If you've ever felt like you're just "going through the motions" of a morning ADL routine while your neuro-brain is screaming for more evidence-based intensity, this episode is your permission slip to change the game.

Today, I'm joined by Jenna Barber, MOT, OTR/L, BCPR, a neuro specialist who lives in the tension between high-level stroke research and the grit of acute care. We're pulling back the curtain on why "just doing the ADL" isn't enough for cortical rewiring. We're talking about the 300-rep goal, the controversy of compensation vs. restoration, and how to stay client-centered when the system just wants you to check a box.

• The 17-Year Gap: Why it takes nearly two decades for research to hit the clinic floor and how we can bridge that gap today.
• Restoration vs. Compensation: Navigating the controversy—when do we use "hemi-techniques" and when do we demand more from the affected side?
• The 300 Rep Rule: Why Jenna aims for hundreds of repetitions (even if it's just rubbing a washcloth on a thigh) to drive real neural change.
• Neuro-Priming 101: How to use high-intensity mobility, aerobics, or mirror therapy to "warm up" the brain before you ever touch a functional task.
• The $30 Amazon Hack: Creative ways to simulate expensive mobile arm supports when you're working in a rural facility or on a tight budget.
• OTs as the "Walking" Experts: A "high horse" moment on why functional mobility is firmly in our scope and how it acts as a motor primer for upper extremity work.

1. Repetition is King: If the brain is going to rewire, we have to move beyond one or two attempts at a shirt. Pick a sub-component of the task and hit it 100 times.
2. Be the Team Player (with a Bias): We are the upper extremity experts. If we don't advocate for the arm, who will?
3. Clinical Judgment > Textbooks: Use FES, robotics, or even a simple towel on a table to grade the task so your patient can get those reps in, regardless of their impairment level.

• @neuro_otpt_nerds (Jenna's content for evidence-based insights)
• Salia Rehab (Jenna's continuing education courses)
• Equipped Me OT (Shoutout to Lindsay for the computer arm assist hack!)

If you're an OT Accelerator member, don't forget to log in and complete the post-course quiz for a CEU.

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Also, be sure to check out the free resources available at OTflourish.com, including quick references, documentation and goal writing guides, treatment ideas, and helpful tools to support you in your OT practice working with older adults.

And if you're ready to take your practice to the next level, the OT Accelerator is here for you! It's the #1 resource and OT mentorship community for OT practitioners and students working in geriatric settings. Inside, you'll get access to evidence-based resources, treatment ideas, and a supportive community to help you feel confident and capable in your practice.

Learn more and join today at OTflourish.com/membership

Connect with OT Flourish:

• Website: OTFlourish.com
• Instagram: @OT.Flourish
• Facebook: OT Flourish

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Your feedback helps us continue bringing valuable content to the OT community. 🎙️

This podcast episode delves into the integration of animal-assisted therapy within occupational therapy (OT). Featuring experts Dr. Macy Burr OTD, OTR/L and Dr. Taylor Chasten Griffin PhD, the episode explores how therapy dogs contribute to therapeutic outcomes. Highlighting various settings, from schools to assisted living facilities, it emphasizes the motivational and engagement benefits animals provide. The discussion includes the importance of standardized terminology, differentiating 'animal assisted interventions' from other terms, and the unique relationship between therapy animals and patients, providing a new dimension to occupational therapy practices.

Resources:

• Association of Animal-Assisted Intervention Professionals
• Therapy Animal Certification for Professionals

If you're an OT Accelerator member, don't forget to log in and complete the post-course quiz for a CEU.

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Also, be sure to check out the free resources available at OTflourish.com, including quick references, documentation and goal writing guides, treatment ideas, and helpful tools to support you in your OT practice working with older adults.

And if you're ready to take your practice to the next level, the OT Accelerator is here for you! It's the #1 resource and OT mentorship community for OT practitioners and students working in geriatric settings. Inside, you'll get access to evidence-based resources, treatment ideas, and a supportive community to help you feel confident and capable in your practice.

Learn more and join today at OTflourish.com/membership

Connect with OT Flourish:

• Website: OTFlourish.com
• Instagram: @OT.Flourish
• Facebook: OT Flourish

👉 Enjoyed this episode? Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review!

Your feedback helps us continue bringing valuable content to the OT community. 🎙️

When we think of "meaningful occupation" for older adults, the traditional picture is usually gardening 🪴 or knitting. But as Mandy Chamberlain MOTR/L and Erik Johnson OTD, MS, OTR/L brilliantly discuss, that mindset needs a serious level up.

This episode explores how video games are rapidly becoming a crucial, evidence-based tool in our OT arsenal. Forget the old misconceptions; gaming is a powerful, functional, and meaningful occupation.

Why is this important for us?

