Making Sense

About Making Sense

Occupational therapy best practices ask us to integrate knowledge into practice. Each episode offers a conversation aimed at translating the most current research into clinical action for occupational therapy practitioners. Produced by the STAR Institute, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, in an effort to further our commitment to impacting the quality of life.

Publisher

STAR Institute

Category

business · education · leisure

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

12 Feb 2021

Latest episode

20 Apr 2023

Latest episodes

18 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   20 Apr 2023

   Risky Play

   Anita Bundy, ScD, OT/L, FAOTA, FOTARA is a professor and head of the occupational therapy department at Colorado State University. She has conducted decades of experiments and research in Risky Play. Listen as Dr. Bundy shares both the benefits of risk-taking in play and the developmental costs of being risk-averse. The views expressed in the following presentation are those of the presenter(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of STAR Institute. Resources Mentioned In this episode: Anita Bundy’s bio page, publications and awards at Colorado State University: https://www.chhs.colostate.edu/bio-page/anita-bundy-1189/ Sydney Playground Project: https://www.sydneyplaygroundproject.com/ Revised Knox Preschool Play Scale: https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-1-4419-1698-3_604 Test of Playfulness (Bundy): https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-1-4419-1698-3_299 Neumann, Eva: The Elements of Play https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-1-4419-1698-3_604 Gregory Bateson's concept of “metacommunication”: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0732118X9190042K David Ball: Playgrounds - risks, benefits and choices: https://eprints.mdx.ac.uk/4990/1/crr02426.pd Tim Gill: The Benefits of Children's Engagement with Nature: A Systematic Literature Review: https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.7721/chilyoutenvi.24.2.0010 Ellen Beate Hansen Sandseter: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=vxKzmO8AAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao The Play Outside UBC Lab, led by Dr. Mariana Brussoni: https://playoutsideubc.ca/ Episode transcript: Carrie Schmitt  I'm joined today by Dr. Anita Bundy. She's an occupational therapist, and thank you so much for being here today, I would love for you to tell us a little bit about yourself. Dr. Anita Bundy  My pleasure to be here. Thank you, Carrie. I am currently the department head in occupational therapy at Colorado State University. And I've been engaged in labor you search for a long time now, Carrie Schmitt  I saw that was an area of interest and research among your many distinctions and awards, and all of the important work that you've done in our field. And when I asked you one of the topics you might be interested in talking about today, you mentioned risky play. And so I was able to, you're able to share some articles with me and I was able to go and look up some of your research, I would love to hear the pathway, maybe or some of the things that you've found early in your research or curiosities about play that led you to study risky play as a research category. And you've done some really important findings on the topic. Dr. Anita Bundy  Well, I started studying play as part of my doctoral work. And I was, I was interested in the notion that therapists had and I think still have, but that maybe not as strongly now that if we helped children to develop skills, those skills would automatically be transferred into their everyday life. And so I was interested in that I was interested in studying the relationship and and I chose to study the relationship between motor skills, and am I needed something functional, that children would do, and I was interested in, you know, graduating in my own lifetime, and I wanted children to be willing to participate. And so I chose play. And so honestly, play was, for me, at that point, a matter of convenience. And so I did my doctoral study. And as I, I observed, a number of children playing. And as I did, I actually became quite fascinated with, with the play part of it with watching children who had some kinds of difficulties. And I had one child in particular, who will always stay with me, and he was a child who had a lot of sensory integrative issues. And he, he was playing outdoors, and I was watching him play outdoors. And he was really terribly, terribly boring to watch out towards he, he was climbing up the slide and going down the slide. And this, this child was sort of he was more than six

2. 

   6 Apr 2023

   A Family Nurse Practitioner and mom shares her personal and professional encounters with ADHD and SPD

   Family Nurse Practitioner and Parent, Holly Healy offers both personal and professional insights into sensory differences.

3. 

