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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
  • When Reading and Talking Both Feel Hard for Kids

    When Reading and Talking Both Feel Hard for Kids
    Jun 25 2026
    In today's conversation, we dig into the real scope of speech-language therapy and why it's so much more than articulation drills—especially for homeschool families. We break down how feeding, reading, memory, and even a child's ability to follow instructions are deeply connected to language and brain development. We'll look at how challenges sometimes show up as frustrating behaviors, or why a seemingly "simple" reading delay doesn't always have a simple solution. This matters in homeschool settings because so much of what we do—teaching, supporting, noticing the little shifts in our kids—relies on understanding what's really going on underneath. When we get clearer on how language, sensory input, and cognitive processes all interact, we become better equipped to notice when our child needs extra support and when the right kind of challenge can open new doors. By the end of this episode, you'll have a sharper lens for spotting the early signs that language might need a different kind of help—and more confidence interpreting what you're seeing day-to-day. In this episode you'll hear about: What is Speech Therapy?Public perception: speech therapy as addressing only RsThe broader scope of speech language pathologyTraditional vs. modern speech therapy rolesAreas addressed: feeding/swallowing, infant to end-of-life, picky eating, choking risksVoice quality, professional voice users, resonance issues, cleft palates, hearing impairmentsConnection to the brain: stuttering, cluttering, rhythm disorders, phonological/phonemic awareness, executive functioning, literacyAuditory Processing and Language ComprehensionAuditory processing disorder (APD)—definition and signsHow APD can look like bad behaviorBreakdowns in auditory processing: signal transmission, brain processing of sound, acoustic profileRole of brain in sorting/organizing soundsVisual approaches aiding sound discriminationConnection to dyslexiaDifficulty with sound discrimination and memory in relation to language learningExamples of syntax and organization issues ("word salad")Multisensory Approaches and Sensory IntegrationUsing visual, auditory, and other senses to aid language developmentLinks between feeding skills, play, and language milestonesThe Connection Between Language and LearningHomeschool perspective: when to seek help vs. home interventionReading interventions (Barton, OG), when they're not enough, need for underlying cognitive/linguistic supportSigns that additional intervention is needed beyond curriculumDefining Technical TermsProcessing: definitions and what is meant in language/sound contextLink to handwriting, other learning skills (motor control, processing ideas)Support and Teamwork in HomeschoolingImportance of external support—SLPs as "buddies"Effects of language on other academic areas—math, comprehension Links and Resources From Today's Show Make sure to join our OT INsiders Membership Waitlist HereWhy Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?Connect with Sarah Collins on IGThe Homeschool OT Teachers Pay TeachersConnect With Amanda On IGAmanda's Website Check Out Our Title Sponsor LoveveryLearning RX WebsiteEpisode 2: Decoding Behavior in homeschooling- sensory overwhelm, emotional control, perseveranceEpisode 4: The Evolving Landscape of Homeschool Community SupportEpisode 9: The Impact of Music on Executive Functioning: A Homeschooling PerspectiveEpisode 11: Exploring Unique Learning Paths in Homeschooling with Guest Amy Bodkin Episode 17: Neuro Affirming Homeschool Environments with Keisha Berry Episode 33: Dyslexia Demystified: Marianne Sunderland's Approach and Homeschooling TipsEpisode 34: Hyperlexia Uncovered: Navigating Challenges and Developing StrengthsEpisode 35: Connecting Speech, Phonemic Awareness, and Literacy: Sydney Bessard Explains it All Episode 43: Collaborative Problem-Solving in Education and Parenting Episode 62: 62 Strategies for Enhancing Cognitive Skills in Children Episode 64: Understanding Auditory Processing Disorder: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Support for Families Episode 83: How Working Memory Shapes Literacy: Practical Tips to support the missing link between executive functioning and reading Episode 94: Understanding and Building Working Memory at Home: An OT Perspective Thank you to our title sponsor for this episode, Lovevery. You can check out their products and resources here. Connect With Our Guest, Amanda Owens Amanda Owens, CCC-SLP equips homeschool parents so they can teach their children how to talk clearly and confidently through speech therapy at home. A homeschool graduate and mom, she builds practical tools for parents, teaches how speech therapy works, and supports a growing community of parents.
