The OT is IN with Sarah Collins the Homeschool OT cover art

The OT is IN with Sarah Collins the Homeschool OT

The OT is IN with Sarah Collins the Homeschool OT

By: Sarah Collins
Listen for free

About this listen

 The OT is IN podcast merges the worlds of education and occupational therapy to empower families like yours. Sarah Collins, your host, an occupational therapist and homeschooling parent of 3 ranging in age from elementary to high school. Sarah Collins has experienced occupational therapy by supporting families for over 15 years but also through seeking out support for her own children- so, she's right there in the trenches with you. Though there is not one right way to educate your child, there is a lot to consider when individualizing an education. The goal of this podcast is to explain some of the "why" behind what an occupational therapist is thinking so you can artfully apply it to your own family especially with executive functioning, handwriting, and sensory processing. Each episode will be packed with practical tips, expert interviews, and real-life stories aimed at helping you create a supportive learning environment for your child.2024
Episodes
  • Using Music to Support Regulation, Learning, and Connection in Homeschooling and Therapy

    Using Music to Support Regulation, Learning, and Connection in Homeschooling and Therapy
    Jun 19 2025
    Curious if OT could help your child's struggles? Download Why Choose OT to find out! We’re welcoming Anna Galloway, an occupational therapist and music therapist whose passion lies in blending the power of music with the practice of OT. With a background that stretches from working in mental health, hospice, and early intervention to championing collaboration across therapies, Anna dives into how music can regulate emotions, support sensory needs, and help families build connection. You’ll hear her expert insights on using music in everyday life, tips for navigating musical interests in large families, and practical advice for parents looking to make meaningful use of music at home. Whether you’re a homeschooling parent, a therapist, or someone just curious about music’s impact on the brain and learning, this episode is filled with actionable ideas and heartfelt stories. In this episode you'll hear about: Introduction and Background of Anna GallowayAnna’s professional journey:Started as a music therapist after graduating from the University of Alabama.Worked in diverse settings: with refugees’ families, older adults with dementia, inpatient psychiatric programs, hospice, home health, early intervention.Discovered occupational therapy (OT) while working in inpatient rehab, returned to school for OT.Now a faculty member with a research focus on integrating music and OT.Intersection of Music Therapy, Recreation Therapy, and Occupational TherapyDiscussion of collaborative, creative interdisciplinary teams (e.g., working with recreational therapists).Application of prior therapeutic experiences to homeschooling and daily family life.Exploring Auditory Processing and Music’s RoleTransition to a general discussion on music and the brain, separate from specific programs.How Music Affects the Brain and BodyExplanation of how music releases dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin.Roles of these hormones: motivation, mood, attention, social bonding.Using music therapeutically:For relaxation and coping in hospice/end-of-life care.In the NICU to calm infants, regulate physiological responses, promote bonding.Broader uses for environmental and emotional support, regulation, and coping.Understanding Individual Responses to MusicImportance of individualized, person-centered music preferences for effective outcomes.Dangers of generic, prescriptive music interventions—what’s relaxing to one person might be arousing to another.Non-verbal cues in infants and medically fragile populations to gauge music’s effects:Watching for facial orientation, hand gestures, crying, physiological signs of overstimulation.Adjusting tempo and removing syncopation for NICU use.Using music to build tolerance or mask environmental noise as needed.Practical Strategies for Using Music with Children and FamiliesAdapting music use based on intent (regulation vs. education vs. leisure).Tips for group settings or families with mixed music preferences:Collaborative playlist-making, ensuring everyone’s input and adequate listening time.Observing engagement and adjusting duration to maintain participation.Using music for time management and transitions:“Three songs” as a non-ambiguous marker for children.Opportunities for social sharing and connection during music activities.Integrating Music into Occupational TherapyAnna’s doctoral research: Training OTs to use music more effectively.Barriers OTs may face: comfort with music, creativity, and ambiguity.Basic musical elements: rhythm, tempo, use of beats per minute (BPM).Using tempo to match and guide activity pace: Links and Resources From Today's Show Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?TAP BPM- Online Beats Per Minute CalculatorFind The BMP And Key For Any Song Music As An Occupational Therapy ToolMusic As Support To Occupational TherapyEpisode 9: The Impact of Music on Executive Functioning: A Homeschooling PerspectiveEpisode 15: From Morning to Night: Incorporating Social Emotional Learning in Homeschool Episode 45: Engaging Children Through Project-Based and Interest-Led Homeschooling Episode 63: Misophonia Explained: Causes, Triggers, and Real Life Solutions Episode 64: Understanding Auditory Processing Disorder: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Support for Families Connect with our Guest, Anna Galloway Anna is a Clinical Assistant Professor in Occupational Therapy at the University of Florida. She has been a music therapist for 13 years and occupational therapist for 7 years. Her current research explores uses of music within the occupational therapy scope of practice.
    Show More Show Less
    30 mins
  • Understanding Auditory Processing Disorder: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Support for Families

