PiP Cast: Perspectives in Paeds

Kid Link OT
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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. 23h ago

    Episode 62: Embedding Trauma Informed Practice Principles

    In this episode, Jackie is joined by Danni and Em to unpack how clinicians can embed trauma-informed practice principles into their everyday work. They clarify a distinction that often gets muddled, the difference between trauma-informed practice as a lens applied across all clients and trauma-specific intervention, and explore why allied health clinicians can and should work in a trauma-informed way without being trauma specialists. The team defines what trauma actually is, how it shows up in a child's brain and nervous system and shapes the way they engage in therapy, and walks through Blue Knot's core principles of safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration and empowerment. They also get honest about whether "trauma-informed" is sometimes used as a buzzword, and share concrete changes a clinician could make in their very next session. Relevant episode links: Blue Knot Foundation: https://blueknot.org.au/ Kid Link's PD booster on trauma-informed care: https://www.kidlinkeducation.com.au/courses/trauma-informed-care For supervision: https://kid-link-occupational-therapy.splose.com/public-form/ae613727-8bac-4713-b439-3b6bcf03eb6e 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. 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. Aug 20

    Episode 61 - NDIS: An Update with Sally Davison

    This episode brings together experienced paediatric OTs for a candid look at where the NDIS is heading.  Guest Sally Davison is the owner of Launch OT in South Melbourne, working predominantly with neurodivergent children, adolescents and young adults -  and their families, schools and universities - with a particular clinical focus on school can't. With over 30 years in the field, a postgraduate qualification in Counselling and Psychotherapy, an MBA, and two decades running a health-sector management consulting practice, Sally brings a rare dual lens to this conversation: she understands both the clinical coalface and how large-scale system reform actually plays out (or doesn't). Sally is also an active member of OTSi, the OT Society for Invisible Disabilities. Together, the team unpack the complex realities clinicians and families are navigating as the NDIS continues to evolve - from shifts in plan renewals to questions around eligibility for children with longstanding diagnoses. They explore the gap that often exists between reform intent and implementation on the ground, what makes a report genuinely useful in the eyes of the NDIA, and the particular considerations for young people with invisible disabilities and school can't presentations. It's a thoughtful, practical conversation about how clinicians can adapt and support families through change.  * This episode was recorded on August 14th 2026.  Update as of 21st August 2026: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-18/ndis-changes-pass-after-labor-strikes-deal-with-coalition/107051964 Relevant episode links:  Links to OT Society Inc for Invisible Disability:  Membership: https://otsi.net.au/membership-1    OTSi Event: NDIS Assessment Toolkit for occupational therapists working with people with psychosocial disability, and autism -  including NDIS Bill 2026 UPDATES: Link Here Support OTSi's work through a donation: Link Here OTSi Practice Guideline: Functional Capacity & Support Needs Assessment for People with Psychosocial Disability & Autistic Adults: OTSi Practice Guideline Functional Capacity Assessment and Support Need Assessments for Psychosocial Disability and Autistic Adults.pdf OTSi Facebook page: Link Here Victorian Allied Health Provider Group - VAHPG: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61593012577089 NDIS OT Community of Practice - Facebook group: Link Here Be sure to follow us on Instagram @pip.cast 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

  3. Aug 13

    Episode 60 - Fatigue And Burnout In Neurodivergent Kids

    In this episode, Jackie is joined by Georgia and Jessie to unpack fatigue and burnout in neurodivergent children, an experience that so often stays invisible until it tips into crisis. They explore the difference between ordinary tiredness, fatigue and genuine burnout, why it's so frequently misread as defiance, laziness or regression, and the hidden "effort tax" of masking and constant accommodation that quietly depletes these kids. The team also gets honest about whether stacked appointments and the push for visible "progress" can be part of the problem, what neurodiversity-affirming support looks like when rest itself is the goal, and how to help schools and families understand burnout when a child looks "fine" on the surface. Relevant episode links:  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/ Please find the podcast that was discussed within our episode, with Kristy Forbes exploring neurodivergent burnout here:  https://open.spotify.com/episode/5Qyg1Ra0cWrvuQx9OolLqq?si=bSgBFmWVQJ6LIyqdg7OHKw&utm_source=copy-link 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. Aug 6

    Episode 59: Feeding and Mealtimes - Beyond the Therapy Room

    In this episode, Caitie is joined by Caity and Mikyla to take feeding and mealtime work beyond the clinic door - into schools, social settings and the everyday moments that matter most to families, like camps, excursions and birthday parties. They unpack what genuine school buy-in looks like, practical tools for communicating a child's needs, and how to coach parents through "division of responsibility" - including why some need explicit permission to do less at the table. They also discuss the role of a clients cultural food practices, and how clinicians can lean in to curiosity when it comes to different food practices and mealtime norms. The episode wraps with practical tips on how clinicians can work to support transference of feeding and mealtimes work from the therapy room to the child’s natural environments.  Relevant episode links:  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

  5. Jul 30

    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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

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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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