Explore every episode of the podcast The Integration Station
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paediatrician AMA - Dr Shubashni Maharaj | 25 nov. 2025 | 00:49:00 | |
For our final podcast of the year, we're joined Dr. Subashni Maharaj, a neonatal paediatrician specialising in developmental, behavioural, and learning impairments. If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends, family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! | |||
| Impulsivity & Attention Seeking Behaviour in ADHD Children: Explained | 23 oct. 2025 | 00:15:47 | |
Michael walks us through an audience question about ADHD and impulsivity and how you can manage it using a few simple tricks! If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends, family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! | |||
| Repetitive Play for ASD Clients, How to Explain What OT's Do | 16 oct. 2025 | 00:30:47 | |
Michael and Eleanor unpack how you can support an ASD client who only engages in repetitive play, and ways you can join them to foster connection for your toolkit. If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends, family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! | |||
| The Benefits of Risky Play & Job Advice for New Grads | 09 oct. 2025 | 00:39:35 | |
Are playgrounds too safe? If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends, family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! | |||
| Demystifying NDIS Parental Responsibilities | 02 oct. 2025 | 00:28:22 | |
Michael and Eleanor clarify what the "reasonable expectations of parents" guidelines for parents accessing the NDIS to help distinguish what the NDIS will likely fund versus what is considered a normal part of parenting. If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends, family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! | |||
| Finding Predictability in the Unpredictable Environment of OSHC, The Limitations of “Just Right” Language | 24 sept. 2025 | 00:33:52 | |
Imagine an environment where everything is always changing, the educators are different, and the transitions are tricky. If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends, family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! | |||
| 5 Tips To Help Your Young Person Move House | 18 sept. 2025 | 00:33:57 | |
We're not removalists, we're OT's! If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends, family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! | |||
| R U OK Day: The Power of Holding Space | 11 sept. 2025 | 00:36:24 | |
Today is R U OK Day. If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends, family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! | |||
| What is an Engine Chart & Chew Toy Alternatives | 04 sept. 2025 | 00:37:07 | |
Eleanor and Micheal unpack Engine Charts vs Zones of Regulation, what they are, and how you can use them therapeutically in the clinic. If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends, family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! | |||
| Supporting Tricky Transitions, Using Language That Creates Buy In | 31 août 2025 | 00:50:09 | |
This week Michael and Eleanor unpack a question about managing tricky moments during transition time and what that looks like for a young person, adn they unpack what it's like to be on the receiving end of someone saying, "your job must be so rewarding." If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends, family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! | |||
| Is It The Diagnosis Or The Person? NDIS Thriving Kids Announcement, Working With Low Muscle Tone Clients | 20 août 2025 | 00:51:25 | |
This week, we're unpacking the Thriving Kids Program announcement, workshopping how you can manage difficult conversations when someone separates the person from the diagnosis, and managing clients with low muscle tone. If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends, family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! | |||
| ODD vs PDA - What's the Difference? | 14 août 2025 | 00:48:42 | |
Michael and Eleanor unpack Pathological Demand Avoidance and Oppositional Defiance Disorder and, walk you through the differences, how to manage the challenges, and useful resources to help build your toolkit. If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends, family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! | |||
| 12 Ways To Communicate With Neurodivergent Youth | 07 août 2025 | 00:20:20 | |
Michael shares his top strategies for communicating with neurodivergent young people - insights that go beyond the therapy room. If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends, family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! | |||
| Managing Hormonal Changes in Adolescents With Autism | 31 juil. 2025 | 00:34:37 | |
How do you respond to a young person who says, “If I could change one thing about myself, I’d take away my autism?” This week on The Integration Station, Michael shares an emotional moment with a young client, and how another young person offered his own strategies to help reframe that feeling, plus all your regular segments.
