Sarah Collins, MSOT, OTR/L is an occupational therapist with a pediatrics and home health background and a homeschooling parent. Introduced to homeschooling in 2016 while working as an OT in a client’s home, Sarah was amazed at the learning atmosphere and opportunities within the home. Then, once she homeschooled her own family, she noticed that parents, though experts on their own children, were invariably asking many of the same questions. In 2019, Sarah established HomeschoolOT to help parents further their own understanding so they could use homeschooling to help their children do precisely what they need and want. She now focuses on helping parents match homeschooling and their children’s current skill set while working towards what their children specifically need and want to do to occupy their time. She consults with homeschool parents worldwide, leading online classes, speaking nationally, and hosting an online community. You can find Sarah on Instagram and on her Facebook page, or the Facebook group she moderates.
Adapting Activities to Include Mixed Ages and Abilities
Are you longing to find predictable points in your day to bring all your children together around the table, rather than distractedly jumping from child to child? This course will provide tips to keep children of all ages and abilities engaged, as well as help us to set realistic goals specific to our kid’s needs.
Help! My Child Won’t Sit
“1–2–3, eyes on me!” Many of us were told we weren’t taking in information unless we were showing it with our whole bodies. However, many children need to move to learn. This course will delve into the times that children benefit from sitting, and how to engage our moving, wiggly learners.
The Sensory-Balanced Homeschool
Do you hate to wear a certain type of clothing? Does the sound of a person chewing really bother you? Do you tap your leg or repeatedly fidget during the day? These are all “sensory quirks.” When these quirks impact your or your child’s participation in what they need and want to do, it needs to be addressed. This course will discuss the eight sensory systems, and offer ways to help our children organize information from all of them.
What Are Executive Functioning Skills?
Executive functioning skills are defined as the “brain-based skills needed to effectively execute or perform tasks and solve problems.” As with most skills, there is a range—not everyone needs to complete the same tasks on a daily basis. But, there must be a match between the environment, expectations, and abilities of a person. This class will 1) define executive functional skills, 2) explain why they can be hard for some people, and 3) give helpful solutions to use in the homeschool to help your children build these skills.
Specially Designed for Parents of Struggling Learners
Homeschooling a child with a special need or learning difference—or who just struggles to “get it?” You are not alone! This year’s Thursday special needs conference is an all-day event that includes Dr. Amy Moore’s keynote, three separate breakout events, a resource fair, and Exhibit Hall shopping on Thursday evening.
The conference is included in your full-convention registration, or you may register for the special-needs conference only.
