All Things Sensory by Harkla #377 - The Hidden Link Between Sensory Needs, Regulation & Pooping with Sarah Selznick, MS, OTR/L
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Sep 10, 2025 Sarah Selznick, an occupational therapist and founder of Sensory Explorers, discusses the unexpected link between sensory needs and bowel health. She highlights signs of constipation in children and offers strategies to address it. The conversation covers the importance of a holistic approach to pediatric pelvic health and the role of family in treatment. Sarah also emphasizes techniques to ease potty training challenges and enhance communication with children facing sensory processing difficulties, using humor and creativity as key tools.
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How Pelvic Health Became Her Focus
- Sarah discovered pediatric pelvic floor work after learning about her own pelvic floor post-baby and during COVID.
- That realization reframed her whole caseload through regulation, interoception, and functional skills.
Toileting Problems Are Multi-Layered
- Toileting problems are usually layered with regulation, motor, and sensory factors interacting.
- Holding and constipation often form a chicken-and-egg cycle that maintains itself.
Look Beyond Classic Holding Moves
- Watch for nonobvious holding signs like aggressive behavior, floor-rolling, pacing, or large hard poops.
- Treat these behaviors as possible signals of discomfort rather than pure misbehavior.
