Ideas at Play: An Occupational Therapy (OT) Podcast cover art

Ideas at Play: An Occupational Therapy (OT) Podcast

Ideas at Play: An Occupational Therapy (OT) Podcast

By: Michele Alaniz & Lacy Wright
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Welcome to Ideas at Play, the go-to podcast for busy pediatric occupational therapy professionals! Whether you're in school-based settings, early intervention, or outpatient practice, we bring you evidence-based strategies, practical tips, and engaging discussions to support your OT practice with children, teens, and young adults.


Each episode features:

  • A deep dive into recent pediatric OT research and how to apply it.
  • "Nailed It or Failed It," where we share what’s working—and what isn’t—in our pediatric OT practice.
  • Real-world examples and listener questions about all things pediatric occupational therapy.
  • Shout outs to People, Places, and Products that fill our occupational therapy hearts


Join the hosts, Michele Alaniz, OTD, OTR/L, BCP and Lacy Wright, OTD, OTR/L, BCP, as we explore innovative OT ideas, share professional insights, and help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends in pediatric occupational therapy. Subscribe now and unlock actionable strategies to help the children you serve thrive!


Stay informed, stay curious, and stay playful!

✏️ Sign up for our newsletter https://forms.gle/2aceiDDHBq6LR5TV6.

📧 Email us a question or comment at IdeasAtPlayPodcast@gmail.com

👉 Find us on Instagram @ideas.at.play


Keywords: occupational therapy, OT, pediatric occupational therapy, evidence based practice, peds OT

© 2026 Ideas at Play: An Occupational Therapy (OT) Podcast
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Episodes
  • Ep. 72 What New OTs Really Want in a Job (Encore)
    Jul 1 2026

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    What do early career occupational therapists really prioritize when choosing their first OT job? Spoiler alert: salary ranks 9th out of 16 factors. In this episode, we break down a fascinating Canadian study that surveyed early career occupational therapists about what actually matters in their job search—and the findings might surprise you. We reveal the top intrinsic and extrinsic factors driving OT employment decisions, why 60% of new grad occupational therapists have jobs lined up before graduation, and how OT priorities shift between your first job and your second (or third!) job. Occupational therapy students will learn what to look for in job searches, OT employers will discover how to attract top talent, and experienced therapists can reflect on whether their current position aligns with what truly matters to them.

    We share our own thoughts in the Research Review and encourage you to read the original article too.

    Lui S, Boniface J, Boniface G, Drynan D. Employment Decisions of Newly Graduated Occupational Therapists. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy. 2024;92(2):76-84. doi:10.1177/00084174241274742

    💡Want to hear more about Ideas at Work or get on our waitlist? Send us an email to IdeasAtPlayPodcast@gmail.com

    Stay informed, stay curious, and stay playful!

    ✏️ Sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.

    📧 Email us a question or comment at IdeasAtPlayPodcast@gmail.com

    👉 Find us on Instagram @ideas.at.play


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    40 mins
  • Ep. 71 Aquatic Therapy: Using the Pool for More Than Swim Lessons (Encore)
    Jun 24 2026

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    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 social competence, and happier kids overall. Plus, Michele shares her own terrifying pool story of a little girl who loved staying under the water for a long time and the treatment strategy to ensure her safety.

    We share our own thoughts in the Research Review and encourage you to read the article too.

    Güeita-Rodríguez, J., Ogonowska-Slodownik, A., Morgulec-Adamowicz, N., Martín-Prades, M. L., Cuenca-Zaldívar, J. N., & Palacios-Ceña, D. (2021). Effects of aquatic therapy for children with autism spectrum disorder on social competence and quality of life: A mixed methods study. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(6), 3126. Effects of Aquatic Therapy for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder on Social Competence and Quality of Life: A Mixed Methods Study

    💡Want to hear more about Ideas at Work or get on our waitlist? Send us an email to IdeasAtPlayPodcast@gmail.com

    Stay informed, stay curious, and stay playful!

    ✏️ Sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.

    📧 Email us a question or comment at IdeasAtPlayPodcast@gmail.com

    👉 Find us on Instagram @ideas.at.play


    Show More Show Less
    39 mins
  • Ep. 70 Listener Questions: Pediatric OT in the Real World (Round 2)
    Jun 17 2026

    Send us a Text or Voicemail

    Episode 70 calls for something special! We tackle your real-world pediatric OT questions, from the buzzwords worth knowing to the advice that actually sticks. Thank you for being the heart of this podcast. Here's to 70 more!

    If you liked this episode, check out our first round of listener questions in episode #50.

    💡Want to hear more about Ideas at Work or get on our waitlist? Send us an email to IdeasAtPlayPodcast@gmail.com

    Stay informed, stay curious, and stay playful!

    ✏️ Sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.

    📧 Email us a question or comment at IdeasAtPlayPodcast@gmail.com

    👉 Find us on Instagram @ideas.at.play


    Show More Show Less
    37 mins
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