If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends, family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! | |||
| Bedtime Routines for Sensory Avoidant Profiles, Deep Breathing Activities for High Emotions | 23 juil. 2025 | 00:38:27 | |
This week, Michael and Eleanor answer your questions about bedtime routines for sensory avoidant profiles and activities for high emotions and provide fun ways to incorporate deep breathing activities for moments of high emotion. If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends, family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! | |||
| Balancing Tradition and Innovation: AI in Clinical Practice | 17 juil. 2025 | 00:38:40 | |
This week, Michael and Eleanor delve into the fascinating and complex topic of artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential implications on the future of reading, writing, and occupational therapy. If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends, family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! | |||
| The PINCH Model & The Cascading Effects of Sensory Development | 11 juil. 2025 | 00:51:55 | |
This week, Michael and Eleanor explain The PINCH Method. It's a way to help an ADHD brain stay engaged and motivated by creating interest-based motivation in a task. Research has shown that when tasks are infused with emotional relevance or immediate payoff, people with ADHD perform significantly better when novelty, urgency, and rewards are motivating factors. Plus a few giggles and our regular segments in between If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends, family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! | |||
| The Importance of Therapeutic Rapport & Rapid Fire Regulation | 03 juil. 2025 | 00:38:23 | |
How important is rapport to delivering outcomes for clients? If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends, family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! | |||
| Ivan Hardcastle on Parenting With The Tools You Have | 26 juin 2025 | 00:54:24 | |
This week, we cross to Twin Falls, Idaho and chat with parent coach and sensory integration Occupational Therapist Ivan Hardcastle. If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends, family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! | |||
| Back to School: Completing a Grade 11 Stage 2 Child Studies Assignment | 19 juin 2025 | 00:42:40 | |
This week, we dust off the backpack, polish up our shoes, and go back to grade 11 as we answer a student who asked if we could help them finish their Stage 2 Child Studies assignment. The questions were so insightful, we thought we'd answer them in full on the podcast. If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends, family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! | |||
| Is Your Child a Dandelion or an Orchid, Following Instructions & Control, Tiredness & Regulation | 11 juin 2025 | 00:46:11 | |
Is your child a dandelion or an orchid? If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends, family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! | |||
| Primitive Reflexes 101 | 04 juin 2025 | 00:18:56 | |
Welcome to the episode about all about Primitive Reflexes. This week, Michael and Eleanor cover what primitive reflexes are, why they matter, and how to work on them in therapy. If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends, family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! | |||
| When Parents Aren't on Board With Therapy and Reasonable Parental Expectations (according to the NDIS) | 29 mai 2025 | 00:30:35 | |
This week, Michael and Eleanor take a parent focus and unpack what to do when you have one parent who understands the process of OT and the other doesn't and how you can proactively manage expectations while working towards a goal that everyone can understand. If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends, family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! | |||
| Occupational Therapy 101 | 22 mai 2025 | 00:21:53 | |
This week on the Integration Station, Michael takes us back to basics. We unpack what occupational therapy really is. If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends, family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! | |||
| Regulation Strategies For The Classroom & Dysregulation When Riding a Bike | 14 mai 2025 | 00:41:22 | |
This week, Michael and Eleanor return to the Q&A format, answering all of your question submissions. If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends, family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! | |||
| The SENSES Model | 07 mai 2025 | 00:40:54 | |
SENSES model has been developed through many years of applying the theory and practice of Ayres Sensory Integration, mental health supports and functional skill development in clinic with diverse populations. From children to adults, the SENSES model is exploring a client centred and strengths based approach to therapy, using an occupational lens. We know that we are sensory beings, so the SENSES model uses this to guide others to understand how they can use their sensory systems to change how they are feeling and what they can do on a day-to-day basis. This episode covers the ins and outs of the SENSES model, what it means, how it was developed and how it can be applied to diverse needs. From Sensory Integration to Support and Socialisaiton, the SENSES model aims to bring a Neuroaffirming model to Occupational Therapy Clinical Practice.