   23 Mar 2023

   Reaching for Sustainable Behavioral Shifts: A Look Inside the Applied Educational Neuroscience Framework

   Join Dr. Lori Desautels to explore how trauma and adversity impact the developing brain and body and show up in the challenging behaviors we sometimes see.

4. 

   9 Mar 2023

   A Family’s Journey to Sensory Health

   Parents of two boys with sensory differences discuss the experience of diagnosis and their pathway to building a sensory lifestyle for their family.

5. 

   23 Feb 2023

   The Role of Occupational Therapy in Trauma Informed and Responsive Care: An OT’s Personal Story

   According to the Administration for Children and Families (n.d.), nearly 500,000 children and youth are currently in the foster care system in the United States.

6. 

   22 Feb 2023

   Making Sense Season 3 is Sponsored by Summit Sensory Gym

   Making Sense Season 3 is Sponsored by Our Community Partner Summit Sensory GymAre you an occupational or physical therapist struggling to excite your patients with different therapeutic activities, or even worse are finding that your therapists and more importantly your patients are tired of the same old therapy? If you're like most practices are organizations, acquiring new patient referrals and converting them into ongoing patients is often very expensive and time consuming. This fact was proven in a recently completed survey of 500 patients. The outcomes of the survey showed patients are 18% more likely to cancel or no show their therapy session if they expected the therapy session to be a repeat of a previous session or lack any excitement. Have you ever wondered if there was a way to reduce patient cancellations and amplify a patient's therapy experience? Well, we've got some good news. This doesn't have to be the case with your practice or organization. Introducing Summit Sensory Gym, the industry leader in freestanding sensory therapy gym structures. Summit Sensory Gym is passionate about creating unexpected adventures through our multifunctional gym packed with all the therapeutic benefits you've always desired for your patients. Our freestanding sensory gym structures encourage patients to explore and learn fundamental lessons by inspiring imagination, adventure and learning. Whether you're looking to replace an existing therapy structure or design a custom sensory gym for your new facility, our commercial gym equipment, accessories and design capabilities will not disappoint. Summit Sensory Gym is fully equipped to take your visions of the perfect therapeutic gym structure and turn them into reality. Our time proven process finally calibrates these dreams into innovative, functional and life changing therapeutic assets that will help the lives of those we care for most. As the industry leader, we are proud to be the STAR Institute Community Partner. For a limited time Summit Sensory Gym is offering a $300 shipping credit for all sensory gym purchases. To learn more about Summit Sensory Gym, please visit us at summitsensory.com or give us a call at 720-457-5500.

7. 

   23 Mar 2022

   The Shift to Neurodiversity-affirming Psychological Assessment

   The concept of neurodiversity is credited to a sociologist named Judy Singer. Neurodiversity recognizes and pays respect to the diversity of human minds, and the infinite variation in neurocognitive functioning within our species (Walker, 2014). Today, listen in as two clinical psychologists, Dr. Courtney McDonnell and Dr. Jared Kilmer, discuss what a neurodiversity affirming assessment pathway could look like. Episode guests: Courtney McDonnell, Psy.D. & Jared Kilmer, PhD Resources Mentioned In this episode: Game to Grow: https://gametogrow.org/ Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI): https://www.parinc.com/Products/Pkey/287 Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnoistic Scale, Revised (RAADS-R): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3134766/ Neurodiverse affirming therapists Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2219847184963504/about/ Dr. Joel H. Schwartz: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/joel-h-schwartz-torrance-ca/161994 MIGDAS-2: Monteiro Interview Guidelines for Diagnosing the Autism Spectrum, Second Editionhttps://www.wpspublish.com/migdas-2-monteiro-interview-guidelines-for-diagnosing-the-autism-spectrum-second-edition?utm_term=migdas&utm_campaign=Search+%7C+Autism&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_tgt=kwd-331660223516&hsa_ad=376185522396&hsa_acc=6243382947&hsa_grp=71450949288&hsa_mt=p&hsa_cam=1687564772&hsa_kw=migdas&hsa_ver=3&hsa_src=g&gclid=CjwKCAiAxJSPBhAoEiwAeO_fP4K9m73E7GIkPMECCPpN6NuznTdqsAxCElhIq0AC1xu0L9kCL03Q2RoCnhkQAvD_BwE How to ADHD on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/HowtoADHD Walker, N. (September 2014). Neurodiversity: Some basic terms and definitions. http://neurocosmopolitanism.com/neurodiversity-some-basic-terms-definitions/ SPONSORED BY CALM STRIPS To learn more about Calm Strips and to purchase your strips today, visit www.calmstrips.com. Save 20% on your order for $20 or more with promo code CALMSTAR20.

