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The Empowered Parent with Dana Baltutis
Welcome to The Empowered Parent Podcast.
This podcast is a space for parents to learn, reflect, and grow.
Each week, we explore topics that help parents understand themselves and their children more deeply - from communication and connection, to supporting neurodivergent development at home and in the community.
We’ve had wonderful conversations with experts, parents, and professionals - including speakers from the Neurodivergence Wellbeing Conference, and a special series following one mum’s journey in unschooling her child.
Every episode is here to inspire curiosity, compassion, and confidence in your parenting journey.
Don’t forget to follow along, share your reflections, and join the conversation.
You can connect with me at danabaltutis.com or mytherapyhouse.com.au.
Let’s celebrate neurodivergence.
Let’s celebrate belonging.
The Empowered Parent with Dana Baltutis
Episode 65: Judy Au (Occupational Therapist) - Unlocking Sensory Secrets: An OT's Guide to Child Development
Occupational Therapist Judy Au explores the holistic approach of pediatric OT, explaining how foundational skills underpin a child's ability to participate in daily activities and engage with the world.
• Occupational therapy supports children in all daily activities including play, social interactions, and self-care
• The DIR Floortime approach is relationship-based, considering each child's individual differences and developmental level
• Foundation skills like sensory processing and regulation must be established before working on specific tasks like handwriting
• Children need the right amount of sensory input to feel calm and ready to engage, communicate and learn
• Each child has a unique sensory profile that affects how they experience and respond to their environment
• Movement before fine motor tasks helps prepare a child's brain for learning and focusing
• Sensory-friendly strategies can be adapted based on a child's changing needs rather than following a fixed "sensory diet"
• Co-therapy with multiple professionals allows for more comprehensive support for both child and parents
danabaltutis.com, mytherapyhouse.com.au, https://mytherapyhouse.com.au/your-childs-therapy-journey/ https://www.danabaltutis.com/services
