The OT is IN with Sarah Collins the Homeschool OT cover art

The OT is IN with Sarah Collins the Homeschool OT

The OT is IN with Sarah Collins the Homeschool OT

By: Sarah Collins
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 The OT is IN podcast merges the worlds of education and occupational therapy to empower families like yours. Sarah Collins, your host, an occupational therapist and homeschooling parent of 3 ranging in age from elementary to high school. Sarah Collins has experienced occupational therapy by supporting families for over 15 years but also through seeking out support for her own children- so, she's right there in the trenches with you. Though there is not one right way to educate your child, there is a lot to consider when individualizing an education. The goal of this podcast is to explain some of the "why" behind what an occupational therapist is thinking so you can artfully apply it to your own family especially with executive functioning, handwriting, and sensory processing. Each episode will be packed with practical tips, expert interviews, and real-life stories aimed at helping you create a supportive learning environment for your child.2024
Episodes
  • Raising Resilient Learners: When and How to Talk About Diagnoses with Your Kids

    Raising Resilient Learners: When and How to Talk About Diagnoses with Your Kids
    Aug 7 2025
    Curious if OT could help your child's struggles? Download Why Choose OT to find out! I am joined by Gretchen Rowe for a heartfelt and insightful conversation about navigating learning challenges with neurodivergent kids. Gretchen shares her personal journeys through homeschooling, discussing everything from the decision to seek formal diagnoses for her children to the ups and downs of finding the right support and resources. Together, we explore how to talk with kids about learning differences in a positive, empowering way, the importance of fostering self-advocacy skills, and the crucial role that other caring adults and community play in supporting children as they grow. With stories from our own families, practical advice, and plenty of warmth and humor, this episode is a must-listen for any parent, educator, or caregiver seeking a path forward when learning feels hard. In this episode you'll hear about: Gretchen’s backgroundThe Process and Value of DiagnosisGretchen’s view that diagnosis is not a destination, but just a point on the path.Questions about whether and how to share a diagnosis with children.Avoiding limiting language tied to a diagnosis.Seeking Diagnosis: Personal ExperiencesGretchen’s experience seeking a formal diagnosis for her son with acute dyslexia.Comparison with Sarah’s experience using public school evaluation:Deciding on Diagnosis and AccommodationsReflecting on reasons for pursuing diagnosis (information, resources, labels, fear of stigma).Discussion of accommodations for standardized testing (SAT/ACT) and the need for an established paper trail.Timing and consequences of seeking/not seeking accommodations.Talking to Kids About Their Diagnosis and Learning DifferencesWhen and how to initiate conversations with children.Changing “I can’t” statements into productive collaboration.Encouraging children to ask for help and reframe challenges.Parenting Strategies for Navigating NeurodiversityTeaching children to seek help productively.Modeling adaptive behaviors and self-awareness as parents.Handling setbacks and being open about parental mistakes and learning together.Preparing Neurodivergent Teens for Independence and AdulthoodTeaching practical life and self-advocacy skills.Encouraging mentorship and guidance from other adults besides parents.Empowering teens to seek feedback about their strengths.Supporting Teens’ Transition to Work or College Links and Resources From Today's Show Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?Connect with Sarah Collins on IGGames That Teach Executive FunctionDemme LearningWhat Are Executive Function Skills?Field Trips Can Build Executive FunctioningEpisode 2: Decoding Behavior in homeschooling- sensory overwhelm, emotional control, perseverance Episode 43: Collaborative Problem-Solving in Education and Parenting Episode 60: Tackling Childhood Anxiety: How Occupational Therapy Can HelpEpisode 66: Shifting From Compliance to Connection: The Power of Declarative Language in Supporting Kids Connect With Our Guest, Gretchen Roe Gretchen Roe has 21 years of home education experience with her six children, all of whom have now graduated. With a degree in psychology and child development, she has spent the last 27 years in positions of homeschool advocacy, developing special bonds with families of children who work harder to learn. With Demme Learning since 2014, first as a Special Needs Placement Specialist, now serving as the company’s Community Outreach Coordinator, she loves the outdoors, all things furry, chicken raising, and beekeeping. She is a high school swim coach and a second-degree Taekwondo Black Belt.
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    33 mins
  • Tackling Homeschool Guilt and Finding Your Own Path with Kelly Edwards

