Podcasts are an excellent way to consume information while doing other things, like driving, cleaning or walking the dog. With podcasts ranging from short 20 minutes to hour-long podcasts, you can definitely find ones suitable for you that cover all aspects of occupational therapy.
Today I’d like to share some of my favorite occupational therapy podcasts with you. These podcasts are mainly based in the pediatric setting for parents, educators, and pediatric healthcare providers.
I have added some parenting podcasts that are specific to parenting children with additional needs as well as those which are more focused on occupational therapy. These podcasts provide practical strategies and talk about child development, including developmental delays,
Whether you are an OT student, a new graduate OT, or an experienced OT, these podcasts offer occupational therapy insights into different OT fields, provide evidence-based practice, offer practical solutions, and discuss therapists’ perspectives on different topics related to child health and wellness.
I have also added some OT Podcasts for OT business owners and entrepreneurs. These podcasts cover frequently discussed topics about starting your own private practice, managing staff, or personal growth through self-employment. Even other medical professionals such as a physical therapist or speech therapist would gain insights out of these podcasts!
I hope that you find something here that is both enjoyable and informative.
These podcasts are just a list of my favorite podcasts. They are in no particular order.
Best Occupational Therapy Podcasts for Parents
All Things Sensory by Harkla
Created by Rachel Harrington and Jessica Hill, this podcast offers strategies and fun ideas for parents who have children with sensory processing disorder or
In the 30-50 minute episodes, these pediatric podcasts talk through practical strategies for parents to use at home. They also exchange ideas with their guests about all things sensory-related.
Life Skills 4 Kids Podcast
Deb Hopper, the experienced OT, goes through practical strategies to help children with
This is a great podcast for parents because she provides practical strategies for children who experience anxiety. The episodes range from 10-30 minutes long so there are bite-sized episodes for you to listen to.
Raising Good Humans
As a developmental psychologist, Dr. Aliza Pressman interviews other health professionals experts and parents to share tools and different ways to raise good humans.
She aims to help share effective approaches for parents and to make the parenting journey more joyful. She has released a new episode every Friday. Each episode ranges between 20 to 60 minutes long.
Parental as Anything
Hosted by Maggie Dent, one of Australia’s favorite parenting authors and educators, she talks through practical tips about real-world parenting.
Whether it is about screen time, schooling, mental health, and siblings, Maggie discusses all these topics. With each podcast article about 20 minutes, it is easy to digest.
All about Kids
All About Kids is a leading provider of children’s therapeutic and educational services based out of New York. They offer services with Speech-Language Pathologists, ABA, Special Education Teachers, Physical Therapists, and OTs.
In All About Kids Podcast, Zack interviews the guests and talks about a child’s developmental needs and stories of parents and other adults who have dealt with developmental disorders.
Each episode is between 30 to 60 minutes long.
Parenting Autism
Chris and Sandy Colter, parents of Bryce, talk about their
Great podcast for parents who have children with
Milestones
Allison Carter, a Pediatric Occupational Therapist with over 15 years of experience, talks through Developmental Milestones, Sensory Processing, and other information about Child Development.
In this pediatric podcast, she talks through different skill areas including fine motor, sensory processing, feeding, sleep, and transitions. This podcast is great for those working with the pediatric population.
Podcasts range in length between 20-50 minutes.
The Parenting Spectrum
Based in Australia, Fiona, Travis, and their son Patch talk about
The Australian family aims to provide insight into family life and
Best Occupational Therapy Podcasts for Teachers
Teachers are super busy already with their classes and caseloads. However, if you are a teacher who works with children with special needs, here are some OT podcasts that can offer practical strategies.
Sue Larkey
Sue Larkey, previously a primary school teacher and special education teacher, is an author and speaker about
Sue Larkey talks through strategies to help children with
With other 130 episodes already, she offers practical strategies for parents and teachers working with children with additional needs.
Best Occupational Therapy Podcasts for New Grad and Experienced Occupational Therapist
These are a list of podcasts for OT students, new graduate OT, and experienced OTs. It can be hard to keep up to date with research and the need to constantly research clinical strategies and ideas. Podcasts are a great way to listen to other people’s ideas related to clinical practice and working with families. You may even be able to earn professional development through listening to podcasts.
The OT School House Podcast
Jayson Davies, Occupational Therapist, interviews other therapists to discuss all things related to school-based Occupational Therapy. Although based in the United States, Jayson and the experts on the podcast explore and discuss many things that also happen in the Australian education system.