8. 

   9 Mar 2022

   Evidentiary support for Occupational Therapy’s Role in Empowering the Occupation of Caregiver in those caring for Autistic Loved Ones

   Evidence-based practice is vital to focus the OT lens and voice in the autism community.  Occupational therapists are in a position to recognize the importance of the occupation of caregiver and provide evidence-based support in intervention when working with all clients. Today, we focus this conversation on autism intervention science.  Listen as this conversation unpacks the value of research in guiding us towards essential ingredients in support of caregiver agency with a focus on the parent-child dyad. Episode guest: Carrie Alvarado, Ph.D., OTR Resources Mentioned In this episode: Autism Community Network https://www.acn-sa.org/ Developmental, Individual Difference, Relationship-based Model training (DIRFloortime® model https://profectum.org/training-programs/training-2/ Green, J., & Garg, S. (2018). Annual research review: The State of Autism Intervention Science: Progress, target psychological and biological mechanisms and future prospects. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 59(4), 424–443. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.12892 Pediatric Autism Communication Therapy https://www.pacttraining.co.uk/ Profectum Foundation https://profectum.org/ SPONSORED BY CALM STRIPS To learn more about Calm Strips and to purchase your strips today, visit www.calmstrips.com. Save 20% on your order for $20 or more with promo code CALMSTAR20.

9. 

   23 Feb 2022

   5 Concrete Action Steps for Clinicians to Take in Response to Anti-black Racism in the Autism Clinical Pathway

   The clinical pathway for Autism services is complex. Anti-black racism within that pathway is well-established in the literature.  This pervasive, systemic racism affects every step of the pathway from early caregiver concerns to accessing intervention.  This conversation begins with raising awareness around this issue and ends with five action steps clinicians can take to respond to the anti-black racism in the autism clinical pathway. Episode guest: Aksheya Sridhar, M.A. and Diondra Straiton, M.A Resources Mentioned In this episode: Beagan, B. L. (2021). Commentary on racism in occupational science. Journal of Occupational Science, 28(3), 410–413. https://doi.org/10.1080/14427591.2020.1833682 Farias, L., & Simaan, J. (2020). Introduction to the Anti-Racism Virtual Issue of the Journal of Occupational Science. Journal of Occupational Science, 27(s1), 454–459. https://doi.org/10.1080/14427591.2020.1824567@rocc20.2020.27.issue-s1 Grenier, M.-L. (2020). Cultural competency and the reproduction of White supremacy in occupational therapy education. Health Education Journal, 79(6), 633–644. https://doi.org/10.1177/0017896920902515 Kronenberg, F. (2020). Commentary on JOS Editorial Board’s Anti-Racism Pledge. Journal of Occupational Science, 27(s1), 398–403. https://doi.org/10.1080/14427591.2020.1827483 Primary Care Clinical Pathway for Autism Screening and Referral: https://www.chop.edu/clinical-pathway/autism-screening-and-referral-clinical-pathway Project Impact: https://www.project-impact.org/ Straiton, D., & Sridhar, A. (2021). Short report: Call to action for autism clinicians in response to anti-black racism. Autism, 136236132110436. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613211043643 Straiton & Sridhar resource website: https://autismlab.psy.msu.edu/resources/anti-racism-resources/ SPONSORED BY CALM STRIPS To learn more about Calm Strips and to purchase your strips today, visit www.calmstrips.com. Save 20% on your order for $20 or more with promo code CALMSTAR20.

