All Things Sensory by Harkla

by Rachel Harrington, COTA/L, AC & Jessica Hill, COTA/L

Rachel Harrington and Jessica Hill, are two passionate Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants who answer your questions related to all things sensory, occupational therapy, parenting, self-care, nutrition, and health, from a therapist’s perspective. Providing raw, honest, fun ideas, and strategies, for parents and families to implement into daily life. Great for those who work with children with sensory processing disorder, special needs, autism, and ADHD. This podcast is brought to you by Harkla. At Harkla, our goal is to help those with special needs live happy and healthy lives.

Episodes

#288 - Primitive Reflexes: The Basics - Our Free Webinar

1h 27m · Published 27 Dec 05:00

What are primitive reflexes? Why are they important? What are the signs of retained primitive reflexes? How can you help a child who has retained primitive reflexes

Listen in and get the answers to these questions, and more!

WATCH The Primitive Reflex Webinar and get access to the FREE downloads!

Dive into the FULL digital course, Assessment and Integration of Primitive Reflexes for Improved Independence in Daily Activities

Make sure to check out all of our links below!

We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form -> https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3

Brought To You By Harkla

#287- 5 Steps to Creating a Sensory Circuit

19m · Published 20 Dec 05:00

What is a sensory circuit? We use this term to describe an obstacle course that is used for a sensory diet routine.

A sensory circuit can be used in the clinic as a way to meet your client's sensory threshold. It can be used at home as your child's daily sensory diet routine as well!

We break down how to create an effective sensory circuit using 5 steps: identify the child’s sensory preferences; create a visual support / tool; add a vestibular and a proprioceptive activity; add 1 or 2 more sensory components; and finally, add a goal.

Try a sensory circuit today!

Check out our Holiday Sensory Survival Guide, on sale NOW!

Shop and Save During Our Digital Course SALE - Save 20% on ANY Digital Course, Dec. 15 - Dec. 22, 2023. harkla.co/pages/digital-courses-holiday-sale

Make sure to check out all of our links below!

We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form -> https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3

Brought To You By Harkla

This podcast is brought to you by Harkla. Our mission at Harkla is to help those with special needs live happy and healthy lives. We accomplish this through high-quality sensory products, & child development courses.

Podcast listeners get 10% off their first order at Harkla with the discount code "sensory". Head to Harkla.co/sensory to start shopping now.

Links
All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram
Harkla YouTube Channel
Harkla Website - Shop Sensory Products!
Harkla Instagram
Ep. 187 What it Means to Meet the Sensory Threshold
YouTube: Parenting a Sensory Seeker
YouTube: Parenting a Highly Sensitive Child
Free Sensory Checklist in Description of YouTube Videos
Freebies Page for To-Do Done Visual
YouTube: 5 Multisensory Activities
Multi Sensory Activity Course
Crazy Caterpillar Game (Walmart)

#286 - Listener Question: Integrating Primitive Reflexes in the School Setting 2x Per Week

14m · Published 13 Dec 05:00

Check out our Holiday Sensory Survival Guide, on sale NOW!

Shop During Harkla’s Christmas SALE! Save 15% on ANY order! Shop and Save Until Dec. 14, 2023! harkla.co/pages/christmas-sale

Shop and Save During Our Digital Course SALE - Save 20% on ANY Digital Course, Dec. 15 - Dec. 22, 2023. harkla.co/pages/digital-courses-holiday-sale

Primitive Reflex Digital Course

Today’s episode is answering a question that we received from a student inside of our Primitive Reflex Digital Course. This person is an OT working in the schools and wants to know if it’s beneficial to complete primitive reflex exercises once or twice a week. We chat about the pros and cons, as well as other ways to incorporate primitive reflexes into the classroom.

Make sure to check out all of our links below!

We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form -> https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3

Brought To You By Harkla

Links
All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram
Harkla YouTube Channel
Harkla Website - Shop Sensory Products!
Harkla Instagram

#285 - Tips for Improving Organization of Behavior

21m · Published 06 Dec 05:00

Check out our Holiday Sensory Survival Guide, on sale NOW!

