All Things Sensory by Harkla
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
Mentioned books
Nov 8, 2023 • 32min
#281 - Why We Decided NOT to Get Our Masters in OT
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 M...
Nov 1, 2023 • 22min
#280 - 5 Functional Activities to do with a Platform Swing
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 de...
Oct 25, 2023 • 45min
#279 - New Sensory Strategies for a Mom Who's Tried it All [A Mentoring Session]
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 HarklaThis podc...
Oct 18, 2023 • 44min
#278 - The Benefits of Play Therapy with Rebekah Springs, LMFT, RPT
Sensory Diet Digital Course SALE Oct. 16 - 20, 2023https://harkla.co/products/sensory-diet-courseRebekah Springs is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (#T1450) practicing in Portland, OR. She specializes in working with neurodivergent children and parents. She is trained in Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) and in DIR/Floortime therapy, a holistic, interdisciplinary approach to working with children, especially those diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other sensory proce...
Oct 11, 2023 • 20min
#277 - 10 Facts About Sensory Processing Disorder
Sensory Diet Digital Course SALE Starts October 16, 2023October is Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) Awareness Month. SPD is a condition that affects how the brain processes and responds to sensory information from the environment and the body.Individuals with SPD may have difficulty regulating and interpreting sensory input, such as touch, sound, taste, smell, and movement. This can lead to challenges in daily life, affecting their ability to engage in activities, interact with others, and n...
Oct 4, 2023 • 14min
#276 - "Why Does My 2 Y.O. Say Everything is Hot? Is This a Sensory Thing?"
Today’s episode answers a listener's question - “Why does my 2-year-old say everything is hot? Is this a sensory thing or a weird phase?”We dive into the different phases toddlers can go through, gestalt language processing, fun activities that identify temperatures, and strategies for interoception. Make sure to check out all of our links below! Looking for more in-depth help? Sign up for 2-on-1 Mentoring With Us!!We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form -> ht...
Sep 27, 2023 • 57min
#275 - Alternative Strategies for ADHD with Dr. David Nowell
David D. Nowell, Ph.D. is a clinical neuropsychologist in private practice in Northborough, Massachusetts. He offers consultations to patients on an inpatient rehabilitation unit and is an adjunct instructor in neuropsychology to graduate students in the Clark University psychology program. Dr. Nowell speaks internationally to clinicians on such topics as executive functioning and non-medication management of ADHD. He is passionate about motivation and deep happiness and helping his clients d...
Sep 20, 2023 • 19min
#274 - Our 5 Favorite Scooter Board Activities
The scooter board is a common therapeutic tool used in just about every clinic and school. It’s a simple, effective tool that targets a ton of underlying skills. Because it’s one of our favorite pieces of equipment to use in a treatment session, we decided to dedicate an entire episode to it! We are giving you 5 fun, therapeutic activities using a scooter board that you should try including into your next treatment session! Be sure to modify as needed to meet your client’s needs! Parents! Thi...
Sep 13, 2023 • 19min
#273 - Helping an SLP Implement Sensory Strategies into Speech Sessions
This episode is perfect for any therapist working with children, not just SLPs! Adding sensory into a treatment session does not have to be difficult. In fact, it can be fairly simple and so effective! Sensory activities help a child meet their sensory needs and feel more regulated, which in turn helps with cognitive development!We dive into HOW to identify a child’s sensory preferences, different sensory circuits to include into the treatment plan, and a variety of free resources to learn mo...
Sep 6, 2023 • 27min
#272 - Developing a Sensory-Based Treatment Session
In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of sensory-based treatment sessions. Join us as we explore the concept of sensory integration and how it can be incorporated into various therapeutic interventions. Whether you're a therapist, educator, or simply curious about the power of sensory experiences, this episode will provide valuable insights and practical tips for developing effective sensory-based treatment sessions.Make sure to check out all of our links below! Skylight Calenda...
