Beyond The Caseload Podcast

Beyond the Caseload
  • 4.6 (8)
  • Health & Fitness
  • Weekly

Beyond the Caseload is a podcast from Progressive Pediatric Therapy that explores the real work of pediatric therapy beyond schedules and paperwork. Through honest conversations with therapists and professionals in the field, the show shares stories from life in the clinic, insights on child development, and perspectives on supporting families and building meaningful careers. With multiple series, including a Wellness Series for families, the podcast offers practical guidance, real experiences, and a closer look at pediatric therapy in practice.

  1. 5d ago

    Sensory Seeking vs. Sensory Avoiding: What Is Your Child Telling You?

    Does your child constantly need to move, jump, spin, or crash into things? Or maybe they become overwhelmed by loud noises, certain clothing textures, haircuts, or busy environments. As a parent, these reactions can be confusing. Is your child simply being energetic, refusing to cooperate, or could there be something more happening beneath the surface? In this episode of Beyond the Caseload: The Wellness Series, Gabrielle is joined by Ms. Romie, Occupational Therapist at Progressive Pediatric Therapy, to explore sensory seeking, sensory avoiding, and what children's everyday behaviors may be communicating about their sensory needs. Together, they break down how the nervous system processes sensory information, why children can respond differently to the same environment, and how sensory processing differences can affect everything from getting dressed and eating to learning, playing, and participating in daily routines. In this episode, we discuss: What sensory processing is and why it involves more than the traditional five senses Common sensory seeking behaviors, including jumping, spinning, climbing, crashing, and chewing Sensory avoiding behaviors, such as covering ears, avoiding certain textures, and becoming overwhelmed in busy environments Why a child can be both sensory seeking and sensory avoiding How sensory processing challenges can sometimes look like behavioral difficulties What sensory overload looks like and how parents can recognize early signs When sensory preferences may warrant an occupational therapy evaluation How occupational therapy helps children understand and respond to sensory experiences Practical strategies families can use at home, at school, and in everyday routines One of the most important messages from this conversation is that behavior can provide valuable information about how a child is experiencing the world. Rather than focusing only on stopping a behavior, understanding the sensory need behind it may help families respond in ways that support their child's comfort, regulation, and participation. 🎧 Listen to the full episode to learn more about sensory processing and how occupational therapy can help. 🌐 Learn more about Progressive Pediatric Therapy or request an evaluation at ppt4kids.com. Follow Beyond the Caseload for more practical conversations about child development, pediatric therapy, and family wellness.

  2. Oct 20

    More Than Eyesight: The Connection Between Vision and Movement in Child Development

    Your child has 20/20 vision, but they still struggle with handwriting, copying from the board, catching a ball, or completing puzzles. How is that possible? The answer may have less to do with how clearly they see and more to do with how their brain processes visual information and how their body uses that information to guide movement. In this episode of Beyond the Caseload: The Wellness Series, Gabrielle is joined by Ms. Gaby, Occupational Therapist and Clinical Manager at Progressive Pediatric Therapy's Boca Raton clinic, to explore the connection between vision, movement, learning, and everyday childhood development. Together, they break down why vision involves much more than eyesight, how visual processing difficulties can sometimes look like attention or behavioral challenges, and what emerging research tells us about the relationship between visual perception, motor skills, and occupational therapy. In this episode, we discuss: Vision vs. eyesight: Why a child can have 20/20 vision and still experience difficulties with visual skills Visual perception: How the brain processes and makes sense of what the eyes see Visual motor integration: How children use visual information to guide handwriting, drawing, dressing, and other everyday movements Hand-eye coordination: Why catching a ball, completing puzzles, and navigating the environment require vision and movement to work together Learning and attention: How visual difficulties may contribute to frustration, task avoidance, and challenges with schoolwork Premature birth and development: What 2026 research suggests about connections between fine motor skills, visual perception, and visual motor integration in children born very preterm ADHD and visual processing: Why overlapping symptoms make individualized assessment important Virtual reality in occupational therapy: How technology may be used intentionally to support visual skills and engagement OT evaluations: What occupational therapists assess when children struggle with visually guided everyday activities When to seek support: What parents can do when their child's eyesight has been checked, but functional difficulties continue One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is that seeing clearly and using visual information effectively are not the same thing. When children struggle with tasks that require them to see, process, and respond through movement, understanding the underlying skills can help families identify what support may be beneficial. 🎙️ Listen to the full episode to learn more about how vision and movement work together throughout childhood. 🌐 Learn more about Progressive Pediatric Therapy and our pediatric occupational therapy services at ppt4kids.com. Follow Beyond the Caseload for more conversations about child development, pediatric therapy, and supporting children and families.

