Therapod Podcast

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🎙️ Just dropped Season 6 of Therapod Podcast - "More Than Words" - and I'm excited to share what we're exploring.

This season dives deep into speech and language development across the lifespan. Not just therapy techniques, but how communication shapes education, work, and daily life.

I'm joined by co-host Carolyn Galler, an advisory teacher for speech, language and communication needs, bringing a fresh perspective to our conversations.

Our latest episode features Amanda Finder, who's developed something remarkable - the "DLD Me" program. It helps children and teens understand their Developmental Language Disorder and build self-advocacy skills.

What struck me most? Amanda's insight that we often take children out of class for therapy without explaining why they need it. We're addressing the elephant in the room - helping young people understand their strengths AND their challenges.

The research is clear: early self-advocacy skills lead to better long-term outcomes. Yet too often, we make decisions about children without asking what they actually need.

For therapists and educators following my work - this episode offers practical approaches to student voice and self-determination. Essential listening if you're supporting children with communication needs.

Available now on all podcast platforms. What resonates with you about giving children agency in their own therapeutic journey?

#SpeechTherapy #ChildDevelopment #TherapodPodcast

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With the start of the new season we have our host Georgie Cooney introduce and interview new host for this season Carolyn Gelenter, an Advisory Teacher for speech, language and communication! Together they explore why speech, language, and communication are fundamental issues of social justice. Carolyn challenges the "one-size-fits-all" approach to teaching, arguing that children are often pushed into complex reading tasks before they have the vocabulary or life experiences to understand them. From the impact of COVID-19 to the link between poverty and communication, Carolyn explains why we must prioritize "listening and speaking" to ensure no child is left behind in school or life. Listen to this podcast to get a glimpse of what is coming further this season!

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In this  episode of the Therapod Podcast, Banu chats with educator and CEO of Edsplorer- Leo Thompson to explore what it truly means to unlock human potential in schools. From the neuroscience of learning and the role of emotional regulation to the challenges of curriculum relevance and exam pressure, this conversation dives deep into how children learn—and why many struggle. Leo shares insights from his work across international schools, including India, highlighting the importance of inclusion, learner agency, and teaching students how to learn, not just what to learn. 

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or anyone passionate about child development, this episode offers practical wisdom, hope, and a refreshing perspective on helping young people thrive.

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In this episode, Banu and Aofie highlight the significant and often under-recognized challenges faced by neurodivergent women, particularly those with ADHD, due to the intense impact of hormonal fluctuations throughout their lives. The core idea is that the already difficult nature of living with ADHD is magnified by the cycle of hormones, which dramatically affects emotional regulation and executive functions. By using simplified frameworks, like the "Four Seasons" model (Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn) instead of complex medical jargon, the focus shifts from self-blame ("What's wrong with me?") to understanding ("What's happening?"). This approach grants the crucial permission to rest and adapt one's life, helping to reduce the pervasive shame and need to constantly advocate for needs that are often misunderstood by the medical and educational systems. The overall goal is to foster autonomy and self-compassion by recognizing and validating these biological realities.

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In this episode we explore the world of Talk Therapies and the role they play different settings. We chat with Dr Victoria Page- a psychologist, Emily Murphy- a nurse and psychotherapist and Aofie McCormack- a family therapist to view how talk therapy works in their practices!

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In this episode, Banu and Elisha explore neurodiversity, the challenges within traditional education, and why systemic reform is essential for both students and teachers. They discuss how purpose and genuine interest — the “why” — are powerful motivators for learning, especially for neurodivergent minds, and how behaviors often seen as “problems” are really responses to unmet needs. Alicia also shares a compassionate low-demand, connection-first approach for supporting kids experiencing “school-can’t,” emphasizing safety, trust, and emotional well-being over attendance and performance.

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Happy OT week! In this episode of the Theropod podcast, we welcome Aislinn Pierse, a pediatric occupational therapist with over 20 years of experience. Aislinn discusses the nuances of pediatric occupational therapy, emphasizing the importance of understanding a child's unique context and building strong therapeutic relationships. She explores common reasons for referrals, such as handwriting issues and emotional dysregulation, while highlighting that these often mask deeper challenges. Aislinn also shares her approach to assessments, advocating for qualitative observations over standardized scores to truly capture a child's needs. Join us for a thoughtful conversation that offers valuable insights into supporting children and their families through occupational therapy. 

For more information on our work follow- @therapodpodcast on instagram @therapod pod on facebook Or email us at [email protected]. Thank you for listening

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Banu Balaji, the host and an occupational Therapist chats with Georgie Coney , a dedicated and fully qualified teacher, author, and dyslexia specialist with over two decades of experience. She is passionate about fostering positive learning environments for all children, with a deep understanding of learners with specific learning difficulties.

As a qualified diagnostic assessor of specific learning difficulties in the UK and a specialist teacher, Georgie brings a wealth of expertise to her practice. She serves as a coordinator and dyslexia tutor at the Dyslexia Association of Ireland and runs her own tutoring business, Dyslexia Span.

Georgie has held various teaching roles, including teacher training for parent partners and education, and has worked as an inclusion manager, SENCO, and learning support coordinator in mainstream and special education settings. She has authored several books on spelling and phonological awareness to aid learners with dyslexia and other challenges.

In addition to her teaching work, Georgie co-hosts the "The Long Way Back" podcast on neurodiversity with Timmy Long. She is committed to supporting learners with dyslexia and other learning differences through her teaching, advising, and advocacy efforts.

For more information on our work follow-

@therapodpodcast on instagram

@therapod podcast on facebook

Or email us at [email protected]. Thank you for listening!