Curious if OT could help your child's struggles? Download Why Choose OT to find out!

I'm thrilled to introduce Julia, a dynamic problem solver who has combined her background in education and fashion design to create sensory-friendly and adaptive apparel for children with tactile sensitivities. Julia's journey took her from a fashion design student at Cornell University to working in special education, where she saw firsthand the challenges faced by kids with sensory needs.

Her innovative clothing designs have no tags, flat seams, and include features like built-in sound reduction and adjustable compression, aimed at enhancing comfort and sensory regulation. Julia shares her inspiring journey, the impact of her designs in the classroom, and her vision for expanding her business to help even more families.

• Julia's Background
• Development of Sensory-friendly Clothing
• The realization of the clothing need in an autism preschool
• Producing adaptive apparel on a larger scale
• Combining sensory tools into comfortable clothing
• Innovative Features of the Clothing
• Benefits of these clothing
• Practical Applications in the Classroom
• Using compression shirts as part of a daily routine
• Initial small-scale production and trials in the classroom
• Leaving teaching to focus on expanding the business
• Future goals

• Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?
• How to Help Kids with Sensory Issues with Clothes
• Clothing Sensitivity Red Flags
• How To Handle Your Child's Sensory Issues With Clothing
• Episode 2: Decoding Behavior in homeschooling- sensory overwhelm, emotional control, perseverance
• Episode 14: Outdoor Activities to Develop Interoception in Children with Guest Caroline Santangelo
• Episode 30: Sensory Processing and Co-Regulation: Insights for Parents
• Shop Sensational You

Julia graduated from Cornell University in 2020 with a bachelor's in Fashion Design and minors in Human Development and Business. After graduating, she began teaching in special education with autistic students. She saw her students struggle with clothing and sensory regulation. She used her expertise in fashion to design a line of adaptive clothing to help them with their sensory needs and stay regulated.

At Sense-ational You, they are on a mission to increase the inclusion and academic success of autistic children through clothing that integrates sensory tools discreetly into the design for convenient regulation anywhere.

Connect with Julia here.

Curious if OT could help your child's struggles? Download Why Choose OT to find out!

If you’ve been feeling anxious about changes in administration and what that could mean for your homeschool journey, trust me—you’re not alone. I’ve got a special guest joining me today—Cheri K. Sessions from the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA). Not only is she an experienced homeschooling mom, but she’s also an advocate for educational choice. She’s sharing her own homeschooling journey, breaking down legal concerns, and giving us insights on how to access resources that can support us along the way.

Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been homeschooling for years, this episode is packed with valuable information to help you feel more confident and supported in your educational choices. So, let’s dive in and tackle those burning questions together!

• Cheri's background as a physical therapist and homeschool consultant
• Discussion on Homeschooling Choices
• The variety of homeschooling experiences
• The emotional aspect of homeschooling
• Government Administration and Public Education Concerns
• Parents' fears and concerns regarding new administration
• Legal Aspects and HSLDA Support
• Importance of HSLDA membership for legal support
• Role of HSLDA lawyers in answering legal questions
• Discussion on potential changes with the new administration
• Importance of contacting local representatives for change
• HSLDA and Homeschool Resources
• Resources available through HSLDA
• Other resources for homeschooling families
• Emphasis on the flexibility and personalization of homeschooling
• Encouragement for homeschooling families to seek community support
• Reiteration of the importance of using available resources

• Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?
• The HSLDA Website
• As a Teacher the Way Project 2025 Classifies Educators is Insulting
• Educational and Academic Freedoms
• How Trump's Polices Could Affect Special Education
• Episode 1: Unveiling the role of OT in Homeschooling
• Episode 2: Decoding Behavior in homeschooling- sensory overwhelm, emotional control, perseverance
  

Cheri Sessions (PT, DPT) has 18+ years of experience as a pediatric physical therapist, special needs advocate, educational consultant, and homeschooling mom. Cheri’s 4 amazing children were all adopted and have a variety of unique needs.

She has experience in navigating the school system, the community mental health system, and the health care system. With her unique understanding of how these systems work, she is equipped to advocate for families that also need to access these services.

