Best Occupational Therapy Podcasts (2025)

1
#371 - Are Your Child’s ADHD Symptoms Really a Vision Problem? | Ocular Motor Skills & Daily Life 26:13

Play Pause

8h ago26:13

26:13

Is your child/client constantly skipping words while reading, losing their place on the page, or avoiding reading altogether? These might not be “reading problems”—they could be visual problems. In this episode, we break down how ocular motor skills—specifically saccades, pursuits, and convergence—are essential for reading success. You’ll learn how…

1
#370 - Improve Your Child’s Ocular Motor Skills With These Fun At-Home Visual Activities 34:06

6d ago34:06

34:06

In this episode, we break down what ocular motor skills really are, how they affect your child’s behavior and development, and most importantly simple at-home activities you can start using right away to help. They also share how retained primitive reflexes, screen time, and missed developmental milestones can all impact how your child’s eyes work …

1
#108 Legal Considerations for OT with Alyson Stover and Monika Lukasiewicz 1:04:14

13d ago1:04:14

1:04:14

While many therapists dream of private practice, the risk of hitting a legal landmine holds many back. In this episode, we are going to zoom in on one OT who is looking to partner with a doctor who is providing concierge dementia services. We’ll use this as a case example to talk through what legal considerations OTs need to make when starting a pr…

1
#369 - Unlocking Classroom Success with Reflex Integration with Dr. Tessa Grigg 43:15

13d ago43:15

43:15

In episode of All Things Sensory, we sit down with the incredible Dr. Tessa Grigg - PhD, Dip Tch (Primary) Dip Tch (ECE). She has a wide range of experience within the Early Childhood Education field. She has taught in a Primary School, supervised a preschool with specialist work in the sensory-motor area, worked as a Child and Family Therapist, ta…

1
#368 - Ocular Motor Skills: The Secret to Better Focus & Fewer Headaches 29:44

21d ago29:44

29:44

Headaches that won’t go away? Trouble reading or switching between screens? Feeling drained after a day at your desk? These might not be random quirks—they could be signs of ocular motor deficits. In this episode, we’re diving into how visual-ocular challenges—convergence, saccades, and pursuits—can impact adults in everyday life. You’ll hear a per…

1
#367 - Auditory Processing vs. Attention Issues: How to Tell the Difference with Debbie Baerlocher 49:51

28d ago49:51

49:51

In this episode, we sit down with pediatric audiologist Debbie Baerlocher to unpack the real truth about Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)—what it is, what it’s not, and why it’s often misunderstood. Learn how APD is diagnosed, when to seek help, and why many children show similar symptoms without actually having APD. Debbie has her Doctorate in A…

1
#107 OT and Purpose with Alix Sleight 1:06:37

1M ago1:06:37

1:06:37

Here’s a question I can’t stop thinking about: Is “sense of purpose” the true secret ingredient that makes occupational therapy unique and effective? I ran a survey of my OT peers earlier this year, and I was shocked that 17% of respondents selected “sense of purpose” as the main treatment area they address—second only to “daily activities,” which …

1
#366 - What Your Dentist Won’t Tell You: A Functional Approach to Oral Health with Dr. Craig Clayton 1:00:23

1M ago1:00:23

1:00:23

Dr. Craig D. Clayton is a functional and biomimetic dentist based in Meridian, Idaho, and an influential online educator with a following of over 380K on Instagram. Passionate about uncovering the root causes of oral health issues, Dr. Clayton focuses on holistic cavity prevention, airway health, and innovative, biologically sound approaches to res…

1
#365 - What Pregnancy & Birth Can Tell Us About Retained Reflexes 23:33

1M ago23:33

23:33

Shop our Summer Sensory SALE! https://harkla.co/pages/summer-sensory-sale-2025 Free Primitive Reflex Webinar https://harkla.co/pages/register-for-the-primitive-reflex-webinar-2025 Free Sensory Diet Webinar https://harkla.co/pages/sensory-diet-webinar-registration-2024 We’re diving deep into the why behind retained primitive reflexes. These early mo…

