Pediatric Pioneers: A Medbridge Podcast

Pediatric Pioneers Episode 21: Social Detectives: How Do We Make Sense of the Social World?

In this episode, host Nicole Quint, PhD, DrOT, OTR/L [https://www.medbridge.com/about/instructor/nicole-quint], joins Michelle Garcia Winner, MA, CCC-SLP [https://www.medbridge.com/about/instructor/michelle-garcia-winner], founder of the Social Thinking Methodology, to re-examine the foundations of pediatric social learning. Michelle challenges the traditional clinical focus on “eye contact,” advocating instead for “thinking with your eyes” to help clients move from simple observation to true perspective-taking. You’ll learn how to implement dynamic assessments and use “Social Detective” strategies to bridge the gap between a child's internal passions and the external social world. Finally, Michelle reveals how the “guardrails” of screen time contribute to modern social anxiety and why clinicians must help educators see the social mind as the essential fabric for academic and reading comprehension. Learning Outcomes * Analyze the evidence around the role of joint attention as a foundational social learning concept and skill * Apply evidence-based, practical strategies to actionably address the development of social attention by teaching clients to “thinking with your eyes” and become “Social Detectives” to make smart guesses about the environment * Solve patient case scenarios involving neurodevelopmental differences such as ASD and ADHD, as well as screen-time-related social delays, by using structured observations and video modeling to improve group participation and perspective-taking Timestamps * (00:00:00) Welcome * (00:00:05) Introduction to Social Thinking and its origins * (00:02:48) The development of Social Thinking methodology * (00:05:57) Understanding “thinking with your eyes” * (00:08:40) The importance of joint attention * (00:11:50) Dynamic assessment in social skills * (00:18:35) The role of social skills in adult life * (00:21:07) The impact of joint attention on learning * (00:23:10) Metacognition and social understanding * (00:26:30) Recent research on joint attention * (00:33:00) Translating Social Thinking into practice * (00:35:30) The impact of screen time on social skills * (00:40:50) Integrating social skills in therapy sessions * (00:46:25) Actionable strategies for therapists * (00:53:00) Educating adults on social skills * (00:58:18) The future of pediatric therapy Pediatric Pioneers is brought to you by Medbridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your Medbridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on Medbridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away. To hear more episodes of Pediatric Pioneers, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/pediatric-pioneers⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.medbridge.com/pediatric-pioneers] If you’d like to subscribe to Medbridge, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/pricing/⁠ [https://www.medbridgeeducation.com/pricing/]

Pediatric Pioneers Episode 20: CO-OP™ in Schools: Is This the Key to Improve Classroom Performance?

Join host Nicole Quint [https://www.medbridge.com/about/instructor/nicole-quint] and certified CO-OP™ instructor Dr. Lara Collins Barros [https://www.medbridge.com/about/instructor/lara-collins-barros] as they explore how the Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP™) Approach can revolutionize school-based practice. You’ll discover how to shift from traditional fine motor drills to a top-down, evidence-based framework that empowers students to lead their own problem-solving through the Goal-Plan-Do-Check strategy. Dr. Barros shares actionable ways to implement interventions that build student autonomy and ensure skills actually generalize to the classroom and beyond. Tune in to learn how guiding discovery, rather than just giving instructions, can be the missing piece in achieving meaningful participation for your students. Learning Outcomes * Analyze the evidence around supporting school participation through top-down, task-oriented interventions like the CO-OP™ Approach * Apply evidence-based, practical strategies to actionably address student-chosen goals using the Goal-Plan-Do-Check global cognitive strategy and guided discovery in the school setting * Solve patient case scenarios involving common school-based challenges such as handwriting, shoe tying, and desk organization Timestamps * (00:00:00) Welcome * (00:00:05) Introduction to the CO-OP™ model in schools * (00:04:04) Understanding the CO-OP™ approach * (00:08:47) Implementation of CO-OP™ in school settings * (00:11:50) Examples of CO-OP™ application * (00:13:17) Interprofessional collaboration in CO-OP™ * (00:15:50) Supporting participation in CO-OP™ * (00:19:27) Research and evidence supporting CO-OP™ * (00:24:55) Identifying suitable candidates for CO-OP™ * (00:26:35) Empowering students and teachers through collaborative goal setting * (00:32:35) Implementing the CO-OP™ approach in therapy sessions * (00:40:13) Engaging stakeholders for successful implementation * (00:46:16) Actionable takeaways for therapists * (00:49:00) The future of school-based pediatric therapy Pediatric Pioneers is brought to you by Medbridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your Medbridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on Medbridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away. To hear more episodes of Pediatric Pioneers, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/pediatric-pioneers⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.medbridge.com/pediatric-pioneers] If you’d like to subscribe to Medbridge, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/pricing/⁠ [https://www.medbridgeeducation.com/pricing/]

Pediatric Pioneers Episode 19: Neurodiversity Advocacy: How Can the Therapy Team Move From “Fix” to “Fit”?

