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Therapod Podcast
The Therapod podcast is a valuable resource created by a team of experienced clinicians- Hosted by Banu Balaji, an experienced occupational therapist. Joining us as Co-host this season we have Georgie Cooney, dedicated teacher, author, and dyslexia specialist with years of experience supporting learners with Specific Learning Difficulties.
This podcast aims to provide accessible and practical information for parents, caregivers, and professionals working with children, especially those with additional needs. Banu and her seasoned colleagues share their insights on various topics such as sensory strategies, communication, neurodevelopmental assessments, and promoting both physical and mental health in children and adolescents. They bring their years of training and experience to the table in a way that makes it accessible and meaningful.
The emphasis is on the importance of parents providing timely support and help when needed and aim to reduce overwhelm and bring joy to parenting. The podcast delves into the evolving challenges of modern parenting, the impact of changing environments on children, the significance of play in learning and development, and the value of balancing structured activities with free play. Through their discussions, therapod highlights the importance of understanding individual needs, fostering positive relationships, and supporting children's growth and well-being in today's complex world.
Therapod Podcast
Beyond Speech: A Holistic Path to Communication
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In this episode, we explore a holistic and parent-centered approach to speech and language therapy with Zainab Millwala, Chennai-based Speech-Language Pathologist who brings a wealth of experience from both India and the US
. We dive into how communication is much more than just the spoken word and why we must look at the "roots" of a child’s development to see real progress.
Our guest introduces her "Tree Model" of intervention, where the foundation of learning isn't speech, but rather sleep, gut health, and regulation
. We discuss the unique challenges of navigating neurodiversity in an Asian context, where the pressure for "performance" and school enrollment often leads parents to focus solely on speech, sometimes missing the vital non-verbal communication their children are already using
Key highlights from this conversation include:
The Communication Pyramid: Why we must prioritize a medium of communication and regulation before moving up to language and speech
Multilingualism as a Strength: Addressing the common fear among the diaspora that speaking a mother tongue will hinder English development. Our guest explains why multilingualism enhances brain development and encourages parents to "presume competence" in their children
The Power of Storytelling: How stories serve as a natural, low-pressure tool for increasing attention and intonation without "testing" the child
Navigating the Teen Years: A fascinating look at metacognition and helping older neurodiverse children navigate social "lingo" and pragmatics by moving from a "coach" to a "guide"
Join us as we discuss why we should perhaps be called "communication therapists" instead of speech pathologists and how we can ensure every child—regardless of their diagnosis—doesn't miss out on the joy of their childhood
#SpeechLanguageTherapy #Neurodiversity #Bilingualism #HolisticHealth #TherapodPodcast #ParentTraining #CommunicationFirst
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