All Things Sensory by Harkla

Is your child/client constantly skipping words while reading, losing their place on the page, or avoiding reading altogether? These might not be “reading problems”—they could be visual problems.In this episode, we break down how ocular motor skills—specifically saccades, pursuits, and convergence—are essential for reading success. You’ll learn how these visual skills impact everything from decoding to attention span, and why children with ADHD, sensory processing disorder, or retained primitive reflexes are at higher risk for visual-motor challenges.LINKSRelationship Between Ocular Motility and Motor Skillshttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11698614/Primitive Reflex Integration and Reading in the Classroomhttps://jneuroscience.com/2023/02/26/primitive-reflex-integration-and-reading-achievement-in-the-classroom/Statistics of Infants’ Natural Visual Experience https://jov.arvojournals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2792416We’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 YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/c/HarklaFamilyHarkla Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/harkla_family/

In this episode, we break down what ocular motor skills really are, how they affect your child’s behavior and development, and most importantly simple at-home activities you can start using right away to help.They also share how retained primitive reflexes, screen time, and missed developmental milestones can all impact how your child’s eyes work together — and why this often goes unnoticed.Whether you’re a parent, therapist, or educator, this episode is full of practical tools you can start today. Here’s what you’ll learn: What ocular motor skills really are (hint: it’s not just 20/20 vision!)Signs your child might be struggling with visual tracking or coordinationEasy, playful at-home activities for:Saccades (eye jumping)Pursuits (smooth tracking)Convergence & divergence (eye teaming)How primitive reflexes and screen time impact visionTips for building a consistent and doable home exercise routineAnd, we'll answer a listener question at the end of the episode. Happy listening! LINKSWe’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form - https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3 Ocular Motor Skills Screening Videohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMSVhwIL5wI&t=11sAssessing Primitive Reflexes Videohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkGDm3t2hb8&t=1sBrock String Instructionshttps://www.optometrists.org/vision-therapy/guide-to-vision-therapy/vision-therapy-faqs/how-is-a-brock-string-used/Spot Ithttps://www.spotitgame.com/Zoomballhttps://www.amazon.com/Toysmith-6219-Zip-Ball/dp/B00E6DXQU8/ref=sr_1_3?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.9wtOAvhcy8jgIIeXS3esac48UmRrA0araB1icT_BW19b5HZVhEuyaKG-Ol5vGUNVEPSfO1x7UHrpflm1GmNTMLbeaernwnXIy-Dku7CqPUBlD9pnMEHeFNF54jWVJcgWOa_UXJ7HbqnmbqssbFeU-NfwXZH5MN1xLnOP5z6dFqN5X0yr4OzQ3EVyl155PjJ6sInCbUUCcQoLp70CERAeNxnQ1wiE6p-IZb6Gd_SrrjT-JrbMONntd9tdIflCvBKEl2mlfk6wwc-Jj20SJKoRAc8LZCOieWhOYy5zQBC9VLA.i5FuA9BWsSe4NReui8vk3vdZFtEmEpBd_hPz8xfAfHc&dib_tag=se&keywords=zoom%2Bball&qid=1752800406&refinements=p_72%3A1248963011&rnid=1248961011&s=toys-and-games&sr=1-3&th=1A Balanced Brain Full Digital Coursehttps://harkla.co/products/balanced-brainEarly Intervention Blueprint Full Digital Course https://harkla.co/products/infant-sensory-development-courseAll Things Sensory Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/allthingssensorypodcast/Harkla Website https://harkla.co/Harkla YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/c/HarklaFamilyHarkla Instagram

In episode of All Things Sensory, we sit down with the incredible Dr. Tessa Grigg - PhD, Dip Tch (Primary) Dip Tch (ECE). She has a wide range of experience within the Early Childhood Education field. She has taught in a Primary School, supervised a preschool with specialist work in the sensory-motor area, worked as a Child and Family Therapist, taught adult students in teaching and child development, and owned and operated a GymbaROO centre for nine years. Tessa is the "Tessa" in Tessarose Productions, a business that has produced music for children for over 30 years. Currently, Tessa is a certified Rhythmic Movement Training Practitioner and runs a Kinesiology clinic for children and adults. Following the completion of a PhD focused on children's primitive reflexes, Tessa now works part-time as a lecturer at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand, and is the Research and Education Manager for GymbaROO-KindyROO in Australia.We chat about:How Tessa’s career path led her to primitive reflex researchThe surprising effects of natural disasters (like earthquakes) and the pandemic on reflex development in childrenHer fascinating classroom-based research showing how simple, rhythmic movement interventions can dramatically impact learning, emotional regulation, and behaviorWhy crawling and skipping might just be two of the most important activities your child can do dailyHow to bring reflex integration into schools and homes without overwhelmWhether you’re a parent, therapist, or educator, this episode is filled with practical tips, lightbulb moments, and hopeful reminders that everything can change when we meet kids where they are.LINKSTessa's Research Articleshttps://jneuroscience.com/jnen/articles/v9n1/jnen-103-tess-grigg.pdfhttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29529872/Visit Tessa’s website https://www.gymbaroo.com.au/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 YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/c/HarklaFamilyHarkla Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/harkla_family/