Shop During Harkla’s Christmas SALE! Save 15% on ANY order! Shop and Save Until Dec. 14, 2023! harkla.co/pages/christmas-sale

In this episode, we explore the fascinating topic of organization of behavior in children and how occupational therapy can play a crucial role in addressing these challenges - and how parents can use the same strategies at home!

We start by talking about how to identify sensory preferences, then jump into using specific sensory activities to meet sensory needs.

We also give tips for adding emotions into the sensory activities, practicing specific sensory strategies for when the child feels disorganized and dysregulated, and finally we touch on how to use the strategies in different situations.

Make sure to check out all of our links below!

We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form -> https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3

Brought To You By Harkla

This podcast is brought to you by Harkla. Our mission at Harkla is to help those with special needs live happy and healthy lives. We accomplish this through high-quality sensory products, & child development courses.

Podcast listeners get 10% off their first order at Harkla with the discount code "sensory". Head to Harkla.co/sensory to start shopping now.

Links
All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram
Harkla YouTube Channnel
Harkla Website - Shop Sensory Products!
Harkla Instagram
Free Social Story Template
Sensory Diet Digital Course
What it Means to Meet the Sensory Threshold
Teaching Self Regulation with Sensory Strategies
Learn About the Zones of Regulation
Zones of Regulation
Article: Organization of Behavior

#284 - OT Tips for Navigating Menstruation

22m · Published 29 Nov 05:00

Check out our Holiday Sensory Survival Guide, on sale NOW!

Shop During Harkla’s 12 Days of Christmas SALE! Save 12% on ANY order! Shop and Save Until Dec. 12, 2023! https://harkla.co/pages/12-days

Answering a listener’s question in today’s episode:

“I’d love it if you guys could dedicate an episode to all things relating to PERIODS.

As my daughter is 11, I’m staring down the road and see this major life event looming in our near future.

From fear of menstrual blood, practical info for pad wear and hygiene, underwear, social stories, etc. I would love all the info I can get as I want to help my daughter transition this and other puberty milestones to the best of my ability.”

This episode is full of tips and tricks for anyone navigating menstruation!

Make sure to check out all of our links below!

We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form -> https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3

Brought To You By Harkla

This podcast is brought to you by Harkla. Our mission at Harkla is to help those with special needs live happy and healthy lives. We accomplish this through high-quality sensory products, & child development courses.

Podcast listeners get 10% off their first order at Harkla with the discount code "sensory". Head to Harkla.co/sensory to start shopping now.

Links
All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram
Harkla YouTube Channel
Harkla Website - Shop Sensory Products!
Harkla Instagram
Ep. 119 Tackling Embarrassing Teen Hygiene Tasks
The Listening Program
The Safe and Sound Protocol
Sonia Story - Move Play Thrive
Saalt Period Underwear

#283 - Strategies to Help When You're Parenting in Survival Mode

35m · Published 22 Nov 05:00

Check out our Holiday Sensory Survival Guide, on sale NOW!

Shop During the Harkla Holiday Sale and Save 20% on ANY Order!

Nov. 20-27, 2023

Shop here - https://harkla.co/pages/holiday-sale

This episode is all about parenting while in survival mode. If you’re a parent who feels like every day is a struggle, or if you’re a professional working with families, this episode is for you!

Listen in as we discuss practical tips and techniques for preserving your sanity during demanding times. Discover effective ways to prioritize self-care, find support networks, and seek help when needed.

Through this episode, we hope to inspire and uplift parents who may be struggling with their own survival mode. Find solace in the fact that you're not alone, and that there is a community of parents who understand and empathize with your journey.

Make sure to check out all of our links below!

We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form -> https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3

Brought To You By Harkla

This podcast is brought to you by Harkla. Our mission at Harkla is to help those with special needs live happy and healthy lives. We accomplish this through high-quality sensory products, & child development courses.

Podcast listeners get 10% off their first order at Harkla with the discount code "sensory". Head to Harkla.co/sensory to start shopping now.

