The OT Schoolhouse Podcast for School-Based OT Practitioners

Are you ready to champion one of the most essential—and overlooked—parts of the school day? In this episode, Jayson Davies dives into the impactful world of recess with special guests Morgan and Catherine, founders "Say Yes to Recess." Listen in as they share how two passionate parents from Tennessee ignited a movement that’s reshaping school policies and even legislation around the coun...

What does it really mean to provide neurodiversity-affirming care in schools? In this episode, Dr. Bryden Carlson-Giving—a neurodivergent OT and creator of the Empower Model—shares powerful insights and practical strategies to move beyond deficit-focused practices and truly center student voice, identity, and autonomy. You’ll learn how to write strengths-based goals, conduct inclusive evaluations,...

In Part 2 of this important conversation, Dr. Savitha Sundar returns to explore what inclusive OT practice can look like beyond the buzzwords. In this episode, Savitha helps us shift from reflection to action, discussing how to align our evaluations, goals, and service models with the values of true inclusion. We also talk about building meaningful collaborations with general education staff, embe...

Ever wondered how school-based OTs can meaningfully support students with extensive support needs?  Supporting students with extensive support needs has long been one of the most challenging and under-resourced areas of school-based OT. In this first of a two-part episode, Dr. Savitha Sundar joins Jayson to unpack the history, systemic influences, and practitioner struggles that shape how services...

In this episode, Jayson discusses the often misunderstood role of school-based occupational therapy practitioners. He emphasizes the need for OT practitioners to advocate for their diverse skills beyond handwriting instruction, highlighting the importance of collaboration with teachers and administrators. The conversation explores teacher and administrator perspectives on OT services, the value of...

Click here to register & get the best deal on the 2026 Back to School Conference!  Thanks for tuning in! Thanks for tuning into the OT Schoolhouse Podcast brought to you by the OT Schoolhouse Collaborative Community for school-based OTPs. In OTS Collab, we use community-powered professional development to learn together and implement strategies together. Don't forget to subscribe to the s...

In this episode, Jayson has a compelling conversation with guests Jaime Spencer, Kim Wiggins, and Serena Zeidler as they discuss their research into the barriers and opportunities for OTPs aspiring to leadership positions within the educational system.  Discover the historical and legislative challenges OTPs face, the vast impact on school communities, and the innovative ways states are beginning...

In this episode, Doug Vestal, author, and financial guru, uncovers the path to financial freedom for occupational therapists. He will dive into the heart of money management and share how he and his wife tackled $150,000 of student loan debt in three years and offer invaluable strategies to help you do the same.  From budgeting tips to investing insights, Doug equips OTs with the tools to boost th...

Yesterday, after President Trump signed the Executive Order related to the Dept. of Education, I sat down with Abe Saffer (AOTA Senior Legislative Representative) to discuss the immediate and potential long-term implications for OT practitioners and those we serve. In this episode, we discuss the recent executive order signed by President Trump regarding the Department of Education. We also explor...

In this episode Jayson  teams up with guests Karen and Heather to get into the transformative world of Psymark—a digital tool designed to revolutionize school-based occupational therapy assessments. Karen’s journey from school psychologist to a tech innovator, alongside Heather’s experience as an occupational therapist, offers listeners a deep dive into how technology is reshaping the way we monit...

Discover the transformative power of nature in the classroom with this episode of the OT Schoolhouse Podcast! Join host Jayson Davies as he chats with Alex Thompson, an experienced occupational therapist and former teacher, who has devoted her career to blending nature with school-based OT practices. Learn how Alex empowers teachers and students by redesigning classrooms, creating sensory-friendly...

Do you ever feel like daily notes are just another task on your never-ending to-do list? In this episode, we’re diving into the world of note writing in school-based OT with Jason Gonzalez, OTR/L, co-founder of Double Time Docs. We’ll unpack the purpose of documentation, discuss strategies to make it more efficient and explore how technology can simplify your workflow. Whether you're a season...