If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends, family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! | |||
| Managing Self-Loathing, Audio Sensitivity at School Behavior & Comfort Item for Young People | 30 avr. 2025 | 00:40:40 | |
It's been a while since we answered your questions and this week we have some really pertinent topics to discuss. If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends, family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! | |||
| CampCast - CampEVOLVE Edition. | 24 avr. 2025 | 00:44:01 | |
We're back! If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends, family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! | |||
| Children & Adolescent Mental Health Conference - Wrap | 03 avr. 2025 | 00:36:04 | |
Last week, we travelled all the way up to the Gold Coast for the annual Children and Adolescent Mental Health Conference #CAMH25 to hear from industry experts on how we can all aim to provide better outcomes for the young people in our lives. On this week's episode, Michael welcomes Dino back to the podcast. They unpack the key takeaways from the conference, the importance of sensory rooms, and how to manage social media and it's effect on young people's sense of identity and mental health. If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends, family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! | |||
| The Default Mode Network, Neuroaffirming Language & The Double Empathy Problem | 26 mars 2025 | 00:29:47 | |
This week we discover what Milton's double empathy problem is and how it can affect the young people in our lives and we learn all about the default mode network. If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends, family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! | |||
| Sensory Integration for the Neurodiverse Population - The Research | 19 mars 2025 | 00:41:02 | |
This week we field your questions asking more about Sensory Integration for the neurodiverse population and walk you through some strategies to help your young person get to sleep from an OT lens! If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends, family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! | |||
| Exploring an Adult ADHD Diagnosis - A Conversation with Siena | 12 mars 2025 | 00:37:49 | |
It's Neurodiversity Month all this month on The Integration Station. This week we have the privilege of sitting down with one of our OT's Siena to talk about receiving an ADHD diagnosis as an adult. If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends, family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! | |||
| Celebrating Neurodiversity Month - What is Neurodiversity? | 05 mars 2025 | 00:23:13 | |
Neurodiversity Week is coming up on March 17th-23rd and we thought it was appropriate to celebrate neurodiversity for the entire month of March. If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends, family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! | |||
| Why do children lie & unpacking the research of ASI® & ADHD | 26 févr. 2025 | 00:39:45 | |
This week we're unpacking why children lie and how to manage it and we answer your question about the research of ASI® and ADHD. If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends, family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! | |||
| Baby Sensory vs ASI® - What's the difference? | 20 févr. 2025 | 00:33:04 | |
What's all this sensory stuff about? Is sensory play ASI“? What's the difference? If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends, family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! | |||
| What are Function Capacity Assessments? Applying Executive Function in ASI® | 12 févr. 2025 | 00:38:53 | |
This week we delve into the history of Functional Capacity Assessments and why their outcomes, and how ASI® helps our young friends with their executive function. If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends, family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! | |||
| Working with Non-Verbal Clients & Reinforcement Behaviour Explained | 05 févr. 2025 | 00:40:22 | |
This week we take a look at the best way we can support non-speaking and non-verbal clients, and unpack what reinforcement behaviour is. If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends, family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! | |||
| A Lesson In Stress Management - Michelle Mennillo | 30 janv. 2025 | 00:36:49 | |
This week, we take the back seat and let our CEO Michelle Mennillo to walk us through a lesson in Stress Management. But Michelle’s story goes beyond professional achievements. Like many, she has battled self-doubt, perfectionism, and imposter syndrome. Refusing to let these struggles define her, she embraced the hard work of growth, self-awareness, and resilience. This week Michelle shares her insights and proven strategies to help professionals unlock their limitless potential, embrace their true selves, and leave an indelible mark on the world. It's something different from our format, but equally as impactful and informative for you to take into your week hopefully having found new insight to show up in life the way you want to. If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends, family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! | |||
| The National Autism Strategy, Back To School Tips & Humour in Therapy | 22 janv. 2025 | 00:31:41 | |
This week we cover the recently released National Autism Strategy and get how it will practically help the community, cover some strategies to manage the back to school routines, and ask the question - is there room for humour in therapy? If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends, family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! | |||
| Helping young people listen to their body, Stimming & Regulation. | 17 janv. 2025 | 00:33:43 | |
We're back for season 5 in 2025. We take the questions that have been sent in by our audience about interception and helping your young person to stim and regulate at home. If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends, family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! | |||
| Holiday Activities, Generalised Learning for Sensory Integration, Increasing Interoceptive Awareness | 25 déc. 2024 | 00:22:22 | |
We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends, family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! | |||
| NDIS Funding Changes to Music Therapy, Therapressure Brushing, Harm in ABA | 18 déc. 2024 | 00:17:58 | |
This week Edie joins Michael to unpack questions about other therapies outside of the ASI® scope. We cover funding changes in the NDIS regarding music therapy, what the Willbarger Protocol is and where you might study it, and cover an OT's concern about Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends, family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! | |||
| Personal Space Bubbles, Highly Sensitive Kids & School Refusal | 11 déc. 2024 | 00:27:39 | |
This week Michael is joined by our Parkside Clinical Lead, Edie! We dive into your questions about how to teach your young person about personal space, supporting highly sensitive kids, and discuss tips to manage school refusal. If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends, family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! | |||
| Audio Sensitivity, Sensory vs Attention Difficulties, My Young Person Doesn't Like Therapy | 04 déc. 2024 | 00:33:22 | |
Michael and Eleanor unpack a few questions from our parents like why do children with auditory sensitivities tend to make a lot of noise themselves, what the difference between sensory vs attention difficulties are, and how to manage a conversation with your young person if they're not liking therapy. If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from
listening to us, share it with your friends, family, uni classmates or
colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the
better!
