Best Michele Alaniz Podcasts (2025)

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Ep. 37 Is Interoception Worth the Hype? A Deep Dive into the Evidence 35:04

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4d ago35:04

35:04

Interoception is everywhere in pediatric occupational therapy—but does the evidence support what OTPs are doing? We dig into a 2025 scoping review revealing the surprising truth: most research is preliminary and thin. We break down 3 intervention curricula (Kelly Mahler is leading the charge), explain why your brain's insula is the "Inside Out" das…

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Ep. 36 Home Programs That Actually Work 38:07

11d ago38:07

38:07

An occupational therapist came into Michele's office complaining that parents weren't following through with home programs—sound familiar? The problem isn't the parents; it's how we're setting them up from day one. This episode flips that script with evidence from a 2024 scoping review on what actually drives caregiver home program adherence. You'l…

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Ep. 35 CO-OP for Improving Motor Skills 36:46

18d ago36:46

36:46

What if you could peek inside a child's brain and actually SEE therapy working? That's exactly what researchers did with CO-OP (Cognitive Orientation to Occupational Performance)—and the results are amazing! Join Lacy and Michele as they break down the 12-week protocol and the 7 surprisingly simple cognitive strategies (you're probably already usin…

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Ep. 34 Sensory Integration in Schools 35:49

25d ago35:49

35:49

Can sensory integration really work in schools, or are we just wasting instructional time? This week we're reviewing a study that finally gives us answers. Three students, 17.5 hours of intervention, and results that impressed both teachers and researchers. Michele and Lacy break down this single-subject design study using Ayres SI and weekly teach…

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Ep. 33 Play as Occupation with guest Dr. Anita Bundy 48:25

1M ago48:25

48:25

What if the biggest barrier to children's play isn't the kids—it's us? We are thrilled to chat with our special guest, Dr. Anita Bundy—the world-renowned OT behind some of the most transformative play research out there. She explains why kids actually need to take risks in play, how she facilitates risk-reframing conversations, and why American kid…

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Ep. 32 Sydney Playground Project 34:30

1M ago34:30

34:30

What do old tires, crates, pool noodles, and hay bales have in common? They're the secret ingredients that revolutionized recess for hundreds of kids in Dr. Anita Bundy's groundbreaking Sydney Playground Project. In this episode, we get into the occupational therapy research that proved when you add "junk" to a playground and let kids take risks, m…

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Ep. 31 Zones of Regulation: the Good, the Bad, and the OT Way 40:53

2M ago40:53

40:53

What happens when one of occupational therapy's most beloved programs gets put under the research microscope? Turns out Zones of Regulation—despite being wildly popular—has a shaky evidence base. BUT don’t panic and throw out all your materials, we've got some promising news. A new study shows what happens when you take Zones and actually do it the…

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Ep. 30 Making Hospitals Sensory-Friendly 36:06

2M ago36:06

36:06

70% of autistic individuals have at least one mental health condition, but here's the kicker—the very hospitals meant to help them might be making everything worse. Picture this: you're already in crisis, then you're hit with buzzing fluorescent lights, scratchy bedsheets, and the smell of industrial cleaning solutions. For autistic teens, it's a r…

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Ep. 29 A Sleep Intervention with Dreamy Outcomes 36:42

2M ago36:42

36:42

95% of kids with neurodevelopmental disorders struggle with sleep—but there's an OT intervention that gives families an extra hour of sleep per night! In this episode, we discuss an occupational therapy study from Argentina that used telehealth and coaching to transform bedtime battles. This isn't the typical "try melatonin" approach—it's a compreh…

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Ep. 28 Responsive Feeding (and how OTPs are using this approach) 35:13

2M ago35:13

35:13

Many of our families know that sinking feeling when mealtime becomes a battlefield—tears, tantrums, and the stress of watching a child refuse meal after meal. But what is the best way to help? This week, we dive into a brand-new scoping review on responsive feeding for pediatric feeding disorders—an approach that's finally putting words to what man…

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Ep. 27 Group vs. Individual OT for Autistic Toddlers 34:15

2M ago34:15

34:15

Drowning in long therapy wait lists? Researchers found that group DIR Floortime (4 kids, 2 therapists) produced the same outcomes as individual occupational therapy sessions for autistic toddlers—AND slashed wait times from 108 to 52 days! We break down what worked, the challenges (parent participation was tricky), and what the therapists thought a…

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Ep. 26 Have Impostor Syndrome? (Here’s what to do) 32:05

3M ago32:05

32:05

Ever feel like you are in over your head? You're not alone—new research shows 84% of occupational therapy practitioners and students secretly battle impostor syndrome. From OT students to seasoned therapists, despite being well qualified, we're all wondering if we actually know what we're doing! In this episode, we break down the study that puts nu…

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Ep. 25 Hand Strengthening for Handwriting 24:49

3M ago24:49

24:49

Michele presents research that offers a completely different perspective on OT handwriting intervention. While previous episodes emphasized task-specific training (doing writing to improve writing), this study suggests that students receiving specialized resistance exercises—putty, rubber bands, clips—significantly outperformed control groups on ha…

