Supporting Families Together: OT + PT Coaching for Real Life
- Paige Ryan
- Oct 15
- 3 min read
When I first connected with Carrie and Jen from The OT Parent Coaches, it instantly felt like meeting kindred spirits. As a pediatric physical therapist and caregiver coach, I spend my days helping families create calmer, more accessible routines — and they do the same through their work as occupational therapy parent coaches.
Our coffee-chat flowed naturally from that shared mission: helping parents and caregivers feel confident, supported, and empowered in daily life. Whether we’re talking about sensory tools, mindful routines, or burnout prevention, everything comes back to one goal — helping families thrive.
If this conversation resonates, you might also enjoy Caregiver Support and PT You Can Trust — where I dive deeper into what holistic, family-centered physical therapy really looks like.
Setting Up Your Space for Success
We talked about how small environmental accommodations can make a huge difference — like changing lighting, swapping in a yoga ball, or adding rhythm and movement to help kids stay regulated. These strategies are simple, low-cost, and grounded in how real families live.
One of my favorite takeaways from our chat was Jen’s phrase: “Change the sensory channel.” When something isn’t working, try a different sensory route — a visual cue, a playful touch, or even a silly voice. These little tweaks help children (and caregivers!) feel more connected and less overwhelmed.
Coaching That Goes Beyond Therapy
So much of what we do as therapists doesn’t “stick” unless families feel confident carrying it over at home. That’s where caregiver coaching comes in — bridging the gap between the clinic and real life.
Just like the OT Parent Coaches, I’m passionate about supporting families through inclusion-based, sustainable strategies. We actually explored that topic in depth with Lisa Drennan from MERGE — you can read about it in Inclusion, Caregiving, and Building Stronger Communities.
Small Shifts That Make a Big Difference
During our chat, Lisa and I compared notes on how even small changes can open doors for families.
For organizations, it might mean normalizing the process of asking for accommodations. Instead of a parent having to advocate after the fact, make it part of every sign-up form: “What do you need to participate successfully?”
For families, it could be as simple as stacking a self-care routine onto something you already do every day. For example: taking three deep breaths while washing your hands. Tiny moments of mindfulness can keep you grounded in the middle of chaos. It’s not about adding more tasks to an already heavy load. It’s about weaving support into what you’re already doing.
“Do Less, Get More”
We also shared how important it is to give yourself permission to simplify. You don’t have to do everything to make progress — sometimes doing less, but doing it with intention, creates more meaningful growth.
If you’re feeling like your routines could use a reset, try my free Routine Audit. It’s a quick guided reflection to help you see what’s working, what’s draining your energy, and where small shifts can make a big difference.
The Bigger Picture
Whether it’s through occupational therapy, physical therapy, or coaching, the heart of this work is the same: helping caregivers feel calm, confident, and capable — and helping kids grow in environments that truly support them.
Because when families feel supported, everything changes.
Want to Learn More?
Watch the full conversation — “Supporting Families Together: OT + PT Coaching for Real Life” — on YouTube.
Or, if you’re curious how this kind of support could help your family:
👉 Check out my Free Guide to Preventing Injury
Comments