Send us a textWe’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 struggles migrant families face navigating learning differences, developmental challenges, and educational systems that don’t always fit. They also discuss the emotional load mothers carry, the importance of early intervention, and why understanding children’s sensory and emotional worlds is vital for their growth.Whether you’re a parent, educator, or simply curious about supporting children of determination, this episode offers insights, empathy, and inspiration to start the season.
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The Neurospicy Parent Advocate and Educator
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The CRAFT- a teaching method for children with Autism
Send us a textIn 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 therapy as transformative, the episode introduces listeners to CRAFT: a mindset rooted in Compassionate, Responsive, Autism-Focused Teaching.This is more than an educational model — it's a philosophy. Whether you're a parent, teacher, or therapist, you’ll leave with insights that just might shift the way you see your role in a neurodiverse world.
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The Neurospicy Coach
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The Neurospicy Techie
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 by over 1.8 million people globally. Robert discusses the growth of the platform, its customizable reading tools, and his mission to make digital content accessible for everyone. This episode is a powerful reminder of how timely support, inclusive tech, and determination can completely transform lives.
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.
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