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 Intro01:29 Understanding the Role of a Neonatal Paediatrician04:57 The Newborn Journey: From Womb to World07:04 Postnatal Care and Parental Support08:49 Addressing Developmental Concerns09:41 Holistic Approach to Pediatric Care22:07 Neurodivergent Children: Challenges and Support31:31 Parental Self-Care and Co-Regulation32:41 Understanding Developmental Milestones33:46 Communication Strategies for Neurodivergent Children37:19 Holistic Approach to Pediatric Care40:16 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 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 

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 

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 

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, 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 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 

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 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 

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 

Is your child a dandelion or an orchid? This week Eleanor unpacks the child development theory that helps you understand what your child might need to thrive. Plus we unpack why a young person may not want to follow instructions unless they are in control, and if your young person can be tired and regulated at the same time. 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 take a parent focus and unpack what to do when you have one parent who understands the process of OT and the other doesn't and how you can proactively manage expectations while working towards a goal that everyone can understand. We also cover what are reasonable expectations for caring for your young person according to the NDIS guidelines and what that might look like for your family/young person. Plus our regular segments are back to build your OT tool kit! 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 return to the Q&A format, answering all of your question submissions. This week we're back in the classroom to provide some tips for regulation in the classroom and unpack how riding a bike can dysregulate or overstimulate a young person and why. 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