  3. Oct 13

    Is My Child Just Clumsy? Understanding Coordination, Motor Planning & DCD

    Every child trips, falls, misses a ball, or struggles when learning something new. But when difficulties with balance, coordination, or learning new movements become a consistent pattern, parents may start wondering: Is my child just clumsy, or is there something more going on? In this episode of Beyond the Caseload: The Wellness Series, Gabrielle is joined by Jenny, Rehabilitation Director at Progressive Pediatric Therapy’s West Palm Beach clinic and a pediatric physical therapist with more than 30 years of experience, to explore coordination, motor planning, dyspraxia, and Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). Together, they break down what parents may notice in everyday life, why a child can understand exactly what they’re being asked to do but still struggle to organize the movement, and when ongoing difficulties may be worth discussing with a pediatric therapist. In this episode, you’ll learn: ⚖️ What therapists consider when a child consistently seems less coordinated than other children their age🏃 Everyday signs that may warrant a closer look, including frequent falls, difficulty jumping, hopping, catching, throwing, riding a bike, or using a scooter🧠 What motor planning means and how the brain uses sensory information to organize movement🔄 How practice should gradually make movements more fluent, coordinated, efficient, and adaptable to different environments🚲 Why a child may master a skill in one environment but struggle to carry it over somewhere new🧩 What dyspraxia and Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) can look like in everyday life👀 How vision, body awareness, proprioception, vestibular processing, and other sensory information contribute to movement❤️ How ongoing motor challenges can affect confidence, play, social participation, PE, sports, and willingness to try new activities📝 What happens during a pediatric physical therapy evaluation for coordination and motor planning concerns🤝 How physical and occupational therapists may look at different pieces of a child’s movement and everyday functioning🔎 When the question “Are they just clumsy?” may deserve a closer look One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is that “clumsy” is an observation, not necessarily an explanation. Two children may appear to have similar coordination challenges while having very different underlying needs. An individualized evaluation can help families better understand why a particular skill may be difficult and what, if any, support could help their child participate more confidently in everyday life. Guest:• Jenny: Rehabilitation Director & Pediatric Physical Therapist, Progressive Pediatric Therapy West Palm Beach If you enjoyed this episode, follow Beyond the Caseload, leave a review, and share it with another parent, caregiver, educator, therapist, or pediatric provider. Visit ppt4kids.com to learn more about Progressive Pediatric Therapy and our pediatric physical and occupational therapy services.

  4. Oct 6

    The Best Pediatric PT CEUs: Courses That Changed My Clinical Practice

    Continuing education is one of the most rewarding and overwhelming parts of being a pediatric therapist. With so many certifications, conferences, webinars, and specialty courses available, how do you know which ones are actually worth your time and investment? In this episode of Beyond the Caseload, Gabrielle sits down with Mary, a pediatric physical therapist with more than 40 years of experience, to discuss the continuing education courses that have had the greatest impact on her career and the way she treats children today. From foundational certifications to emerging treatment approaches, Mary shares the courses, mentors, and clinical experiences that have shaped her practice, while offering practical advice for both new and experienced pediatric therapists looking to continue growing throughout their careers. In this episode, you'll learn: 🎓 Why continuing education is essential throughout a pediatric therapy career📚 The courses that had the biggest impact on Mary's clinical practice, including NDT, Myofascial Release, Beckman Oral Motor, developmental orthopedics, breathing, and whole-body treatment approaches👶 Why every pediatric therapist should have a strong understanding of infant development, torticollis, and plagiocephaly🚶 How gait, orthotics, and mobility education changed the way Mary approaches movement and alignment🦴 Why treating the whole child—not just the diagnosis—leads to better outcomes🧠 How pediatric therapy is evolving toward neurodiversity-affirming and strength-based care💡 What makes a CEU worth the investment—and how to choose courses that will truly improve your clinical skills🤝 The value of live, hands-on education versus online learning🌟 Advice for new pediatric therapists building their continuing education plan🔬 Emerging treatment areas Mary is most excited to continue learning about Whether you're a new graduate planning your first CEU, an experienced clinician looking for your next specialty course, or simply passionate about lifelong learning, this episode offers valuable insight into building a meaningful career through continuous growth and curiosity. Guest:• Mary – Pediatric Physical Therapist, Progressive Pediatric Therapy If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow Beyond the Caseload, leave a review, and share it with a fellow therapist or healthcare professional. Lifelong learning doesn't stop after graduation and every course is another opportunity to make an even greater impact on the children and families we serve.

