ADHD task initiation can leave parents wondering why a capable child who knows exactly what to do still can’t get started. Learn how the NICE framework uses novelty, interest, challenge, and urgency to help children move from knowing to doing.
Does cursive still matter in a world of keyboards and voice-to-text? Explore what research tells us about cursive vs. print, why handwriting supports learning and memory, and how homeschool families can build handwriting skills without adding more busywork.
Handwriting frustrations aren’t just about messy letters—they’re clues to deeper challenges in motor, sensory, or cognitive development. In this episode of The OT Is In Podcast, occupational therapists Sarah Collins and Tiffany Parsons break down why handwriting stalls, what underlying skills to watch for, and how movement supports kids’ confidence across learning and daily life—both at home and beyond.
Many kids—and adults—move through life disconnected from the messages their bodies send them. In this episode of The OT Is In Podcast, Sarah sits down with interoception expert Kelly Mahler to unpack why awareness of the “eighth sense” is vital for emotional regulation, self-advocacy, and everyday learning. Discover practical ways to model and nurture interoceptive understanding at home so your family can thrive with greater insight, language, and connection.
In this special 100th episode of The OT Is In Podcast, Sarah Collins reflects on the homeschooling journey through the lens of the Gradual Release of Responsibility. Joined by her husband and children, she shares honest conversations about scaffolding independence, fostering confidence, and embracing the evolving role of parents as children grow into capable, lifelong learners.
What do experienced homeschool moms wish they had known when they first started? In this episode of The OT Is In Podcast, occupational therapist Sarah Collins and Colleen Kessler explore common misconceptions about homeschooling, trusting your instincts, neurodivergent learners, and how to build a homeschool that fits your unique child instead of chasing someone else’s expectations.
Power struggles in homeschooling often aren’t about defiance—they’re a signal that a child needs different support. In this episode of The OT Is In Podcast, occupational therapist Sarah Collins explores how to balance high expectations with appropriate scaffolding, helping children build independence without sacrificing connection, confidence, or long-term growth.
A homeschool parent recently described her child this way: “He can explain everything he learned. He can tell me every detail of the story. But when I ask him to answer questions or write about it, it’s like everything disappears.” If you’ve ever had a child who seemed capable in conversation but struggled to demonstrate…
Learning to read starts long before a child picks up a book. In this episode, occupational therapist Sarah Collins and literacy specialist Melanie Jeffrey discuss how phonemic awareness forms the foundation for reading success and share practical ways homeschool parents can build early literacy skills through meaningful, play-based experiences.
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 a deeper developmental obstacle?” Occupational…