    Understanding Auditory Processing Disorder: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Support for Families
    Jun 12 2025
    Curious if OT could help your child's struggles? Download Why Choose OT to find out! Dr. Jody Jedlicka and I explore the signs and symptoms of APD, delve into its close connections with reading, speech, and even other sensory systems, and break down the process of getting a diagnosis. Most importantly, we highlight the hope and progress possible through effective treatments like auditory training and phonics-based reading support. With practical advice for parents, insight into how speech-language pathologists and audiologists work together, and recommendations for finding resources—even when specialists are hard to come by—this episode is packed with valuable guidance for families navigating APD. In this episode you'll hear about: Introduction of guest, Dr. Jody Jedlicka, AuDJody started as an educational audiologist in Milwaukee Public Schools.Responsibilities included hearing screenings and classroom support for hearing-impaired students.Early realization about the impact of hearing on learning and reading.Moved on to clinical supervision at University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh.Led graduate students; gained experience in auditory processing testing, diagnosis, and treatment.Involvement with LearningRx for treatment options.Overview of Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)Definition: Neurological condition affecting how the brain interprets sounds, especially speech.Individuals often have normal peripheral hearing but difficulties processing sound.Real-life example: Challenges understanding announcements in noisy environments (like airports).Behavioral manifestations: Appearing to have hearing loss despite passing hearing tests.Relationship Between Auditory Processing and Reading/SpeechAPD’s impact on interpreting speech sounds.Difficulty filling in missing speech sounds (auditory closure).Critical role of auditory processing in reading.Blind individuals can read Braille with good auditory processing, but hearing-challenged individuals struggle more.Connection between APD and speech issues.Can stem from genetics, auditory deprivation (e.g., frequent ear infections), or developmental factors.Difficulty hearing certain sounds can impact both speech and literacy (e.g., issues with the “R” sound and spelling).Diagnosis and Treatment of Auditory Processing DisorderChallenges in diagnosisIntersection of speech and audiology in treatment.Speech therapists as a starting point if audiologists aren’t available.Outcomes of APD overlap with things speech pathologists address (reading problems, following directions, listening in noise).Mention of alternative programs, such as LearningRx.Exploring the Link Between APD and the Vestibular SystemParent perspective: Children with a history of ear infections often seek vestibular (movement) input.Signs and Symptoms of APD Parents Might ObserveExpanded explanation of types of APD:Discrimination difficulties (hearing specific sounds).Prosody difficulties (interpreting tone/nuance).Integration: Putting all the information together. Links and Resources From Today's Show Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?LearningRX Auditory Processing Disorder (ADP) Symptoms Successful Treatment Techniques For Auditory Processing Disorders- Key TakeawaysThe Listening Program To Improve Auditory Processing DisordersEpisode 2: Decoding Behavior in homeschooling- sensory overwhelm, emotional control, perseveranceEpisode 9: The Impact of Music on Executive Functioning: A Homeschooling PerspectiveEpisode 35: Connecting Speech, Phonemic Awareness, and Literacy: Sydney Bessard Explains it All Episode 48: Transforming Fashion for Sensory Needs: An Interview with Julia, Adaptive Apparel PioneerConnect With Sarah On Instagram Connect with our Guest, Jody Jedlicka, AuD As Director of Support, Dr. Jody Jedlicka oversees the support of brain training programs and business processes for all LearningRx Centers and their owners. Jody and her husband, an educational psychologist, have owned 3 LearningRx centers in Wisconsin and Hawaii and know firsthand the day-to-day life of an owner/director. Dr. Jody is an audiologist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of children with auditory processing disorders. It was her search for effective treatment options for her patients that led her to LearningRx in 2004. She is also a certified success coach and trainer. Originally from Wisconsin, Jody has been married for more than 36 years, is mom to 3 adult children, grandma to 5 grandchildren and dog-mom to her rescue, Mikey. She spends her free time with family – traveling, biking, exploring breweries and restaurants and cheering for Milwaukee Brewers baseball. She also co-hosts a podcast, The Sisterhood of Success, with her sister.
    Show More Show Less
    33 mins
  • Misophonia Explained: Causes, Triggers, and Real Life Solutions