Links
All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram
Harkla YouTube Channel
Harkla Website - Shop Sensory Products!
Harkla Instagram
Peaceful Parenting Tips
The Overstimulated Parent’s Guide
Learning to be a Kind Parent
Sensory Overload in Adults

#282 - Creating the Most Effective Visual Supports with Tara Phillips, MS, CCC-SLP

50m · Published 15 Nov 05:00

Tara Phillips is a speech/language pathologist and has run her own communication based classroom for 25 years. She was at the early elementary level for the first part of her career, and at the early childhood level for the last 10 years.

Tara earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Communicative Disorders at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Her minor was in Early Childhood Education. After working exclusively with autistic children at the elementary level for several years, she went on to obtain an Autism Certificate from Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Check out Tara’s Podcast
Tara’s Instagram
Tara’s Facebook
https://autismlittlelearners.com
www.autismlittlelearners.com/visuals

We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form -> https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3

Brought To You By Harkla

#281 - Why We Decided NOT to Get Our Masters in OT

31m · Published 08 Nov 05:00

Today we answer your questions!

First question: help for a 2.5 year old Down Syndrome child who drools constantly.

Second question: why did we decide not to get our masters in OT.

Third question: help for a 5 year old boy who displays a “humping” behavior.

Fourth question: help with potty training in an outpatient pediatric clinic.

We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form -> https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3

Looking for more in-depth help? Sign up for 2-on-1 Mentoring With Us!!

Brought To You By Harkla

This podcast is brought to you by Harkla. Our mission at Harkla is to help those with special needs live happy and healthy lives. We accomplish this through high-quality sensory products, & child development courses.

Podcast listeners get 10% off their first order at Harkla with the discount code "sensory". Head to Harkla.co/sensory to start shopping now.

Links
All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram
Harkla YouTube Channel
Harkla Website - Shop Sensory Products!
Harkla Instagram
Ep. 159 - Tips for Oral Seekers
YouTube - 5 Strategies for Oral Seekers
ARK Therapeutic Z-Vibe
HoMedics Mini Massager
Free Social Story Template
Ep. 191 - Tips for Toilet Training
YouTube - Strategies for Toileting and Potty Training
Ep. 41 - All Things Poo
Ep. 216 - Activities for Interoception

#280 - 5 Functional Activities to do with a Platform Swing

22m · Published 01 Nov 04:00

Occupational therapists have long recognized the benefits of incorporating sensory swings into therapy sessions. Platform swings, in particular, offer an unstable surface that challenges a child's body positioning, promoting improved motor planning, balance, coordination, and righting reactions.

By engaging with a platform swing, children with sensory processing disorders can experience sensory integration and processing, leading to enhanced sensory regulation. These swings are specifically designed to assist children in developing essential skills for daily life occupations, such as self-care and handwriting.

During this episode, we dive into the reasons why occupational therapists choose to incorporate platform swings into their therapy sessions. We discuss 5 activities and techniques used to maximize the therapeutic benefits of these swings.

Whether you're a parent, caregiver, or healthcare professional, this episode will provide valuable insights into the power of platform swings!

Gross Motor Skills Activity Course
Fine Motor Skills Activity Course
Visual Skills Activity Course

We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form -> https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3

Looking for more in-depth help? Sign up for 2-on-1 Mentoring With Us!!

Brought To You By Harkla

Links

All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram
Harkla YouTube Channel
Harkla Website - Shop Sensory Products!
Harkla Instagram
Episode 28 All Things Ocular Motor Skills
Episode 127 Gravitational Insecurity

#279 - New Sensory Strategies for a Mom Who's Tried it All [A Mentoring Session]

45m · Published 25 Oct 04:00

Today’s episode is a LIVE call with a 2-1 mentoring client! The family provided us with details ahead of time, scheduled the session, and we jumped right into a brainstorming session!

If you found this episode helpful, let us know!

Make sure to check out all of our links below!

We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form -> https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3

Looking for more in-depth help? Sign up for 2-on-1 Mentoring With Us!!

Brought To You By Harkla

All Things Sensory by Harkla has 472 episodes in total of non- explicit content. Total playtime is 279:26:05. The language of the podcast is English. This podcast has been added on November 22nd 2022. It might contain more episodes than the ones shown here. It was last updated on May 17th, 2024 05:53.