If you have any questions you'd like answered, please send a question
to the integration station via Instagram or our email
podcast@otfcgroup.au
| |||
| Teeth Grinding, Core Strength, How To Choose The Right School | 27 nov. 2024 | 00:24:14 | |
Back to regular programming this week with Eleanor and Michael tackling a few questions asked by our parents in our OT sessions.
We delve into why teeth grinding could mean you need oral regulation, go through some core control activities that your young person won't even know they're working and how to work towards choosing the right school for your young person. If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from
listening to us, share it with your friends, family, uni classmates or
colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the
better!
If you have any questions you'd like answered, please send a question
to the integration station via Instagram or our email
podcast@otfcgroup.au
| |||
| Dr Susanne Smith Roley - The Future of Sensory Integration Q&A | 21 nov. 2024 | 00:45:52 | |
This special episode sees Dr Susanne Smith Roley host a Q&A session at our Parkside Clinic.
Susanne is an occupational therapist with more than 30 years of experience in paediatrics. She obtained her BS in OT at Indiana University, her MS in Allied Health Sciences at Boston University and her OTD at University of Southern California. She is in private practice in Orange County in Southern California and co-founder of the Collaborative for Leadership in Ayres Sensory Integration (CLASI).
She is an internationally recognised author and lecturer on the theory and application of sensory integration and managed to generously donate her time to feild some questions from our staff. Here she covers everything from managing burnout, the future of Sensory Integration, ASI® & autism, testing Adults using the EASI assessment and so much more.
So grab a pen and paper (or keyboard/computer), and get ready to take notes from insights from one of the pioneers of ASI®. If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from
listening to us, share it with your friends, family, uni classmates or
colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the
better!
If you have any questions you'd like answered, please send a question
to the integration station via Instagram or our email
podcast@otfcgroup.au
| |||
| Early Intervention, Disengaging At School, Body Socks | 17 nov. 2024 | 00:21:00 | |
Michael and Eleanor run through your questions about early intervention criteria, managing challenges at school, and how to use a body sock to regulate your young person. If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from
listening to us, share it with your friends, family, uni classmates or
colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the
better!
If you have any questions you'd like answered, please send a question
to the integration station via Instagram or our email
podcast@otfcgroup.au
| |||
| Handling big emotions, Handwriting Assessments, ISIC 2024 Wrap | 08 nov. 2024 | 00:30:09 | |
The Integration Station continues its Q&A format. We take your questions, share some knowledge and try to find the fun in what we are learning. In this episode Michael is joined by OTFC Clinical Director, Eleanor, to unpack all things ISIC, drill down on handwriting assessments, and what to say when managing big emotions after a young person comes home from school. If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends, family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! | |||
| Global Developmental Delay, Figdet Toys, High School Transitions | 31 oct. 2024 | 00:27:06 | |
The Integration Station continues its Q&A format. We take your questions, share some knowledge and try to find the fun in what we are learning. In this episode Michael is joined by OTFC Director, Eleanor, to unpack all things Global Developmental Delay, Fidget Toys and, High School Transitions.
If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends, family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! | |||
| Dyspraxia Picky Eating, W Sitting Position - What does is mean? | 24 oct. 2024 | 00:27:46 | |
The Integration Station continues its Q&A format. We take your questions, share some knowledge and try to find the fun in what we are learning. In this episode Michael and Eleanor discuss what really is Dyspraxia and what works to support it, how to explore picky eating in a supported manner and what is w-sitting and what does it mean? If you liked something we talked about, or you learned something from listening to us, share it with your friends, family, uni classmates or colleagues. The more people who know about occupational therapy, the better! | |||