PiP Cast: Perspectives in Paeds

Kid Link OT

Perspectives in Paeds (PiP Cast) is your go-to podcast for thought-provoking conversations relating to paediatric practice! Join Melbourne-based OTs Jackie Sikic and Caitlin Smith as they explore best practices, unpack the latest evidence, and chat about the everyday challenges faced by clinicians in paediatrics. Each episode, Jackie and Caitlin are joined by fellow clinicians to share their insights, swap stories, and spark new ideas to enrich your practice. No matter your level of experience, PiP Cast invites you to reflect, learn, and grow alongside a community of passionate clinicians.

  1. 1d ago

    Episode 58: Developmental Coordination Disorder - What Is It Really And How Do We Support These Kids?

    In this episode, Jackie is joined by Georgia and Mikayla to unpack Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). They share their experiences and perspectives of DCD - from how it presents across different ages and settings to why it so often slips through the cracks, and who tends to fall through when no one names it. They bust some of the most persistent myths around DCD, dig into the contentious overlap with dysgraphia under the new DSM, and explore why functional impact matters more than a percentile on a motor assessment. The conversation also covers evidence-based, task-oriented interventions like CO-OP, the hidden "effort tax" these kids carry, and practical guidance on setting children up to thrive at home and school. Relevant episode links:  DCDQ: https://www.dcdq.ca/CO-OP Approach: https://www.icancoop.org/pages/courses For access to free tools, clinical resources, and early access to Kid Link OT courses, all in your inbox. Join the list at https://mailchi.mp/kidlink/mailing-list-sign-ups  For on-demand learning from the Kid Link team, see our full catalogue of courses here:  https://www.kidlinkeducation.com.au/ This podcast is brought to you by Kid Link Occupational Therapy. Be sure to follow us on Instagram @pip.cast We acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people as the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work and live here in Mitcham, Victoria. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, and recognise their ongoing connection to the land, waterways, and culture. As we support children and families, we are inspired by the wisdom and care that First Nations peoples have shown for generations. Music by Daniel Pavey  ·  Produced by Michael Daniels

  2. Jul 23

    Unpacking Specific Learning Disorders - With Melinda Schambre

    In this episode, Caitlin and Danni are joined by Melinda Shambrae to unpack Specific Learning Disorders. Melinda is a paediatric speech pathologist with 30 years experience, and is the co-owner of Word by Mouth Speech Pathology.  Melinda has worked in the Department of Education & she set up the Language Consultancy team in Eastern Region. She has worked in the Learning Difficulties Centre at RCH where she first developed her interest in learning difficulties and the link between oral language and literacy.  Melinda has lectured at the University of Melbourne, consulted for SPELD Victoria, participated in a number of projects for  Speech Pathology Australia including contributing to the professional body’s position paper on Speech Pathologists working in literacy. Melinda has a Masters by Research and in addition to her clinical work with children and families, she has supported numerous schools by providing professional learning in the areas of speech, language and learning difficulties. In this episode, Melinda shares her experiences and perspectives as the team discuss SLD’s - from early warning signs in preschoolers to the diagnostic pathway, and who needs to be involved when a family pursues a diagnosis. They bust some of the most persistent myths around SLDs and dig into what functional goal-setting looks within these clients' care. The conversation also covers evidence-based interventions, where multi-disciplinary care really matters, and practical guidance on timing assistive technology.  Relevant episode links:  SPELD Vic: Understanding Learning Difficulties: https://store.speldvic.org.au/products/understanding-learning-difficulties-a-practical-guide-for-parents-revised-edition For access to free tools, clinical resources, and early access to Kid Link OT courses, all in your inbox. Join the list at https://mailchi.mp/kidlink/mailing-list-sign-ups  For on-demand learning from the Kid Link team, see our full catalogue of courses here:  https://www.kidlinkeducation.com.au/ This podcast is brought to you by Kid Link Occupational Therapy. Be sure to follow us on Instagram @pip.cast We acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people as the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work and live here in Mitcham, Victoria. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, and recognise their ongoing connection to the land, waterways, and culture. As we support children and families, we are inspired by the wisdom and care that First Nations peoples have shown for generations. Music by Daniel Pavey  ·  Produced by Michael Daniels

  3. Jul 16

    Episode 56: When Schools Say Everything is Fine

    In this episode, Caitlin is joined by Emily and Caity to unpack when families and clinicians are told that "everything's fine at school." They explore the role of masking, why fluctuating functioning means "fine" participation often comes at a cost paid at home and how mixed presentations across settings can complicate diagnosis, delay support, and leave families feeling disbelieved.  The team shares their own experiences of what it has looked like when working with schools to build participation for their clients, and how clinicians can support schools to notice needs that aren't always visible on the surface.  Relevant episode links:  Association for Children with Disability: https://acd.org.au/ For access to free tools, clinical resources, and early access to Kid Link OT courses, all in your inbox. Join the list at https://mailchi.mp/kidlink/mailing-list-sign-ups  For on-demand learning from the Kid Link team, see our full catalogue of courses here:  https://www.kidlinkeducation.com.au/ This podcast is brought to you by Kid Link Occupational Therapy. Be sure to follow us on Instagram @pip.cast We acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people as the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work and live here in Mitcham, Victoria. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, and recognise their ongoing connection to the land, waterways, and culture. As we support children and families, we are inspired by the wisdom and care that First Nations peoples have shown for generations. Music by Daniel Pavey  ·  Produced by Michael Daniels

