Episode #21
Kids Do Well If They Can: School Readiness Insights from Adam the OT
Send us Fan Mail Hidden Skills for School Readiness in Globally Mobile Families (with Adam Griffin, Pediatric OT) Host Clare O’Byrne interviews Adam Griffin, a pediatric occupational therapist in Dubai, CEO and medical director of Hakkini Mental Health Clinic. With children returning to school, they discuss school readiness as more than academics, emphasizing Adam’s guiding idea, “kids do well if they can,” and focusing on identifying barriers to learning rather than box-ticking skills. They cover foundational factors such as safety and emotional security, sensory processing, motor confidence, socialization, independence, self-care, and the developmental value of play for older children, including shared play and reducing screen-time competition. They address parent anxiety, understanding a child’s needs (including neurodivergence), advocating collaboratively with schools, and the added challenges of international transitions, highlighting the importance of stable family culture and supportive community connections. Adam explains Hakkini’s integrated, relationship-based multidisciplinary approach and how parents can reach him at @adamtheot. 00:00 Welcome to the Podcast 02:02 Meet Adam The OT 04:36 School Readiness Reframed 08:37 Foundational Skills Pyramid 13:00 Why Play Still Matters 14:50 Screens vs Real Play 22:00 Micro Reps Build Skills 24:52 Calming Academic Anxiety 30:07 Transitions in Expat Life 31:18 Building Roots and Community 34:15 School Fit and Stability 35:25 Neurodivergent Transition Support 36:41 Parent Advocacy Mindset 40:09 Curating Supportive Coaches 42:21 Redefining Success Metrics 44:15 Dads and Daily Presence 49:16 Inside Hakkini Clinic Model 53:14 Integrated School Partnerships 58:16 Why MDT Beats Mixed Advice 01:00:43 Closing and How to Reach Out Adam's Summer Quest Challenge Activities: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EsYE2hYvVpvrXfptUtPsg72EGaNQBrI-/view?usp=drive_link Connect with Clare: clare@globallythriving.com Get the Free 5 Minute Parenting Reset for Busy Globally Mobile Families: Website: https://www.globallythriving.com Connect with Clare on Instagram: http://instagram.com/globally_thriving Book a free 20 minute call with Clare: https://tidycal.com/globallythriving/20-minute-meeting