Headaches that won’t go away? Trouble reading or switching between screens? Feeling drained after a day at your desk? These might not be random quirks—they could be signs of ocular motor deficits.In this episode, we’re diving into how visual-ocular challenges—convergence, saccades, and pursuits—can impact adults in everyday life. You’ll hear a personal story, a powerful example of how unresolved visual motor skills led to chronic headaches, and how vision therapy changed everything.We’ll also unpack the key signs of ocular motor dysfunction in adults, how they’re often linked to headaches, fatigue, and even ADHD symptoms, and why primitive reflexes might still be at play long after childhood. You’ll learn simple screening tools to try at home and get expert insight into what interventions actually help.LINKSWe’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form - https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3 Free live webinar on July 16th https://harkla.co/pages/infant-sensory-development-webinar-registration-2025Primitive Reflex Digital Coursehttps://harkla.co/products/primitive-reflexes-courseAll Things Sensory Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/allthingssensorypodcast/Harkla Website https://harkla.co/Harkla YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/c/HarklaFamilyHarkla Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/harkla_family/

In this episode, we sit down with pediatric audiologist Debbie Baerlocher to unpack the real truth about Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)—what it is, what it’s not, and why it’s often misunderstood. Learn how APD is diagnosed, when to seek help, and why many children show similar symptoms without actually having APD.Debbie has her Doctorate in Audiology and has been working at Elks Hearing and Balance, aka St. Luke's Hearing and Balance, in Boise, Idaho since she moved to the Treasure Valley just about 25 years ago. By the end of this episode you’ll learn:- What a true APD diagnosis involves- Why symptom lists can be misleading- When hearing loss, ADHD, or anxiety might be the real cause- What parents can do right now to helpWhether you’re a parent, caregiver, or therapist, this episode offers clarity, empathy, and expert advice you won’t want to miss.LINKShttps://www.hearingfirst.org/https://www.readingrockets.org/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 YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/c/HarklaFamilyHarkla Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/harkla_family/

Dr. Craig D. Clayton is a functional and biomimetic dentist based in Meridian, Idaho, and an influential online educator with a following of over 380K on Instagram. Passionate about uncovering the root causes of oral health issues, Dr. Clayton focuses on holistic cavity prevention, airway health, and innovative, biologically sound approaches to restoring teeth. As the host of the Dentistry Disrupted podcast, he is on a mission to shift the dental industry toward a more patient-centered, root-cause-focused approach. Through educating and empowering patients, he hopes to bridge the gap between oral health and overall well-being.Follow Dr. Clayton on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/restoration.dentistryMore information https://restorationdentistryid.com/Free resources https://stan.store/restorationdentistryListen to Dr. Clayton’s Podcast - Dentistry Disrupted https://open.spotify.com/show/37YIyN9xGxzvT5MkuH9GOD?si=JNrtjoisToSEU80e1asRQwElementa Toothpaste https://elementasilver.com/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 YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/c/HarklaFamilyHarkla Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/harkla_family/

Shop our Summer Sensory SALE! https://harkla.co/pages/summer-sensory-sale-2025Free Primitive Reflex Webinar https://harkla.co/pages/register-for-the-primitive-reflex-webinar-2025Free Sensory Diet Webinar https://harkla.co/pages/sensory-diet-webinar-registration-2024We’re diving deep into the why behind retained primitive reflexes. These early movement patterns are essential in infancy—but when they don’t integrate properly, they can lead to challenges with regulation, development, and everyday functioning.We cover some of the most common causes of retained reflexes, including:Neurological immaturityBirth trauma or complications during deliveryLack of early movement (think: limited tummy time or crawling)Environmental stressors during pregnancyPrematurity and other perinatal factorsGenetic predispositionsWe also highlight insights from Sally Goddard Blythe’s work on neuromotor immaturity and how these retained reflexes can show up in both kids and adults.We also respond to a thoughtful question from a literacy coach about a 5-year-old with ADHD. We explore possible sensory and neurological factors at play—and share ideas for supporting regulation and integration through movement.This is a must-listen for parents, therapists, and educators who want to better understand the foundational role of reflexes in child development.LINKSWe’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 YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/c/HarklaFamilyHarkla Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/harkla_family/Neuromotor Immaturity in Children and Adults by Sally Goddard Blythhttps://a.co/d/dlX4KGIFreebies - Free Sensory Checklist https://harkla.co/pages/freebies?_pos=1&_sid=af3b45f36&_ss=r

