What does it really mean to provide neurodiversity-affirming care in schools? In this episode, Dr. Bryden Carlson-Giving—a neurodivergent OT and creator of the Empower Model—shares powerful insights and practical strategies to move beyond deficit-focused practices and truly center student voice, identity, and autonomy.

You’ll learn how to write strengths-based goals, conduct inclusive evaluations, and support authentic participation—while navigating the real-world challenges of school-based OT. Whether you're a seasoned OT or new to the field, this conversation will leave you inspired and equipped to better support neurodivergent learners.

Listen now to learn the following objectives:

• Learners will understand the foundations of neurodiversity affirming practice
  
  
  
• Learners will identify practical strategies to make OT services more empowering for neurodivergent students
  
  
  
• Learners will explore the empower model in School-Based OT

Thanks for tuning in!

Thanks for tuning into the OT Schoolhouse Podcast brought to you by the OT Schoolhouse Collaborative Community for school-based OTPs. In OTS Collab, we use community-powered professional development to learn together and implement strategies together.

Don't forget to subscribe to the show and check out the show notes for every episode at OTSchoolhouse.com

See you in the next episode!

In Part 2 of this important conversation, Dr. Savitha Sundar returns to explore what inclusive OT practice can look like beyond the buzzwords. In this episode, Savitha helps us shift from reflection to action, discussing how to align our evaluations, goals, and service models with the values of true inclusion.

We also talk about building meaningful collaborations with general education staff, embedding participation-focused goals into IEPs, and celebrating small wins in systems that are slow to change. If you’ve ever asked how to make your OT services more inclusive and collaborative, this episode is a must-listen.

Listen now to learn the following objectives:

• Distinguish between traditional “push-in” models and inclusive OT practices that center student participation in general education environments.
  
  
• Learn how to write IEP goals and conduct evaluations that promote inclusive outcomes for students with extensive support needs.
  
  
• Explore strategies for building trust and collaboration with general education teachers to support system-wide inclusion.

View the full show notes and Transcript at OTSchoolhouse.com/episode177

Thanks for tuning in!

Thanks for tuning into the OT Schoolhouse Podcast brought to you by the OT Schoolhouse Collaborative Community for school-based OTPs. In OTS Collab, we use community-powered professional development to learn together and implement strategies together.

Don't forget to subscribe to the show and check out the show notes for every episode at OTSchoolhouse.com

See you in the next episode!

Ever wondered how school-based OTs can meaningfully support students with extensive support needs?

Supporting students with extensive support needs has long been one of the most challenging and under-resourced areas of school-based OT. In this first of a two-part episode, Dr. Savitha Sundar joins Jayson to unpack the history, systemic influences, and practitioner struggles that shape how services are delivered in special education classrooms today. From redefining outdated language to exploring how friendships and peer modeling can shift trajectories, this episode is a powerful reflection on the ethical and practical realities of inclusive education.

This episode sets the foundation for building more inclusive school communities—and why occupational therapists play a key role in leading that change.

🎧 Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll move into actionable strategies and systemic shifts.

Listen now to learn the following objectives:

-Learners will reflect on the historical and systemic factors that have contributed to the segregation of students with extensive support needs in school settings.

-Learners will identify challenges OTPs face when serving students in self-contained classrooms and how these challenges impact practice.

-Learners will understand the evolving terminology and research around inclusive education and how it relates to the role of school-based OTPs.

Thanks for tuning in!

Thanks for tuning into the OT Schoolhouse Podcast brought to you by the OT Schoolhouse Collaborative Community for school-based OTPs. In OTS Collab, we use community-powered professional development to learn together and implement strategies together.

Don't forget to subscribe to the show and check out the show notes for every episode at OTSchoolhouse.com

See you in the next episode!