Occupy Yourself

Season 1 Finale! This guy gets one pepper because although we talk about occupational therapy the whole time, the theme of transitioning into a new career is relatively universal, and if you are new to occupational therapy, it's a good way to learn about the profession! We make connections between two different specialty areas within the practice of OT, as well as with themes from previous podcast episodes. We also squish some life lessons in there. We begin by discussing how we changed our perspective to use the Fieldwork Performance Assessment (FWPE) to assess Val's performance over these past 12 weeks. Then Val presents the findings of her final project! After this episode, Occupy Yourself will be taking a brief hiatus as Nicole re-gathers all of her spoons, spending the next couple of months learning, reflecting, and lounging her way towards season 2, which will surely be monthlyish, starting in May-Juneish. 

It's OT Month, and also Nicole's birthday month! In this brief little treat of an episode, we talk about word choice. She's a mild gal on the OT spiciness scale. We begin by examining some terms identified by Brock Cook, in the most recent episode of his OT podcast Occupied, as terms that should be used with caution, or perhaps, not at all. Per protocol, we had thoughts to add, discussing the way we have used these terms in our episodes. With Autism Awareness Month underway, we also wanted to discuss the use of language around autism, citing this article from the Autistic Self Advocacy Network to start the discussion. Though we didn't mention them in the episode, Autism Level Up is also doing excellent work in this area, and is an amazing resource to learn more about autism advocacy. Changing habits around language use is difficult work, but it comes much easier when you understand other perspectives!

This week it was Val's time to shine! Cip was somehow able to suppress her impulsivity using all the strategies (taking notes instead of talking, sipping her beverage, and at times, spacing out on purpose), to let Val have a chance to take the driver's seat for once! OK fine, she did pop in a couple times. But for the most part, Val and Nicole Fidanza had an enlightening chat about all things occupational in the realm of older adults and neurorehabilitation, focusing on areas of social participation throughout.  They discussed how mental health considerations are a part of occupational therapy interventions in all practice areas, the importance of using transitions in life as an opportunity to reflect, plan, and connect, keeping your antennae up going into a new situation, "aha moments", systemic barriers, and using different approaches with regards to intervention and therapeutic use of self. We're all optimistic to see where the field of occupational therapy will respond adaptively to the global challenge that Covid has brought us. Bonus: Nicole gets to play with sound effects to sensor potential identifying information.

We recently sat down with the delightful Sheila Frick, OTR/L for a two pepper-sode! Sheila is the founder of Vital Links, an education resource for all sorts of sensory integration, motor development, self-regulation, and trauma-healing techniques for occupational therapy practitioners and other individuals working in this area. Sheila tells us about her occupational history, and how all the different roles of her early career informed her practice today. We talk her partnership with her husband, Ron in the formation and development of Therapeutic Listening, the importance of friendships, how trauma affects regulation, and why kids with sensory processing challenges are at greater risk for PTSD. If you work with, care for, or are individuals with sensory integration differences or trauma histories, check it out! For more information about Sheila's work, visit www.vitallinks.com!

Join Nicole and Val (and the wind whistling across the block) for a leisurely stroll through their occupational histories relative to work and education. This episode is rated

OK guys, here comes the first

Roseanna Tufano is a professor at Quinnipiac University who joined us to talk about her dual licensure in occupational therapy as well as marriage and family counseling.  We talked about her background with these two degrees, and the ways that they compliment each other in her practice and professional interests.  She discusses her recent research in the area of transitioning from high school for students and their families, and the challenges they face along the way, as well as how she's planning to improve success for families going through this transition.  She talks about emerging programs for helping clients identify serious mental illness early on, and leaves us with some tips on how to reduce family stress.  On our OT Spiciness Scale, this episode is

Marilyn "Marli" Cole.  What a delight! Marli was our very first interview for this podcast and we loved every minute!  She has written so much on a variety of topics in OT such as group dynamics, applied theories, productive aging, and global perspectives.  Join us as we wander casually through her career, from new grad Marli, working with Claudia Allen in the mental health field as she developed the Allen Cognitive Levels, to her current project: adding a Covid-19 update study to her work in productive aging with Karen Macdonald. And, like, all. the. things. in between. Throughout the chat, we talk about the importance of occupations, collaboration with the client, social learning, taking the time to change things that just aren't working for us, and the value in a well-placed luncheon seat.  Marli is an inspiration for any OT student or practitioner, or anyone doing therapeutic work. Come for the story about Lorna Jean King providing tips to help her son fall asleep, stay for Marli's tips on productive aging!Feeling overwhelmed? Of course you are, this episode is

CW: We discuss the rehab aftermath of a child being hit by a car (spoiler alert, it turned out OK)Have you ever tried to describe a completely new food?  Tricky right?  In our first episode, Nicole and Val attempt to describe the unique flavor that is OT, using the OT practice framework and food analogies, with examples of Val's experience being hit by a car as a teenager, and Nicole's experience working with children and adults.  We think we did a pretty good job.  We also discuss the history of Occupational Therapy in very broad strokes.  

Welcome to Occupy Yourself, a podcast that aims to bring the glory of intentional occupation to all the land!  Nicole is an OTR with 20 years of experience and Val is an OT student finishing up her final fieldwork.  Join us with a tasty beverage as we explore occupational therapy concepts through storytelling and interviews.  Even if you're not an OT practitioner, everyone could use an OTP friend right now.  Let us be your OTP pals as you navigate the job of life!