Ideas at Play: An Occupational Therapy (OT) Podcast

• Ep. 41 The Thankful Therapist's Gift Guide (OT Style)

  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!Thank you to our sponsor OccupationalTherapy.com! Use the code PLAY25 to support the show and get a free month of continuing education access when you sign up today at our podcast link https://fas.st/t/Fe79v8vUStay informed, stay curious, and stay playful! ✏️ Sign up for our newsletter by clicking here. 📧 Email us a question or comment at [email protected] 👉 Find us on Instagram @ideas.at.play

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• Ep. 40 Let's Talk Ayres SI, Autism, & Play with Dr. Heather Kuhaneck

  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 KuhaneckThank you to our sponsor OccupationalTherapy.com! Use the code PLAY25 to support the show and get a free month of continuing education access when you sign up today at our podcast link https://fas.st/t/Fe79v8vUStay informed, stay curious, and stay playful! ✏️ Sign up for our newsletter by clicking here. 📧 Email us a question or comment at [email protected] 👉 Find us on Instagram @ideas.at.play

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• Ep. 39 What New OTs Really Want in a Job

  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; employmentThank you to our sponsor OccupationalTherapy.com! Use the code PLAY25 to support the show and get a free month of continuing education access when you sign up today at our podcast link https://fas.st/t/Fe79v8vUStay informed, stay curious, and stay playful! ✏️ Sign up for our newsletter by clicking here. 📧 Email us a question or comment at [email protected] 👉 Find us on Instagram @ideas.at.play

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• Ep. 38 Building Motor Skills & Social Communication with Autistic Kids

  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; telehealthThank you to our sponsor OccupationalTherapy.com! Use the code PLAY25 to support the show and get a free month of continuing education access when you sign up today at our podcast link https://fas.st/t/Fe79v8vUStay informed, stay curious, and stay playful! ✏️ Sign up for our newsletter by clicking here. 📧 Email us a question or comment at [email protected] 👉 Find us on Instagram @ideas.at.play

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• Ep. 37 Is Interoception Worth the Hype? A Deep Dive into the Evidence

  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 processingThank you to our sponsor OccupationalTherapy.com! Use the code PLAY25 to support the show and get a free month of continuing education access when you sign up today at our podcast link https://fas.st/t/Fe79v8vUStay informed, stay curious, and stay playful! ✏️ Sign up for our newsletter by clicking here. 📧 Email us a question or comment at [email protected] 👉 Find us on Instagram @ideas.at.play

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