    Tackling Homeschool Guilt and Finding Your Own Path with Kelly Edwards
    Jul 24 2025
    Curious if OT could help your child's struggles? Download Why Choose OT to find out! Kelly Edwards, a homeschool parent and creator of the 90 Minute School Day framework shares how early in her own homeschooling journey, Kelly’s insights from podcasts and social media were a guiding light. We dive into Kelly’s unexpected beginnings with homeschooling, the challenges she faced as a foster and adoptive parent, and how her journey evolved from recreating a traditional classroom at home to gradually letting go of rigid expectations. Kelly opens up about navigating the unique needs of her neurodivergent children, the process of deschooling, and the internal work necessary to truly embrace homeschooling freedom. You’ll also hear practical strategies for self-care as a homeschool parent, balancing sibling relationships, and what a day in the life looks like using Kelly’s 90 Minute School Day approach. Whether you’re brand new to homeschooling or looking for reassurance and inspiration, this is full of honesty, encouragement, and actionable advice. In this episode you'll hear about: The start of homeschooling: Not originally planned.Early exposure to homeschooling through a friend.Becoming foster and adoptive parents in West Virginia.Specific family needs leading to the decision to homeschool.Daughter’s academic, social, and emotional needs not fully met in traditional school.Desire to build stronger family bonds and attachment.Attempt to replicate traditional school at home (gradebooks, schedules, pledge, etc.).Realizing the Need for FlexibilityLetting go of unnecessary routines and structures.Dropping unneeded activities (e.g., spelling tests).Navigating self-doubt and seeking validation from others.Advice from Akilah Richards (“resistance is the roadmap”) and what that means in practice.Identifying and responding to resistance points in homeschooling.Transition Toward DeschoolingUnderstanding “behavior as communication.”Gradually dropping what didn’t work; picking up what did.Moving from strict frameworks to intuition and permission.The importance and discomfort of making individualized choices.Challenges of HomeschoolingNavigating neurodivergence within the family.Evolving as a parent and the grief of changed expectations.Managing Parental Needs and Self-CareThe 90 Minute School Day PhilosophyExplaining skill areas (reading, writing, math) and content areas (family time, activities, exploration).Emphasis on layering and reinforcing learning as children grow older. Links and Resources From Today's Show Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?Homeschool Daily Set Up: Parental Planning Guide Join Me At The BRAVE 2025 Conference Online Akilah Richards- Raising Free People: Unschooling as Liberation How To Integrate The Zones At Home Structure, Schedules, and Unschooling? Episode 30: Sensory Processing and Co-Regulation: Insights for Parents Episode 33: Dyslexia Demystified: Marianne Sunderland's Approach and Homeschooling Tips Episode 53: Redefining Rest: An approach to Spiritual, Physical, Cognitive, and Emotional Rest Episode 61: Mindful Moments: Supporting Focus and Calm in ChildrenConnect With Sarah On Instagram90 Minute School DayConnect With Kelly On Instagram Connect With Our Guest, Kelly Edwards Kelly Edwards is the founder of The 90-Minute School Day™, a framework that helps parents transition from a school-based mindset to natural learning. She helps families create a thriving homeschool by prioritizing felt-safety, connection, self-awareness, while honoring biological rhythms and neurodivergence. Through her Day in the Life community, Guide Training™ program, and The 90-Minute School Day™ podcast, Kelly supports parents in unlearning school-based conditioning, trusting natural learning, and redefining success by focusing on strengths, not setbacks. A wife and long-time homeschooling parent of three girls, she is also a parent coach, educator, and trauma-informed foster care advocate. Learn more at 90minuteschoolday.com
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    35 mins
  • Modern Stress, Ancient Responses: Why Moms Need Rest and How to Get It