10. 

    9 Feb 2022

    The role of Pre-conscious Sensory Processing in Embodied Occupation

    Occupational therapists recognize the importance of occupation to well-being. This episode explores the essential contribution of sensation to the way occupation is expressed in humans. From socio-cultural experiences to sensory habits, listen as Drs. Bailliard and Schmitt explore occupation with a wide lens. Episode guest: Antoine Bailliard, Ph.D., OTR/LResources Mentioned In this episode: American Occupational Therapy Association. (2020). Occupational therapy practice framework: Domain and process (4th ed.). American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 74(Suppl. 2), 7412410010. https://doi. org/10.5014/ajot.2020.74S2001 Atzil, S., Gao, W., Fradkin, I. et al. Growing a social brain. Nat Hum Behav 2, 624–636 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-018-0384-6 Dr. Bailliard’s Keynote at Colorado State University: https://www.chhs.colostate.edu/ot/outreach-and-engagement/ot-knowledge-exchange/ot-knowledge-exchange-keynote-speaker/ Bailliard, A.L (2013). The Embodied Sensory Experiences of Latino Migrants to Smalltown, North Carolina. Journal of Occupational Science, 20(2), 120-130. DOI: 10.1080/14427591.2013.774931 Bailliard, A.L., Carroll, A., & Dallman, A.R. (2018). The Inescapable Corporeality of Occupation: Integrating Merleau-Ponty into the Study of Occupation. Journal of Occupational Science, 25(2), 222-233. DOI: 10.1080/14427591.2017.1397536 Clear, J. (2019). Atomic habits an Easy & proven way to build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones. Penguin Audio, an imprint of the Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group. John Dewey: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/dewey/ Frank Kronenberg: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Frank-Kronenberg Lisa Feldman Barrett: https://lisafeldmanbarrett.com/ Maurice Merleau-Ponty: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/merleau-ponty/ Pierre Bourdieu: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Pierre-Bourdieu Van der Kolk, B.A. (2015). The body keeps the score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma. Penguin Books. SPONSORED BY CALM STRIPS To learn more about Calm Strips and to purchase your strips today, visit www.calmstrips.com. Save 20% on your order for $20 or more with promo code CALMSTAR20.

11. 

    20 Jan 2022

    Understanding the Profound Impact of Play through an Interpersonal Neurobiological Lens

    Play is a child’s occupation and has a profound impact on attachment and neuro-development. Therapeutic and developmental experiences benefit from a deeper understanding of the importance and impact of play. Today, Carrie Schmitt and Mim Ochsenbein unpack The Interpersonal Neurobiology of Play by highlighting and defining Play, while considering both the impact of play on brain development and the way that play in the context of relationship is powerful for driving development. Resources Mentioned In this episode: Brown, S. L., & Vaughan, C. C. (2010). Play: How it shapes the brain, opens the imagination, and invigorates the soul. Avery. De Waal, F (2019). Mama's last hug: Animal emotions and what they tell us about ourselves. W. W. Norton & Company. Kestly, T. (2014). The interpersonal neurobiology of play : Brain-building interventions for emotional well-being (First ed., Norton series on interpersonal neurobiology). New York: W.W. Norton & Company. Stephen Porges on Polyvagal Theory:  https://www.stephenporges.com/ Dan Siegel on Interpersonal Neurobiology: https://m.drdansiegel.com/about/interpersonal_neurobiology/ Yogman, M., Garner, A., Hutchinson, J., Hirsh-Pasek, K., & Golinkoff, R. M. (2018). The power of play: A pediatric role in enhancing development in young children. Pediatrics, 142(3). https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2018-2058 SPONSORED BY CALM STRIPS To learn more about Calm Strips and to purchase your strips today, visit www.calmstrips.com. Save 20% on your order for $20 or more with promo code CALMSTAR20.

12. 

