In this episode of Run Lift Mom podcast, we explore the concept of heavy work as Rx (or “prescription”) for sensory processing disorders with GORUCK’s Emily McCarthy and Pediatric Occupational Therapist Tiffany Higgins
An episode is born
The idea for this show all started when Emily wrote this blog about her son Ryan.
In it, she describes his diagnosis with a sensory processing disorder and subsequent prescription of “heavy work”, to include putting things in a backpack and going for a walk.
That part is ironic because she and her Husband Jason are Founders of a brand, GORUCK, that includes military grade rucksacks (read: backpack).
Here’s what we did: shared Emily’s story and then followed up with a tenured Pediatric Occupational Therapist to fill in the gaps on the clinical side. It brings the conversation full circle and keeps me squarely I’m the share story while informing and educating category.
Show Notes:
2:00 intro to encore guest 3:00 background about Emily as a mother 5:00 things Ryan would do that made the family take note 8:00 school referral, diagnosis from OT 12:00 evaluation and concept of “heavy work”
14:00 first time Emily was on the show 15:00 explanation of GORUCK and how heavy work is for a child to remind them their body is connected 17:00 what rucking looks like for their family and day to day
18:00 importance of prescription that doesn’t include pharmaceuticals
20:00 how the GORUCK community lifted Emily up and served as a safe space and community 26:00 what daily life looks like for Ryan now with heavy work incorporated 30:00 importance of sharing your sticky story 32:00 rapid fire – what’s in your rucksack?
35:00 intro to Tiffany 36:00 what is proprioception (heavy work) in OT terms? 37:00 how your senses work in development 38:00 why heavy work is effective 40:00 examples of carry-push-pull 42:00 when should parents seek an OT if they suspect a sensory processing concern? 45:00 what a preventative therapy journey looks like
Connect with the show guests
I hope you enjoyed Heavy work as Rx with GORUCK’s Emily McCarthy and Tiffany Higgins. You should connect with both of these gals!
- Check out Camp Leap In in Greensboro NC
- Refer your friends to Senses Therapies or donate to Camp Leap In
- Look at GORUCK online or find a ruck club
- connect with GORUCK on IG
- hang with GORUCK on Facebook
The podcast episode associated with this post is made possible by your support of my own training offering, ZYIA Active business, and a partnership with Woofy and Red H Nutrition (use RUNLIFTMOM to save 15% on anything).
Learn about the ZYIA Active business opportunity by visiting this site.