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    43 mins
  • Supporting Struggling Readers: Tips for Homeschooling Parents

    Supporting Struggling Readers: Tips for Homeschooling Parents
    Jun 11 2026
    If you've ever found yourself wondering when it's time to seek help for your child's reading progress, or questioned whether difficulty with letter sounds is a passing phase or something more, this episode will bring clarity. Today, we're unpacking what foundational literacy looks like at home—especially in homeschool settings where parents are both teachers and advocates. You'll hear clear, practical ways to spot early signs of reading struggles, and how these can sometimes be missed when day-to-day learning is so entwined with play and natural conversation. We're exploring how phonemic awareness really develops before letter symbols enter the picture, and why noticing gaps early can make a difference for later reading and spelling. In this episode you'll hear about: Melanie Jeffrey's backgroundHost of "Phonics Tools for Kids" podcastExperience as a core literacy classroom teacher specializing in phonics (ages 4-9, K-3)Personal Experience with Children's ReadingSarah asks about Melanie Jeffrey's own children and reading challengesWhy Phonics as a Starting Approach?The importance of phonics for reading developmentLanguage acquisition as a foundation44 sounds in English vs. 26 letters in the alphabetPhonics as matching sounds to symbols (graphemes)Emphasis on oral language and sound awareness as the initial stepEarly Red Flags and Indicators of Reading StrugglesAuditory processing as an early warning signOral segmentation exercises as indicatorsNoting mistakes with word order (e.g., "cats" vs. "cast")Use of Nonsense Words for Phonemic AwarenessValue of using real and nonsense words to practice sound manipulationTimeline for early phonemic awareness activities (ages 3-5)When to consider seeking help if articulation of sounds remains a struggleRole of occupational therapists (Sarah and speech therapists in early interventionPersonal Anecdotes on Reading and Auditory ProcessingHomeschooling Advantages in Early IdentificationThe benefit of close, one-to-one learning relationships in homeschool settingsParents' role in identifying struggles and noticing extra effort or persistent confusionAdvantage of parental intuition and observation in recognizing when outside help may be neededBenchmarks, Indicators, and Assessment ToolsUsing scope and sequence in phonics curriculum as a guideLearning Through Play and ApplicationEngagement and Curriculum FitEvaluating whether reading struggles stem from the child or the curriculumWhen and How to Start Formal Phonics Instruction Links and Resources From Today's Show Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?Connect with Sarah Collins on IGThe Homeschool OT Teachers Pay TeachersJoin The OT Insiders Waitlist Phonics Rules For Kids PodcastPhonics Rules For Kids WebsiteFREE GUIDE - Phonic Made Simple (Even if You're Not a Teacher)Connect With Melanie On FacebookCheck Out Our Title Sponsor CTC MathCTC Math Free TrialExecutive Function, Regulation, and Getting Started In Your HomeschoolEpisode 2: Decoding Behavior in homeschooling- sensory overwhelm, emotional control, perseverance Episode 33: Dyslexia Demystified: Marianne Sunderland's Approach and Homeschooling TipsEpisode 34: Hyperlexia Uncovered: Navigating Challenges and Developing StrengthsEpisode 35: Connecting Speech, Phonemic Awareness, and Literacy: Sydney Bessard Explains it AllEpisode 36: Disability Inclusion and Homeschooling: Lindsey Larsen Shares Her Unique Perspective and Resources Episode 43: Collaborative Problem-Solving in Education and Parenting Episode 60: Tackling Childhood Anxiety: How Occupational Therapy Can Help Episode 63: Misophonia Explained: Causes, Triggers, and Real Life Solutions Episode 64: Understanding Auditory Processing Disorder: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Support for Families Episode 88: Making Literacy Feel Natural in Your Everyday Life Episode 89: The Emotional Power of Family Reading: Fostering Vocabulary and Connection Thank you to our title sponsor for this episode, CTC Math. You can check out their FREE trial here. Connect With Our Guest, Melanie Jeffrey Melanie is a phonics fanatic, host of the PHONICS RULES FOR KIDS podcast. As an experienced core literacy classroom teacher, formally trained in phonics instruction for children ages 4-9 (K-3), she has taught hundreds of children to read using phonics as the foundation. Melanie helps moms confidently model simple phonics skills at home to teach their beginning readers in K-2, and struggling readers in 3rd-5th grade. She believes moms are fully capable of learning simple phonics skills they can put on 'rinse and repeat' to streamline phonics lessons at home, even when they're not trained as a teacher. Melanie is wife to Bill, mom of an 18, 19 and 20-year old! Yes, her children were born so close, that she was often asked in the grocery store if the youngest two were twins! Melanie gets excited when kids can quickly apply phonics concepts to read with greater fluency! As a mom who shares your values, she wants to help you teach ...
