In our second episode of OT Evidence in Action, Jessica and Bianca delve into the crucial role occupational therapists play in supporting children’s success at school.We review the article “Interventions within the Scope of Occupational Therapy to Improve Children’s Academic Participation: A Systematic Review” by Lester Coloma Grajo, Christine Candler, and Amira Saraf, published in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy. This systematic review synthesises evidence from 46 studies and explores how OT interventions can improve academic participation for students aged 5 to 21 using occupation-centred and activity-based approaches.You can access the article here: https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2020.039016We unpack:The evidence for commonly used sensory strategies like weighted vests and stability balls, and what to consider when recommending them.Why yoga in schools shows moderate evidence for improving participation and regulation.Creative and collaborative strategies that improve literacy engagementThe strong evidence supporting OT-led handwriting interventions (and why therapist skill matters more than the program)Key takeaways to help you advocate, document, and collaborate more effectively as a school-based OTWhether you’re a student, an early career OT, or simply curious about occupational therapy in education, this episode will give you some insights into applying evidence in practice and expanding the ways we support academic participation meaningfully and ethically.
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Play: Exploring the Play–Work Continuum in Occupational Therapy
In this episode of OT Evidence in Action, Bianca and Jessica explore the multifaceted world of play, a concept central to paediatric occupational therapy that is often misunderstood or oversimplified. Join us as we explore the distinctions between play as an occupation, play-work occupations, and play therapy, and how each serves a different but important role in holistic treatment.We review the article “Children’s Play–Work Occupation Continuum: Play-Based Occupational Therapy, Play Therapy and Playwork” by Ted Brown and Helen Lynch, published in the Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy. This article examines how children's play transitions from spontaneous, intrinsically motivated activities to structured, adult-guided interventions, highlighting the continuum between play and work in therapeutic contexts. You can access the article here: https://doi.org/10.1177/00084174221130165We unpack:What defines play as an occupation and why it's meaningful in its own rightHow play-work occupations differ from spontaneous playThe role of play therapy, how it overlaps with and differs from play-based interventions in OTHow OTs can advocate for play as a goal, a means, and a powerful therapeutic mediumWhether you're a student, clinician, or educator, this episode will leave you with a clearer understanding of how to frame, defend, and design play-based occupational therapy interventions with intention.
Welcome to OT Evidence in Action, a podcast hosted by five master's students in occupational therapy, currently working across a range of paediatric settings throughout South Africa.This podcast aims to promote evidence-based practice by reviewing and discussing open-access journal articles relevant to paediatric occupational therapy. Whether you are a student, early-career therapist, or experienced clinician, we invite you to join us in bridging the gap between research and practice.
South Africa