This week we had our first guest appearance on a podcast with Jayson Davies from the OT School House Podcast! Today we unpack what it was like to record a podcast, and give you a little preview of the episode's content.
The OT School House Podcast is hosted by Jayson Davies, OTR/L and was created to provide school-based OTs with the opportunity to learn from other therapists. There are so many amazing episodes in this podcast on a variety of topics, and there is focus not just on how to improve clinical skills and client outcomes, but also how to improve yourself as a holistic practitioner.
When we first began talking to Jayson about doing an episode, we were chatting about the experience Mara and I have presenting at national conferences about the topic of AAC. We have presented on a number of subtopics and research projects in this area, and wanted to share a piece of this with listeners on this episode. We decided to start with the basics of AAC and AT evaluation and intervention, including the collaborative interdisciplinary process.
Recording
I have to admit we were kind of nervous about recording, despite the fact that we have presented at almost ten conferences together! Mara and I are really used to finishing each other's thoughts during presentations, and have always get into a great flow once we begin. During recording, we were each in our own homes due to COVID-19, so it was definitely a different dynamic to not be able to read each other's non-verbal cues! Jayson made the whole process really easy and laid back, and after a minute or so of recording we both felt totally comfortable.
Inside the Episode
The episode begins with a discussion of the umbrella of assistive technology, and how AAC falls under that umbrella. We discuss the types of AAC, and levels of technology. We then break down the roles of the OT and the SLP during each step of evaluation and intervention. There is a bit more focus on the unique OT role in this episode since it is a podcast geared towards school-based OT practitioners, and because the OT role can be a little less straight forward and well known. OT topics we dive into include multi-sensory alternative access evaluation, seating and positioning, and vision. Finally, we end with a discussion of barriers to AAC implementation and team buy-in to avoid abandonment.
OT School House
The OT School House is so much more than just the podcast. There are tons of resources and continuing education opportunities for school-based practitioners. Jayson also has a Facebook and Instagram account with even more great content. You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, or Spotify, or can listen right on the website!
lylas!
annabeth & mara