The School Can't Experience
For parents and caregivers of young people who struggle to attend school, and related education and health professionals. We share experiences and insights into what is going on for our young people and how we can offer support.
The School Can't Experience
#48 - Rachel's Lived Experience - What an OT Can Do for School Can't
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Rachel, a School Can’t mum and occupational therapist, joins host Leisa Reichelt to talk about her family’s experience supporting her child through severe school distress and School Can’t.
Rachel describes years of intense support, including leaving work for three years and spending hours daily on school grounds, difficulties with school responses, and the impact on the whole family during COVID, before transitioning to home education to reduce stress and improve wellbeing.
They discuss the value and timing of autism identification for understanding, self-esteem, and support. Rachel explains what occupational therapy is, how OTs help children engage in meaningful activities (self-care, school participation, sensory processing, executive functioning, and mental health), how to set priorities and goals, the OT role in NDIS functional capacity assessments, and how OTs can identify and reduce school-based stressors through environmental analysis and practical classroom accommodations.
00:00 Welcome and guest intro
01:06 Meet Rachel and family
02:02 School refusal begins
05:03 Surviving the hardest years
06:23 School conflict and advocacy
08:46 Choosing home education
12:51 Late autism identification
15:11 Why diagnosis can help
21:03 What occupational therapy is
23:32 Getting the most from OT
26:49 OT support in schools
30:39 Practical stressor mapping
33:36 Resources and final advice
37:58 Closing and support lines
People & resources mentioned in this episode:
- OT Australia (Occupational Therapy Australia) - https://www.otaus.com.au
- School Can’t Australia Facebook Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/schoolphobiaschoolrefusalaustralia
- Make a donation to School Can’t Australia - https://www.schoolcantaustralia.com.au/get-involved
If you are a parent of carer in Australia and experiencing distress, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or contact the Parent Help Line. - https://kidshelpline.com.au/parents/issues/how-parentline-can-help-you
You can contact us to volunteer to share your School Can't story or some feedback via email on schoolcantpodcast@gmail.com
Disclaimer
The content of this podcast is based on personal lived experiences and is shared for informational and storytelling purposes only. It should not be treated as medical, psychological, or professional advice under any circumstances. If you have concerns about your health or well-being, please seek guidance from a doctor, therapist, or other qualified professional.