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Amanda Mathers, OTR/L

@yourpediatricot

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Pediatric Occupational Therapist: Pelvic Floor, School, + EI
⤵️Tips/Resources for parents, therapists & educators

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Favorite Pediatric Occupational Therapy Toys! 🧸

🌟 Wobble Board/Ramp/Climbing Toys, anything that encourages coordination & balance & regulation!

🌟 Sensory Brushes are always in my bag!

🌟 Fine Motor toys including button art, piggy bank, puzzles, and more!

As a therapist, you don’t need to have ANY toys to be a good therapist or see success/progress but the power of something new and fun brings out a LIGHT in children!
🌟 that can be a new kitchen spoon, newspaper to color on, a cardboard box to crawl through, etc!

If you are interested in seeing more of my therapy favorites, comment “TOYS” below and I’ll send you a list! 🧸🪀

#pediatricot #occupationaltherapy #earlyintervention #toddlertoys by @yourpediatricot

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2 years ago

🌟 Picture this: your child sits on the toilet during potty training and they ACTUALLY GO IN THE POTTY!! 🌟

Hi 👋🏼 I’m Amanda, A pediatric occupational therapist who is passionate about helping make potty training simple for parents!

There are SO many factors when it comes to potty training.
- when to start?
- is my child ready?
- what if they are constipated?
- what kind of potty to use?
And the list goes on…. 🤪

One of the number 1 questions I get asked when parents start potty training is:
🌟 “How do I get my child to release pee or poop in the potty? They hold it in all day but I know they have to go!”

Try this strategy! ⬆️ BLOWING BUBBLES 🫧
- this helps to relax the pelvic floor muscles and generates pressure in the abdomen which makes it easier to release pee or poop!
- it’s also important that your child’s feet are supported and they they are upright!

Comment “POTTY” to get free Potty Training Tips downloads and other potty training supports in your inbox! 📥

(If you don’t receive the DM, it’s probably because you’re not following! It’s an instagram safety feature!) You can also access all of these resources in my bi0 🤍

#pottytraining #howtopottytrain #pediatricoccupationaltherapy by @yourpediatricot

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2 years ago

Planning to tackle potty training in 2025? Let’s make it simple and successful! 🚽✨

Hi, I’m a pediatric early intervention occupational therapist, and I specialize in potty training and addressing bowel and bladder challenges for little ones.

Wondering what actually works ✅ and what to avoid ❌ when potty training? I’m here to help with tips rooted in child development and pelvic floor health!

Comment “POTTY” below, and I’ll send you my go-to resources and tools for potty training in a way that supports your child’s confidence and success.

A few essentials to kick things off: 👇

1️⃣ Foot support is key—your child should feel stable and comfortable on the toilet.

2️⃣ Wait for readiness—avoid forcing potty training if your child is anxious, constipated, or resistant.

3️⃣ Potty Learning Phase is key—introduce potty books, routines, and play-based learning before starting the process.

Have questions? Drop them below! ⬇️ For even more tips and resources, check out my website. Let’s make 2025 the year of potty training success! 🎉
#pottytraining #occupationaltherapy #pelvicfloor by @yourpediatricot

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2 years ago

💩 Pediatric Pelvic Health Virtual Summit is happening November 8th from 10 am - 5:30 pm EST! Hosted by @alohaintegrativetherapy & @kidsbowelbladder (OT & PT together!!)

This is an area that has wholeheartedly changed the way I practice as a pediatric OT.

When I first started getting referrals for kids struggling with constipation, withholding, and toileting, I realized there was SO much more to learn about pediatric pelvic health that I didn’t learn in school or even in my first few years working in clinics.

Attending the 2024 summit helped me connect so many dots and feel more confident supporting these children and their families. And then in lead me down a path to take more courses and read more research in this area!

I’m excited to expand my toolkit & learn more about the physical, sensory, and emotional factors that can affect bowel and bladder function.

*The organizers have provided me with complimentary attendance in exchange for sharing this amazing summit with my audience. I don’t earn affiliate commission from registrations, but I genuinely want more professionals to feel equipped to support this population.*

Comment “Pelvic Health Summit” and I’ll send you the link to sign up! The early bird registration discount ends TOMORROW 10/17!! No code necessary. by @yourpediatricot

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Did someone say Pediatric Occupational Therapy ??

