Welcome to the OT is IN Podcast!
The OT is IN podcast merges the worlds of education and occupational therapy to empower families like yours. I’m your host, Sarah Collins, an occupational therapist and homeschooling parent of 3 ranging in age from elementary to high school.
Though there is not one right way to educate your child, there is a lot to consider when individualizing an education. The goal of our 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.
Real Regulation, Real Readiness: Scaffolding For Executive Function at Home
Homeschooling parents live in the space where support and expectation meet. When our children struggle to get started on a lesson, complete a routine, or manage a transition, frustration often bubbles up—for them and for us. It is tempting to wonder, “Is this a motivation problem, a behavioral choice, or
Understanding and Building Working Memory at Home: An OT Perspective
Why do some children seem to “know” the material but still struggle to follow directions, complete tasks, or remember what they just read? In this episode of The OT Is In Podcast, occupational therapist Sarah Collins and cognitive trainer Sandra Zamalis unpack the role working memory plays in homeschooling, learning, and executive functioning. Together, they explore cognitive overload, regulation, scaffolding, and the difference between accommodation and cognitive growth—offering practical insight and hope for homeschool families navigating learning challenges.
Handwriting or Technology? How to Support Both in Your Homeschool
Homeschooling often puts parents in the position of making daily decisions about what to hold onto and what to adapt. Handwriting is one of those decisions, especially as tools like speech-to-text, AI, and digital writing become more accessible. In Episode 93 of The OT Is In, I sit down with Leslie
Supporting Handwriting Development, Legibility and Growth
Handwriting is more than pencil grip and practice. This OT-informed guide explains why children struggle with handwriting, what legibility really means, and how to build skills at home without frustration.
Designing Home Spaces for Sensory Regulation Scaffolding Development, Not Shortcuts
Homeschooling is not just about choosing the right curriculum. It is about creating a home environment where your child can focus, regulate, and participate in learning. For many families, the biggest challenges are not academic. They show up as constant movement, difficulty sitting still, sibling conflict, or a day that
Homeschooling and Sensory Regulation: Understanding Proprioception in Daily Life
An Occupational Therapist
explains proprioception and why kids need movement to regulate their nervous system—plus practical ideas for homeschool families.