The Integration Station

SENSES model has been developed through many years of applying the theory and practice of Ayres Sensory Integration, mental health supports and functional skill development in clinic with diverse populations. From children to adults, the SENSES model is exploring a client centred and strengths based approach to therapy, using an occupational lens.  We know that we are sensory beings, so the SENSES...

It's been a while since we answered your questions and this week we have some really pertinent topics to discuss.  We unpack how you can manage self-loathing for your young person, why someone would want to run away when the bell rings, and why comfort items for a young person are so important.    If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with...

We're back!  This week we're breaking format to take you to CampEVOLVE where Eleanor & Michael hand the microphones over to our clients. CampEVOLVE is an intensive, therapeutically informed camp experience. Our overnight and day programs are designed to help young people improve their skills while interacting with their environment and peers in a meaningful way. And you're about hear all about it...

Last week, we travelled all the way up to the Gold Coast for the annual Children and Adolescent Mental Health Conference #CAMH25 to hear from industry experts on how we can all aim to provide better outcomes for the young people in our lives.  On this week's episode, Michael welcomes Dino back to the podcast. They unpack the key takeaways from the conference, the importance of sensory rooms, and h...

This week we discover what Milton's double empathy problem is and how it can affect the young people in our lives and we learn all about the default mode network.    If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends,  family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better!  &nbs...

This week we field your questions asking more about Sensory Integration for the neurodiverse population and walk you through some strategies to help your young person get to sleep from an OT lens!  If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends,  family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational...

It's Neurodiversity Month all this month on The Integration Station. This week we have the privilege of sitting down with one of our OT's Siena to talk about receiving an ADHD diagnosis as an adult.  After noticing that some OT activities she was providing her clients were also working for her, Siena decided to explore the diagnosis process.  We talk about how she manages her role as an Occupation...

Neurodiversity Week is coming up on March 17th-23rd and we thought it was appropriate to celebrate neurodiversity for the entire month of March.  To kick it off, we define neurodiversity and what we can do to include more neuroaffirming language in our day-to-day life.  If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends,  family,...

This week we're unpacking why children lie and how to manage it and we answer your question about the research of ASI® and ADHD.   If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends,  family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better!   If you have any questions you'd l...

What's all this sensory stuff about? Is sensory play ASI“? What's the difference?  Michael and Eleanor unpack all this and more and how and when you might access both of these approaches.  Spoiler alert: We love both!  If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends,  family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who kn...

This week we delve into the history of Functional Capacity Assessments and why their outcomes, and how ASI® helps our young friends with their executive function.  If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends,  family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better!   ...

This week we take a look at the best way we can support non-speaking and non-verbal clients, and unpack what reinforcement behaviour is.    If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends,  family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better!   If you have any question...

This week, we take the back seat and let our CEO Michelle Mennillo to walk us through a lesson in Stress Management.  Michelle  has spent the past 20 years building OTFC and leads a team of 80+ people,  and has set a new standard for care and innovation within Occupational Therapy across Australia.  But Michelle’s story goes beyond professional achievements. Like many, she has battled self-doubt,...

This week we cover the recently released National Autism Strategy and get how it will practically help the community, cover some strategies to manage the back to school routines, and ask the question - is there room for humour in therapy?  References: The National  Autism Strategy  Humour in Therapy & How to Use It: https://www.mentalhealthacademy.com.au/blog/the-role-of-humour-in-therapy-when-and...

We're back for season 5 in 2025. We take the questions that have been sent in by our audience about interception and helping your young person to stim and regulate at home.  Plus some brand new segments discussing the Therapy/Regulation Activity of the Week to help you find the fun at home.    If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your...

We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!  Michael and Edie have popped into the studio to facilitate your questions about fun activities you can do at home outside of therapy, how to generalise sensory integration in the real world, and tips on how to increase interoceptive awareness for you young person.  If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, sha...

This week Edie joins Michael to unpack questions about other therapies outside of the ASI® scope. We cover funding changes in the NDIS regarding music therapy, what the Willbarger Protocol is and where you might study it, and cover an OT's concern about Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).  Links:  Singing The Song of Music Therapy https://open.spotify.com/episode/5T0KdyqELbaUAOcuCRCics?si=aTDhCQoSTxS...

This week Michael is joined by our Parkside Clinical Lead, Edie! We dive into your questions about how to teach your young person about personal space, supporting highly sensitive kids, and discuss tips to manage school refusal.  Resources: Nell Harris - Social Storybooks https://nellharris.com/mybooks  Dr. Becky  School Refusal: https://www.schoolcantaustralia.com.au/  Disclaimer: We are not affi...

Michael and Eleanor unpack a few questions from our parents like why do children with auditory sensitivities tend to make a lot of noise themselves, what the difference between sensory vs attention difficulties are, and how to manage a conversation with your young person if they're not liking therapy. If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it w...

Back to regular programming this week with Eleanor and Michael tackling a few questions asked by our parents in our OT sessions. We delve into why teeth grinding could mean you need oral regulation, go through some core control activities that your young person won't even know they're working and how to work towards choosing the right school for your young person. If you liked something we talked...

This special episode sees Dr Susanne Smith Roley host a Q&A session at our Parkside Clinic. Susanne is an occupational therapist with more than 30 years of experience in paediatrics. She obtained her BS in OT at Indiana University, her MS in Allied Health Sciences at Boston University and her OTD at University of Southern California. She is in private practice in Orange County in Southern Californ...

Michael and Eleanor run through your questions about early intervention criteria, managing challenges at school, and how to use a body sock to regulate your young person. If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends,  family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better!   If you h...

The Integration Station continues its Q&A format. We take your questions, share some knowledge and try to find the fun in what we are learning. In this episode Michael is joined by OTFC Clinical Director, Eleanor, to unpack all things  ISIC, drill down on handwriting assessments, and what to say when managing big emotions after a young person comes home from school. References: Effectiveness of pa...

The Integration Station continues its Q&A format. We take your questions, share some knowledge and try to find the fun in what we are learning. In this episode Michael is joined by OTFC Director, Eleanor, to unpack all things Global Developmental Delay, Fidget Toys and, High School Transitions.    If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with...

The Integration Station continues its Q&A format. We take your questions, share some knowledge and try to find the fun in what we are learning. In this episode Michael and Eleanor discuss what really is Dyspraxia and what works to support it, how to explore picky eating in a supported manner and what is w-sitting and what does it mean?  If you liked something we talked about, or you learned someth...