How can two school-based OTs have identical caseload numbers but vastly different workloads? This episode promises a fresh perspective on evaluating the true demands of our roles, focusing not just on the numbers but the actual time commitments involved. Join me as I introduce a new series of short, five-minute episodes designed to provide quick, actionable insights tailored for the OT Schoolhouse...

What do you think makes handwriting fun and effective for kids? In this episode, we dig into strategies that don’t just teach handwriting but make it enjoyable for students.  Dr. Beverly Moskowitz, the Size Matters Handwriting Program creator, shares her 48 years of expertise to show you how to empower teachers, build student buy-in, and integrate handwriting practices across the curriculum. From...

Discover the TimberNook program, where nature becomes the ultimate classroom for sensory integration, emotional growth, and creativity.  TimberNook empowers children to explore, problem-solve, and thrive through outdoor play.  Jayson and Angela discuss how this innovative approach can be woven into school curriculums and the profound benefits it offers.  Get inspired by the magic of unstructured p...

Are your caseloads pushing you to the brink? In this episode, Jayson digs into the pressing and widespread issue of high caseloads faced by school-based occupational therapists. With eye-opening statistics Jayson uncovers how these overwhelming demands contribute to burnout and impact the quality of student services. But this isn't just about identifying the problem—it's a call to action...

Have you ever wondered how integrating reflex patterns could enhance your approach to therapy? Join us as we discuss the world of reflex integration with Kokeb McDonald. She shares her journey and discusses the importance of understanding the root causes of developmental delays. You will learn about the MNRI program and how Kokeb has adapted its principles to create effective treatment plans withi...

What if there was a way to make sensory integration more accessible, effective, and inclusive for every student you support? In this episode with Dr. Colleen Cameron Whiting, OTD, OTR/L, she shares her research on integrating sensory integration within the school setting. From implementing a flexible 15-week intervention model to adapting strategies within a Multi-Tiered System of Support. Join us...

Join Jayson and Amanda Gibbs as they discuss building a school-based OT toolbox. Together, they dive into tools and resources—like the interactive Osmo, 'Tools to Grow,' goodwill, and more—that make therapy sessions both effective and budget-friendly. Amanda shares her journey from navigating limited resources as a new grad to finding creative solutions that enhance her practice. Don’t m...

Have you ever wondered how vestibular challenges might be impacting your students’ ability to succeed in the classroom?  In this episode, Dr. Annie Baltazar Mori and Dr. Jennifer Petersen join us to unpack the powerful connection between the vestibular and proprioceptive systems, sharing insights that can transform your approach to these often-overlooked issues. Vestibular disorders are frequently...

Are you feeling uncertain about how to prepare your students with disabilities for the transition to college? As OTPs we want to equip students for life beyond the classroom, including their next steps after high school. In this episode, we’ll tackle the challenges that arise when students navigate the vastly different expectations and supports of college life. Annie will share important insights...

Have you ever wondered how the knowledge you gain from a podcast can be effectively applied in real-world practice? In this episode, Taylor Poirier, shares her insightful journey of how she has implemented what she’s learned from about 150 OT Schoolhouse podcast episodes into her everyday practice.  Tune in to discover the actionable steps she took, the resources she utilized, and the challenges s...

What if there was a tool that could not only help you organize your thoughts and observations into a comprehensive report but also save you hours of work each week? Join us as Angela and Mani, the creators of Everbility , share how this game-changing tool for OTPs can streamline your documentation with customizable templates. Learn how the "brain dump" method can help you organize observ...

In this episode, the roles are switched as host Jayson Davies takes the guest seat, being interviewed by Abe Saffer, a federal lobbyist for the American Occupational Therapy Association.  Together, they discuss the power of advocacy in the OT profession. Learn about Jayson’s journey and the important role that AOTA plays  in shaping education policy. Tune in to be inspired and find ways to take ac...

Join us as we are diving into a topic that’s transforming the world of occupational therapy! We all know how AI chatbots can help streamline paperwork and goal writing, but what if AI could do more?  Enter the Korro AI platform, a groundbreaking tool that goes beyond text to actually see and measure children’s body movements through camera motion capture. Imagine being able to track a student’s pr...