The Integration Station

Kellie Halpin shares her powerful journey caring for her beautiful 8-year-old son, Fletcher, a beloved OTFC client who lives with various diagnoses. Kellie openly shares the struggles, challenges and joys of parenting a complex needs child. She also explores her experiences with various health professionals and therapies, as well as the pressure to 'find a solution' to Fletch's challenges. Kellie and Fletch's stories are real, powerful and inspiring - a must listen for any parent or therapist out there! 

Esther unpacks Kate Watts inspiring story. Kate is an OTFC client and University of South Australia Occupational Therapy student who advocates for young people on the Autism Spectrum. Formally diagnosed when she was 16 years of age, Kate shares how she felt liberated by her diagnosis and now benefits from regular OT and Psychology support.  Kate mentors younger adolescents on the Spectrum through volunteer and paid work at Mark Le Messuirer's What's the Buzz program. She is also a member of Tutti Art's 'Company AT' drama program, where she acts and produces with other performers on the Autism Spectrum. The Impersonal Questions Video by Company AT can be found here. https://www.facebook.com/watch/CountryArtsSA/382575162913855/

Dino and Esther interview Paediatrician Dr Anthony Chitti, from Adelaide Peadiatrics, Flinders Medical Centre and Calvary Hospital. Dr Chitti unpacks the medical and developmental milestones he looks for in children, as well as 'the thing' he believes every child needs to develop optimally. Dr Chitti and Dino also discuss the common misconceptions about prescribing medication to children and the considerations behind this decision for parents. 

Dino and Esther chat with Occupational Therapist and Kinesiologist, Veronica Steer, who founded OTFC over 30 years ago. Veronica shares how OTFC came to be, how it evolved and why she passed on the practice to Dino and Michelle Mennillo in 2005. Veronica also shares why Ayres Sensory Integration therapy is so effective and how OT can help to integrate children's primitive reflexes. 

Dino and Esther catch up with Andrea Ferguson, Senior Speech Pathologist and Clinical Manager of TALK Speech Pathology. Andrea shares key communication milestones for kids and strategies for working with children with speech delays. Andrea also unpacks the Speech Pathology role, Assistive Communication Devices, as well as the demand for rural clinicians.Speech Pathology Australia Communication Milestone resource:https://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/SPAweb/Resources_for_the_Public/Children_Communication_Milestones/SPAweb/Resources_for_the_Public/Communication_Milestones/Communication_Milestones.aspx?hkey=fb6753df-a757-4c4a-8100-aaebdd4451fd

Dino and Esther chat with Senior Clinical Psychologist Kerry Burke, who established the Children's Early Development Assessment Service (CEDAS) at Psychology South Australia.When assessing, Kerry discusses the importance of understanding the whole child before jumping to diagnostic boxes. Kerry shares key strategies when working with highly anxious children and girls living with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Kerry also unpacks the importance of a collaborative relationship between a child's psychologist and OT. Kerry refers to the following resources:Hey Warrior by Karen Young (Australian Psychologist) https://www.heysigmund.com/products/hey-warrior/Hey Sigmund website by Karen Young  https://www.heysigmund.com/The Owl and the Guard Dog by Cosmic Kids

Mark shares his heart behind the internationally acclaimed 'What's the Buzz?' program. He also unpacks his top parenting tips when caring for 'tough' kids and his perspective on the number one issue young people face today - loneliness. If you're a parent, caregiver, support worker, teacher or therapist - you won't want to miss this! Mark is a legend and a good laugh!! 

Calling in from California, Zoe shares her experience working as an Occupational Therapist during a global pandemic. Zoe describes the origin, evidence-base and principles of Ayres Sensory Integration therapy, sharing invaluable advice to parents, teachers and therapists caring for children with sensory integration difficulties. Zoe also unpacks the vision behind the Evaluation in Ayres Sensory Integration (EASI) assessment initiative, striving to increase the accessibility of Dr Jean Ayres' work around the world.You don't want to miss this opportunity to hear from Sensory Integration royalty!