Ideas at Play: An Occupational Therapy (OT) Podcast

Tired of Googling for interventions that actually work? We dive into the mother of all systematic reviews covering 129 studies and 52 occupational therapy interventions across nine decades of pediatric OT research. Discover which interventions landed in the green zone (do these!), which fell into the red (avoid!), and why parent collaboration and occupation-based approaches consistently outperform bottom-up methods. Michele and Lacy discuss this evidence-based, color-coded roadmap that you can apply in your therapy sessions tomorrow. Plus they answer a listener question about the differences between sensory integration, sensory processing, sensory stimulation, and sensory desensitization.  ***In episode 20, Lacy and Michele interview one of the authors of this article, Dr. Iona Novak. She shares new intervention updates and trends she has seen since this publication.  We share our own thoughts in the Research Review and encourage you to read the original article too.Novak, I., & Honan, I. (2019). Effectiveness of paediatric occupational therapy for children with disabilities: A systematic review. Australian occupational therapy journal, 66(3), 258-273.Want to hear more about Ideas at Work?  Send us an email to IdeasAtPlayPodcast@gmail.comStay informed, stay curious, and stay playful! ✏️ Sign up for our newsletter by clicking here. 📧 Email us a question or comment at IdeasAtPlayPodcast@gmail.com 👉 Find us on Instagram @ideas.at.play

Michele and Lacy recap the AOTA Children & Youth Conference where they presented on sleep interventions, hard conversations with families, and community-based fieldwork. They share the hottest topics in pediatric OT—parent collaboration, mental health strategies, handwriting, and more—plus the conversations and products that made this conference memorable.Stay informed, stay curious, and stay playful! ✏️ Sign up for our newsletter by clicking here. 📧 Email us a question or comment at IdeasAtPlayPodcast@gmail.com 👉 Find us on Instagram @ideas.at.play

 Reflex integration is one of the hottest topics in pediatric OT right now—but is it evidence-based? In this episode, we examine the research on the Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration (MNRI®) method and uncover critical gaps that every therapist needs to know about. From inconsistent intervention methods to assessment measures missing statistical verification, to a stunning finding about retained primitive reflexes in typical preschool and elementary children (present in 93-100%). We break down what the evidence actually shows. We'll also give you a practical framework for evaluating any controversial practice and help you make informed decisions that balance research, clinical reasoning, and family values. This is the honest, thorough analysis you've been looking for. Get the OT Practice Checklist here to evaluate the evidence for and "red flags" against an intervention method/practice.We share our own thoughts in the Research Review and encourage you to read the original article too.Berg, L. A., Brown, D., Kroll, K., Pfaff, C., & Cleveland, L. (2022). The Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration (MNRI®): A Scoping Review. The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 10(4), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.15453/2168-6408.1927   KEYWORDS: Occupational therapy; evidence-based practice; OT; OT ideas; Peds OT; pediatric occupational therapy; reflex integration; primitive reflexes; MNRI method; reflex integration therapyWant to hear more about Ideas at Work?  Send us an email to IdeasAtPlayPodcast@gmail.comStay informed, stay curious, and stay playful! ✏️ Sign up for our newsletter by clicking here. 📧 Email us a question or comment at IdeasAtPlayPodcast@gmail.com 👉 Find us on Instagram @ideas.at.play

Sex is an occupation, but how do we (or should we) address this in pediatric OT practice? This episode discusses why avoiding this topic is an occupational injustice and what we can do about it. We talk about the research and cover everything from sensory considerations in relationships to teaching boundaries and safety. If you work with adolescents or young adults, this episode will give you the framework, practical tools, and confidence to start supporting clients and caregivers in this critical—and often overlooked—area of daily life.We share our own thoughts in the Research Review and encourage you to read the original article too.Urban, T. M., & Douglas, R. R. (2024). Occupational Therapists' Role in Sexual Education for Teens and Young Adults Living with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 12(1), 1-4. https://doi.org/10.15453/2168-6408.2093KEYWORDS: Occupational therapy; evidence-based practice; OT; OT ideas; Peds OT; pediatric occupational therapy; sex education; autism; teensStay informed, stay curious, and stay playful! ✏️ Sign up for our newsletter by clicking here. 📧 Email us a question or comment at IdeasAtPlayPodcast@gmail.com 👉 Find us on Instagram @ideas.at.play