    Modern Stress, Ancient Responses: Why Moms Need Rest and How to Get It
    Jul 17 2025
    Curious if OT could help your child's struggles? Download Why Choose OT to find out! I got the chance to sit down with Katie Cooper, a seasoned occupational therapist turned health coach, who shares her journey from burnout to wellness and how that fueled her passion for supporting other moms. Drawing from nearly two decades of OT experience and her own story of overcoming stress and overwhelm during the pandemic, Katie opens up about practical strategies for calming the nervous system—strategies that are especially useful for homeschool families and any parent juggling busy roles. From quick, restorative rituals to the science behind movement, breathing, and even the power of a 20-second hug, this conversation dives deep into why our modern lives leave us on constant high alert—and what to do about it. Whether you’re a homeschooler, a busy mom, or just looking for real-world tips to manage the pressures of daily life, this is packed with relatable stories and actionable advice. In this episode you'll hear about: Roles vs. IdentityHow changes in roles can impact one’s sense of selfThe importance of recognizing shifts in roles, especially for mothers and homeschool parentsModern Stress and Nervous System ActivationExplanation of why nervous systems are frequently activated in modern lifeChronic exposure to stressors and the body’s fight or flight responseThe impact of constant connectivity and information overloadComparison of past and present sources of stressThe Culture of BusynessSocietal expectations around busyness and parental pressure to provide experiencesHow removing traditional chores has led to filling time with structured activitiesThe challenge of saying “no” to opportunities for children and balancing self-careImportance of modeling healthy boundaries for childrenPractical Ways to Calm the Nervous SystemIntegrating quick, accessible calming techniques into daily lifeMovement as a tool for regulation (e.g., walking, stretching, dancing)Differentiating helpful movement from stressful exerciseIncorporating movement into family routinesBreathing exercises as a stress-management tool (e.g., 4-7-8 breathing)Implementation with children and familiesUse of props like bubbles or straws for younger kidsTools and Sensory Supports for RegulationIntroduction to calming strips and tactile supportsThe relevance and benefit for both kids and adults (including OTs themselves)The Impact of Digital ConnectivityIncreased difficulty in regulating due to the omnipresence of digital mediaBrief reflection on historical perspectives and ongoing challenges with chronic stressMore Calming StrategiesThe 20-second hug and its physiological effects (lowering stress hormones, heart rate)Using laughter as a tool to reduce stress and relax the bodyBuilding family rituals for regulation and connectionUnderstanding the Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Nervous SystemsExplanation of terms: fight or flight (sympathetic) vs. rest and digest (parasympathetic)How to recognize when the parasympathetic system is activated (e.g., yawning, sighing)Tips for increasing bodily awareness and noticing stress patternsKatie’s Coaching Work and ApproachOverview of Katie’s current work as a health coach for moms and parentsStructure of her coaching engagement (3–6 months, regular meetings, goal-setting)Emphasis on support, accountability, and gradual life changes Links and Resources From Today's Show Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?Homeschool Daily Set Up: Parental Planning Guide Calming Strip StickersUnderstanding Sensory Self CareKatie Cooper WellnessConnect With Katie Cooper On InstagramKatie Cooper Wellness 10 Quick Ways To Calm Your Nervous System Episode 13: Beyond the Five Senses: Understanding Your Child's Interoceptive World with Cara Kosinski Episode 14: Outdoor Activities to Develop Interoception in Children with Guest Caroline Santangelo Episode 19: Understanding Screen Time Effects on Children's Development and Relationships Episode 28: Risky Play: Understanding the Benefits and Strategies for Safe Child Development Episode 30: Sensory Processing and Co-Regulation: Insights for ParentsEpisode 32: Homeschooling During Crisis: Finding Balance with Self Care and Family Support Episode 53: Redefining Rest: An approach to Spiritual, Physical, Cognitive, and Emotional RestConnect With Sarah On Instagram Connect With Our Guest, Katie Cooper Katie Cooper is a board-certified health coach with over 16 years of experience in the health care industry as an Occupational Therapist. After overcoming burnout, Katie started Katie Cooper Wellness to help fellow moms banish burnout and regain energy and passion for life. Katie is a mom of two and avid skier, quilter and baker. She is on a mission to help her clients overcome stress and find sustainable balance in their careers and lives.
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    31 mins
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