1
#106 AI and Treatment Planning with Cody Lee 57:28

2M ago57:28

57:28

You know that sinking feeling you get before walking into a patient room, when you suddenly think: “Wait.. what exactly am I going to do with this patient?” Creating a treatment plan entails a complex synthesis of the patient’s needs, the available evidence, and your expertise. It’s no wonder it can be hard to pull all this information together on …

1
#364 - 10 Sensory Activities to Support Regulation During the Summer 19:39

2M ago19:39

19:39

Shop our Summer Sensory SALE! https://harkla.co/pages/summer-sensory-sale-2025 Free Primitive Reflex Webinar https://harkla.co/pages/register-for-the-primitive-reflex-webinar-2025 Summer can bring a lot of fun — and a lot of sensory dysregulation. In this episode, we’re sharing 10 activity ideas to help your child stay regulated during the warmer m…

1
#363 - Sensory Smart Summer: Interoception Tips and Tools That Work 28:44

2M ago28:44

28:44

Summer is here—and with the heat, play, and sunshine comes a unique challenge for kids (and adults!) who struggle with interoception. In this episode, we explore what interoception is and why it’s so important to pay attention during the summer months. We discuss how challenges like dehydration, overheating, and sun sensitivity can affect children …

1
#362 - Supporting Sensory Development Before Birth 30:54

2M ago30:54

30:54

Register for our FREE live webinar on June 4, 2025 https://harkla.co/pages/summer-sensory-diet-webinar-registration-2025 In this episode of the All Things Sensory Podcast, we explore how a baby’s sensory and nervous systems begin developing long before birth — and how expectant parents can actively support this critical growth during pregnancy. Fro…

1
#361 - Helping Babies Thrive: Infant Development with Angela Fritz, PT, DPT, PCS 56:34

2M ago56:34

56:34

In this episode, we sit down with Angela Fritz, a board-certified pediatric physical therapist with a passion for infant development. Angela brings her expertise working in the NICU and shares valuable insights on supporting babies from the very beginning—especially those who’ve spent time in the NICU. We dive into: The role of physical therapy in …

1
#105 OT and Prevention with Alyson Stover 58:56

3M ago58:56

58:56

Far too often, people are not referred to occupational therapy until their disease course has progressed to a level of high complexity. But, what if we could start seeing our clients sooner? Ideally, we receive the referral at the first sign of trouble. In some cases, we could prevent the full expression of a condition. In other cases, we could wor…

1
#360 - Beyond Words: Supporting Communication Through Connection and Play with Lori Benson Adams 44:59

3M ago44:59

44:59

In this episode, we sit down with Lori Benson Adams, M.Ed., Educational Intervention Specialist and founder of Breakthrough Learning Solutions, to explore the heart of DIRFloortime. We dive into the power of connection, the role of play-based therapy, and how honoring all forms of communication can transform the way we support children. Whether you…

1
#359 - Supporting Communication in a Neurodiverse World with Amy Whelan, Ph.D., CCC-SLP 57:28

3M ago57:28

57:28

Welcome Amy Whelan, a pediatric speech-language pathologist, Natural Language Acquisition (NLA) specialist, and passionate AAC advocate. Amy brings her deep expertise and compassionate approach to early childhood communication, guiding us through the world of gestalt language processing, child-led therapy, and neurodiversity-affirming practices. Am…

1
#104 Chronic Stroke Rehab with Christopher Gaskins 56:26

3M ago56:26

56:26

Stroke rehab is an area where we have some of the most abundant research to draw on as occupational therapists. But, this can also make it feel difficult to synthesize it all into the right actions steps for your clients. In this Ask Me Anything style episode, we will be answering your questions on chronic stroke assessment, goal-setting and treatm…

1
#358 - Our Must-Have Sensory Tools for Autistic Children 26:23

3M ago26:23

26:23

In this episode, we’re diving into our all-time favorite sensory tools to support autistic children. Whether you're a parent, therapist, or educator, these go-to items can help create a more regulated and sensory-friendly environment! We’ll share why tools like noise-canceling headphones, a sensory corner, weighted items, Ark Therapeutic chewy toys…

