Claim OwnershipTherapod Podcast
Subscribed: 5Played: 38
Subscribe
© 2025 Therapod Podcast
Description
The Therapod podcast is a valuable resource created by a team of experienced clinicians- Hosted by Banu Balaji, an experienced occupational therapist. Joining us as Co-host this season we have Georgie Cooney, dedicated teacher, author, and dyslexia specialist with years of experience supporting learners with Specific Learning Difficulties.
This podcast aims to provide accessible and practical information for parents, caregivers, and professionals working with children, especially those with additional needs. Banu and her seasoned colleagues share their insights on various topics such as sensory strategies, communication, neurodevelopmental assessments, and promoting both physical and mental health in children and adolescents. They bring their years of training and experience to the table in a way that makes it accessible and meaningful.
The emphasis is on the importance of parents providing timely support and help when needed and aim to reduce overwhelm and bring joy to parenting. The podcast delves into the evolving challenges of modern parenting, the impact of changing environments on children, the significance of play in learning and development, and the value of balancing structured activities with free play. Through their discussions, therapod highlights the importance of understanding individual needs, fostering positive relationships, and supporting children's growth and well-being in today's complex world.
47 Episodes
Reverse
Send us a text In this episode, Banu and Elisha explore neurodiversity, the challenges within traditional education, and why systemic reform is essential for both students and teachers. They discuss how purpose and genuine interest — the “why” — are powerful motivators for learning, especially for neurodivergent minds, and how behaviors often seen as “problems” are really responses to unmet needs. Alicia also shares a compassionate low-demand, connection-first approach for supporting kids exp...
Send us a text Happy OT week! In this episode of the Theropod podcast, we welcome Aislinn Pierse, a pediatric occupational therapist with over 20 years of experience. Aislinn discusses the nuances of pediatric occupational therapy, emphasizing the importance of understanding a child's unique context and building strong therapeutic relationships. She explores common reasons for referrals, such as handwriting issues and emotional dysregulation, while highlighting that these often mask deeper ch...
Send us a text Banu Balaji, the host and an occupational Therapist chats with Georgie Coney , a dedicated and fully qualified teacher, author, and dyslexia specialist with over two decades of experience. She is passionate about fostering positive learning environments for all children, with a deep understanding of learners with specific learning difficulties. As a qualified diagnostic assessor of specific learning difficulties in the UK and a specialist teacher, Georgie brings a wealth of exp...
Send us a text
Send us a text In this episode, we go Beyond Dyslexia with a truly fascinating guest: Nellie Nakhel, a successful academic who has navigated the halls of higher education while grappling with dyslexia. Our guest shares their candid journey, from the early frustrations of feeling like an outsider in a system that didn't play to their strengths, to the grit it took to persist and find their own path. We explore a profound narrative of self-acceptance, uncovering how they came to see their...
Send us a text
Send us a text
Send us a text
Send us a text We’re back with Season 5 of Therapod Podcast! To open the season, we’re sharing a very special radio interview where our host, Banu Balaji—clinical specialist, occupational therapist, and founder of Therapod—speaks with Fahmeeda Naheed, host of Let’s Integrate on Cork City Community Radio. In this wide-ranging and personal conversation, Banu reflects on her journey as an occupational therapist, migrant mother, and entrepreneur in Ireland. Together, they explore the often-silent...
Send us a text
Send us a text In this episode of the Therapod Podcast, we dive deep into a heartfelt conversation on the power of compassion, responsiveness, and teaching - CRAFT in the world of autism support. Our guest Jude Ragan — a seasoned educator with decades of experience — shares their journey of teaching. Together with Georgie and Banu, they explore what it truly means to support autistic children in a way that honors their individuality. From battling rigid systems to championing occupational the...
Send us a text
Send us a text In this inspiring episode, we speak with Robert James Gabriel, founder of the accessibility tool Helperbird, who shares his personal journey from struggling with undiagnosed dyslexia to becoming a tech innovator. Robert opens up about the challenges he faced in school, where he was nearly taken out of mainstream education, and the life-changing moment he was finally diagnosed. Robert created a Chrome extension to help dyslexic users, which evolved into Helperbird—now used...
Send us a text In this episode, we speak with Kel Menton, a writer and debut author. Kel shares their journey as a non-binary, neurodivergent person growing up in Ireland, recently receiving an autism diagnosis after years of self-reflection and working in autistic support settings. We discuss the impact of early literary influences like Enid Blyton, Judy Blume, and Jacqueline Wilson, the value of seeing local spaces reflected in fiction, and how COVID lockdowns helped them unmask and better ...
Send us a text In this episode, we hear from Padraig Drake, an occupational therapist who was diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia later in life. He shares his journey navigating academic challenges, leaving school early, and finding his way back to education and a meaningful career. Padraig discusses how his personal experiences have shaped his approach to supporting others, especially within the neurodivergent community. The conversation touches on the complexities of diagnosis, the impor...
Send us a text In this episode Banu and Georgie chats with Timmy Long, who previously hosted the Long Back Podcast. Timmy opens up about his experiences growing up facing challenges with learning differences and a tough environment. He talks about how understanding himself better later in life helped change his perspective and gave him tools to cope. The conversation explores themes of struggle, growth, and resilience, showing how hard work and self-awareness can lead to new possibilities. It...
Send us a text On this episode, Banu and Georgie, we sit down with Brian, an outspoken advocate for neurodiversity, who shares his journey from being diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome at fifteen to navigating the complexities of identity, acceptance, and language within the autistic community. With raw honesty and wit, Brian talks about facing bullying, the challenges of fitting into rigid labels, and the struggles with cancel culture around terminology. He also opens up about finding streng...
Send us a text In this episode, we sit down with Joel Olympio, co-founder of The Focus Co., a startup born from his personal journey with ADHD and neurodivergence. Joel shares how his curiosity, passion for product design, and lived experience adapting to environments not built for brains like his led to both a thriving company and a PhD focused on reclaiming attention for everyone. We explore his early coping strategies, the intersection of entrepreneurship and neurodivergence, and the...
Send us a text We’re back ! Season 4 of Therapod Podcast is officially here, and this season’s theme is Neurospicy Life! We’re diving even deeper into the world of neurodiversity, exploring the lived experiences of neurodivergent individuals while engaging with professionals who bring valuable insights and expertise. From ADHD and autism to dyslexia and beyond, Therapod Podcast creates a space where open conversations break down stigmas, amplify voices, and celebrate the beautifully diverse w...
Send us a text
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States