The podcasts range from 30 minutes to one hour. Apart from talking to leading experts in the field, he also talks through recent literature regarding different topics, including handwriting, sensory, and transition planning.
Two Sides of the Spectrum
Hosted by Meg Proctor, an Occupational Therapist, she talks to other neurodivergent adults so health professionals like OTs and Speech and Language Pathologists can better understand the autistic population.
She talks to health professionals, like neuroscientists, speech and language pathologists, and Occupational Therapists, about a range of topics.
She also interviews Autistic Mothers to understand the parent’s perspective and how it impacts family life.
Released fortnightly, each podcast is between 30 minutes to 1 hour long.
OT Potential
Join Sarah Lyon’s OT Potential podcast to keep up to date with evidence-based practice, whether you are an OT or Occupational Therapy Student in highschool or primary school.
Each episode is about 1 hour long with new episodes released fortnightly.
In these episodes, Sarah talks to other health practitioners about OT-related journal articles to explore the new research and how practitioners translate research into practice.
This is a great way to keep up to date with literature review in an easier-to-digest manner.
OT 4 Lyfe
Sarah Putt, Occupational Therapist, is the host and creator of OT 4 Lyfe. The podcast aims to connect and inspire occupational therapy practitioners.
Each episode ranges in length between 20 minutes to 1 hour and 40 minutes. In the podcast, they talk about a range of topics, including perspectives from an OT student, Mental Health, treatment ideas, OT Entrepreneurship and different areas of OT.
Spill the OT
In the Spill the OT Podcast, they talk about everything about OT, PT and SLP. They talk to other therapists about the ups, downs and everything in between.
An honest podcast covers a range of topics including working in different countries, mentorship, telehealth, working with children with ADHD, understanding the school system in 30 to 60 minute episodes.
Best Occupational Therapy Podcasts for Occupational Therapy Clinic and Business Owners
If you are a pediatric OT and interested in developing passive income or looking into entrepreneurship, then there are some great podcasts that great strategies.
Similarly as an OT business owner, apart from developing your own OT skills, it is important to stay on top of the business side of things too. Listening to other business owners may inspire practical solutions that you can implement into your own practice.
OTs Gone Rogue
Hosted by Melissa LaPointe, OTs Gone Rogue are great for OTs entrepreneurs and business owners. The hour-long episodes cover a range of topics that combines Occpuational Therapy and business.
Whether it is supporting to become a visionary, online coaching, understanding the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, Melissa discusses all these topics with her interviewees.
Mind Your OT Business
Mind Your OT Business, hosted by Laura Park Figueroa, empowers occupational therapy practitioners to become entrepreneurs.
Whether you are starting, running or want to grow a profitable business, Laura shares valuable knowledge and resources.
The Telehealth OT Podcast
Reina Olivera goes through all things related to telehealth. She talks to occupational therapists, parents, caregivers, and patients to discuss their telehealth stories.
In the 30 minute episodes, she talks through transitioning to telehealth, telehealth tips and strategies, telehealth platforms and policies around telehealth.
Benefits of OT Podcasts
Whether you are an OT clinician or OT student, there are great podcasts out there to listen to. Above we have listened to the best OT podcasts that we enjoy, with a focus on pediatric occupational therapy, early intervention, and pediatric practice. However, OT practitioners work in a range of settings, so there are other great OT podcasts out there that talk about other topic areas, including occupational science, pain management, home health OT, and eating disorders.
There are a number of benefits in listening to podcasts:
Stay up to date with literature review
As healthcare providers, it is important for us to stay up to date with our evidence-based practice. One area that can be hard to stay on top of is our research literature review. Luckily, podcasts are a great way to reduce the research gap and start discussions around our recently published research articles.
The OT School House Podcast and OT Potential are great podcasts to help stay up to date with evidence-based practice and OT research. You can even add it to your continuing professional development hours.
Learn new treatment ideas and strategies
As you listen to other pediatric occupational therapy practitioners talk, you can pick up on new treatment ideas and strategies to try with your clients.
Understand other people’s perspectives
We have listed a range of podcasts that interview other healthcare providers, including physical therapists, speech and language pathologists, and parents of children with additional needs.
Listening to their stories will help you understand other people’s perspectives to help you become a better OT.
Connect with other OT practitioners
The field of occupational therapy is so broad. Listening to these OT podcasts allow you to explore other OT fields. Additionally, the podcasts for business owners and entrepreneurs can help answer hot topics about starting your own business and open different aspects of the therapy world to you.