  4. Jun 25

    Episode 55: From Overwhelmed to Empowered - Parent Coaching with Jacqui Ornellas

    In this episode, Jackie and Georgia are joined by Jacqui Ornellas Snider, paediatric Occupational Therapist and ICF PCC-level Coach, to explore what it really means to bring a Coach Approach into paediatric practice. Together they unpack the core principles of coaching - from believing the client is the expert in their own life, to resisting the urge to fix - and what genuinely separates a coaching mindset from simply being a warm, curious clinician. From navigating the complexity of a teenager and parent in the same room with competing agendas, to knowing what to do when a family just wants you to tell them what to do, this episode gets practical. Whether you're an OT, speech pathologist, psychologist, or physio, you'll walk away with a clearer sense of what a coaching moment looks like mid-session - and at least one thing you can try tomorrow. Be sure to follow us on instagram @pip.cast  This podcast is brought to you by Kid Link Occupational Therapy.  We acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people as the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work and live here in Mitcham, Victoria. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, and recognize their ongoing connection to the land, waterways, and culture. As we support children and families, we are inspired by the wisdom and care that First Nations peoples have shown for generations. Music by Daniel Pavey  Produced by Michael Daniels  Relevant Episode Links: https://jacquisnider.com.au

  5. Jun 18

    Episode 54: The Eighth Sense: Interoception in Paediatric Practice

    In this episode, Caitlin is joined by Danni and Dayna to explore interoception - the often-overlooked sense that tells us what's happening inside our own bodies. From hunger and thirst to heartbeat and emotional states, the team discuss how interoception underpins so much of how children regulate, connect, and navigate their day - and when it works differently, the ripple effects can show up across feeding, behaviour, emotional regulation, and learning. The conversation goes beyond an OT lens, exploring why interoception is relevant for all clinicians. The team bring their caseload experience to the table, sharing what interoceptive differences actually look like in practice, and how to support a child in building their interoceptive awareness. Relevant episode links:  https://www.kelly-mahler.com/ Reference discussed: Khalsa, S. S., Adolphs, R., Cameron, O. G., Critchley, H. D., Davenport, P. W., Feinstein, J. S., Feusner, J. D., Garfinkel, S. N., Lane, R. D.,Mehling,W. E., Meuret, A. E., Nemeroff, C. B., Oppenheimer, S., Petzschner, F. H., Pollatos, O., Rhudy, J. L., Schramm, L. P., Simmons, W. K., Stein,M.B., Stephan, K. E., Interoception Summit 2016 participants (2018). Interoception and Mental Health: A Roadmap. Biological psychiatry. Cognitive neuroscience and neuroimaging, 3(6), 501–513. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpsc.2017.12.004 Be sure to follow us on Instagram @pip.cast Link to Kid Link’s upcoming live webinar:  Kids, Teens, And Digital Tech: Essentials for Clinicians https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/kids-teens-and-digital-tech-essentials-for-clinicians-tickets-1989626822385 For access to free tools, clinical resources, and early access to Kid Link OT courses, all in your inbox. Join the list at https://mailchi.mp/kidlink/mailing-list-sign-ups  This podcast is brought to you by Kid Link Occupational Therapy. We acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people as the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work and live here in Mitcham, Victoria. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, and recognise their ongoing connection to the land, waterways, and culture. As we support children and families, we are inspired by the wisdom and care that First Nations peoples have shown for generations. Music by Daniel Pavey  ·  Produced by Michael Daniels

  6. May 28

    Episode 51: Accidental Leader

    In this episode, Jackie is joined by Caitlyn and Gabs to unpack what leadership really means, and why so many of us have worked under leaders who received the title without mastering the leading. They challenge "convenient leadership" and explore leadership as a behaviour, not a position. Anyone who takes responsibility for finding potential in people and processes is a leader and you don't need permission or a promotion to start leading. Whether or not you hold an official title, they share practical ways to grow your leadership skills. Be sure to follow us on instagram @pip.cast  This podcast is brought to you by Kid Link Occupational Therapy.  We acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people as the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work and live here in Mitcham, Victoria. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, and recognize their ongoing connection to the land, waterways, and culture. As we support children and families, we are inspired by the wisdom and care that First Nations peoples have shown for generations. Music by Daniel Pavey  Produced by Michael Daniels  Relevant Episode Links: Brené Brown – Strong Ground (her 2025 book on daring leadership): https://brenebrown.com/hubs/strong-ground/ Brené Brown – Dare to Lead: https://brenebrown.com/hubs/dare-to-lead/ Adam Grant – Think Again (the "rethinking" book): https://adamgrant.net/book/think-again/ Kristin Neff – Self-Compassion: https://selfcompassion.org

About

Perspectives in Paeds (PiP Cast) is your go-to podcast for thought-provoking conversations relating to paediatric practice! Join Melbourne-based OTs Jackie Sikic and Caitlin Smith as they explore best practices, unpack the latest evidence, and chat about the everyday challenges faced by clinicians in paediatrics. Each episode, Jackie and Caitlin are joined by fellow clinicians to share their insights, swap stories, and spark new ideas to enrich your practice. No matter your level of experience, PiP Cast invites you to reflect, learn, and grow alongside a community of passionate clinicians.

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