Holiday shopping with purpose starts here! This week we're sharing our favorite gift ideas for therapists, kids, and everyone on your list. Discover directories of disabled-owned businesses for fun new ideas, then hear about our favorite therapy products like light-up pop tubes, bubble tongs, and the bow-and-arrow set. We're also highlighting self-care essentials every therapist needs—from anxiety-reducing playlists to washable clinic rugs. Whether you're filling stockings or treating yourself, these are genuine recommendations from two OTs who love using great products. Check the newsletter (sign-up below) for links to everything we mentioned!Stay informed, stay curious, and stay playful! ✏️ Sign up for our newsletter by clicking here. 📧 Email us a question or comment at IdeasAtPlayPodcast@gmail.com 👉 Find us on Instagram @ideas.at.play

Running in circles, flapping arms, spinning with ribbons—Heather Kuhaneck, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, explains why joining in play with kids creates the connection that makes therapy possible. As editor of Case-Smith’s Occupational Therapy for Children and Adolescents, co-creator of the Sensory Processing Measure, and program director at Southern Connecticut State University, Heather knows play and sensory integration inside out. She shares research-backed strategies for using imitation to spark connection, introduces her Classroom Sensory Environment Assessment (C-SEA) tool for collaborating with teachers, and how to make the most of boring playgrounds. You'll hear unforgettable "nailed it" and "failed it" moments—first words emerging on swings, basketball victories with dad, and one critical safety lesson. This conversation will change how you approach play with autistic children in any setting.KEYWORDS: Occupational therapy; evidence-based practice; OT; OT ideas; Peds OT; pediatric occupational therapy; play; autism; sensory integration; Heather KuhaneckStay informed, stay curious, and stay playful! ✏️ Sign up for our newsletter by clicking here. 📧 Email us a question or comment at IdeasAtPlayPodcast@gmail.com 👉 Find us on Instagram @ideas.at.play

What do early career occupational therapists really prioritize when choosing their first OT job? Spoiler alert: salary ranks 9th out of 16 factors. In this episode, we break down a fascinating Canadian study that surveyed early career occupational therapists about what actually matters in their job search—and the findings might surprise you. We reveal the top intrinsic and extrinsic factors driving OT employment decisions, why 60% of new grad occupational therapists have jobs lined up before graduation, and how OT priorities shift between your first job and your second (or third!) job. Occupational therapy students will learn what to look for in job searches, OT employers will discover how to attract top talent, and experienced therapists can reflect on whether their current position aligns with what truly matters to them.We share our own thoughts in the Research Review and encourage you to read the original article too.Lui S, Boniface J, Boniface G, Drynan D. Employment Decisions of Newly Graduated Occupational Therapists. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy. 2024;92(2):76-84. doi:10.1177/00084174241274742KEYWORDS: Occupational therapy; evidence-based practice; OT; OT ideas; Peds OT; pediatric occupational therapy; new grad OT; early career OT; employmentStay informed, stay curious, and stay playful! ✏️ Sign up for our newsletter by clicking here. 📧 Email us a question or comment at IdeasAtPlayPodcast@gmail.com 👉 Find us on Instagram @ideas.at.play

