Shows
New PossibilOTsThrough a Parent’s Eyes: Tips for Occupational TherapistsThis is an episode not to be missed! The New PossibilOTs podcast hosts Mahek Bansal and Larissa Ferrari welcome Chanelle Newman, the host of the "Raising Autism" podcast, to discuss her experiences as a parent of a neurodiverse child. Chanelle shares her journey, beginning with her son's unofficial autism diagnosis two years ago and the official diagnosis a year later. Chanelle's experiences with health professionals highlight the necessity of empathy and clear communication. She recounts the difficulties of navigating the diagnostic process and the positive changes brought about by effective occupational therapy. Throughout the conversation, C...2024-06-2454 min
New PossibilOTs22: Supporting Emotional Regulation – Tips and StrategiesThis episode of New PossibilOTs features the final instalment of the series: Supporting Emotional Regulation. Mahek Bansal and Larissa Ferrari explore function behind behaviour. They discuss the importance of a collaborative approach involving the child's school, home, and caregivers to understand and address the factors contributing to dysregulation. The discussion centres around the interplay of person, environment, and occupation, providing insights into how each factor influences a child's behaviour. By examining physiological responses, sensory preferences, and daily activities, the Mahek and Larissa highlight the need for a comprehensive understanding of these elements to effectively support children's emotional regulation. 2024-06-1024 min
New PossibilOTsSupporting Emotional Regulation - Collaborating with a TeamIn this episode of the New PossibilOTs podcast, Mahek and Larissa delve deeper into Supporting Emotional Regulation within a team of health professionals. Building on their previous discussion, they explore how various professionals, including occupational therapists, psychologists and speech pathologists collaborate to support children's emotional regulation. Through examples from their own practice, they illustrate how each professional's unique expertise contributes to the holistic treatment of emotional regulation issues. Emphasising the importance of clear communication and consistent strategies across the team, Mahek and Larissa offer their signature tips for effective collaboration, such as regular catch-up meetings, exchanging successful strategies, and...2024-05-2717 min
New PossibilOTsSupporting Emotional Regulation - The Role of the OTThe New PossibilOTs podcast kicks off a new series this week - Supporting Emotional Regulation. Mahek and Larissa look at the role of occupational therapy (OT) in emotional regulation, particularly when working with children. They discuss the importance of regulation as a fundamental skill for engaging in daily activities and stress the need to address regulation concerns collaboratively with the child to achieve optimal functioning. They highlight how OTs view dysregulation as communication rather than mere behaviour, illustrating the importance of understanding the root causes behind the child's actions. Mahek and Larissa explore strategies for supporting emotional r...2024-05-1324 min
New PossibilOTsPaediatric Diagnosis – The OT RoleIn the third and final episode in this series of New PossibilOTs, Mahek and Larissa dive into the multifaceted world of paediatric occupational therapy (OT). While acknowledging variations in clinic focus, they discuss their commitment to functional participation across all areas of a child's life, collaborating with families and other professionals to achieve holistic goals. Throughout the discussion, Mahek and Larissa highlight the pivotal role of understanding diagnoses in enhancing support for families. They stress the importance of clinical reasoning, empathy, and collaboration in navigating diagnostic journeys. Moreover, they offer practical tips for initiating conversations w...2024-04-2922 min
New PossibilOTsChild Development: Clinical Reasoning in Paediatric OTIn this episode of New PossibilOTs, Mahek Bansal and Larissa Ferrari dive deeper into understanding child development and its practical implications in occupational therapy (OT) interventions. By examining real-life examples and discussing the role of developmental milestones in goal setting and intervention planning, Mahek and Larissa highlight the nuanced approach required to support children with diverse needs effectively. They emphasise the significance of clinical reasoning rooted in activity analysis and meaningful occupational performance goals as foundational skills for pediatric OT practitioners, providing valuable insights for professionals entering the field. In their engaging discussion, Mahek and L...2024-04-1525 min
New PossibilOTs17: Child Development: Understanding the Bigger PictureWelcome back to the New PossibilOTs podcast with Mahek Bansal and Larissa Ferrari. In this episode, they kick off their first series focused on understanding the paediatric population, as they investigate the intricacies of child development. With Mahek and Larissa both being paediatric occupational therapists (OTs), they emphasise the importance of grasping the broader context of child development beyond mere milestones. Highlighting the significance of this knowledge within their clinical reasoning process, Mahek and Larissa discuss how they utilise developmental information to guide their occupational therapy practice. They highlight the role of OTs in understanding the individualised...2024-04-0116 min
New PossibilOTs16: Neurodiversity Affirming Practice: An OT PerspectiveOn this episode of NewPossibilOTs, Mahek Bansal and Larissa Ferrari, delve into the concept of neurodiversity affirming practice in occupational therapy, emphasising their evolving understanding and commitment to learning from lived experiences. Acknowledging their position as neurotypical individuals, they stress the importance of continuously updating knowledge and embracing collaborative approaches with clients to support individual differences. Throughout the conversation, they highlight the significance of recognising and affirming individuals' strengths, interests, and potential, advocating for a shift in language and practices towards empowerment and understanding. Their openness to learning and engaging with diverse perspectives underscores their co...2024-03-1817 min
