In this episode, I welcome Kim Hazelton, an experienced occupational therapist and fellow homeschool mom, to discuss the expectations parents should have when seeking occupational therapy for their children. We discuss the importance of understanding sensory systems and autonomic nervous system behaviors, emphasize the need for personalized and collaborative therapy sessions, and share insights into carrying over therapy techniques at home.

In this episode you'll hear about:

• Discussion on Challenges Faced by Families in Occupational Therapy
• Sarah shares a story of a family and their struggles with occupational therapy for their son.
• Kim explains the impact of autonomic nervous system on sensory system and reflexes, particularly in children.
• Emphasis on understanding the child's regulation struggles and the importance of not creating power struggles during therapy.
• Kim discusses the importance of understanding the parents' concerns, struggles, and priorities.
• Emphasizes the need for collaboration and individualized approach in therapy sessions.
• Kim discusses the approach of addressing the child's challenges and working on goals specific to the parents' priorities.
• Emphasis on involving parents in the therapy sessions and providing them with techniques to use at home.
• Providing concrete proof of a child's progress through videos and feedback.
• Kim highlights the importance of collaboration and communication with parents in therapy.
• The significance of parents being involved in the sessions and following up on the techniques at home.
• Being an educator for the parents and empowering them with techniques for immediate success.
• The haller method and body mapping as therapeutic approaches.
• Body mapping in providing tactile and proprioceptive input to a child's body.

Links and Resources From Today's Show

• The Best Places to Find OT Services for Homeschool Families
• Calm Down Child
• Neuro Roots
• Learning about Interoception and Language Arts Together