Pediatric Pioneers Episode 13: Could Nature Boost Your OT Practice?

Allie Evancho, OTR/L, CYT, occupational therapist, certified yoga teacher, and PhD candidate, joins host Nicole Quint to explore the growing role of nature-based practices in pediatric occupational therapy. Nicole and Allie dive into the research and real-world examples behind why—and how—taking therapy outside the clinic can make a difference. Together, we unpack how outdoor environments support sensory integration, emotional regulation, and health equity for children with disabilities. You’ll leave this conversation inspired by evidence-based strategies and community-driven ideas you can bring to your own OT practice.Learning ObjectivesAnalyze the evidence around nature-based practices in occupational therapyApply evidence-based, practical strategies to actionably address therapeutic activities for children with disabilitiesSolve patient case scenarios involving nature-based recreationTimestamps(00:00:00) Welcome(00:01:20) Exploring nature-based therapy(00:04:05) The importance of nature in pediatric occupational therapy(00:05:36) Health equity and accessibility in nature(00:08:40) The impact of screen time on children(00:13:05) Benefits of nature for mental and physical health(00:16:40) Theories supporting nature-based interventions(00:20:34) Incorporating nature into therapy practices(00:22:55) Advocacy and accessibility in outdoor therapy(00:26:40) Creating buy-in for nature-based programs(00:29:06) Actionable takeaways for therapists(00:33:56) Building trust and safety in nature activities(00:36:00) Case example(00:40:25) Future directions in pediatric therapy(00:42:58) Creating inclusive green spaces(00:45:25) Grant writing and funding for nature programsPediatric Pioneers is brought to you by Medbridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your Medbridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on Medbridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away.To hear more episodes of Pediatric Pioneers, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/pediatric-pioneers⁠⁠⁠⁠If you’d like to subscribe to Medbridge, visit ⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/pricing/⁠