1
#357 - What It Really Takes to Be a Great OT Practitioner 17:53

3M ago17:53

17:53

Shop our Autism Acceptance Month Sale! https://harkla.co/pages/aam-sale What really makes a great occupational therapy practitioner? In today’s episode, we’re diving into the key qualities that set exceptional OTs apart—beyond just clinical skills. We’ll chat about: The importance of lifelong learning and continuing education Why collaboration with…

1
#103 Pediatric Sleep and OT with Amy Gore Hartman 1:02:51

3M ago1:02:51

1:02:51

Between 20-30% of typically developing children experience sleep difficulty in childhood. The percentage of neurodiverse children with considerable sleep problems is even more staggering at 40-80%. On one hand, it is sobering to consider the impacts of sleep difficulties on children and adolescents. As you’ll hear in this week's article review: Sle…

1
#356 - How Retained Primitive Reflexes Impact Daily Life for Autistic Children 23:08

4M ago23:08

23:08

Shop our Autism Acceptance Month Sale! https://harkla.co/pages/aam-sale What are Primitive Reflexes? https://harkla.co/blogs/special-needs/what-are-primitive-reflexes?_pos=1&_sid=91f65780c&_ss=r We’re diving deep into the connection between retained primitive reflexes and autism. You'll learn what these reflexes are, why they might stick around lon…

1
🚨⭐Why Did We Create IhomaWorld? ⭐🚨 2:20

4M ago2:20

2:20

🚨⭐Why Did We Create IhomaWorld? ⭐🚨 I want to talk to you about why we built IhomaWorld. When we started designing IhomaWorld, we didn’t begin with a product. We began with people. People who receive services through Medicaid waiver programs. People who live with disabilities. People who are often left out of the conversation when it comes to innova…

1
🚨⭐Why Did We Create IhomaWorld? ⭐🚨 2:20

4M ago2:20

2:20

🚨⭐Why Did We Create IhomaWorld? ⭐🚨 I want to talk to you about why we built IhomaWorld. When we started designing IhomaWorld, we didn’t begin with a product. We began with people. People who receive services through Medicaid waiver programs. People who live with disabilities. People who are often left out of the conversation when it comes to innova…

1
#355 - OT Isn’t Just Arts and Crafts (and Other Myths We’re Busting!) 21:17

4M ago21:17

21:17

Shop our OT Month SALE! Ends April 14th, 2025! https://harkla.co/pages/ot-month-sale Sign up for our FREE live webinar on April 16th, 2025! https://harkla.co/pages/classroom-sensory-strategies-webinar-registration-2025 We’re setting the record straight on some of the most common myths about occupational therapy! From the idea that OTs just help peo…

1
#102 Value-Based Care Contracts with Dana Strauss & Carlin Reaume 1:00:09

4M ago1:00:09

1:00:09

While many OTs work in a fee for service model, the reality is that we are undergoing a seismic shift towards value based care. In fact it's estimated that 238.8 million Americans receive healthcare in a value-based care model. These already large numbers are expected to grow significantly in the coming years. OTs has tremendous potential in value-…

1
#354 - The Power of OT: Helping Autistic Children Navigate Life 27:05

4M ago27:05

27:05

Shop our OT Month SALE! Ends April 14th, 2025! https://harkla.co/pages/ot-month-sale Happy OT Month and Autism Acceptance Month! In this episode of All Things Sensory, we’re diving into the incredible role Occupational Therapy (OT) plays in supporting autistic children. Whether you’re an OT, parent, educator, or just curious about how OT can make a…

1
#353 - Building Sensory Success at Home: Our Favorite HEP Strategies 21:03

4M ago21:03

21:03

Home exercise programs (HEPs) are a game-changer for sensory regulation, emotional development, and reflex integration—but only if they’re done consistently! In this episode, we’re sharing our favorite HEP activities that are easy to implement and make a big impact. From sensory diet routines like jumping, crawling, and bubble mountain to oral moto…

1
#101 Sleep, Mental Health, and OT with Amanda Carroll 1:06:02

4M ago1:06:02

1:06:02

Nearly one third of people experience sleep disturbances. And, about 23% of adults experience mental health illness. These high percentages mean that both sleep and mental health are global, public health challenges in their own right. However, emerging research suggests we should not think of these challenges separately. They are more intertwined …

