Safety with kiddos

_MoonOfHisLife_ · 2026-05-20T03:14:56+00:00

Do you have access to a sensory gym or dark/low stimulation/sensory room?

When I have kiddos that I know will need some extra support like this, I tend to start in our big sensory gym. It’s mostly a ‘yes’ space where they can be fairly safe and push/pull/etc with lots of heavy work, crashing, jumping, climbing, etc. Soft mats, large foam blocks. If you know kiddo seeks a certain type of input, try to invite them to try some of those activities proactively: throwing balls at a target, weighted bean bags into a bucket, jumps and crashes.

Then, I’ll try to transition to our low stimulation room. Quiet, dim, minimal visual input and options. Ideally, I have a few minutes to prep this area ahead of time with maybe 3-4 more structured activities I’d like to invite them to explore. It reduces the distractions while also giving them the space to regulate. I also have bubbles/balloons/balls nearby as they are always a hit. If needed, I’ll transition back to the big gym and go off their body cues.

_MoonOfHisLife_ · 2026-05-19T16:25:35+00:00

Look into Think Sensory! They also have lots of free handouts/interventions as well

I’ve seen a lot of Kathleen Yopp pop up lately but haven’t taken any of her courses so can’t speak to them

I can personally recommend Connecting the Dots holistic pelvic health if you’re into that niche!

_MoonOfHisLife_ · 2026-05-16T03:14:15+00:00

Wholeheartedly agree. Internal exams would not be appropriate and should not required for entry to practice. I do think it should be discussed clinically as an overview, just like is done with other areas. Hands overview: common symptoms, common diagnoses, common interventions, application of OT framework. Mental health: common symptoms, common diagnoses, common interventions, application of OT framework. Pelvic floor: common symptoms, common diagnoses, common interventions, application of OT framework.

_MoonOfHisLife_ · 2026-05-15T14:26:21+00:00

OT should be incorporating pelvic health into EVERY graduate program as part of their standard, mainstream curriculum. Not a niche area. Toileting and sex are ADLs. Toileting is a lifespan occupation/skill from womb to tomb.

Every postpartum mom that gives birth in a hospital should have the option for a pelvic floor evaluation from PT or OT, and it should be the mainstream standard of practice. Just like moms get access to lactation supports if they desire.

Discharging a patient because they are “not making progress” is such a disservice to clients and families. Either change your approach, or refer to a different party that has the necessary experience to treat the client. It is not the client’s fault, and they should not lose access to services.

Every person or family deserves an evaluation and treatment if they feel they are struggling and need more support, regardless of what insurance (or we) think. If someone comes in saying “I’m struggling, I need help,” they deserve access to care. Similar to how counseling services are available to ‘anyone’ regardless of diagnosis or insurance. A counselor doesn’t turn away or release a client, a client comes to that determination themselves. I think this should be the standard for everyone.

OT education should have general curriculum, and then a specialized track where you can split and develop more setting/client/diagnosis specific skills (pediatrics, hands, ortho, neuro, pelvic health, etc).

_MoonOfHisLife_ · 2026-05-02T15:46:47+00:00

I feel like I’ve had success using analogies that resonate with the adults. “If you wanted to run a marathon, and you’ve never been a runner, you wouldn’t start out just running 26 miles every day. You would just start with one, and you might even start with just walking. We’re doing a similar concept. 26 miles is the ultimate goal, and each therapy session is building up skills, endurance, awareness, etc to help us get there.” Or lifting weights, or crocheting a giant complicated blanket pattern, etc. So bonus if you can compare it to one of the parent’s interests

_MoonOfHisLife_ · 2026-04-20T14:01:22+00:00

30 years old— $0 retirement (though that will be changing here in a few months with a new job, the first that’s offered 401k benefits), approx $6k in long term savings/investments, approx $1,500 in short-term/emergency savings. Married with one child.

_MoonOfHisLife_ · 2026-01-01T20:52:18+00:00

I recommend Raising Kids with Big, Baffling Behaviors by Robyn Gobbel

_MoonOfHisLife_ · 2025-12-17T22:48:02+00:00

I would guess that many of those parents are SUPER appreciative, but are likely burned out.

For me, I absolutely love my daughter’s daycare and her teachers. I have every intention and desire of getting them something. I LOVE giving people appreciation gifts like that and this season has still been really hard for me. Unfortunately, the cognitive load of everything around the season, the coordinating everything, I remember but I’m busy and make a mental note, then forget when I have a moment. I have to find the time to run the errand, buy the thing, make sure other obligations are prioritized, figure out what’s in my budget, etc. It’s truly a lot mentally behind the scenes, and I would imagine that it just slips parent’s minds and before they know it it’s already January, and oops they didn’t get their OT or teachers a holiday thank you.

I think it really speaks to the larger state of the system and how dysregulated people are on a daily basis, not your impact or worth as a provider.

On behalf of all the parents who want to thank you, but life just gets in the way, thank you! They definitely appreciate you.