Shop our Summer Sensory SALE! https://harkla.co/pages/summer-sensory-sale-2025Free Primitive Reflex Webinar https://harkla.co/pages/register-for-the-primitive-reflex-webinar-2025Summer can bring a lot of fun — and a lot of sensory dysregulation. In this episode, we’re sharing 10 activity ideas to help your child stay regulated during the warmer months. From water play and outdoor obstacle courses to sensory-friendly picnics and consistent routines, these ideas are designed to support sensory processing, connection, and fun for the whole family.We also answer a thoughtful listener question about tongue proprioception and how to support oral awareness in a child navigating speech sound production, balance challenges, toe-walking, and a history of a frenectomy.LINKSWe’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 YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/c/HarklaFamilyHarkla Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/harkla_family/Water Balloons - Bunch O Balloons https://a.co/d/0jkzuSHOral Motor Super Duper Deck https://a.co/d/40Jclqd

Summer is here—and with the heat, play, and sunshine comes a unique challenge for kids (and adults!) who struggle with interoception. In this episode, we explore what interoception is and why it’s so important to pay attention during the summer months. We discuss how challenges like dehydration, overheating, and sun sensitivity can affect children with sensory needs and how parents and caregivers can better support them through practical strategies, products, and daily routines.We also share actionable tips for boosting interoceptive awareness, from mindfulness exercises to hydration reminders, and highlight summer-friendly tools like cooling vests, splash pads, and visual schedules.PLUS—we answer a thoughtful listener question about managing sensory seeking behaviors at home after school, and offer guidance for making sensory play more structured and less overwhelming.LINKSWe’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 YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/c/HarklaFamilyHarkla Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/harkla_family/The Interoception Curriculum by Kelly Mahlerhttps://www.kelly-mahler.com/product/the-interoception-curriculum-a-step-bystep-guide-to-developing-mindful-self-regulation/Sensational Brain: The Interoceptive Sensory Systemhttps://sensationalbrain.com/product/interoceptive-sensory-system/Beyond Behaviors (Amazon) https://a.co/d/ft3dFmFSensory Explorers https://www.sensoryexplorers.com/

Register for our FREE live webinar on June 4, 2025 https://harkla.co/pages/summer-sensory-diet-webinar-registration-2025In this episode of the All Things Sensory Podcast, we explore how a baby’s sensory and nervous systems begin developing long before birth — and how expectant parents can actively support this critical growth during pregnancy.From taste and touch to vestibular and proprioceptive systems, you'll learn when each sensory system starts forming in the womb and what factors influence healthy development. We also highlight practical, evidence-based strategies for optimizing your baby’s neurological health through nutrition, movement, stress management, and mindful prenatal care.Plus, we dive into fascinating research connecting prenatal experiences — like maternal stress, illnesses, medications, and even birth methods — to the likelihood of sensory processing difficulties later in childhood.Whether you’re expecting or supporting someone who is, this episode empowers you with tools and insights to lay a strong sensory foundation for your baby’s future.LINKSWe’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 YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/c/HarklaFamilyHarkla Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/harkla_family/Research: Incidence of pre-, peri-, and post-natal birth and developmental problems of children with sensory processing disorder and children with autism spectrum disorderhttps://www.frontiersin.org/journals/integrative-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/neuro.07.031.2009/fullResearch: Association between cesarean section and sensory integration dysfunction in preschool children: a prospective cohort studyhttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34511164/Research: The Occurrence of the Sensory Processing Disorder in Children Depending on the Type and Time of Delivery: A Pilot Studyhttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35682475/#:~:text=Descriptive%20results%20and%20percentage%20calculations%20were%20compared.,those%20delivered%20on%20time%20by%20vaginal%20birth.Research: The Prenatal and Perinatal Risk Variables of the Sensory Processing Disorderhttps://www.walshmedicalmedia.com/open-access/the-prenatal-and-perinatal-risk-variables-of-the-sensory-processing-disorder-2090-7214-1000286.pdf