Join host Nicole Quint, PhD, DrOT, OTR/L [https://www.medbridge.com/about/instructor/nicole-quint], and guest Elizabeth Jones, MS, OTR/L [https://www.medbridge.com/about/instructor/elizabeth-jones], an expert in pediatric advocacy, as they explore a transformative paradigm shift in neurodiversity. You will learn how to move beyond individual “fixes” to design “fits” within school and community systems, treating parent input as vital clinical data. Liz shares how her dual perspective as a therapist and parent can help you leverage “causal advocacy” to create inclusive environments that support participation for all. Discover how to translate your unique expertise into actionable strategies that reduce burnout and ensure neurodivergent children truly thrive in their daily lives. Learning Outcomes * Analyze the evidence around the shift from a medical “fix” model to a neuroinclusive “fit” model that prioritizes environmental modifications and participation over individual impairment * Apply evidence-based, practical strategies to actionably address advocacy for neurodivergent learners by integrating parent input as clinical data and identifying systemic barriers to access * Solve case scenarios involving neurodivergent learners in school and community settings, focusing on transitions, unstructured times, and inclusive participation Timestamps * (00:00:00) Welcome * (00:01:37) Personal journey into advocacy * (00:06:24) Importance of advocacy in pediatric practice * (00:07:27) Questions for reflective practice * (00:11:25) Translating expertise to the team * (00:17:40) Causal vs. case advocacy * (00:21:50) Additional research insights on advocacy * (00:24:35) Translating research into practice * (00:28:38) The role of occupational therapy in schools * (00:30:30) Understanding stakeholder perspectives * (00:31:52) Actionable takeaways for practitioners * (00:38:45) Real-world examples of inclusion challenges * (00:46:35) The future of pediatric practice and inclusion Pediatric Pioneers is brought to you by Medbridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your Medbridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on Medbridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away. To hear more episodes of Pediatric Pioneers, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/pediatric-pioneers⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.medbridge.com/pediatric-pioneers] If you’d like to subscribe to Medbridge, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/pricing/⁠ [https://www.medbridgeeducation.com/pricing/]

Pediatric Pioneers Episode 18: Executive Function: Does Interoception “Move the Train to Build the Brain?”

Join host Nicole Quint [https://www.medbridge.com/about/instructor/nicole-quint] and Dr. Cara Koscinski, OTD, MOT, OTR/L, CAS [https://www.medbridge.com/about/instructor/cara-koscinski], for an insightful exploration into how a “body-first“ lens can revolutionize your approach to executive function. Together, they dive into Dr. Koscinski’s Executive Function Express framework, illustrating how interoception and postural stability serve as the “tracks“ that allow a child’s cognitive “train“ to move forward. You will discover how to move beyond behavior labels to identify the physiological readiness cues and embodied cognition strategies that support participation, even with your most complex patients. Tune in to learn how you can start "moving the train to build the brain" in your practice tomorrow. Learning Objectives * Analyze the relationship between interoception, embodied cognition, and executive function * Apply evidence-based, practical strategies to actionably support executive function through an interoceptive lens, starting with creating comfort for readiness * Solve patient case scenarios involving state-dependent executive function challenges by identifying interoceptive breakdown points and selecting targeted regulation supports Timestamps * (00:00:00) Welcome * (00:00:05) Introduction to executive functions and neurodiversity * (00:03:30) The executive function express program * (00:07:10) Understanding interoception and executive function * (00:13:00) The train model: visualizing executive function * (00:17:12) Recent research on executive functions * (00:21:55) Factors to consider in supporting executive function * (00:28:15) Research on the impact of cell phones * (00:31:30) Supporting children with varying needs * (00:38:25) Different perspectives to consider and address * (00:46:10) Three top takeaways for therapists * (00:53:47) Parting thoughts and actionable steps Pediatric Pioneers is brought to you by Medbridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your Medbridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on Medbridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away. To hear more episodes of Pediatric Pioneers, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/pediatric-pioneers⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.medbridge.com/pediatric-pioneers] If you’d like to subscribe to Medbridge, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/pricing/⁠ [https://www.medbridgeeducation.com/pricing/]

Pediatric Pioneers Episode 17: Sensory-Based Pediatric Feeding: How Can OT Improve Mealtimes?

Elizabeth N. Legg, MOT, OTR/L [https://www.medbridge.com/about/instructor/elizabeth-legg]—an experienced pediatric occupational therapist and founder of Kidz Connect Therapy—joins host Nicole Quint [https://www.medbridge.com/about/instructor/nicole-quint] to explore one of the most complex and emotionally charged areas of childhood development: feeding. Nicole and Liz unpack why picky eating is rarely just “picky” and dig into how sensory, emotional, and relational factors shape a child’s eating experience. You’ll hear key research takeaways and walk away with practical, evidence-based strategies you can use in your own sessions. Whether you’re navigating texture aversions or coaching overwhelmed caregivers, this episode offers fresh insights to support children at the table and beyond. Learning Objectives * Analyze the evidence around pediatric feeding challenges, including the etiology and intervention approaches for picky eating * Apply evidence-based, practical strategies to actionably address pediatric feeding challenges * Solve patient case scenarios involving picky eating, food refusal, and sensory-based feeding challenges through clinical reasoning and caregiver coaching techniques Timestamps * (00:00:00) Welcome * (00:00:05) Introduction to sensory-based pediatric feeding * (00:02:57) Understanding the SOS approach to feeding * (00:05:56) The importance of sensory processing in feeding * (00:09:01) Defining picky eating and problem feeding * (00:11:15) The role of early intervention in feeding challenges * (00:14:30) Research insights on sensory-based feeding * (00:19:12) Child-led interventions and family dynamics * (00:22:37) Empowering caregivers in feeding interventions * (00:26:09) Translating research into practice * (00:31:03) Therapeutic approaches to feeding challenges * (00:36:20) Key takeaways for therapists * (00:40:12) Success stories and case scenarios * Pediatric Pioneers is brought to you by Medbridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your Medbridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on Medbridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away. To hear more episodes of Pediatric Pioneers, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/pediatric-pioneers⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.medbridge.com/pediatric-pioneers] If you’d like to subscribe to Medbridge, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/pricing/⁠ [https://www.medbridgeeducation.com/pricing/]