• Engagement: Gaming dramatically boosts client motivation and adherence.
• Skill Building: It provides a "just right challenge" for cognitive, visual, motor, and social skills.
• Relevance: As leisure evolves, we must embrace technology to provide truly effective, client-centered care.

The message is clear: Video games aren't just entertainment; they're therapeutic media that foster connection and functional gains. It's time for us OTPs to confidently trade in the stereotype for a strategy that meets our older adults right where they are.

Who's ready to press start on a new treatment idea?

Resources:

TheRehabAcrcade.com

If you're an OT Accelerator member, don't forget to log in and complete the post-course quiz for a CEU.

🍃🍃🍃🍃

Also, be sure to check out the free resources available at OTflourish.com, including quick references, documentation and goal writing guides, treatment ideas, and helpful tools to support you in your OT practice working with older adults.

And if you're ready to take your practice to the next level, the OT Accelerator is here for you! It's the #1 resource and OT mentorship community for OT practitioners and students working in geriatric settings. Inside, you'll get access to evidence-based resources, treatment ideas, and a supportive community to help you feel confident and capable in your practice.

Learn more and join today at OTflourish.com/membership

Connect with OT Flourish:

• Website: OTFlourish.com
• Instagram: @OT.Flourish
• Facebook: OT Flourish

👉 Enjoyed this episode? Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review!

Your feedback helps us continue bringing valuable content to the OT community.

In this episode of the OT Flourish Podcast, Mandy Chamberlain, an occupational therapist, explores how OTs are uniquely positioned to enhance brain health through modifiable risk factors.

Joined by certified OT assistant Corrin Campbell BS, COTA/L, they delve into strategies for preventing cognitive decline by combining cognitive stimulation and physical activity. They emphasize the importance of a holistic approach, incorporating various factors like nutrition, sleep, and social engagement to strengthen cognitive reserves. They also discuss the challenges practitioners face and how they can find inspiration and confidence in their practice by helping clients lead cognitively healthy lives.

If you're an OT Accelerator member, don't forget to log in and complete the post-course quiz for a CEU.

🍃🍃🍃🍃

Also, be sure to check out the free resources available at OTflourish.com, including quick references, documentation and goal writing guides, treatment ideas, and helpful tools to support you in your OT practice working with older adults.

And if you're ready to take your practice to the next level, the OT Accelerator is here for you! It's the #1 resource and OT mentorship community for OT practitioners and students working in geriatric settings. Inside, you'll get access to evidence-based resources, treatment ideas, and a supportive community to help you feel confident and capable in your practice.

Learn more and join today at OTflourish.com/membership

Connect with OT Flourish:

• Website: OTFlourish.com
• Instagram: @OTFlourish
• Facebook: OT Flourish

👉 Enjoyed this episode? Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review!

Your feedback helps us continue bringing valuable content to the OT community. 🎙️

Let's delve into the intricate world of adaptive equipment in occupational therapy with our guest Dr Brandy Archie OTD. By sharing personal experiences from various healthcare settings, they reveal the crucial role OT practitioners play, advocating for custom solutions that prioritize patient safety and independence. The episode uncovers the often-overlooked complexity of recommending and implementing adaptive tools, inviting listeners to appreciate the nuanced decision-making involved in enhancing daily living for older adults.

If you're an OT Accelerator member, don't forget to log in and complete the post-course quiz for a CEU.

This conversation is full of real talk, encouragement, and immediately useful tips to help you care for yourself while you care for others.

• Dfree Bladder Scanner
• AskSamie
• OT Connected

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Also, be sure to check out the free resources available at OTflourish.com, including quick references, documentation and goal writing guides, treatment ideas, and helpful tools to support you in your OT practice working with older adults.

And if you're ready to take your practice to the next level, the OT Accelerator is here for you! It's the #1 resource and OT mentorship community for OT practitioners and students working in geriatric settings. Inside, you'll get access to evidence-based resources, treatment ideas, and a supportive community to help you feel confident and capable in your practice.

Learn more and join today at OTflourish.com/membership

Connect with OT Flourish:

• Website: OTFlourish.com
• Instagram: @OTFlourish
• Facebook: OT Flourish

👉 Enjoyed this episode? Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review!

Your feedback helps us continue bringing valuable content to the OT community. 🎙️

In this episode, we're diving deep into OT burnout prevention—what it looks like, why it happens, and how we can address it head-on. Whether you're a seasoned therapist or a student just entering the field, burnout is something we all need to be aware of. But here's the good news: burnout isn't inevitable, and there are ways to prevent it.

I'm joined by Deanna M. Ottinger, ppOTD, OTR/L, CAPS, LSVT BIG, Associate Professor at Milligan University in Northeast Tennessee. Deanna shares how her interest in gratitude and stress management began while supporting her graduate students—and how that work can benefit all of us. Her OT passions include neuro rehab, low-end home modifications, and, of course, long walks on the beach.

