

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

Jan 5, 2022 • 26min
#185 - The Power of Pausing to Improve Processing Skills
The podcast discusses the power of pausing when working with children who have sensory processing challenges or other developmental disabilities. It explores how pausing can improve processing skills, boost confidence, and reduce pressure. The hosts also answer listener questions and provide tips on incorporating pauses into conversations with preschoolers. Additionally, they discuss strategies for regulating body temperature and speculate on the role of medical conditions or challenges in this process.

Dec 29, 2021 • 27min
#184 - Sensory Strategies to Make Toothbrushing Easier
Toothbrushing is a skill that every child learns - but why do some children struggle more than others when it comes to brushing their teeth?We break down the WHY behind a variety of challenges related to toothbrushing - specifically from a sensory perspective but also looking at the specific skills required.Then we give you our favorite tips and tricks to try at home! We also answer two listener questions at the end, so make sure you stick around! Be sure to check out the show note...

Dec 15, 2021 • 59min
#183 - Picky Eating with Jenny Best, Founder of Solid Starts
Jenny Best, Founder and CEO of Solid StartsA mom of three, including twin toddlers, Jenny is a baby-led weaning expert and food and farming enthusiast on a mission to make it easier for parents to introduce real food to their babies.Prior to launching Solid Starts, Jenny led global communications at One Acre Fund and Slow Food USA and served many years in the NYC government. Before that she was a professional ballerina with the New York City Ballet. Be sure to check out the show notes on...

Dec 8, 2021 • 29min
#182 - Tips to Help a Child with Auditory Hypersensitivity / Auditory Over-Responsiveness
Today, we’re talking about auditory hypersensitivity. We explain the auditory system, what it is, and how it works, before moving on to discuss the various signs that might indicate that your child has auditory sensitivities, and the adverse reactions you might see.We share some helpful tips on how to support your child with auditory hypersensitivity. We also answer listener questions at the end of the episode! Want you question answered on the podcast? Send us a DM on Instagram @allthingssen...

Dec 3, 2021 • 12min
BONUS - 10 Tips for a Successful Sensory Holiday
The holidays can be stressful - changes in routine, lots of different sights, sounds, and activities, new and different foods, etc. So we’re here to give you our 10 favorite sensory strategies to help make your holiday season a little bit easier.We talk about visual schedules, sensory diets, and using your own sensory strategies!We also made a fun YouTube video and a Free Holiday Sensory Survival Guide! So make sure to check out the links below! Happy holidays from Rach, Jess, and t...

Dec 1, 2021 • 26min
#181 - 8 Myths About Sensory Processing Disorder
This week on the All Things Sensory podcast, we bring you our very own version of Myth Busters, SPD edition! Listen in as we discuss and debunk eight common myths about Sensory Processing Disorder. Tuning in, you’ll find out what you can say to someone who might not believe that SPD even exists, or if someone criticizes your parenting style because your child is ‘overreacting’. We discuss everything from whether autism and ADHD are linked to SPD and the importance of teaching kids coping mech...

Nov 24, 2021 • 13min
#180 - Grateful for a Different Perspective
Since it’s the week of Thanksgiving, we are talking about all the things we’re thankful for. A few weeks ago, we asked you to share with us on Instagram what you’re grateful for, and what you love most about your sensory child, or yourself, if you’re a little on the neuro-diverse side. We got some amazing responses. We talk about how sensory kids look at the world with a different perspective, and how they teach us to do the same. One of our listeners has recently been diagnosed with autism a...

Nov 17, 2021 • 54min
#179 - What is Dyslexia and Strategies That Will Make a Difference with Lori Benson Adams, MEd
Lori Benson Adams, an educational intervention specialist, discusses dyslexia and reading disorders, focusing on the visual methods used for dyslexia support. She also explores the relationship between auditory processing and dyslexia, emphasizing the importance of understanding that one's path doesn't have to be like anyone else's. The episode also delves into the progress in dyslexia recognition, debunks misconceptions, and highlights the intersection of dyslexia and entrepreneurship. Furthermore, the speakers express their enthusiasm for advocacy and provide resources for parents, therapists, and educators.

Nov 10, 2021 • 23min
#178 - Motion Sickness Toolkit From a Sensory Perspective
Motion sickness is caused when your brain can't make sense of the information sent from your eyes, ears, and body. Many of us have experienced motion sickness at some point in our lives and many of us experience it frequently. This episode is full of helpful tips and tricks related to motion sickness! We talk about using a variety of sensory strategies including olfactory strategies, oral motor and gustatory strategies, and of course proprioceptive strategies. We also chat abou...

Nov 3, 2021 • 26min
#177 - Sensory Strategies for Birthday Parties
You don't have to be sensory sensitive to feel the effects of a lively children's party, but that amount of sensory input may not be just fun and games for your kiddo. Perhaps they might experience some dysregulation before, during, or hours or days afterward. In this episode, we dive into the huge amount of stimuli that make up the party experience (and there are a lot), and outline the variety of ways these could be affecting your child. Then we talk about some strategies and comm...


