DiscoverIdeas at Play: An Occupational Therapy (OT) PodcastEp. 27 Group vs. Individual OT for Autistic Toddlers
Ep. 27  Group vs. Individual OT for Autistic Toddlers

Ep. 27 Group vs. Individual OT for Autistic Toddlers

Update: 2025-08-20
Share

Description

Drowning in long therapy wait lists? Researchers found that group DIR Floortime (4 kids, 2 therapists) produced the same outcomes as individual occupational therapy sessions for autistic toddlers—AND slashed wait times from 108 to 52 days! We break down what worked, the challenges (parent participation was tricky), and what the therapists thought about it. Plus Michele's epic "Failed It" moment with bleeding lips and Lacy's activity up & down-grading breakthrough. If you're looking to serve more kids faster without sacrificing quality, this episode delivers a solution that you could try tomorrow.

We share our own thoughts in the Research Review and encourage you to read the article too.

Hirschmann, S., Magnezi, R., Bassan, H., & Tal, O. (2023). Group versus individual occupational therapy for toddlers with autism as a means to improve access to public health-care services. Randomised controlled pilot study. Australian occupational therapy journal, 70(4), 434–445. https://doi.org/10.1111/1440-1630.12865

KEYWORDS: Occupational therapy; evidence-based practice; OT; OT ideas; Peds OT; pediatric occupational therapy; group therapy; autism; DIRFloortime; early intervention

Thank you to our sponsor OccupationalTherapy.com!  Use the code PLAY25 to support the show and get a free month of continuing education access when you sign up today at our podcast link  https://fas.st/t/Fe79v8vU

Stay informed, stay curious, and stay playful!

✏️ Sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.

📧 Email us a question or comment at IdeasAtPlayPodcast@gmail.com

👉 Find us on Instagram @ideas.at.play


Comments 
In Channel
loading
00:00
00:00
x

0.5x

0.8x

1.0x

1.25x

1.5x

2.0x

3.0x

Sleep Timer

Off

End of Episode

5 Minutes

10 Minutes

15 Minutes

30 Minutes

45 Minutes

60 Minutes

120 Minutes

Ep. 27  Group vs. Individual OT for Autistic Toddlers

Ep. 27 Group vs. Individual OT for Autistic Toddlers