New PossibilOTsNavigating paediatric OT professional development: Unlocking GrowthJoin Mahek and Larissa in this episode of New PossibilOTs, where they unravel the world of professional development for aspiring paediatric practitioners. They emphasise the critical task of choosing relevant resources and provide their signature tips from utilising podcasts and blogs for informal learning, to seeking supervision to enhance skills, and accessing free research papers through platforms like Google Scholar. For all this plus more, make sure you tune in to this informative and engaging conversation. Resources: Occupational Therapy Australia: Occupational Therapy Australia - Representing Occupational Therapists (otaus.com.au) National Library of Medicine: National Center...2024-03-0412 min
New PossibilOTs14: The Good and Bad Days of OTIn this New PossibilOTs podcast episode, hosts Mahek Bansal and Larissa Ferrari candidly explore the challenges faced by occupational therapists (OTs), aiming to validate their shared experiences across different levels and settings. They discuss the emotional impact of their profession, detailing what constitutes a "good" or "bad" day, and sharing personal anecdotes about unexpected challenges in sessions, issues outside of their control as an OT, and administrative tasks such as report writing. Mahek and Larissa offer practical well-being strategies and tips, including seeking support from colleagues, maintaining work-life balance, and embracing flexibility in session planning. With transparency...2024-02-1930 min
New PossibilOTsParent Coaching in Paediatric OT/ Benefits, Barriers, and Success StrategiesNew PossibilOTs is back with the first episode of 2024! Hosts Mahek Bansal and Larissa Ferrari are also back, exploring the practice of parent coaching. Parent coaching is a method to empower and educate parents to best support their child and facilitate success across different environments and daily routines. The discussion revolves around the various scenarios where parent coaching becomes crucial, such as when families face challenges accessing services in remote areas or when children require support to apply learned skills in their home environments. Mahek and Larissa outline the significance of tackling objectives, providing strategies and their t...2024-02-0522 min
New PossibilOTsTelehealth in Paediatric OT: Practical Tips and StrategiesWelcome back to the New Possibilities podcast! In this episode, Mahek Bansal and Larissa Ferrari continue to explore the expanding realm of telehealth in paediatric occupational therapy (OT). Building on their previous discussion, they dive into practical tips and strategies for successful telehealth sessions. They cover key considerations, from choosing the right platform with features like screen sharing, to preparing for sessions by understanding client goals and adapting activities to home environments. They discuss adaptability, creativity, and the ongoing learning curve of telehealth in paediatric OT. In this insightful episode, Mahek and Larissa provide a comprehensive guide...2024-01-2221 min
New PossibilOTsTelehealth in Paediatric OT: Benefits and BarriersIn a world where technology is rapidly evolving and transforming the way we live, this episode of New PossibilOTs sees Mahek Bansal and Larissa Ferrari explore the dynamic landscape of paediatric OT through the lens of telehealth. They discuss the benefits, barriers and strategies associated with this evolving practice. Mahek and Larissa highlight the advantages of telehealth, emphasising its ability to provide therapy in a client's natural environment, offering accessibility to rural areas, and ensuring consistency during unforeseen circumstances such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Mahek and Larissa also acknowledge the challenges but despite these obstacles, t...2024-01-0822 min
New PossibilOTsWorking with Health Professionals: A Collaborative ApproachWelcome back to the New PossibilOTs podcast! In this episode, Mahek and Larissa are again delving into the intricacies of collaboration. This episode centres around working with other health professionals. Building on their previous discussions about collaboration, they highlight the unique dynamics involved in teaming up with health professionals compared to educators. Mahek and Larissa explain the holistic nature of their work with children. They emphasise the need to align goals and understand the complementarity of diverse approaches within the team and the importance of gaining insights into the perspectives of other health professionals whilst acknowledging the absence of a...2023-12-1116 min
New PossibilOTsWorking with Educators: Strategies to Foster CollaborationDue to the popularity of Episode 8, Community Based OT, Mahek Bansal and Larissa Ferrari have decided to delve further into this and chat specifically about working collaboratively with educators. And whilst they stress the importance of building collaborative relationships with educators, they also emphasise that everyone involved with the client – parents, educators and occupational therapists, are part of a team. This collaborative approach allows for a more comprehensive understanding of a client's needs and challenges, particularly in their natural environment. Collaborating with educators helps occupational therapists gather vital information and observations that contribute to more effective strategies. The hosts als...2023-11-2725 min
New PossibilOTs8: Community Based OT: Benefits, Barriers and Practical StrategiesIn this episode of New PossibilOTs, Mahek Bansal and Larissa Ferrari explore the realm of community-based OT. They draw on their experience working in settings such as schools, preschools, and clients' homes, discussing not only the merits but also the challenges of this approach. Their discussion about the crucial role of collaboration, effective communication, and observation in community settings, highlights the value of building partnerships with parents, teachers, and other professionals to understand and support children's development. Mahek and Larissa also offer their signature practical tips for success and they would love for you to get...2023-11-1325 min