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    34 mins
  • Initiation and Follow-Through – Why Knowing What to Do Is Not Enough

    Initiation and Follow-Through – Why Knowing What to Do Is Not Enough
    May 28 2026
    Curious if OT could help your child's struggles? Download Why Choose OT to find out! If you have ever found yourself wondering why your child can't get started on a task, even when they seem to know exactly what to do, this conversation is for you. Today, we are digging into what's really going on when initiation just isn't happening—especially at home, where the lines between support and independence are always shifting. We'll unpack the hidden role of the nervous system in motivation and task initiation, and explore why traditional approaches to getting kids going often backfire for neurodivergent learners. This matters in homeschooling because you're not just managing curriculum; you're shaping how your child feels about learning, about themselves, and about asking for help. Understanding the difference between "won't" and "can't" changes how you respond in the moment—and how your child's confidence grows over time. By the end of this episode, you'll have a clearer perspective on how regulation, support, and co-regulation create the foundations for executive function. We'll look at practical ways to build those skills in real life, with a focus on meeting your child where they are, not where you wish they'd be. In this episode you'll hear about: The Importance of Community and SupportThe isolating experience of homeschooling and neurodiversityValue of normalizing experiences and mutual support for parents and childrenFoundational Understanding: The Nervous System and BehaviorThe significance of understanding the nervous system's role in behaviorHow behavior often represents automatic protection rather than intentionInfluence of anxiety and sensory sensitivity on behaviorThe impact and importance of being aware of bodily signals (interoception)Shifting Perspectives in Parenting Neurodivergent KidsReference to Ross Greene's work as a turning pointFraming behavior as communicationThe evolving recognition of nervous system science in parentingFoundations for Learning and Executive FunctionThe importance of nervous system regulation for "online" learning and executive functioningDefining the "thinking brain" (frontal lobe, rational thought, cognitive skills)Barriers to learning when children are dysregulatedSigns and Practice of Regulation vs. DysregulationWhat it feels like to be regulated ("feeling good in your body") versus dysregulated ("out of whack")Real-life examples of adult regulation and dysregulationSocietal reinforcement of suppressing personal regulation needs, especially in traditional school settingsHomeschooling as an opportunity to honor children's needsPractical Strategies for Building Regulation into the DayThe concept of proactive regulation activities before challenging tasks (schoolwork, transitions)Long-term benefits of routine regulation for life skillsBuilding workable habits for children vs. adults needing to relearn regulationSpecific Regulation Techniques and ActivitiesSensory strategies tailored to individual childrenPractical parent tips: integrating regulation activities naturally (before homework, breakfast, etc.)Addressing Task Initiation and IndependenceRecognizing limitations when children are dysregulated (difficulty with new tasks, transitions)Co-regulation and modeling regulation for children rather than directivesFostering Autonomy, Especially for Older Kids and TeensImportance of making regulation activities appealing and self-driven for teenagersParental role shifts from direct instruction to subtle support and modeling Links and Resources From Today's Show Download The Executive Functioning Regulation Guide HereWhy Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?Connect with Sarah Collins on IGThe Homeschool OT Teachers Pay TeachersHomeschool Daily Setup: Parental Planning GuideConnect With Penny Williams on InstagramConnect With Penny Williams on FacebookThe Parenting ADHD and Autism PodcastParenting ADHD and ASD Youtube Check Out Our Title Sponsor LoveveryLearning RX Website 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 SantangeloEpisode 15: From Morning to Night: Incorporating Social Emotional Learning in HomeschoolEpisode 21: Exploring Primitive Reflexes: From Birth to Integration Episode 30: Sensory Processing and Co-Regulation: Insights for Parents Episode 31: Cultivating Calm: Understanding Nervous System Dysregulation in Children and Practical Solutions for Parents Episode 44: Prioritizing Slow in Homeschooling: A chat with Leslie Martino Episode 49: Connection Over Curriculum: Building Strong Bonds in Homeschooling Episode 59: Translating OT Concepts: Creating a Children's Book for Sensory Processing Awareness Episode 61: Mindful Moments: Supporting Focus and Calm in ChildrenEpisode 66: The Power Of Declarative Language Episode 70: Tackling Homeschool Guilt and Finding Your Own Path with Kelly Edwards Episode ...
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    38 mins
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