1
#352 - Hidden Barriers to Learning: What Every Teacher Should Know 24:33

4M ago24:33

24:33

Register for our FREE Live Webinar on March 24, 2025 - https://harkla.co/pages/register-for-the-primitive-reflex-webinar-2025 Primitive reflexes play a crucial role in early development, but when they don’t integrate properly, they can create challenges in the classroom—impacting focus, learning, and behavior. In this episode, we’re breaking down w…

1
#351 - The Power of Play: Primitive Reflex Integration with the Harkla Sensory Dice 17:59

5M ago17:59

17:59

We are beyond excited to introduce Harkla’s newest sensory tool—the Sensory Dice! These simple yet powerful dice are designed to make sensory and primitive reflex integration fun, engaging, and effective. In this episode, we dive into how sensory integration and primitive reflex integration are deeply connected—when you work on one, you naturally s…

1
#100 Starting an OT Private Practice with Carlin Reaume 1:00:54

5M ago1:00:54

1:00:54

Starting a side hustle private practice is one of the best ways to safeguard your career, pursue a niche interest, and meet some of the many unmet needs in your community. But, let’s be honest: the process of getting going can be daunting. In this Ask Me Anything (AMA), we are welcoming Carline Reaume, OTD, OTR/L, DipACLM, PMH-C, PCES back to the p…

1
#350 - BCBAs Unfiltered: The Truth About Behavior Therapy & Juvenile Justice 1:06:05

5M ago1:06:05

1:06:05

Maranda Argiros, BCBA and Jenny Barcellona, BCBA provide Behavior Training and Support for Caregivers and Families which consists of Family Focused Treatments and Interventions that equip families with the tools they need to foster behavior change in their natural environment. In addition, they provide Behavior Consulting Services for schools, dayc…

1
#349 - 5 Strategies to Support Sensory Avoiders in Everyday Life 20:50

5M ago20:50

20:50

Creating and Implementing Sensory Diet Routines to Improve Daily Activities - https://harkla.co/products/sensory-diet-course In today’s episode, we dive into the world of sensory avoiders—children (and even adults) who may experience heightened sensitivity to sensory input and react with avoidance or distress. We'll explore key signs that your chil…

1
#99 Carpal Tunnel and OT with Rachel Egan 55:07

5M ago55:07

55:07

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome affects quality of life in 1-5% of people. The first step in treatment of carpal tunnel should be non-surgical treatment, which includes education, often a steroid injection, and therapy. But what should that therapy look like? In this live webinar, we will discuss carpal tunnel education, assessment and treatment with Rachel…

1
#348 - Supporting Sensory Seekers: Practical Tips for Every Day 20:27

5M ago20:27

20:27

Learn how to create personalized sensory diet routines that actually work! https://harkla.co/products/sensory-diet-course In today's episode we dive into strategies to support sensory seekers. If your child is constantly seeking movement, touch, or sounds that interfere with their daily activities—or if they never seem to get enough sensory input—t…

1
Strategies for Coping with Stress & Burnout for OT Practitioners and Students (Episode 134) 1:04:00

5M ago1:04:00

1:04:00

Jonathan Miller, OTD, OTR/L, holds a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies and Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Arkansas State University. Jonathan has practiced clinically for five years in a variety of setting to include outpatient hand therapy, long-term acute care, skilled nursing facilities, inpatient rehab, and acute care. Jonathan began work…

1
#347 - Helping Kids Love Mealtime: OT Tips for Feeding Success! 27:34

6M ago27:34

27:34

In today’s episode, we dive into some real-life feeding strategies that Jessica recently discussed with a fellow OT who’s working with a client struggling with picky eating and meal-time resistance. Feeling stuck in a rut? You're not alone! Sometimes it just takes a good brainstorming session to unlock fresh ideas. We cover practical tips and strat…

1
#346 - Finding the Right Balance: Should We Accommodate or Desensitize? 23:58

6M ago23:58

23:58

In this episode, we dive deep into a critical question for therapists and caregivers: should we accommodate or desensitize? Sensory processing challenges can significantly impact a child’s daily life, and understanding when to offer accommodations and when to gently push for desensitization is key to promoting independence and improving quality of …

