In this episode of Therapy Unmasked, host Nick Sidwell (Owner of Ability Innovations and Occupational Therapist) is joined by Megan Davidson, Admin Director and future Financial Strategist, to pull back the curtain on a topic most parents find daunting: Health Insurance.

They dive deep into the often-frustrating reality of how insurance companies dictate pediatric care, often prioritizing "cookie-cutter" policies and profit margins over the individualized needs of a child. If you’ve ever wondered why your child’s therapy was suddenly cut off or why a doctor—who may know nothing about handwriting or sensory processing—is the "gatekeeper" for your child's services, this episode is for you.

• The Insurance Trap: Why following insurance rules can sometimes mean sacrificing the quality and frequency of care your child actually needs.

• Rehabilitation vs. Habilitation: Understanding the crucial difference between "getting back" a skill and "learning a skill for the first time," and why insurance companies often use the wrong metrics to limit visits.

• The Hidden Costs of "Coverage": Breaking down the math of premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket maximums. Why private pay might actually be more affordable (and less stressful) than you think.

• The Power of Investment: Viewing pediatric therapy not as an expense, but as an investment in your child's "superpowers" and their future ability to change the world.

• Taking Back Control: How shifting your mindset away from insurance dependency allows parents and therapists to make medical decisions based on milestones, not mandates.

"Your insurance company doesn't know a thing about your child, and yet they're the ones dictating everything about their therapy."

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https://racheljacksondesign.com/ 👩‍🎨- Check Out Rachel's Website

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f69EvcvCOq8 👩🏼‍🏫- Rachel's Free Introductory Workshop

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LISTENER DEAL: Podcast listeners enjoy a special discount on my signature course: Interior Design For ADHD-Friendly Homes (Part 1) - a practical, eye-opening guide to designing spaces that support sensory needs. Use code PODCASTLOVE at checkout: Link: https://courses.racheljacksondesign.com/course/adhd-friendly-interior-design-pt1

Hey Friends!

Join us on Therapy Unmasked, brought to you by Ability Innovations, as we sit down with special guest Rachel Jackson, an experienced interior designer who specializes in creating sensory-friendly and ADHD-aware homes and spaces.

Drawing from her own experience with ADHD and that of her son, Rachel shares how her design instincts naturally led her to a niche focused on making homes work for the people living in them. She explains her detailed intake process, which helps uncover a family's unique sensory blend and the common environmental frustrations she sees, typically related to:

• 💡 Lighting

• 🔊 Sound/Acoustics

• 📚 Organization and Visual Clutter

Rachel discusses her range of services—from DIY guides and self-paced courses to full-service design and professional development for therapists and designers—all aimed at spreading the powerful impact of neurodiversity-aware design.

Key Takeaways You Won't Want to Miss:

• Understanding Sensory Profiles: Learn why taking your child's sensory sensitivities seriously is the first step, and how to look at emotional reactions as a form of communication.

• Flexible Living: Rachel provides a fascinating example of how simply repurposing rooms (like turning a seldom-used dining room into a quiet family room) can dramatically improve home life.

• The Universal Win: Discover why designing for neurodiversity, as famously stated by architect Magda Mostafa, is truly "designing for everyone," leading to a calmer, more comfortable environment for the entire family.

• Quick and Budget-Friendly Home Tips: Get actionable advice you can implement immediately to lower the "temperature" of your house, including:

  • Switching to warm lamp light in the evenings to aid melatonin production (aim for $2700-3000$ Kelvins).

  • Embracing sound machines and rugs to address acoustics and reduce echo.

  • Tackling visual overwhelm with her simple Four Piles Organization Method (Keep, Price/Resale, Donate/Recycle, Pitch).

Tune in to learn how thoughtful design can reduce stress, improve organization, and bring a feeling of calm and stability to your home environment.

Love,

Your Friends At Ability Innovations 💡

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Hi Friends, Welcome back to another episode of Therapy Unmasked! Today's episode isn't boring but it's about boredom. 😉 Here are some of the talking points:

Technology vs. Imaginative Play: Nick addresses the question of whether technology is killing imaginative play, suggesting that while it can be a necessary tool for some, periods of pause are essential for creativity and development, especially as we face an uncertain future.

Boredom and Executive Functioning: As an Occupational Therapist, Nick explains how boredom—or unstructured downtime—can actually be beneficial for children struggling with executive functioning challenges, such as ADHD and time blindness. Boredom acts as a necessary rest period for the brain, helping it recalibrate and process information.

Sensory Regulation and Boredom: Discover how boredom intersects with sensory seeking and sensory avoidant behaviors. Nick provides tips for parents on how to reframe downtime, explaining that activities like sitting in a sensory swing or even doing seemingly unproductive tasks are, in fact, doing a lot to regulate a child's sensory system.

Introducing Unstructured Time: Learn practical strategies for integrating "boredom time" into a child's day, even one with a strict structured routine. Nick suggests starting with short, scheduled intervals (like five minutes of alone time) and gradually building up. Fostering Creativity and Adaptability: Boredom is presented as a vital vehicle for teaching creativity and adaptability, skills that are increasingly necessary in a rapidly changing world.

"Boredom Ticklers" and Open-Ended Play: Looking for gift ideas or simple activities? Nick recommends "boredom ticklers"—open-ended tools and simple materials (like blank paper or magnetic toys) that spark intrinsic motivation and allow kids to act on their environment rather than being acted upon by screens.

Intrinsic Motivation in Teens and Young Adults: The conversation concludes by defining intrinsic motivation (choosing to do something because it comes from within) and discussing how providing space for boredom is crucial for teens to develop genuine interests, helping them move away from being constantly guided by external algorithms and social media.

Thanks Listening! Love, Your Friends At Ability Innovations