Cheri enjoys traveling and has spent three years living overseas in the beautiful country of Haiti, serving the Haitian people through various medical and therapy clinics.

Today we have the pleasure of hosting Amy Sloan. Amy is a second-generation homeschooler, an accomplished writer at Humility and Doxology, and the host of the Homeschool Conversations podcast. In this episode, we dive into the theme of prioritization, exploring how Amy balances homeschooling five children, navigating unexpected challenges like her son’s cancer diagnosis, and maintaining a rich educational environment. From the heartwarming traditions of a "morning basket" routine to adapting homeschool plans during crises, Amy shares invaluable insights that will resonate with homeschooling families. Whether you’re new to homeschooling or a veteran, this episode promises to be both inspiring and practically useful. Join us as we explore the intricacies of prioritizing what truly matters in education and family life.

Curious if OT could help your child's struggles? Download Why Choose OT to find out!

• Overview of the monthly theme: prioritization
• Amy Sloan's Background as a Second generation homeschooler
• Difference between her homeschooling and her upbringing
• Influence of Amy’s and her husband's own homeschooling experiences
• Decisions and excitement about homeschooling
• Initial setup and changes over time
• Early challenges and learning curve
• Homeschool Prioritization
• Initial priorities and reality clash
• Introduction of the morning time concept
• Reordering homeschool day priorities
• Eliminating traditional structure constraints
• Coping with Unexpected Challenges
• Reevaluating homeschool priorities after a child's cancer diagnosis
• Minimal viable homeschool day
• Importance of morning time, reading, and math
• Decision-making process during crisis
• Maintaining Family and Marital Relationships
• Support from the community and friends
• Ensuring one-on-one time with children
• Different activities to connect
• Keeping your marriage strong during extended hospitalizations
• Importance of accepting help
• Homeschool Philosophy and Adaptation
• Consistency in the classical education approach
• Truth and humility in learning
• Loving one’s neighbor and a wide range of voices
• Changes in practice but not in core philosophy
• Simplification of reading lists and extra activities
• Learning from various homeschooling styles
• Importance of resting in the gospel
• Memory work and literature passion
• Providing resources and weekly poems
• Encouraging the study of Shakespeare

• Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?
• "What is Executive Functioning?" Course from Homeschool OT
• 5 Tips for Starting Morning Time
• Homeschool Loop Schedule
• Episode 11- Exploring Unique Learning Paths in Homeschooling
• Episode 12- Executive Functioning in Homeschooling: A Teenager's Experience with Organization and Planning
• Episode 28- Risky Play: Understanding the Benefits and Strategies for Safe Child Development
• Episode 32- Homeschooling During Crisis: Finding Balance with Self-Care and Family Support
• More from Amy at her blog: Humility and Doxology Blog
• Free Homeschool Planning Guide from Amy Sloan
  

Curious if OT could help your child's struggles? Download Why Choose OT to find out!

Today, we are thrilled to have the incredible Leslie Martino, join us. She is a homeschooling mom, educator, and author of the inspiring book "The Joy of Slow." Join our conversation about the importance of slowing down in learning, finding balance, and igniting a love for education. Leslie shares invaluable insights about turning challenges into meaningful learning experiences, fostering resilience, and embracing expansive time. Whether you're a seasoned homeschooler or new to the journey, this episode is packed with wisdom and practical tips that will enrich your educational approach.

• Discussion on Rigor vs. Preparation
• Differentiating between rigor and preparation
• Parents' misconception about rigorous learning
• Holistic and meaningful education
• Ideal learning state: relaxed alertness
• Importance of meaningful and engaging learning experiences
• Avoiding mindless productivity
• Integrating leisure and hard work in learning
• Concept of slow learning, going deeper with learning rather than broader
• Addressing learning gaps
• Fear of missing out on opportunities
• The misconception of control in education
• Different aspects of time beyond productivity
• Time for rest, passion, creativity, and reflection
• Taking time for meaningful learning experiences
• Importance of processing and noticing
• Examples outside conventional subjects
• Metacognition: Learning how you learn
• Strategies for integrating reflection including conversations with children or writing reflections
• Value of child's self-assessment in their learning process
• Recap of the importance of expansive and reflective learning
• Noticing and embracing the child's perspective in education

• Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?
• Tips to Improve Prioritization - The OT Toolbox
• What is Executive Function? Course from Homeschool OT
• Exploring the Occupation of Rest - Research Paper
• Different Kinds of Rest - Chronic Resilience OT
• Episode 9- The Impact of Music on Executive Functioning: A Homeschooling Perspective
• Episode 10- Streamlining Your Space: Organizing for Better Executive Functioning
• Episode 11- Exploring Unique Learning Paths in Homeschooling with Guest Amy Bodkin
• Episode 12- Executive Functioning in Homeschooling: A Teenager's Experience with Organization and Planning
• The Joy of Slow: Restoring Balance and Wonder to Homeschool Learning
• Follow Leslie Martino on Instagram

Leslie M Martino has over twenty years of experience teaching—as an elementary school teacher, a home educator, and an adjunct lecturer for graduate courses focused on the role of the teacher in supporting children’s individual work preferences. She homeschools her four children and works as an educational consultant, writing curricula, training teachers, and coaching parents to approach learning in an interest-based and child-directed way. She is a speaker on topics of education and motherhood and is also a contributing writer for the Wild + Free homeschooling community.

Curious if OT could help your child's struggles? Download Why Choose OT to find out!

In this episode, we'll explore Nicole Santiago's approach to collaborative problem-solving, her emphasis on intrinsic motivation, and how she successfully integrates these strategies into both her professional work and personal life. Nicole is a seasoned IEP coach and special education advocate, bringing a wealth of experience from her background as a dual-language teacher and a dedicated homeschooling mom. With a focus on neurodivergent families, particularly those navigating autism and ADHD, Nicole is here to share valuable insights into creating more inclusive and supportive educational environments.

We'll also touch on the importance of family dynamics, the role of advocacy in understanding ADHD, and how Nicole leverages tools like the Social Emotional Competency Assessment (SECA) to highlight and build on a child's strengths. From discussing flexible schooling options to the necessity of family meetings, Nicole’s expertise sheds light on actionable ways parents and educators can foster a culture of kindness, curiosity, and collaborative problem-solving.

• Former dual language teacher with a specialty in Spanish for middle and high school students.
• Homeschooling experience with her own son diagnosed with ADHD.
• Rich history of supporting families in the special education system.
• Inspired by Dr. Ross Green's collaborative problem-solving methods.
• Focus on intrinsic motivation and mastery learning over traditional grading.
• Merits and challenges of homeschooling vs. public schooling.
• Tailoring education to fit individual family and child needs.
• Encouraging students to self-assess and use peer feedback.
• Addressing underlying issues affecting a child's behavior, such as undiagnosed learning disabilities or home troubles.
• Adopting firm boundaries with supportive measures for a functional family dynamic.
• Effective parent coaching emphasizing respect, curiosity, and firmness.
• Utilizing family meetings to foster culture and solve problems collaboratively.
• Creative approaches to generating solutions, allowing flexibility in task completion.
• Managing ADHD with Tools like Trello for task management.
• Nicole’s personal experience and insights on the strengths and weaknesses associated with ADHD.
• Strengths-Based Educational Approach:
• Utilizing the Social Emotional Competency Assessment (SECA) in IEP and ART meetings.
• Personalized learning projects involving second-language vocabulary and local immersive activities.

• Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?
• Reverse Planning Journal from Homeschool OT
• What are Executive Functioning Skills?
• Field Trips can Build Executive Functioning
• What are Executive Functioning Skills? - Course from Homeschool OT
• Episode 9- The Impact of Music on Executive Functioning with Mandy Doman
• Episode 10 - Streamlining Your Space: Organizing for Better Executive Functioning
• Give Grace and Reject Shame by Nicole
• Follow Family ADDventures on Instagram
• Like Family ADDventures on Facebook

Nicole Santiago, M. Ed, AC, is a disability advocate and learning specialist. She is the founder of Family ADDventures- a disability advocacy and training organization. We support neurodivergent students (and their families) so they thrive at school and in life!