  5. Sep 29

    When Words Won’t Come Out: Understanding Childhood Apraxia of Speech

    A child with Childhood Apraxia of Speech may know exactly what they want to say but getting those words out can be incredibly difficult. So what exactly is happening when a child has apraxia, and how is it different from a speech delay or other speech sound disorder? In this episode of Beyond the Caseload, Gabrielle is joined by Regina, Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist and Director at Progressive Pediatric Therapy, to break down Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) from both a clinical and personal perspective. As an SLP with specialized training in motor-based speech disorders and a mom of a child diagnosed with CAS, Regina shares what families and clinicians should understand about recognizing, evaluating, and treating apraxia. Together, they explain why CAS is a motor-based speech disorder, what signs may warrant a closer look, why a comprehensive evaluation matters, and how evidence informed treatment can help children develop more consistent speech while still supporting their ability to communicate. In this episode, you’ll learn: What Childhood Apraxia of Speech is and what happens when a child has difficulty planning and programming speech movementsHow CAS differs from a speech delay and other speech sound disordersSigns SLPs consider when evaluating CAS, including inconsistent errors, disrupted transitions, vowel distortions, and differences in prosodyWhy dynamic assessment can be especially important for children with limited verbal speechHow a child with CAS may understand much more than they’re able to verbally expressCommon misconceptions about Childhood Apraxia of SpeechWhat a comprehensive CAS evaluation should includeHow motor-based approaches such as DTTC, ReST, and PROMPT may be incorporated into treatmentWhy frequent opportunities for accurate speech practice can be important—and why more therapy isn’t automatically betterHow parents can practice functional words naturally at home without turning home into another therapy sessionHow AAC can provide a bridge for children who have thoughts and ideas to share while verbal speech is developingWhy connection and successful communication should always come before perfect speech Whether you’re a parent trying to understand your child’s diagnosis, an SLP looking to strengthen your understanding of motor speech disorders, or a pediatric professional supporting a child with communication challenges, this episode offers a practical look at CAS from both sides of the therapy room. The biggest takeaway? A child’s ability to communicate is more important than how perfectly they can say a word. Apraxia may make speaking more difficult, but it does not take away a child’s thoughts, personality, ideas, or desire to connect. Guest: Regina – Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist & Director, Progressive Pediatric Therapy If you enjoyed this episode, follow Beyond the Caseload, leave a review, and share it with another parent, caregiver, SLP, educator, or pediatric provider. Visit ppt4kids.com to learn more about Progressive Pediatric Therapy and our speech-language therapy services.

  6. Sep 22

    Simple Backyard Games That Support Gross Motor Development

    Running, jumping, climbing, and playing may look like simple ways for kids to burn off energy, but they're actually helping build important skills for everyday life. So how can families support gross motor development without expensive equipment or structured exercise? In this episode of Beyond the Caseload, Gabrielle is joined by Nick, Physical Therapist Assistant at Progressive Pediatric Therapy, to explore the importance of gross motor development and how simple, everyday play can help children build strength, balance, coordination, confidence, and independence. Together, they break down how classic games like tag, hopscotch, obstacle courses, and Red Light, Green Light can support development all while kids are simply having fun. In this episode, you'll learn: - What gross motor skills are and why they're important for everyday activities- Why outdoor play provides so many opportunities for children to build movement skills and confidence- How games like tag support running, directional changes, body awareness, and spatial skills- Why hopscotch is great for single-leg balance, coordination, jumping, and motor planning- How to create simple obstacle courses using pillows, couch cushions, paper, pool noodles, and other household items- Signs that a child may be struggling with gross motor skills, including frequent falls, difficulty with balance, or avoiding active play- Ways to encourage movement for children who aren't interested in sports or structured activities- How games like Red Light, Green Light, relay races, and balloon play can build gross motor skills- Why active play supports confidence, attention, focus, and participation, not just physical strength- How just 10–15 minutes of movement can make a difference when incorporated consistently into everyday routines Whether you're a parent looking for simple ways to get your child moving, an educator searching for fun movement activities, or a pediatric provider supporting children's development, this episode is full of realistic ideas that can easily be incorporated into everyday life. The biggest takeaway? Children learn through play. You don't need expensive equipment or hours of structured exercise, every opportunity to run, jump, climb, explore, and try something new can help children build the skills and confidence they need. Guest:• Nick: Physical Therapist Assistant, Progressive Pediatric Therapy If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow Beyond the Caseload, leave a review, and share it with another parent, caregiver, pediatric provider, therapist, or educator. And visit ppt4kids.com to learn more about Progressive Pediatric Therapy and our pediatric therapy services.

