The Integration Station

For our final podcast of the year, we're joined Dr. Subashni Maharaj, a neonatal paediatrician specialising in developmental, behavioural, and learning impairments. Subashni’s goal is to equip families with the skills and self-assurance required to support their kids through every stage of life all while she tries to strike a balance between running her clinic at the Ashford Hospital in Adelaide and her role as a working Mum. Thank you for joining us over the course of the year, and we'll be back in 2026. 00:00 Intro 01:29 Understanding the Role of a Neonatal Paediatrician 04:57 The Newborn Journey: From Womb to World 07:04 Postnatal Care and Parental Support 08:49 Addressing Developmental Concerns 09:41 Holistic Approach to Pediatric Care 22:07 Neurodivergent Children: Challenges and Support 31:31 Parental Self-Care and Co-Regulation 32:41 Understanding Developmental Milestones 33:46 Communication Strategies for Neurodivergent Children 37:19 Holistic Approach to Pediatric Care 40:16 Navigating Paediatric Referrals and Consultations 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 like answered, please send a question to the integration station via Instagram or our email podcast@otfcgroup.au

Michael walks us through an audience question about ADHD and impulsivity and how you can manage it using a few simple tricks! References Stop, Think, Do - Lindy Peterson https://www.stopthinkdo.com/ Motivation Assessment Scale Template: https://www.carepatron.com/files/motivation-assessment-scale.pdf ADHD 2.0: New Science and Essential Strategies for Thriving with Distraction--from Childhood through Adulthood - https://www.amazon.com.au/ADHD-2-0-Essential-Strategies-Distraction/dp/0399178732 *Disclaimer: We do not earn any commission or sales from any affiliate links; we only aim to provide the most relevant and up-to-date information where possible. 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 like answered, please send a question to the integration station via Instagram or our email podcast@otfcgroup.au

Michael and Eleanor unpack how you can support an ASD client who only engages in repetitive play, and ways you can join them to foster connection for your toolkit. Plus, do you have a friend who's always asking you what OT's actually do? We've got the exact way you can frame it so they understand the whole picture about the profession. 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 like answered, please send a question to the integration station via Instagram or our email podcast@otfcgroup.au

Are playgrounds too safe? Michael and Eleanor unpack why risky play is so beneficial for your young person, plus we tell you everything you need to know as a new grad looking to apply for jobs next year. 00:00 Intro 01:45 Therapy Activity of The Week 07:45 Regulation Activity of The Week 10:58 The Benefits of Risky Play 29:35 Job Advice for New Grads 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 like answered, please send a question to the integration station via Instagram or our email podcast@otfcgroup.au

Michael and Eleanor clarify what the "reasonable expectations of parents" guidelines for parents accessing the NDIS to help distinguish what the NDIS will likely fund versus what is considered a normal part of parenting. Michael and Eleanor clarify what the "reasonable expectations of parents" guidelines for parents accessing the NDIS to help distinguish what the NDIS will likely fund versus what is considered a normal part of parenting. 00:00 Intro 01:49 Therapy Activity of The Week 10:58 Regulation Strategy of The Week 18:56 Defining NDIS Parental Supports 20:37 What are Reasonable Parental Expectations 23:12 What are not Reasonable Parental Expectations 25:18 Examples 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 like answered, please send a question to the integration station via Instagram or our email podcast@otfcgroup.au

Imagine an environment where everything is always changing, the educators are different, and the transitions are tricky. This week, Eleanor & Michael unpack how we can support a young person to navigate out-of-school hours care (OSH), plus we discuss some audience feedback on the limitations of "Just Right" language. 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 like answered, please send a question to the integration station via Instagram or our email podcast@otfcgroup.au

We're not removalists, we're OT's! And that means we're going to teach you how to find the fun in moving house and how you can best support your young person in doing so. Michael and Eleanor cover the importance of maintaining routines amidst the chaos, how to emotionally support your young person, and how to give them control by getting them involved in the process! 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 like answered, please send a question to the integration station via Instagram or our email podcast@otfcgroup.au

Today is R U OK Day. Michael and Eleanor walk you through how to ask R U OK with the people who are closest to you, the power of pausing while holding space, and how sharing a hug can help make someone's day infinitely better. If this episode brings anything up for you or if you need crisis support, here is a list of resources/services that can help: Lifeline 13 14 13 Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 R U OK - https://www.ruok.org.au/ 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 like answered, please send a question to the integration station via Instagram or our email podcast@otfcgroup.au

Eleanor and Micheal unpack Engine Charts vs Zones of Regulation, what they are, and how you can use them therapeutically in the clinic. Eleanor brought her engine chart to show you how she models hers with her clients, and tell you how to help start these conversations with the young people you're working with. Plus, we provide a few alternatives to chew toys for someone who might seek oral input to regulate. References: Zones of Regulation https://zonesofregulation.com/ The Alert Program° https://alertprogram.com/ 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 like answered, please send a question to the integration station via Instagram or our email podcast@otfcgroup.au

This week Michael and Eleanor unpack a question about managing tricky moments during transition time and what that looks like for a young person, adn they unpack what it's like to be on the receiving end of someone saying, "your job must be so rewarding." Plus, all the regular segments to help you find the fun in learning how to support the young people in your life. 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 like answered, please send a question to the integration station via Instagram or our email podcast@otfcgroup.au