1
#98 Pediatric Feeding Therapy with Suzie Driscoll 55:27

6M ago55:27

55:27

Childhood feeding problems are one of the most common complaints raised during primary care visits. Which is not surprising, given that the prevalence of pediatric feeding disorder is around 1 in 37 children under age 5. Feeding disorders overall are common in the pediatric population, with a prevalence of 25% of children in the general population …

1
#345 - A Balanced Brain - New Multi-Sensory Program is LIVE! 17:24

6M ago17:24

17:24

Many many years ago, we created a 30 day challenge - it was our 30 Day Multi-Sensory Challenge - and it included 30 activities with the metronome. Our goal was to give parents and therapists a variety of multi-sensory activities to help with processing speed, auditory processing, motor coordination, ocular motor development, bilateral coordination,…

1
#344 - The Connection Between Multi-Sensory Processing and Dyslexia 21:23

6M ago21:23

21:23

Check out our new program! https://harkla.co/products/balanced-brain In this episode, we explore the powerful connection between dyslexia and multi-sensory learning strategies. From understanding the neurological challenges dyslexia presents, to discovering how engaging multiple senses can significantly improve reading and writing skills, we dive d…

1
#97 Grip Strength as a Vital Sign with Gabriella Francis 57:55

7M ago57:55

57:55

However you think about group strength it probably is not broadly enough. Grip strength is NOT just about hand strength. It is NOT just an indicator of upper body strength. It is NOT just about overall strength. Grip strength is associated with: mortality psychological health functional disabilities hospitalization morbidity The article we are revi…

1
#343 - How Sensory Processing Affects Executive Function 20:37

7M ago20:37

20:37

LIVE Free Webinar on Jan. 20! Sign up here: https://harkla.co/pages/balanced-brain-webinar-registration In this episode, we dive into the connection between sensory processing and executive function. We begin by defining sensory processing and its vital role in our daily lives. From the basic five senses of touch, taste, sight, sound, and smell, to…

1
#342 - How to Use Movement and Sensory Activities to Promote Communication When You’re Not an OT 19:53

7M ago19:53

19:53

Should SLPs use sensory strategies during their sessions? That’s the question we’re discussing in this podcast episode! We dive into making sure we stay within our scope of practice when using different tools, how SLPs and other professionals can use movement and sensory activities with their clients, and some specific activity ideas that we know w…

1
#96: OT and Value-Based Care with Dana Strauss 1:24:00

7M ago1:24:00

1:24:00

We’ve all known for a while that the current fee-for-service models that most occupational therapists operate under are bad for patients and bad for healthcare. Why? Because it incentives volume of services over quality of services. If you’re like me, you may feel like you’ve been waiting for years for value based care to really take hold in the Un…

1
#341 - Five OT Tips to Improve Handwriting! 15:20

7M ago15:20

15:20

In this episode, we’re not going to talk about how to improve letter formation, placement on the line, or size. Instead, we’re going to focus on how to improve the underlying skills required for handwriting, including postural control, strength, dexterity, visual tracking, and more! We also chat about primitive reflexes and give you some specific i…

1
#340 - Visual Schedules Made Simple: A Step-by-Step Approach 22:00

7M ago22:00

22:00

We talk a lot about using visual schedules to help children with routines, sensory diets, transitions, and more. But if you’ve never created and used a visual schedule with a child, how do you get started? We break it down step-by-step, starting with identifying the specific routine or activities you want to add to a visual schedule. We dive into d…

1
#95: What is OT in 2025? with Sarah Brzeszkiewicz 1:01:42

7M ago1:01:42

1:01:42

Through OT Potential, we’ve released over 94 episodes all exploring new influential OT research. As we enter 2025, it’s time to reflect on the research and ask: What trends are we seeing in OT? How is new research enriching how we think about our practice? In this 1 hour-episode, we’ll talk about new trends, with a particular focus on what commonal…

1
#339 - How Heavy Work Activities Can Help With Anxiety 20:16

7M ago20:16

20:16

Save 20% on our digital courses through December 23rd, 2024! https://harkla.co/pages/digital-courses-holiday-sale We are diving into the variety of benefits that can be gained from using proprioception - heavy work activities, specifically as it relates to anxiety and adults! Proprioception is typically calming to the nervous system and we dive int…