• 🚨 The early signs and symptoms of burnout
• 🧠 The powerful mindset shifts that can keep you grounded
• 🌬️ How breathwork and mindfulness can calm your nervous system
• 🧰 Practical strategies like micro-breaks, transition rituals, and peer support

If you're an OT Accelerator member, don't forget to log in and complete the post-course quiz for a CEU.

This conversation is full of real talk, encouragement, and immediately useful tips to help you care for yourself while you care for others.

• Box Breathing Technique

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Also, be sure to check out the free resources available at OTflourish.com, including quick references, documentation and goal writing guides, treatment ideas, and helpful tools to support you in your OT practice working with older adults.

And if you're ready to take your practice to the next level, the OT Accelerator is here for you! It's the #1 resource and OT mentorship community for OT practitioners and students working in geriatric settings. Inside, you'll get access to evidence-based resources, treatment ideas, and a supportive community to help you feel confident and capable in your practice.

Learn more and join today at OTflourish.com/membership

Connect with OT Flourish:

• Website: OTFlourish.com
• Instagram: @OTFlourish
• Facebook: OT Flourish

👉 Enjoyed this episode? Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review!

Your feedback helps us continue bringing valuable content to the OT community. 🎙️

In this episode, I'm joined by Jessica Miller OTR, CBIS, an occupational therapist with a passion for neuro, to discuss chaining techniques, and how it helps patients in neuro rehabilitation. Jessica shares practical insights on incorporating backward chaining in therapy, her approach to fostering patient independence, and tips for OT practitioners working with neuro patients.

Key Takeaways:

• Backward Chaining: A powerful technique for improving patient independence, especially for neuro clients.
• Effective Intervention: Focus on task completion from the final step backward to build confidence and skills.
• Neuro-Rehabilitation: Tailor your approach to each patient's needs for optimal outcomes.
• Practical Tips for OTs: Learn how to implement these techniques in real-life therapy settings.

Resources:

• OT Accelerator Membership – Join for mentorship, community, and more!
• New to Neuro – Neurorehabilitation mentorship for OT practitioners.
• Follow Jessica and @new.to.neuro on Instagram!

If you're an OT Accelerator member, don't forget to log in and complete the post-course quiz for a CEU.

🍃🍃🍃🍃

Also, be sure to check out the free resources available at OTflourish.com, including quick references, documentation and goal writing guides, treatment ideas, and helpful tools to support you in your OT practice working with older adults.

And if you're ready to take your practice to the next level, the OT Accelerator is here for you! It's the #1 resource and OT mentorship community for OT practitioners and students working in geriatric settings. Inside, you'll get access to evidence-based resources, treatment ideas, and a supportive community to help you feel confident and capable in your practice.

Learn more and join today at OTflourish.com/membership

Connect with OT Flourish:

• Website: OTFlourish.com
• Instagram: @OTFlourish
• Facebook: OT Flourish

👉 Enjoyed this episode? Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review!

Your feedback helps us continue bringing valuable content to the OT community. 🎙️

Struggling with OT goal writing? In this episode, I explore why goal writing can be so challenging and how to overcome common pitfalls. I'll also give a sneak peek into my upcoming ebook, Mastering OT Goal Writing The Ultimate Guide and Goal Bank for Adult Rehab, launching next week!

EMR Limitations Dont let dropdown menus box you incustomize when possible.

Goal Formats Use COAST, SMART, or RHUMBA to fit client needs.

Outcome Measures Matter Tie goals to measurable progress with tools like the Caregiver Self-Assessment Questionnaire.

Mastering OT Goal Writing The Ultimate Guide and Goal Bank for Adult Rehab ebook: Launching next week!

Caregiver Self-Assessment Questionnaire: Great for tracking caregiver stress and setting meaningful goals.

If youre an OT Accelerator member, dont forget to log in and complete the post-course quiz for a CEU.

Also, be sure to check out the free resources available at OTflourish.com, including quick references, documentation and goal writing guides, treatment ideas, and helpful tools to support you in your OT practice working with older adults.

And if youre ready to take your practice to the next level, the OT Accelerator is here for you! Its the #1 resource and OT mentorship community for OT practitioners and students working in geriatric settings. Inside, youll get access to evidence-based resources, treatment ideas, and a supportive community to help you feel confident and capable in your practice.

Learn more and join today at OTflourish.com/membership

Connect with OT Flourish

• Website OTFlourish.com
• Instagram @OTFlourish
• Facebook OT Flourish

Enjoyed this episode? Dont forget to subscribe and leave a review!

Your feedback helps us continue bringing valuable content to the OT community.