  7. Sep 15

    Understanding Toe Walking: When It's Normal, When to Seek Help & How Therapy Can Help

    Toe walking is something many toddlers do as they're learning to walk, but when it continues beyond the early years, parents often wonder: Is this something they'll outgrow, or should I be concerned? In this episode of Beyond the Caseload, Gabrielle is joined by Mary, Pediatric Physical Therapist at Progressive Pediatric Therapy, to explore the many causes of toe walking, why it happens, when families should seek an evaluation, and how physical and occupational therapy can help children develop healthier, more efficient movement patterns. Together, they explain why toe walking is often about much more than the feet and ankles, highlighting the important role of strength, sensory processing, motor planning, neurological development, and body awareness. In this episode, you'll learn: 👣 What toe walking is—and when it's considered a normal part of development👣 Common causes of persistent toe walking, including sensory processing, muscle weakness, reflux, neurological conditions, and developmental differences👣 Why treating the underlying cause is more important than simply focusing on the feet👣 What happens during a pediatric physical therapy evaluation for toe walking👣 How physical and occupational therapists work together to address movement, strength, balance, coordination, and sensory needs👣 The role of orthotics, Turtle Braces, therapeutic vibration, and other specialized treatment tools👣 Why early intervention leads to the best long-term outcomes👣 Practical strategies families can use at home to support progress between therapy sessions👣 Success stories that show how early treatment can dramatically improve walking, balance, confidence, and participation Whether you're a parent wondering if your child's toe walking is something to watch, a pediatric provider looking for guidance on referrals, or a therapist wanting a deeper understanding of treatment approaches, this episode offers practical, evidence-based information to help you know what to look for and what to do next. Guest:• Mary – Pediatric Physical Therapist, Progressive Pediatric Therapy If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow Beyond the Caseload, leave a review, and share it with another parent, caregiver, pediatric provider, therapist, or educator. Early guidance can make a lifelong difference, and every step toward healthy movement matters

  8. Sep 8

    Shaping Small Steps: Kids' Shoes Guide

    Do shoes really matter for child development? In this episode of Beyond the Caseload, Gabrielle sits down with pediatric physical therapist Ms. Shealagh to break down one of the most common questions parents have: What shoes are actually best for my child? From first walkers to active school-age kids, the right footwear can make a meaningful difference in comfort, balance, mobility, confidence, and participation especially for children with developmental delays, low muscle tone, orthotics, sensory sensitivities, or other mobility needs. Together, they cover: When children may benefit from starting shoes earlierWhat physical therapists look for in a supportive shoeSigns that a shoe may not be fitting properlyWhy children’s shoes should not require a “break-in period”How red marks, blisters, tripping, fatigue, and uneven wear patterns can provide cluesWhat to look for when your child wears SMOs or AFOsShoe brands and features that can work well with orthoticsHow seamless socks and gradual exposure can help children with sensory sensitivitiesBarefoot walking vs. supportive shoesThe pros and cons of Crocs, flip-flops, sandals, and summer footwearThe best types of shoes for running, playground activities, sports, and outdoor playCommon mistakes parents make when shopping for children’s shoesWhy the “best” shoe isn’t always the most expensive one Whether you’re shopping for your child’s first pair of walking shoes, trying to fit footwear over orthotics, or wondering why your child keeps taking their shoes off, this episode offers practical guidance to help you make more confident choices. The biggest takeaway? The best shoe is the one that fits your child’s foot, supports the activities they love, and helps them move comfortably and confidently. If you have concerns about your child’s walking, balance, orthotics, or mobility, visit ppt4kids.com to learn more about Progressive Pediatric Therapy’s physical therapy services or schedule an evaluation. Follow Beyond the Caseload for more practical conversations about child development, pediatric therapy, and everyday strategies for families.

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Ratings & Reviews

4.6
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Beyond the Caseload is a podcast from Progressive Pediatric Therapy that explores the real work of pediatric therapy beyond schedules and paperwork. Through honest conversations with therapists and professionals in the field, the show shares stories from life in the clinic, insights on child development, and perspectives on supporting families and building meaningful careers. With multiple series, including a Wellness Series for families, the podcast offers practical guidance, real experiences, and a closer look at pediatric therapy in practice.

Information

  • Creator
    Beyond the Caseload
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    31
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Beyond the Caseload
  • Show Website
    Beyond The Caseload Podcast