    20 Jan 2022

    Making Sense Season 2 is Sponsored by Calm Strips

    Calm Strips is the proud sponsor of Season 2 of Making Season. Calm Strips began as a small piece of blue tape wrapped on the founder’s finger. He looked a bit silly wearing the tape, not to mention he had a lone sticky finger at the end of the day. So, then came the idea to create something that you could stick anywhere and take everywhere you may need a little bit of calm. The Calm Strips' mission is to further destigmatize the need for support and help and their dedication to this mission is unwavering. To learn more about Calm Strips and to purchase your strips today, visit www.calmstrips.com. Save 20% on your order for $20 or more with promo code CALMSTAR20.

13. 

    31 Mar 2021

    Vestibular Sensory Processing Contributes to Sense of Self/Embodiment

    The vestibular system is critically involved in integrating sensory signals from inside our bodies (interoception) with sensory signals from outside ourselves (exteroception). There is a large body of work showing that our sense of self stems from multisensory integration. Today, guest Lisa Porter, PhD, OTD, OTR/Land Carrie Schmitt, OTR/L unravel the important role of the vestibular system in our sense of self. From the role, vestibular sensation plays in modulating sensory processing to vestibular sensations contribution to safety and perspective taking, listen to Lisa and Carrie discuss the impact of this important sensory system. Resources mentioned in this episode: Kestly, T. (2014). The interpersonal neurobiology of play: Brain-building interventions for emotional well-being (First ed., Norton series on interpersonal neurobiology). New York: W.W. Norton & Company. Lopez C. (2015). Making Sense of the Body: the Role of Vestibular Signals. Multisensory Research, 28(5-6), 525–557. https://doi.org/10.1163/22134808-00002490 Polkinghorne, D. E. (1996). Transformative narratives: From victimic to agentic life plots. American journal of occupational therapy, 50(4), 299-305. Porges, S. (2019). Brain-body connection may ease autistic people’s social problems. https://www.spectrumnews.org/opinion/viewpoint/brain-body-connection-may-ease-autistic-peoples-social-problems/ Dan Siegel on Interpersonal Neurobiology: https://m.drdansiegel.com/about/interpersonal_neurobiology/ Find Lisa Porter at https://sensorykidsot.com/

14. 

    17 Mar 2021

    Motor Development and Psychological Development are Dynamically Intertwined in Early Childhood

    Motor development is essentially psychological. In this conversation, Carrie Schmitt, OTR/L and Renee Allen, MS, OTR/L discuss the idea that motor development informed by sensation allows us to act on the world in the context of culture and relationship and ultimately enables skill acquisition across both motor and psychological milestones. Using clinical examples, they unpack what motor development challenges can tell us about a child’s sensory and psychological development. Resources mentioned in this episode: Adolph, Karen E, & Hoch, Justine E. (2019). Motor Development: Embodied, Embedded, Enculturated, and Enabling. Annual Review of Psychology, 70(1), 141-164. Bialer, D., & Miller, L.J. (2011). No longer A SECRET: Unique common strategies for children with sensory or motor challenges. Sensory World.

15. 

    3 Mar 2021

    How Challenges With Sensory Processing and Integration Impact Students’ Learning and What We Can Do About It

