, more meaningful outcomes than traditional once-weekly sessions. 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!
July 13, 20261h 6min
Number 3: How to kick off the School Year with Confidence
Are you a school-based occupational therapist looking to streamline your practice, build stronger collaborations, and navigate the complexities of documentation, assessments, and district requirements? In this episode, Krupa Kuruvilla shares invaluable tips and systems she's developed over her 10+ years in the field. From managing limited workspace to effective parent communication, her insights will help you kick off the school year with confidence and organization. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, these practical strategies will elevate your OT practice and make your school year more manageable and impactful. Listen now to learn the following objectives:Learners will identify practical strategies for organizing caseloads, documentation, and assessments. Learners will recognize effective communication techniques with teachers, support staff, and families. Learners will understand how to navigate shared workspaces and limited resources in school settings. 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!
July 28, 20251h 5min
Number 4: Greatest Hits: Fostering Safe & Regulating Environments in the Classroom
School-based occupational therapists wear many hats. Sometimes we treat students individually and other times we have to train the teachers in ways they can support students in the classroom. In this greatest hits episode, Join Jayson & Jamie as they talk about supporting teachers in fostering safe and regulating environments in the classroom for students with sensory differences. If you did not catch the original airing of this episode when it was released, or if you simply want to dive into a really good episode on how sensory processing impacts student participation, have a listen during your next walk, drive, or workout. Listen now to learn the following objectives: Learners will identify what is our role in addressing sensory processing in school-based OT Learners will identify strategies that can be used to provide support to students with sensory differences in the classroom Learners will Determine what impact the sensory system has on student performance and engagement 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!
June 17, 20241h 3min
Number 5: Using the 3-to-1 Service Model to Enhance Collaboration And Flexibility
Discover how the 3-to-1 service model can transform collaboration among OT, PT, and speech providers, streamline evaluations, and enhance communication with teachers and parents. In this episode, we'll dig into the scheduling and IEP logistical concerns that come with this model and explore strategies for successfully implementing it, including writing services onto the IEP. Stay tuned as we uncover the impact of the 3-to-1 model on IEPs and highlight the importance of flexibility and creativity in delivering effective school-based OT services. Listen now to learn the following objectives: Learners will be able to identify the differences between the 3-to-1 model and the traditional one-time-a-week direct service model. Learners will identify the key benefits of the 3-to-1 service model in enhancing collaboration among OT, PT, and speech providers. Learners will identify strategies to manage their caseload effectively during flex weeks. 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!
June 03, 20241h 3min