    Misophonia Explained: Causes, Triggers, and Real Life Solutions
    Jun 5 2025
    Curious if OT could help your child's struggles? Download Why Choose OT to find out! Tom breaks down what misophonia really is, how it differs from simple sound sensitivity, and why it’s so crucial for families to recognize the signs early. They discuss current research, the lack of mainstream resources, and practical, real-world strategies families can use to support children struggling with these intense sound triggers. Tom also highlights the importance of creating supportive environments at home and the need for professional guidance when self-help strategies aren’t enough. In this episode you'll hear about: Tom’s background as a behaviorist and parenting coachHow Tom was introduced to misophonia through a personal family storyUnderstanding MisophoniaDefinition of misophonia as a reflex condition, not a hearing defectTypes of triggers: auditory, visual, and olfactoryTypical misophonia sounds (chewing, talking, birds, lawnmowers, repeating sounds)The inappropriately strong emotional reaction to common soundsReflex pathways and the concept of the “lizard brain”/brain stemThe process by which misophonia develops (pattern recognition, Pavlovian conditioning)Relationship between physical reflex and emotional responseThe lack of misophonia coverage in medical and psychology textbooksPractical Strategies and Supports for MisophoniaImportance of adding background noise (fans, noise machines) at homeBehavioral experiments and increasing body awareness in childrenCase of a young girl displaying unconscious physical reactions to triggersThe analogy to fingernails on a chalkboard as a common non-misophonia sound aversionHow physical reflexes can be more important than initially perceived emotional responsesTechniques to increase body and emotional awareness as a means of reducing triggersThe role of family dynamics and inherited patterns in misophoniaMisophonia’s prevalence in the general population (estimated 5-15%)Differentiating between normal sensitivity and a clinical level of misophoniaImpact on daily life and family relationshipsExamples where sound sensitivity expands to more triggers or worsens over timeWhen and How to Seek HelpIndicators that professional support is neededHow to test simple relaxation strategies and track changes over timeGuidance on working with children and adapting interventions to their developmental levelEncouraging early intervention to prevent escalationThe importance of family support and teamworkThe Role of Environment and Life StagesHow environment (school vs. home) changes trigger severity and coping responsesInfluence of life stress and transitions on misophonia intensityOccupational Therapy (OT) and MisophoniaOT perspective: modifying environment, activities, and body awarenessDiscussion on not altering foods, but instead targeting tolerance to normal soundsGradual reintroduction to triggering environments as part of therapyDifferent therapeutic philosophies and methods (core response vs. tolerance training)Audiologist role in providing ear-level sound generators and alleviating triggers Links and Resources From Today's Show Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy? Misophonia InternationalMisophonia InstituteSo Quiet The International Misophonia FoundationEpisode 1: Unveiling the role of OT in HomeschoolingEpisode 2: Decoding Behavior in homeschooling- sensory overwhelm, emotional control, perseverance Episode 13: Beyond the Five Senses: Understanding Your Child's Interoceptive World with Cara KosinskiEpisode 29: Parenting with Co-RegulationMisophonia TreatmentConnect With Sarah On Instagram Connect with our Guest, Tom Dozier Tom Dozier, MS, BCBA, is a behaviorist who has researched and provided treatment for misophonia as a reflex behavior condition since 2012 and is a pioneer in misophonia research. He is author of Understanding and Overcoming Misophonia, A Conditioned Aversive Reflex Disorder and 10 journal articles. His research indicates misophonia includes both physical and emotional reflexes and explains how misophonia develops and often progresses with time. With this understanding of misophonia, Tom developed Relaxation and Counterconditioning Therapy as a behavioral treatment for misophonia. He has provided this treatment to hundreds of individuals in-person and by telehealth. Tom founded the non-profit Misophonia Institute in 2016 to promote misophonia awareness, research, and professional training, and he serves as president.
    Show More Show Less
    30 mins
No reviews yet