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Summer of Play Series: Play Personalities 28:26

3M ago28:26

28:26

Ep 24 - In our final Summer of Play episode, we're uncovering the rich history and complex science that makes play genuinely unique in pediatric OT practice. Journey from Piaget and Vygotsky's foundational theories to Mary Reilly's revolutionary work for occupational therapy. We'll break down the National Institute of Play's eight distinct categori…

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Summer of Play Series: Interventions for Play 31:36

3M ago31:36

31:36

Ep 23 - Ready to turn your occupational therapy sessions into playgrounds of learning? In this episode of our Summer of Play Series, we explore using play as both the vehicle AND the destination in pediatric OT. We'll discuss 5 manualized occupational therapy interventions that facilitate play for kids (and OTPs!) and 6 other evidence-based strateg…

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Summer of Play Series: Assessing Play 28:51

4M ago28:51

28:51

Ep 22 - Think you know how to assess play? We break down the surprising gap between how important play is for EVERY PART of child development and how this occupation is often overlooked in OT/OTA education programs and practice. You'll discover the 4-part definition of play, the top 3 play assessments every pediatric occupational therapy practition…

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Summer of Play Series: 10 Fun Summer Therapy Ideas 27:56

4M ago27:56

27:56

Ep 21 - Summer just got a whole lot more fun! 🌞 Michele and Lacy kick off their Summer of Play series with 10 fun, evidence-based therapy activities. From DIY food trucks and table tennis for executive function to water balloons for social play to messy mud & shaving cream toy washes, these aren't just fun activities—they're strategic summertime in…

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Ep. 20 Green Light Interventions for CP: Do What Works (with special guest Iona Novak) 48:22

4M ago48:22

48:22

Stop guessing and start knowing which occupational therapy interventions actually work. World-renowned OT researcher Professor Iona Novak discusses her revolutionary Traffic Light System that rates occupational therapy interventions with simple green, yellow, and red color coding. Learn why starting with client goals (not assessments) delivers fast…

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Ep. 19 Pictures vs. Videos: Choosing the Right Visual Support for ADL Goals 36:15

4M ago36:15

36:15

You've heard that a picture is worth a thousand words, but what about a thousand prompts? When it comes to helping autistic kids master daily living skills like brushing teeth, washing hands, and tying shoes, the visual support debate is real: static pictures or dynamic videos? Occupational therapists Michele and Lacy discuss research that puts the…

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Ep. 18 Aquatic Therapy: Using the Pool for More Than Swim Lessons 38:12

5M ago38:12

38:12

When you think of therapy in the swimming pool, swim lessons probably come to mind. However, occupational therapy practitioners use water for so many life skills! This week, Michele dives into research from Spain that reveals how aquatic therapy can be beneficial for autistic children in OT settings. The results? Better school performance, improved…

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Ep. 17 Time Management Treatment Ideas for ADHD 38:25

5M ago38:25

38:25

Ready for an ADHD intervention that tackles the root problem of time management? This Swedish research hands occupational therapy practitioners a comprehensive protocol that includes both remediation and compensation strategies for time processing difficulties. We unpack the three core components of time processing ability and explore a manualized …

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Ep. 16 From Student Projects to Group Therapy: How to Build Better Teams 45:29

5M ago45:29

45:29

As occupational therapy practitioners, we spend our careers working in teams—yet most of us learned to hate group work in OT/OTA school. Sound familiar? We're breaking down brand-new research from the Journal of OT Education that studied how to build better teams to avoid group disasters. Whether you're an OT/OTA student dreading your next group pr…

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Ep. 15 Accept, Adapt & Advocate: Autistic Adults Share Insights for OTPs 36:28

5M ago36:28

36:28

Ever wonder what your pediatric OT clients will say about you when they grow up? In this episode, Lacy & Michele explore qualitative research where autistic adults share what they wish their childhood occupational therapists had known. Their insights challenge us to embrace neurodiversity by accepting (rather than “fixing”) autism, adapting environ…

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Ep. 14 Role of OT and Co-Occupation in the NICU (and why it matters!) 43:19

5M ago43:19

43:19

Step into the NICU where beeping monitors meet tiny fighters and discover how sensory connections are changing the game for premature infants. We unpack the SENSE program that's putting occupational therapists at the forefront of preemie care, revealing why those first touches, sounds, and movements matter more than you think. Join Lacy and Michele…

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Ep. 13 The Ultimate Evidence Guide: What 52 Pediatric OT Interventions & 90 Years of Research Reveal 39:47

6M ago39:47

39:47

Tired of Googling for interventions that actually work? We dive into the mother of all systematic reviews covering 129 studies and 52 occupational therapy interventions across nine decades of pediatric OT research. Discover which interventions landed in the green zone (do these!), which fell into the red (avoid!), and why parent collaboration and o…

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Ep. 12 Shooting for Better Sleep: How Playing Basketball Improves Sleep & Executive Function 38:24

6M ago38:24

38:24

Could better sleep for autistic children be as simple as shooting some hoops? In this episode, occupational therapists, Michele Alaniz and Lacy Wright, dive into fascinating research showing how a structured basketball intervention significantly improves sleep quality and executive function in children with autism. Learn how this intervention incre…