New PossibilOTs7: Evidence-Based Practice in OT: From Research to RealityIt is becoming increasingly important that practitioners implement evidence-based practice. In this episode of the New PossibilOTs, Mahek Bansal and Larissa Ferrari dive into the world of evidence-based practice. They define evidence-based practice as having three key dimensions: external scientific evidence, the practitioner's experience and training, and the client or family's situation and values. They stress the importance of aligning these components to provide the best service to clients. They discuss the challenges and barriers to implementing evidence-based practice and offer practical tips for clinicians, including becoming familiar with research papers, participating in clinical discussions, seeking supervision or study...2023-10-3022 min
New PossibilOTsThe Power of Engagement: Supporting Children’s Participation in OTWelcome back to the New PossibilOTs podcast! Mahek and Larissa explore the crucial concept of child engagement within the realm of paediatric occupational therapy. They discuss how engagement serves as the fundamental cornerstone for achieving therapeutic goals and supporting both the child and their family. Mahek and Larissa define engagement as a dynamic, reciprocal interaction, even when not face-to-face, where the child and therapist maintain a strong connection and collaboratively pursue common objectives. They emphasise the importance of engaging not only the child but also parents and caregivers in the therapeutic process for comprehensive support. Make sure you tune i...2023-10-1625 min
New PossibilOTs5: Building Rapport: The Key to Successful Paediatric OT SessionsIn this episode of the New PossibilOTs Podcast, hosts Mahek Bansal and Larissa Ferrari delve into the critical aspect of building rapport in paediatric occupational therapy. They stress the value of the initial parent sessions as an opportunity to discuss a child's strengths, interests, and concerns, which guides the planning of the first session and advocating for open conversations with parents, as rapport building extends to caregivers and collaborative teamwork in achieving the child's developmental goals. Mahek and Larissa also emphasise the child-led approach, allowing children to explore their environment while maintaining therapist-guided opportunities aligned with their...2023-10-0222 min
New PossibilOTs4: The Use of Standardised Assessments in Occupational Therapy: Implementation and Best PracticeIn this episode of the New PossibilOTs podcast, Mahek and Larissa explore the world of assessments in paediatric occupational therapy, specifically focusing on standardised assessments and their best practices. They categorise the assessments into three main types: self-reported assessments, observational assessments, and skill-based assessments with standardised scores. Mahek and Larissa also discuss the evolving use of assessments in paediatric OT, moving from a traditional approach of setting goals based on standardised assessments to a more function-based model, highlighting the importance of using assessments to guide clinical reasoning and intervention. Tune in to this episode of...2023-09-1825 min
New PossibilOTs3: Top Down vs Bottom Up Approaches: Balancing Perspectives in Occupational Therapy PracticeIn this episode of New PossibilOTs, Mahek Bansal and Larissa Ferrari explore the top-down and bottom-up approaches in occupational therapy and explain the fundamental concepts of both approaches. The top-down approach involves focusing on the performance of specific tasks or occupations, aiming to enhance their execution through adaptations or skill training. On the other hand, the bottom-up approach concentrates on developing foundational skills required for successful task completion, such as fine motor, gross motor, or cognitive skills. They share their perspectives on when and how they apply these approaches, often finding value in combining both for comprehensive intervention, highlighting t...2023-09-0120 min
New PossibilOTs2: Goal Setting – A Guide to Occupational Based Goal Setting in Occupational TherapyEpisode 2 of New PossibilOTs underscores the importance of goal setting in Occupational Therapy (OT), particularly emphasising occupation-based goals and how they differ to skill-based goals. Mahek and Larissa provide practical tips and examples for writing OT goals and discuss how these goals guide therapy sessions. They also evaluate how goal setting can enhance communication with clients and families and the importance of key tools like COPM and GAS aid in prioritizing goals and tracking progress. They also discuss goal measurement tools and skill-based assessments, highlighting the value of numerical measurements, adapting communication for diverse clients, and using a...2023-09-0129 min
New PossibilOTs1: What is "Occupation"In the inaugural episode of the "New PossibilOTs" podcast, hosts Larissa Ferrari and Mahek Bansal delve into the foundational concepts of occupational therapy (OT), dispelling misconceptions and defining the scope of OT, with a focus on its application in paediatric care. Mahek and Larissa also emphasise the importance of educating the community about OT and its value, enabling people to make informed decisions and encourage you to share the podcast to spread awareness and engage in discussions about misconceptions and the profession's scope. Join Mahek and Larrisa as they share their wisdom to uncover New...2023-09-0113 min
New PossibilOTsWelcome to New PossibilOTs - Mahek Bansal & Larissa FerrariWelcome to our podcast New PossibilOTs hosted by experienced pediatric occupational therapists Mahek Bansal and Larissa Ferrari. In this engaging first episode, Mahek and Larrisa share their personal journeys and passion for working with children, emphasizing their commitment to providing comprehensive care at their private practice, "Occupational Therapy Helping Children." They delve into the motivation behind creating the podcast, aiming to connect with fellow occupational therapists, clinicians, parents, and anyone interested in pediatric OT. They invite engagement, discussions, and participation from their audience while promising to explore a variety of topics relevant to pediatric occupational therapy, fostering a community...2023-07-2806 min