In this episode of Growing Strong Roots, occupational therapist Lee-Anne Bloom discusses the common parent question: should I pursue a diagnosis for my child? She explains how occupational therapy looks at a child’s daily occupations, including routines, emotional regulation, and participation at home and school. Lee-Anne explores how challenges with tasks, relationships, or self-management may signal a need for additional support. She also walks through factors that influence whether a diagnosis is helpful, such as access to school services or insurance coverage. Ultimately, diagnosis is only one path, and families can seek skill-building and support even without one. The goal is helping children and caregivers thrive with the tools they need.

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Timestamps 00:00:00 Introduction to podcast 00:00:27 Purpose and mission 00:00:50 Growing stronger together 00:00:59 Asking if a diagnosis is needed 01:01:02 Defining occupation in OT 01:01:17 Why parents seek OT 01:01:35 Challenges as signs of underlying needs 01:02:01 When diagnosis may be considered 01:02:28 Factors influencing the decision 01:02:44 Matching support to a child’s needs 01:03:02 Considering school feedback 01:03:23 Challenges at home and routines 01:03:45 Insurance and financial considerations 01:04:09 OT support without a diagnosis 01:04:30 OT also supports parents 01:04:48 Reframing the diagnosis question 01:04:55 Encouragement for next steps

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In this episode of Growing Strong Roots, occupational therapist Lee-Anne Bloom walks through “What’s in My OT Backpack” and shares the sensory, emotional, and practical tools she carries every day to stay regulated and prepared for dealing with challenging kids. She explains how each tool supports self-regulation, resilience, independence, and sensory needs, and how families can teach children to build their own toolkits for daily self-management.

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Timestamps [00:00:00] Podcast introduction and mission [00:00:27] Helping children grow resilient with science-based support [00:01:01] Introducing “What’s in My OT Backpack” [00:01:28] Why carrying tools builds independence and executive skills [00:02:14] Sensory tools are individualized and support regulation [00:02:39] Touch and smell tools: lotion and grounding scents [00:03:10] Therapeutic benefits of lotion as simple self-care [00:03:38] Peppermint balm for calming and stimulation [00:04:05] Oral tools and taste as regulation strategies [00:04:37] Chewing, flavor, and regulating through the mouth [00:05:10] Ginger chews and tea for anxiety and stomach regulation [00:05:33] Keeping snacks and quick energy tools for busy days [00:05:57] Caffeinated endurance gels for sustained adult focus [00:06:20] Creatine gummies inspired by evidence-based wellness podcasts [00:06:40] Water and electrolytes for hydration and sensory balance [00:07:02] Tactile regulation: hairbrush, clips, and staying warm [00:07:23] Temperature awareness as a sign of dysregulation [00:07:56] Managing visual overwhelm with hats and sunglasses [00:08:25] Personal care essentials for comfort and readiness [00:08:49] Noise regulation: AirPods, music, and silence [00:09:15] Earplugs, sound protection, and performance needs [00:09:46] Practical items: cards, medication, pens, preparedness [00:10:11] Self-regulation and self-care tools woven into daily life [00:10:39] Periodically cleaning out the backpack [00:11:00] Backpack weight guidelines and ergonomic considerations [00:11:22] How a backpack should fit to protect the body [00:11:45] Checking posture and strap positioning [00:12:12] Using a hip pack for quick and ergonomic access [00:12:33] Final thoughts and invitation to share what’s in your bag

In this episode of Growing Strong Roots, occupational therapist Lee-Anne Bloom explores the importance of consent and communication when using touch with children, especially those who are sensory sensitive or have trauma histories. She explains how different kinds of touch activate the nervous system and why some children may react instinctively with fight, flight, or shutdown responses. Through real examples and practical strategies, Lee-Anne highlights how caregivers can use touch to build trust, co-regulate, and support emotional development. She discusses the difference between reacting and responding, and how repeated safe experiences can shift a child’s sensory processing over time. The episode also offers simple communication systems families can use to help children express what feels good, what doesn’t, and how to advocate for their bodies.

Timestamps 00:00:00 Introduction to podcast 00:00:27 Parenting challenges and mission 00:00:50 Growing stronger together 00:00:58 Introducing topic of consent and touch 00:01:17 Importance of communication and skilled touch 00:01:42 Proceed with awareness for sensitive kids 00:02:09 Light touch can be alerting or irritating 00:02:38 Real example of defensive reaction 00:03:01 Deep pressure as grounding and calming 00:03:30 Tools for co-regulation in the clinic 00:03:55 Weighted tools and ball squishes 00:04:28 Why touch affects the nervous system 00:05:20 Instinctive responses and brain pathways 00:06:12 Rewiring through repeated safe touch 00:06:34 Difference between reacting and responding 00:07:26 Temperament and trauma influence touch perception 00:08:18 Importance and controversy around therapeutic touch 00:08:44 Touch builds trust and physiological change 00:09:08 Intention behind touch matters 00:09:29 Establishing communication systems 00:10:02 Observing body language and emotional cues 00:10:28 Using rough and tumble play to teach feedback 00:10:49 Predictable touch builds safety 00:11:15 Modeling signals and responses 00:11:52 Teaching children to interpret body reactions 00:12:15 Individualizing sensory tools with OT support 00:12:36 Touch as calming or alerting 00:13:00 Asking for consent and reading cues 00:13:34 Choosing touch based on current state 00:14:02 Combining touch with other regulation supports 00:14:30 Gathering observations throughout the week 00:14:50 Sharing insights with caregivers 00:15:09 Website resources and research links 00:15:25 Closing and invitation to connect