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 29, 2023 • 23min
#284 - OT Tips for Navigating Menstruation
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-daysAnswering 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 a...
Nov 22, 2023 • 35min
#283 - Strategies to Help When You're Parenting in Survival Mode
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, 2023Shop here - https://harkla.co/pages/holiday-saleThis 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 effe...
Nov 15, 2023 • 51min
#282 - Creating the Most Effective Visual Supports with Tara Phillips, MS, CCC-SLP
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 ...
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...