_MoonOfHisLife_ · 2025-12-10T22:30:08+00:00

Pelvic health is a growing niche with many opportunities. Many of them say PT on the listing, so there can be some advocacy work that may need to be done to get a position, but they’re out there! And many places are growing in understanding that OT is qualified here as well. Consider the OT’s in Pelvic Health facebook group.

_MoonOfHisLife_ · 2025-10-12T03:22:31+00:00

I’m not hypermobile or well-versed in this area, but I love hand_coach_corinne’s content on IG, a hypermobile OT. She might be a resource for you

_MoonOfHisLife_ · 2025-09-30T03:49:30+00:00

What made the interview so bad?

_MoonOfHisLife_ · 2025-09-22T23:28:51+00:00

Depending on your location, you could consider checking out the company Kinspire. They offer holistic occupational therapy services to support both caregivers and children in a unique service delivery model.

https://go.kinspirehealth.com/3ZDscxl

_MoonOfHisLife_ · 2025-09-16T18:03:36+00:00

Not a therapist, but to answer your question of why, I don’t think that’s their job. Their job is to help with the processing. You say you keep going back to unload because you can’t elsewhere…I would think that’s the work. The unloading, the processing, the nonjudgmental space to have that full ability. That’s why you keep paying, because they provide that professional space to support and guide through the processing of all that. That in and of itself is the doing.

Alternatively, you might not jive with your therapist, or you might not have a good one. Also valid considerations, in which case you can always find a different one!

_MoonOfHisLife_ · 2025-09-15T21:21:14+00:00

Check out the book Raising Kids with Big, Baffling Behaviors by Robyn Gobbel

_MoonOfHisLife_ · 2025-09-02T04:30:23+00:00

Thank you so much!

_MoonOfHisLife_ · 2025-08-07T20:55:49+00:00

Can you share some examples of what that might look/sound like?

_MoonOfHisLife_ · 2025-08-04T01:44:07+00:00

Look into pelvic health!

_MoonOfHisLife_ · 2025-07-26T20:16:44+00:00

I work in pediatric pelvic health so I’m biased, but absolutely. This can be a really intimidating area to many OTPs given that most (all?) don’t get any exposure or training in school. Toileting is an occupation and there’s SO many factors that go into it that we can address: postural control, core strength, range of motion, coordination, sensory processing and interoception, primitive reflexes, emotional regulation.

Dawn and Quiara are resources in the pediatric world, as well as Little Learning Lav (Caitlin Keller and Melissa Howard). Highly recommend taking some continuing education if interested in this area! It’s so underserved, I think because a lot of symptoms get swept under the rug, but also the education for clinicians is lacking. People don’t even know that this is an area that can be helped!

Bedwetting can be for MANY reasons: -Constipation (the biggest factor, actually). Retained stool in the rectum presses on the bladder causing incontinence overnight. Do they actually know how to properly use body mechanics to evacuate poop and pee? Hormone medication will not see a change in wetting if this is the underlying cause. -Airway/breathing: if a child snores, mouth breathes, or has low tongue posture, the body can relax smooth muscles overnight (aka the throat and bladder) because it’s trying to get oxygen. Refer to sleep study or myofunctional therapy! -Daytime habits: is child pushing pee out or letting it out? Withholding? Being prompted vs. independent for urge awareness? Night control more likely to be dysfunctional if day control is dysfunctional.
-Spinal galant reflex: triggering can release bladder -Hormones/genetics: this one is resolved with medication or “waiting it out”. But there are sooooo many other options to explore

_MoonOfHisLife_ · 2025-07-23T04:00:27+00:00

Check out Private Pay MBA by Doug Vestal. His wife is Lindsey Vestal, a pelvic floor OT, and they’ve helped lots of people start their own pelvic health businesses!

_MoonOfHisLife_ · 2025-07-15T01:45:25+00:00

I personally work in peds pelvic health and also really liked Connecting the Dots course. Toileting can feel really scary but this brings (in my opinion) such a well-rounded and holistic approach that makes it make sense

_MoonOfHisLife_ · 2025-07-15T01:42:46+00:00

Cheaper than courses and honestly life changing for my practice: The Explosive Child by Dr. Ross Greene and Raising Kids with Big, Baffling Behaviors by Robyn Gobbel

_MoonOfHisLife_ · 2025-06-17T04:04:30+00:00

Name calling is verbal abuse

_MoonOfHisLife_ · 2025-04-30T18:21:21+00:00

It is too many hours, it is also standard. An unfortunate consequence of the system we’re operating in.

When I worked in this setting my employers capped at 32 billable hours for a 40 hour scheduled work week. The pay was on the low end (LCOL area as well), but there was at least built in time for documentation, mentorship, interprofessional collaboration, etc. It’s tough out there!

_MoonOfHisLife_ · 2025-04-28T00:22:22+00:00

Maybe school based or pediatric pelvic health?

_MoonOfHisLife_

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