Want an OT intervention that tackles motor skills AND social communication? This week we're unpacking seated play intervention for autistic children—exactly what it looks like, why it works, and how occupational therapists can use these key ingredients in practice. We explore research revealing surprising BOT-2 results, the power of structured repetition, and whether telehealth matches face-to-face therapy effectiveness. Plus, Michele shares a vulnerable "Failed It" about balancing relationship-building with skill development. This episode delivers actionable, research-backed strategies for school-based and outpatient OTs—the research article even includes incredibly detailed supplemental materials that walk you through the intervention step-by-step.We share our own thoughts in the Research Review and encourage you to read the original article too.Su, W. C., Cleffi, C., Srinivasan, S., & Bhat, A. (2023). Telehealth Versus Face-to-Face Fine Motor and Social Communication Interventions for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Efficacy, Fidelity, Acceptability, and Feasibility. The American journal of occupational therapy, 77(6), 7706205130.  https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2023.050282KEYWORDS: Occupational therapy; evidence-based practice; OT; OT ideas; Peds OT; pediatric occupational therapy; autism; play; motor skills; social connection; telehealthStay informed, stay curious, and stay playful! ✏️ Sign up for our newsletter by clicking here. 📧 Email us a question or comment at IdeasAtPlayPodcast@gmail.com 👉 Find us on Instagram @ideas.at.play

Interoception is everywhere in pediatric occupational therapy—but does the evidence support what OTPs are doing? We dig into a 2025 scoping review revealing the surprising truth: most research is preliminary and thin. We break down 3  intervention curricula (Kelly Mahler is leading the charge), explain why your brain's insula is the "Inside Out" dashboard for body sensations and emotions, and get real about the assessment gap leaving occupational therapists flying blind. Michele shares her honest experience with interoception interventions and we tackle the burning question: should OTPs use approaches with this little evidence? Spoiler: maybe, but only if you're measuring progress closely. If you've wondered whether to jump on the interoception bandwagon or you're already using it in your occupational therapy practice, this episode is your reality check.We share our own thoughts in the Research Review and encourage you to read the original article too.Clark, E., Brown, T., & Yu, M.-L. (2025). Interoception and its application to paediatric occupational therapy: A scoping review. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 72(1), e12997. https://doi.org/10.1111/1440-1630.12997  KEYWORDS: Occupational therapy; evidence-based practice; OT; OT ideas; Peds OT; pediatric occupational therapy; interoception; interoception intervention; interoception assessment; sensory processingStay informed, stay curious, and stay playful! ✏️ Sign up for our newsletter by clicking here. 📧 Email us a question or comment at IdeasAtPlayPodcast@gmail.com 👉 Find us on Instagram @ideas.at.play

An occupational therapist came into Michele's office complaining that parents weren't following through with home programs—sound familiar? The problem isn't the parents; it's how we're setting them up from day one. This episode flips that script with evidence from a 2024 scoping review on what actually drives caregiver home program adherence. You'll learn OT strategies to create programs that fit into real family life, train parents effectively (hint: it's not a five-page handout), and build the relationships that make collaboration actually work. Plus, Lacy shares a pediatric OT dentistry program, Nailed It!We share our own thoughts in the Research Review and encourage you to read the original articles too.Wingrat, J., Price, C., & Wright, T. (2024). Facilitators of and Barriers to Caregiver Adherence to Home Therapy Recommendations for Infants and Children With Neuromotor and Neuromuscular Diagnoses: A Scoping Review. The American journal of occupational therapy : official publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association, 78(5), 7805205070. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2024.050567*Update Nov. 7, 2025* Author Jennifer Wingrat was excited to hear her work featured on the podcast and shared the link to her new article that was just published called Caregiver Perceptions of and Confidence in Training in Home Programs for Brachial Plexus Birth Injury:  https://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/7UM3ZJWCB5TXEGIR3PFF/full?target=10.1080/01942638.2025.2583372KEYWORDS: Occupational therapy; evidence-based practice; OT; OT ideas; Peds OT; pediatric occupational therapy; home program; family collaborationStay informed, stay curious, and stay playful! ✏️ Sign up for our newsletter by clicking here. 📧 Email us a question or comment at IdeasAtPlayPodcast@gmail.com 👉 Find us on Instagram @ideas.at.play