This week, we're unpacking the Thriving Kids Program announcement, workshopping how you can manage difficult conversations when someone separates the person from the diagnosis, and managing clients with low muscle tone. 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 like answered, please send a question to the integration station via Instagram or our email podcast@otfcgroup.au

Michael and Eleanor unpack Pathological Demand Avoidance and Oppositional Defiance Disorder and, walk you through the differences, how to manage the challenges, and useful resources to help build your toolkit. Resources: Helping Autistic Teens to Manage Their Anxiety - Dr. Theresa Kidd - https://www.kiddclinic.com.au/dr-theresa-kidds-book Yellow Lady Bugs -https://www.yellowladybugs.com.au/ Reframing Autism - https://reframingautism.org.au/ PDA Society - https://www.pdasociety.org.uk/ ABOUT AUTISM AND PATHOLOGICAL DEMAND AVOIDANCE (PDA) PROFILE (SA Gov) - https://www.education.sa.gov.au/docs/support-and-inclusion/practice-guidance/About-autism-and-pathological-demand-avoidance-PDA-profile.pdf The Declarative Language Handbook - Linda K Murphy - https://www.declarativelanguage.com/about-declarative-language-handbook 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 like answered, please send a question to the integration station via Instagram or our email podcast@otfcgroup.au

Michael shares his top strategies for communicating with neurodivergent young people - insights that go beyond the therapy room. Whether you're a health professional, educator, student, AHA or just want to foster more inclusive conversations in everyday life, this podcast is for you. 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 like answered, please send a question to the integration station via Instagram or our email podcast@otfcgroup.au

How do you respond to a young person who says, “If I could change one thing about myself, I’d take away my autism?” This week on The Integration Station, Michael shares an emotional moment with a young client, and how another young person offered his own strategies to help reframe that feeling, plus all your regular segments. 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 like answered, please send a question to the integration station via Instagram or our email podcast@otfcgroup.au

This week, Michael and Eleanor answer your questions about bedtime routines for sensory avoidant profiles and activities for high emotions and provide fun ways to incorporate deep breathing activities for moments of high emotion. Plus all of our regular segments and with a laugh along the way. 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 like answered, please send a question to the integration station via Instagram or our email podcast@otfcgroup.au

This week, Michael and Eleanor delve into the fascinating and complex topic of artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential implications on the future of reading, writing, and occupational therapy. We also unpack practical applications of AI in clinical practice, emphasising the need for consent, privacy, and maintaining professional responsibility with AI integration in the clinical space as well as AI's role in supporting diverse learning methods. 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 like answered, please send a question to the integration station via Instagram or our email podcast@otfcgroup.au

This week, Michael and Eleanor explain The PINCH Method. It's a way to help an ADHD brain stay engaged and motivated by creating interest-based motivation in a task. Research has shown that when tasks are infused with emotional relevance or immediate payoff, people with ADHD perform significantly better when novelty, urgency, and rewards are motivating factors. And we also unpack the Cascading Effects of Sensory Development, a model helps change the way we approach sensory issues for young people with autism. Plus a few giggles and our regular segments in between 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 like answered, please send a question to the integration station via Instagram or our email podcast@otfcgroup.au

How important is rapport to delivering outcomes for clients? Michael and Eleanor provide the evidence as to why it's so important in the clinic, plus we fire off some rapid fire regulation activities for the home and school and walk you through what ATAR you need to get into OT. 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 like answered, please send a question to the integration station via Instagram or our email podcast@otfcgroup.au

This week, we cross to Twin Falls, Idaho and chat with parent coach and sensory integration Occupational Therapist Ivan Hardcastle. We cover how to use sensory integration with families and in the school setting, as well as how to coregulate and manage yourself as a parent and a professional. 00:00 Intro 03:31 Therapy Activity of The Week 09:26 Regulation Strategy of The Week 14:09 What drew you to OT? 18:05 Using sI to support families 23:23 Applying sensory integration at home 25:16 What does parent coaching as an OT look like? 30:05 Managing parents who might not be on board 32:33 Introducing coregulation at home 36:04 The rock amongst the waves 38:42 How has being a parent of neurodiverse children helped you as an OT? 47:01 How do you take care of yourself? 52:25 Advice for parents 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 like answered, please send a question to the integration station via Instagram or our email podcast@otfcgroup.au

This week, we dust off the backpack, polish up our shoes, and go back to grade 11 as we answer a student who asked if we could help them finish their Stage 2 Child Studies assignment. The questions were so insightful, we thought we'd answer them in full on the podcast. Here's what we'll be tackling this week: What role does play-based therapy have in helping children on the autism spectrum build social skills and emotional awareness? How do occupational therapists tailor strategies to meet the unique emotional needs of individual children with autism? What are some key challenges you face in supporting social development in children within this age group? In your experience, what are the most common social and emotional challenges faced by children with autism in early childhood? How does occupational therapy specifically target these challenges in children aged 3 to 8? How can occupational therapy improve a child’s ability to form relationships with peers and adults? + much more. 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 like answered, please send a question to the integration station via Instagram or our email podcast@otfcgroup.au