Moving Beyond “Sensory vs. Behavior” in School Based OT

What if we've been asking the wrong question all along?For years, school-based occupational therapy practitioners have debated whether challenging student behaviors are driven by sensory processing differences or behavior. But what if that distinction isn't the most important one?In this episode, Jayson is joined by Kristen Brokamp, OTR/L and Breanna Lynch, OTR/L, co-founders of Holding Space Collaborative, to explore how OTPs can move beyond labels and instead focus on participation, regulation, trauma-informed care, and systems-level change.Together, they discuss why behavior is often a signal—not the problem itself—and how occupational therapy practitioners are uniquely positioned to help schools build environments that promote wellness, collaboration, and meaningful participation for every student.Whether you're supporting students individually, consulting with teachers, or hoping to expand OT's impact throughout your school, this conversation will challenge your thinking and inspire new possibilities.Listen now to learn the following objectives:— Learners will identify why focusing solely on "sensory vs. behavior" may limit occupational therapy intervention.— Learners will recognize OT's role in supporting school-wide wellness and prevention efforts.— Learners will identify opportunities to implement systems-level strategies that promote student participation and regulation.Thanks for tuning in! Thanks for tuning into the OT Schoolhouse Podcast brought to you by the OT Schoolhouse Collaborative Community for school-based OTPs. In OTS Collab, we use community-powered professional development to learn together and implement strategies together. Don't forget to subscribe to the show and check out the show notes for every episode at OTSchoolhouse.comSee you in the next episode!