Belle’s OT Corner

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Time for our next season! Where we dive into all things executive functioning! “Go get ready” sounds simple, until you watch a child pause, drift, or bounce between ten half-finished steps. That moment isn’t always defiance or laziness. Sometimes, it’s executive functioning difficulties, the hidden set of thinking skills that helps us plan, start, navigate distractions, adapt when things change, and finish what we began.

In this episode we break down what executive functioning actually is and why it can impact almost every functional activity across the day, from morning routines, time management to homework , and organising belongings. We look at the skills and building blocks for executive functioning are like attention, impulse control, working memory, problem solving, and cognitive flexibility.

Then we zoom in on ideation: the creative spark of “what could I do?” that underpins play, self-directed time and organising our bodies for activities. With some practical actives to try at home that build ideas and confidence without pressure.

If you want clearer language, better routines, and simple occupational therapy strategies that support independence over time, hit play. Subscribe, share with a parent or teacher who needs this, and leave a rating or review so more families can find the show. If you would like to donate and support the podcast - https://studio.buymeacoffee.com/dashboard 
DISCLAIMER:
Whilst I will always make evert effort to share correct information as at the date of the podcast, research is constantly happening and as a profession we learn more everyday. One therapist may have a different way of doing things to another, and every child's needs are unique. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your child's paediatrician or therapist for any recommendations for your child.
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Hair washing, toothbrushing, brushing knots out, nail cutting … these “everyday” hygiene tasks can turn into the most stressful part of the day, especially when a child is juggling sensory sensitivities, balance challenges, motor planning, and the mental load of sequencing. We’re finishing our self-care season by getting practical about personal hygiene and grooming, with simple OT strategies that help kids feel safer and more in control while they build real independence.

We talk hair from every angle: figuring out which step is the sticky one, and what strategies we can use to make it that bit easier!  We also plan for problems before they happen, so “water in the eyes” becomes “pause, wipe, then continue” instead of frustrations for all. For brushing hair, we cover wet brushing, leave-in conditioner, starting from the ends, using mirrors for body awareness, and setting expectations so the experience stays positive.

Then we move into toothbrushing and nail cutting with a focus on visuals, consistent language scripts, and sensory-friendly options. We share ideas like electric toothbrushes, toothpaste flavour experiments (including mild or flavourless), plaque-disclosing tablets for feedback, trimming nails after a bath, adaptive clippers, and supportive seating. If you want a calmer hygiene routine that still moves the needle on self-care skills, hit play, subscribe, share the episode, and leave a review. 
If you found these OT toileting tips helpful, don't forget to leave a review and share the podcast around with anyone that you think could benefit from it and follow me on @bellesotcorner on instagram and Facebook for more insights. If you would like to donate and support the podcast - https://studio.buymeacoffee.com/dashboard 
DISCLAIMER:
Whilst I will always make evert effort to share correct information as at the date of the podcast, research is constantly happening and as a profession we learn more everyday. One therapist may have a different way of doing things to another, and every child's needs are unique. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others Consult your child's paediatrician or therapist for any recommendations for your child.
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Send us Fan Mail
Toileting can feel like it should be straightforward, until you’re the one supporting a child thought it. When they are unsteady on the seat,  overwhelmed by the bathroom, or unsure what their body is even telling them. In this episode take a clear OT approach to toilet training and building toileting independence.

We talk through the hidden skills behind toileting, including balance and postural control for sitting safely, motor planning for climbing up and managing clothes, interoception for noticing “I need to go”. You’ll hear practical ideas for setting up the bathroom,  ways to reduce sensory overload from bright lights, echo, smells, flushing, to noisy hand dryers. We also share language you can use to give kids more choice and control, so the bathroom feels less surprising and more manageable.

We dive into the  full toileting sequence and discuss why visuals, social stories, and consistent routines can unlock independence for older kids as well as toddlers. We cover wiping practice games, creative problem solving with toilet paper, and clothing choices that make early toilet training easier, then finish with tips for keeping strategies consistent across home, preschool, school, and community toilets.

If you found these OT toileting tips helpful, don't forget to leave a review and share the podcast around with anyone that you think could benefit from it and follow me on @bellesotcorner on instagram and Facebook for more insights. If you would like to donate and support the podcast - https://studio.buymeacoffee.com/dashboard 
DISCLAIMER:
Whilst I will always make evert effort to share correct information as at the date of the podcast, research is constantly happening and as a profession we learn more everyday. One therapist may have a different way of doing things to another, and every child's needs are unique. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others Consult your child's paediatrician or therapist for any recommendations for your child.

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In this episode we dive into some of the reasons bath and shower time can be a tricky dynamic and go through practical strategies to support bath and shower time to not only be fun, but opportunities for independence. 

We go through what can be happening from a sensory perspective, how to use predictability and routines to your benefit was to set up the bathroom environment for success and practical strategies for independence in washing their body, their hair and drying off at the end of the day. Including playful techniques to keep the bath/shower time a fun experience for all. 
If your child needs more support, we also outline when to consider equipment like grab rails, shower seats, long-handled scrubbers, or transfer solutions—always with guidance from your occupational therapist to get the right fit. Share this episode with a friend who dreads bath time, try one change tonight, and tell us what worked. If you’re finding value in these practical OT tools, subscribe, leave a quick review, and consider supporting the show—your encouragement keeps these resources flowing. What’s the one bath time tweak you’ll test first?
If you would like to donate and support the podcast - https://studio.buymeacoffee.com/dashboard 
DISCLAIMER:
 Whilst I will always make evert effort to share correct information as at the date of the podcast, research is constantly happening and as a profession we learn more everyday. One therapist may have a different way of doing things to another, and every child's needs are unique. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others Consult your child's paediatrician or therapist for any recommendations for your child.

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Send us Fan Mail
The fastest way to make mealtimes calmer isn’t a new gadget; it’s seeing what’s really happening beneath the spills. In this week's episode We unpack how posture, coordination, attention, and sensory processing shape every bite, and why small, smart changes can turn chaos into progress without power struggles or pressure.

We start with setup and posture, how this can impact on our ability to access feeding. We chat through the importance of mess and simple strategies to bring into mealtimes. We also chat through restricted diets through a sensory lens, showing how unpredictable textures and smells can shrink a child’s “safe foods,” and how low-demand exploring—an extra plate, silly food art, cooking together—opens the door to variety.

You’ll learn practical, OT-backed steps for self-feeding. For spoons and forks, we use backwards chaining and tiny prompts to fade support. We share simple cues that can help kids to organise their movements. For knives, we build bilateral coordination with the knife in the dominant hand, soft foods first, and a clear rhythm—fork in, saw forwards-back, press down then back. We round out with some quick strategies to support drinking from open cups. Along the way, we keep meals playful and social so learning sticks.

If these ideas help, follow the show, share it with a friend who’s in the thick of mealtime challenges, and leave a review to tell us what worked and what you want next. Your stories shape the topics we dig into next.
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