#415 - The Real Cost of Screens in Classrooms

I spend so much time thinking about what my clients and my own kiddos need. More movement? Less noise? A sensory break? But sometimes the person who needs those supports is me. And knowing all the regulation strategies doesn’t mean I always remember to use them myself. In this episode, I’m turning the attention back to our own nervous systems. I talk about recognizing sensory overload, finding strategies that work for you, and building them into your day before you’re completely overwhelmed. For my fellow OT practitioners, that includes taking a closer look at our therapeutic use of self. How we connect, respond, and support co-regulation matters just as much as the tools we bring into a session. This is exactly why I wrote Grounded: A Nervous System Regulation Guide for Overstimulated Parents. I’m sharing the experiences behind the book and how it brings together sensory strategies, movement, and practical daily routines. Whether you’re supporting clients, raising kids, or doing both, the goal isn’t to be calm every second. It’s to understand your own needs and have tools to come back to when things feel like too much. Thanks for listening 🩷 Share this with a fellow practitioner who spends their day supporting everyone else and could use a reminder that their nervous system matters, too. Links SPD MONTH GIVEAWAY‼️ Win Over $3,000 in Sensory Support! 💙 Click below to enter! https://harkla.co/pages/spd-month-giveaway Pre-order Grounded and explore the preorder bonuses http://sensationalbrain.com/landing/grounded/ We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form - https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3 All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/allthingssensorypodcast/ Harkla Website https://harkla.co/ Harkla YouTube ​​https://www.youtube.com/c/HarklaFamily Harkla Instagram https://www.instagram.com/harkla_family/ Harkla Digital Courses https://harkla.co/collections/courses

In honor of Sensory Processing Disorder Awareness Month, I’m going back to the basics and diving into one of my all-time favorite topics: sensory processing. In this episode, we’re talking about sensory modulation, over- and under-responsiveness, sensory craving, and all eight sensory systems. We’ll also look at how sensory differences can show up during everyday occupations like dressing, eating, toileting, learning, play, and transitions. But I don’t want to stop at understanding sensory processing, I want to talk about how we can actually support it in practice. We’ll get into proactive sensory input, movement, heavy work, sensory spaces, and helping our clients build awareness of what their own bodies need. One of my biggest reminders for therapists: instead of immediately asking, “How do I stop this behavior?” Let's get curious and ask, “What is their nervous system trying to tell me?” Whether you’re newer to pediatric OT or just need a good sensory processing refresher, this episode will help you get back to the basics and think about sensory needs through a practical OT lens. This is also a great episode to share with families if they need help understanding sensory processing more! Thanks for being here 🩷 If this episode sparked a clinical lightbulb moment, come find me at @allthingssensorypodcast and tell me what you’re noticing in your practice. Links We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form - https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3 Episode #368 - Ocular Motor Skills https://open.spotify.com/episode/6yGQpQ6r0NbOsOGIK2N0DE Episode #372 - Crawling & Ocular Motor Skills https://open.spotify.com/episode/2zf5VSTe0fxfmP6cFzTrG5 Episode #225 - ADHD Tips, Tricks & Info https://open.spotify.com/episode/0qv4CsQGAXHaPaANCKNZWj Episode #34 - What is Auditory Processing Disorder? https://open.spotify.com/episode/1M48a9mEy0IVU4bB6iJvGR Episode #367 - Auditory Processing vs Attention Issues https://open.spotify.com/episode/4KKYDlcOaHLonM8oagThpu Sensory Preferences Checklist https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1380/9417/files/Copy_of_Mod_3_5_Child_Sensory_Preferences.pdf?v=1729447315

Hi podcast fam! I just wanted to have a quick pow-wow and chat about what this season is going to look like. As many of you may know already, my son is starting kindergarten this fall and I'll be doing a homeschool program with him. Exciting but also very time consuming! We also have a team member getting married this fall and we are excited to travel and celebrate with her family! And of course, we have been working on a really exciting product launch: My Weighted Vest! It's finally coming to life and it's been a really time consuming product to bring (back) to life! That being said, it's a crazy time for our whole team, which is why we're pressing the pause button on recording new episodes, so we can all find our footing over the next few months. As always, I appreciate your support and dedication! I'll be back soon as your podcast host and give you all the homeschooling tea you could ever imagine! Make sure you're subscribed here so you get notified when our next episode launches! And we'll share all the pictures, videos and updates on Instagram in the meantime: @allthingssensorypodcast Love you all and I'll be back soon! Links We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form - https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3 All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/allthingssensorypodcast/ Harkla Website https://harkla.co/ Harkla YouTube ​​https://www.youtube.com/c/HarklaFamily Harkla Instagram https://www.instagram.com/harkla_family/ Harkla Digital Courses https://harkla.co/collections/courses

If you're an occupational therapist who loves evidence-based practice, this episode is for you. In this episode, I'm sharing some of my favorite research articles that I think every pediatric OT should have bookmarked. These are the studies I come back to again and again, whether I'm teaching, creating content, working with clients, or answering questions from other therapists. I’ll cover research on sensory processing, primitive reflexes, ADHD, interoception, proprioception, nature play, classroom lighting, whole body vibration, pregnancy, and so much more. I also share why these studies have stood out to me and how they've shaped the way I think about child development and occupational therapy. Whether you're a new grad or a seasoned clinician, I hope this episode gives you a few new resources to explore and inspires you to keep asking questions and digging into the research. Thanks for being here 🩷 If you have a favorite research article that's changed your practice, send it my way! I’m always looking to learn something new! Links We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form - https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3 Link to All Research Articles Mentioned Interview with Dr. Tessa Grigg https://harkla.co/blogs/podcast/369-unlocking-classroom-success-with-reflex-integration-with-dr-tessa-grigg How to Use a Vibration Plate https://www.youtube.com/watch Episode #409 - Using Vibration Plates with Kids https://harkla.co/blogs/podcast/409-using-vibration-plates-with-kids-benefits-risks-safety All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/allthingssensorypodcast/ Harkla Website https://harkla.co/ Harkla YouTube ​​https://www.youtube.com/c/HarklaFamily Harkla Instagram https://www.instagram.com/harkla_family/ Harkla Digital Courses https://harkla.co/collections/courses

Starting your first school-based OT job can feel overwhelming. Between IEP meetings, evaluations, accommodations, and the endless acronyms, it can be hard to know where to start. In this episode, we break down the basics of school-based occupational therapy. Amanda shares what she wishes every new school-based OT knew before walking into their first IEP meeting, explains the differences between IEPs, 504 plans, and MTSS, and offers practical tips for collaborating with teachers, administrators, and the rest of the educational team. We'll also discuss how school-based OT differs from clinic-based practice, why goals need to be educationally relevant, what consultative services actually look like, and how to feel more confident advocating for students while working as part of a multidisciplinary team. Whether you're a new graduate, transitioning into the schools, or just curious about how school-based OT works, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you feel more prepared. Links We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form - https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3 Sensory Strategies for the Classroom Course https://harkla.co/products/classroom-sensory-training?srsltid=AfmBOoqG8NnYkiSWB_T-oxJNV3RI0lYd5-kUy9draacDoX5fsnDIxqvt Classroom Sensory Kits https://harkla.co/products/classroom-sensory-kit?srsltid=AfmBOopRCtKs2HeI1HXt-Iw30p0DTLiFkRgc2SyW7PUyCSGW8Zd5e__H Slant Board for Writing https://amzn.to/44GU0mI Loop Scissors https://amzn.to/4pv9x2q