Hi 👋🏼 I’m Amanda, or better known as Your Pediatric OT! I support children through all of their ages and phases with sensory processing, regulation, toileting and Potty Training (including pelvic health), academic and school based interventions and supports, fine motor skills and developmental milestones, + so much more!

Our profession is all about helping individuals be their most independent and confident yourselves! What could be better? I’m glad you’re here! 🫶🏼 by @yourpediatricot

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As a pediatric occupational therapist, October-December are my favorite months because of all of the fun themed activities! 🎃

Most often I am working on sensory processing, fine motor, and oculomotor skill development! All of these activities can be utilized in different ways to support a variety of skills depending on a child’s unique needs & interests!

+ this week we:
✅ Taste tested apples, pumpkin muffins, cool whip - all sorts of things!
✅ Did dance/freeze parties & fall themed yoga
✅ Learned how to do deep breathing with lip whistle kazoos
🫶🏼 My students have been having a blast!

Which one are you going to try first?? ⬇️

Comment “Halloween” for some fall themed toys & items to create the above activities!! 🫶🏼

(Dollar tree 💵🌲will be your BEST friend throughout the holidays to find affordable trinkets, sensory bin items, & more!!) by @yourpediatricot

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I’m here to convince you, as a pediatric occupational therapist, that potty training shouldn’t be such an anxiety-provoking milestone! 😟

If your child has been struggling with the skills for toileting: check these things… 🚽
1. Foot support. Is the body positioned appropriately for success?
2. Breathing. Is your child able to coordinate their breath all the way down through their tummy? Do they snore at night or mouth breathe? Straining during bowel movements?
3. Anxiety levels in the home. Is there a lot of pressure around this milestone? Is your child often feeling rushed or are YOU as caregiver feeling anxious about what’s going on? Nervous system regulation is a key part of this milestone!
4. Diet. Fiber & Water are so important!
5. Sensory processing skills. How does your child recognize and tolerate all different sensations? Do they notice internal body signals and cues?

😮‍💨 Take a deep breath. Think of this milestone just like any other milestone! Your little one has GOT this 💪🏽 by @yourpediatricot

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13 days ago

I would immediately get my kid into see a developmental optometrist if this was my kiddo 🙋🏼‍♀️

1 thing I always screen for as a school based occupational therapist who has noticed kids drastically struggling with academics in 2026, is vision.

This might just be the missing piece. by @yourpediatricot

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14 days ago

Protect your child’s innocence as long as possible.

I encounter children having very mature conversations at very young ages and it would be extremely ignorant to say “I don’t know where they learned that.”
It’s the internet. Or from an adult conversation. And maybe it’s not your own household but maybe you need to better monitor which homes your child is allowed to spend time at as well.

This is something I feel so genuinely strong about as a pediatric OT working with children of all ages and watching the detriment that social media and screen time is having on this generation in more ways than one.

If something feels off to you, a behavior or an inappropriate conversation a child is having, report it to someone - the parents, admin, another trusted family member or team member. I’ve never regretted sharing my concerns, I would regret keeping them to myself though. 🫶🏼 by @yourpediatricot

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2 months ago

One overlooked piece of potty training: how overwhelming it can feel for grown-ups.

In our newest blog post, @yourpediatricot breaks down some of the most important pieces of why potty training can feel so hard-and how to help your little navigate it confidently! COMMENT: BLOG and we’ll send you the link!

#parenting #motherhood #fatherhood #gentleparenting #pottytraining by @yourpediatricot

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2 months ago

Potty training should never start the day you take away diapers and pull ups. This milestone takes months of practicing little skills to be successful and confident and aware of the body signals and independent.

As a pediatric occupational therapist who has a special interest in supporting clients with pediatric pelvic floor and potty training concerns, I see this time & time again when children become avoidant because it feels forced and unnatural.

Here’s my top tips:
1️⃣ Start introducing the toilet early through play (I like these little floor potties so that the the children’s feet can be supported!)
2️⃣ Start building it into daily routines (sitting when child wakes up, 15 minutes after meals, and before bed)
3️⃣ Notice kids hiding/squatting and lead them to the toilet
4️⃣ Take pressure off yourself and your child. It is not normal for a child to learn a new skill or milestone in a day or a weekend.

When you change your mindset, this milestone becomes less stressful. If you have been struggling through toileting and potty training and if your child struggles with constipation- reach out to your pediatrician!
There are providers out there to support you!

Comment your concerns and questions below ⬇️

& if you’re looking for more resources and the products I recommend: comment “POTTY” 🚽 by @yourpediatricot

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