Welcome to the July edition of the Learning Library newsletter!

This month I’m in recovery mode after a busy 6 weeks of expos and conferences, so only one new resource for you in the Library, but a brand new freebie to announce that you can find outside of the Library (scroll to the end to find out what it is)! Plus, we are continuing our focus from the last two months, shining the spotlight on even more amazing guest contributors who have generously shared their expertise with the community. Sign up to the Learning Library to access everything for free!

New additions

From me you can access: Download – The SUPPORT Framework

At the recent OT Exchange, I presented on how the key to better supporting new graduates, is to ensure the senior OTs doing their supervision are supported first! If you employ OTs as supervisors, this SUPPORT Framework download will give you some reflection questions to think about to set up your team for success!

Focus topic: Guest contributors

There is a lot of content available in the Learning Library, so the second half of the newsletter is always dedicated to highlighting some of the content you may have missed. The spotlight this month continues to be on my guest contributors; a big thank you to everyone who has shared their expertise and resources with my Learning Library subscribers! Make sure you check out these fantastic contributions:

• Assistance dog pathways and pre-commitment considerations: This download was developed in collaboration with Lara Bathurst, from Independent Assistant Dog Suitability Advisory. It outlines some important questions you should ask when determining whether an assistance dog may be a potential support for your client.

• Personal Alarms guide: OT Bek Chatellier generously shared the results of a deep dive into personal alarms, in the form of a guide that highlights key features such as whether they are monitored or not, whether they are pendant or watch style, website links for quick access, and much more.

• Cooking up Independence preview: In this video I’m joined by Stacey Manfield who gives us a sneak peek at her ‘Cooking up Independence’ book and clinician resources. There’s also a cameo from Danielle Skelton from Bridge to Best, and together we discuss challenges and tips for effective capacity building for clients wanting to develop their meal preparation skills.

• Mapping matrescence: In this video, OT Hollie Swanton provides an introduction to the OT role in matrescence (i.e. the physical, social and psychological transition of becoming a mother) and gives us a sneak peek at her wonderful resource, the “Mini Mapping Matrescence workbook.” This is a practical companion resource for occupational therapists supporting mothers in the perinatal period and beyond.

• MEMORehab for effective and efficient cognitive rehab: Yet another product sneak peek with education thrown in! In this tutorial I’m joined by Clinical Neuropsychologist Dr Laurie Miller, who gives us a demo of MEMORehab and the features that make it the perfect choice for running your next group cognitive rehabilitation program.

Would you like to add your own resource to the Library one day?

All you need to do is fill in the EOI and tell me about your resource, and I’ll send you the T&Cs. The key point is you need to have a resource (video, webinar, download) that you would be happy for people to freely access via the Library, and in return you’ll get your own little marketing landing page and a plug in my socials and newsletters (including this one!).

Super keen but haven’t signed up to the Learning Library yet?

Do it today! All you need to do is add your name and email address via this link, then check your inbox or junk mail for the login details. If you’ve got an extra couple of minutes, you can even setup the free mobile app straight away.

I’m doing this because there are so many great OTs and other health professional out there with fantastic resources and education services, and the OT and allied health world just don’t know they exist. Spend less time searching for answers and reinventing the wheel, and more time working with your clients!

Waiting to hear what else I launched in the past month?

In case you missed it, I’m now officially host of my very own podcast called “How to be a better OT.” Series 1 has started and there are already 5 episodes available to listen to, with the next episode landing tomorrow.

Series 1 is the ‘How to guides’ for common OT skills, including how to do an OT home assessment, how to do an OT hospital initial assessment, and how to do a functional capacity assessment.

Find it on your favourite podcast streaming platform, or check it out via my website here.

If you found this newsletter helpful, there’s so much more you can get from Your OT Tutor! Here are four ways I can help you become a better OT who loves what you do with professional development that is simple, practical and worth it!

1.Check out my on-demand courses

2.Book in some one-on-one or group training

3.Sign-up for one of my CPD memberships

4.Send me a DM and we can chat about how I can help!

#OccupationalTherapy #NDIS #YourOTTutor