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Ep. 11 Handwriting & OT: Guiding Principles for Today and the Future (with AI) 40:36

6M ago40:36

40:36

Up to 10% of children have difficulty with handwriting, yet only 12% of teachers feel adequately trained to teach it. This week, we break down the six evidence-based principles (plus one essential bonus) that should guide all handwriting instruction and occupational therapy intervention. We examine why focusing on the occupation of writing outperfo…

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Ep. 10 Tubes & Tables: Supporting Mealtime with Medically Fragile Kids (special guest episode) 54:16

6M ago54:16

54:16

What happens when a child isn't able eat? In this milestone 10th episode, Michele and Lacy explore the complex world of pediatric occupational therapy and feeding with medically fragile children and our guest, Yovana Harris, BA, COTA/L. She shares both "Nailed It" and "Failed It" experiences, explains her “just give them the food” feeding philosoph…

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Ep. 9 VR and Pediatric Brain Injury (3 Takeaways to Apply Across OT Settings) 38:53

7M ago38:53

38:53

Ever wonder how virtual reality could change your pediatric occupational therapy practice? Michele and Lacy dive into a randomized control trial where VR helped kids with brain injuries make progress in just four weeks of OT intervention! Hear about 3 game-changing elements occupational therapists can implement: instant feedback, kids actually want…

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Ep. 8 Ayres SI in Brazil: 3 Tools to Boost Your OT Practice 36:59

7M ago36:59

36:59

Did you know that up to 16% of children have sensory processing challenges that impact their daily lives? In this evidence-packed episode, pediatric occupational therapists Michele and Lacy break down a groundbreaking randomized control trial from Brazil on Ayres Sensory Integration (ASI) that every peds OT needs to know about. Discover three pract…

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Ep. 7 Parent-Powered Potty Training: The 4-Step Coaching Model in Telehealth 34:50

7M ago34:50

34:50

Forget everything you thought you knew about toilet training—this evidence-based pediatric occupational therapy approach is changing the game. In this episode, we dive into a hybrid telehealth intervention that transformed toilet training success rates through occupation-based coaching strategies that every peds OT should know. Learn the 4-step fra…

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Ep. 6 The Surprising #1 Reason OT Students Fail Fieldwork (And How You Can Help) 36:54

7M ago36:54

36:54

Struggling OT Fieldwork students? The shocking truth is that occupational therapy knowledge isn't what makes or breaks fieldwork success—it's professional behaviors! Join pediatric occupational therapists, Michele and Lacy, as they unpack evidence-based strategies for fieldwork in this must-listen episode. From communication skills to time manageme…

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Ep. 5 Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3: Top School-Based OT Interventions That Work 30:41

8M ago30:41

30:41

Overwhelmed by your school-based OT caseload? Join Drs. Michele Alaniz and Lacy Wright as they discuss three decades of research into actionable, tiered interventions that deliver measurable results. Learn why the most successful school-based OTs are shifting from traditional pull-out services to classroom-embedded support, dramatically reducing wa…

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Ep. 4 Beyond the Messy Desk: Assessing Executive Function in Adolescents 31:55

8M ago31:55

31:55

Think a messy backpack or desk is just carelessness? We don’t think so. This episode cracks open the complex world of executive function in school, showing therapists how the Weekly Calendar Planning Activity assessment can unlock insights into how adolescents may be struggling to think, plan, organize, and navigate their world. Plus - Lacy and Mic…

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Ep. 3 Scoring Success: Quality Sports Participation for Kids with Autism 35:13

8M ago35:13

35:13

How can we make sports truly meaningful for children with autism? In this episode, pediatric OTs Dr. Michele Alaniz and Dr. Lacy Wright break down a comprehensive framework for quality participation in sports. Explore research-backed strategies for creating the perfect balance of challenge, autonomy, and social connection in sports programs. The ho…

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Ep. 2 Play that Works: Engaging & Effective OT Motor Interventions for Kids with CP 29:28

8M ago29:28

29:28

What if you could help children with cerebral palsy make significant motor gains with half the therapy hours while keeping both parents and kids engaged? Pediatric occupational therapists Dr. Michele Alaniz and Dr. Lacy Wright dive into the OT research comparing constraint-induced movement therapy and bimanual intensive training, revealing which ap…

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Ep. 1 Play With Purpose: An OT Motor Skill Intervention for Autism 18:50

9M ago18:50

18:50

Did you know that over 80% of children with autism are at risk for motor impairment (Bhat, 2022)? Today, we're diving into new research that's changing how we approach motor development in autism. You'll learn five evidence-based steps you can implement immediately in your practice, including a surprising twist on video modeling that goes beyond ju…

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Welcome to Ideas at Play! 1:02

9M ago1:02

1:02

Welcome to Ideas at Play, your go to podcast for practical and engaging insights into pediatric occupational therapy. We're your hosts, Michele Alaniz, OTD, OTR/L, BCP, and Lacy Wright OTD, OTR/L, BCP - two OTs with a passion for breaking down research and helping you apply it to your practice in meaningful ways. Every episode will take you through…