    Sensory differences have a profound impact on learning. Colleen Whiting is our faculty specialist on school-based practice. Today, Carrie Schmitt and Colleen Whiting discuss an article highlighting a study aimed at capturing parent and teacher perspectives on how sensory differences affect learning and life at school. This conversation covers topics such as the current day impact of distance learning, sensory profiles mismatches, sense of agency, and what specific strategies work to support students with sensory differences. Parents and school-based therapists alike will benefit from this discussion. Resources Mentioned In this episode: Bialer, D., & Miller, L.J. (2011). No longer A SECRET: Unique common strategies for children with sensory or motor challenges. Sensory World. Jones, E.K., Hanley, M., & Riby, D.M. (2020). Distraction, distress and diversity: Exploring the impact of sensory processing differences on learning and school life for pupils with autism spectrum disorders. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 72, 101515. Miller-Kuhaneck, H. & Kelleher, J. (2018). The classroom sensory environment assessment as an educational tool for teachers. Journal of Occupational Therapy Schools & Early Intervention. 10.1080/19411243.2018.1432442. Miller, Lucy Jane, Anzalone, Marie E, Lane, Shelly J, Cermak, Sharon A, & Osten, Elizabeth T. (2007). Concept evolution in sensory integration: A proposed nosology for diagnosis. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 61(2), 135-140. Piller, A., & Pfeiffer, B. (2016). The sensory environment and participation of preschool children with autism Spectrum disorder. OTJR Occupation Participation Health, 36(3), 103–111. Short Child Occupational Profile (SCOPE): https://www.moho.uic.edu/productDetails.aspx?aid=9 Find more about the school-based course Colleen Whiting designed at https://www.sensoryhealth.org/basic/school-based-intensive-for-occupational-therapy-practitioners

16. 

    12 Feb 2021

    Exploring the Connection Between Sensation and Emotion Through the Therapeutic Medium of PLAY

    In pediatric occupational therapy, play is often used as a therapeutic medium. Today Carrie Schmitt and Michele Parkins discuss how the ways in which we play can include emotion regulation alongside sensory motor regulation. They explore the concept of psychosensory experiences tying in temperament as it manifests in play and how this guides therapeutic play aligning with sensory modulation, discrimination and sensory motor development. Resources Mentioned in this episode: Foley, G. (2017). Play as regulation: Promoting self-regulation through play. Top Language Disorders 37(3), 241-258. doi:10.1097/TLD0000000000000129 Miller, Lucy Jane, Anzalone, Marie E, Lane, Shelly J, Cermak, Sharon A, & Osten, Elizabeth T. (2007). Concept evolution in sensory integration: A proposed nosology for diagnosis. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 61(2), 135-140. Find Michele Parkins’ new webinar HERE.

17. 

    12 Feb 2021

    Introducing Making Sense, a STAR Institute Podcast

    Executive Director Virginia Spielmann and Carrie Schmitt introduce the STAR Institute for Sensory Processing’s podcast and discuss how a podcast is a wonderful medium to further the vision and mission of STAR Institute. In addition, they discuss the cornerstones of the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (OTPF-4) highlighting the OT’s unique ability to integrate macro and micro viewpoints into our practice. Listen in and hear how we plan to use this season of the podcast to share research to practice translation through our unique perspective on sensory integration, relationship, and regulation. STAR Institute is a 501(c)3 organization, for more information and to donate please visit www.sensoryhealth.org. Resources: American Occupational Therapy Association. (2020). Occupational therapy practice framework: Domain and process (4th ed.). American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 74(Suppl. 2), 7412410010. https://doi. org/10.5014/ajot.2020.74S2001 Appiah, K. A. (2011). The honor code: How moral revolutions happen. Norton & Company. Morris, Z. S., Wooding, S., & Grant, J. (2011). The answer is 17 years, what is the question: understanding time lags in translational research. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 104(12), 510–520. https://doi.org/10.1258/jrsm.2011.110180 O'Rourke, P. (2011). The significance of reflective supervision for infant mental health work. Infant Mental Health Journal, 32(2), 165-173. STAR Institute. (n.d.). Vision, Mission, & History. https://www.sensoryhealth.org/basic/vision-mission-history TRANSCRIPTION - READ HERE

18. 

    12 Feb 2021

    Making Sense Season 1 is Dedicated to Janet Wright

    This Making Sense podcast season is dedicated to the memory of Janet Wright. Who was Janet you ask? Janet was an incredibly enthusiastic occupational therapist who loved what she did. More importantly, she was always striving to further her education and was passionate about bringing that knowledge to her patients, parents, peers, and most especially OT students. STAR Institute is a 501(c)3 organization, for more information and to donate please visit www.sensoryhealth.org.

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