All Things Sensory by Harkla

Latest Episodes:

#350 - BCBAs Unfiltered: The Truth About Behavior Therapy & Juvenile Justice Mar 05, 2025

Show notes

Maranda Argiros, BCBA and Jenny Barcellona, BCBA provide Behavior Training and Support for Caregivers and Families which consists of Family Focused Treatments and Interventions that equip families with the tools they need to foster behavior change in their natural environment. In addition, they provide Behavior Consulting Services for schools, daycares, and other providers by implementing realistic strategies and techniques to increase skill acquisition while decreasing and managing challenging behaviors. What The Function also provides IEP Advocacy Services and BCBA supervision for students seeking certification. They work to expand the reach and increase public knowledge of how the science of Behavior Analysis is used to help individuals outside of what ABA is typically known for. Marand and Jenny are passionate about the success they have had in using Behavior Analysis across all environments regardless of age, socioeconomic status, and diagnoses.

LINKS

We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form - https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3

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Harkla Website

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What The Function Website

#349 - 5 Strategies to Support Sensory Avoiders in Everyday Life Feb 26, 2025

Show notes

Creating and Implementing Sensory Diet Routines to Improve Daily Activities - https://harkla.co/products/sensory-diet-course

In today’s episode, we dive into the world of sensory avoiders—children (and even adults) who may experience heightened sensitivity to sensory input and react with avoidance or distress. We'll explore key signs that your child might be a sensory avoider and share 5 practical tips for helping them manage sensory overload, whether at home, in the clinic, or in everyday situations.

Some signs that your child may be a sensory avoider:

The fight or flight response when entering new or familiar situations
Avoiding certain movements
Sensitivity to sounds (like vacuums or blenders) that lead to meltdowns
Extreme picky eating habits
Struggling to focus in busy environments, or avoiding them altogether

LINKS

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

Harkla YouTube Channel

Harkla Website - Shop Sensory Products!

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Advanced Brain Technologies

Vital Neuro

Vital Links

The Just Right Challenge

Create a Sensory/Calm Down Corner

Gifts of Joy

The Zones of Regulation

#348 - Supporting Sensory Seekers: Practical Tips for Every Day Feb 19, 2025

Show notes

Learn how to create personalized sensory diet routines that actually work! https://harkla.co/products/sensory-diet-course

In today's episode we dive into strategies to support sensory seekers. If your child is constantly seeking movement, touch, or sounds that interfere with their daily activities—or if they never seem to get enough sensory input—this episode is for you! We’re sharing five practical tips to help you support sensory seekers at home, in the clinic, or anywhere in between. From providing sensory snacks to integrating full-body heavy work, these strategies can make a world of difference in nervous system regulation and emotional well-being. Plus, we’ll discuss the importance of daily outdoor time and how emotional intelligence programs can help children identify and manage their sensory needs.

LINKS

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

Harkla YouTube Channel

Harkla Website - Shop Sensory Products!

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Webe Kalm (Amazon)

Talk Tools

Sensory Snacks Explained

Zones of Regulation

Superflex Curriculum

Alert Program

Balanced and Barefoot

Tips and Tricks for Your Sensory Seeking Child

Episode 11

#347 - Helping Kids Love Mealtime: OT Tips for Feeding Success! Feb 12, 2025

Show notes

In today’s episode, we dive into some real-life feeding strategies that Jessica recently discussed with a fellow OT who’s working with a client struggling with picky eating and meal-time resistance. Feeling stuck in a rut? You're not alone! Sometimes it just takes a good brainstorming session to unlock fresh ideas.

We cover practical tips and strategies, including:

How focusing onone meal a day can improve family engagement around the table.
Fun and motivating ways to get a picky eater excited about meals (yes,fun really does help!).
The power of consistency—how building a daily habit can change everything.
Giving kids more responsibility in the kitchen and around meal prep, from grocery shopping to cleanup.
Moving away from grazing to structured sit-down meals (and why hunger can actually be a good thing in some situations!).
Ways to switch up therapy routines to keep feeding sessions fresh and engaging, like using sensory bins, changing environments, or giving kids more control.

If you’re working with kids on feeding challenges, or just looking for some fresh perspective, this episode is packed with actionable strategies you can try today. Tune in for an honest, practical conversation on making mealtime a little less stressful and a lot more fun!

LINKS

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

Harkla YouTube Channel

Harkla Website - Shop Sensory Products!

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Book: Food Chaining (Amazon) https://a.co/d/aS3LY4L

More resources for picky eating - https://harkla.co/search?q=picky+eating&submit=Search

#346 - Finding the Right Balance: Should We Accommodate or Desensitize? Feb 05, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, we dive deep into a critical question for therapists and caregivers: should we accommodate or desensitize? Sensory processing challenges can significantly impact a child’s daily life, and understanding when to offer accommodations and when to gently push for desensitization is key to promoting independence and improving quality of life. Through real-life examples, we'll explore how these strategies work together to help children navigate their sensory world, from a variety of environments to everyday activities like dressing and playing. Plus, we’ll share practical tips for therapists and caregivers to develop personalized plans that promote both immediate comfort and long-term resilience.

Create personalized sensory diets that work! https://harkla.co/products/sensory-diet-course

LINKS

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

Harkla YouTube Channel

Harkla Website - Shop Sensory Products!

Harkla Instagram

The Just Right Challenge for Sensory Activities

How to Know if Your OT is Right For You

#345 - The Multi-Sensory Metronome Program - Our New Course is LIVE! Jan 29, 2025

Show notes

Many many years ago, we created a 30 day challenge - it was our 30 Day Multi-Sensory Challenge - and it included 30 activities with the metronome. Our goal was to give parents and therapists a variety of multi-sensory activities to help with processing speed, auditory processing, motor coordination, ocular motor development, bilateral coordination, and more! We recently decided that this challenge needed an upgrade, so we created an entirely new program based on the 30 day challenge and it’s FINALLY ready for you!

Introducing - A Multi-Sensory Program for Learning and Focus

https://harkla.co/products/the-multi-sensory-metronome-program

We also share 3 of our favorite activities from the program!

LINKS

Check out all of our digital courses! https://harkla.co/collections/courses

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

Harkla YouTube Channel

Harkla Website - Shop Sensory Products!

Harkla Instagram

#344 - The Connection Between Multi-Sensory Processing and Dyslexia Jan 22, 2025

Show notes

Check out our new program! https://harkla.co/products/the-multi-sensory-metronome-program

In this episode, we explore the powerful connection between dyslexia and multi-sensory learning strategies. From understanding the neurological challenges dyslexia presents, to discovering how engaging multiple senses can significantly improve reading and writing skills, we dive deep into the science of learning. We also introduce our new course, The Multi-Sensory Metronome Program: A Multi-Sensory Program for Learning and Focus, designed to help children, teens, and adults overcome learning difficulties and unlock their full potential.

LINKS

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

Harkla YouTube Channel

Harkla Website - Shop Sensory Products!

Harkla Instagram

What is Dyslexia? https://harkla.co/blogs/podcast/179-what-is-dyslexia?_pos=2&_sid=74dc1a6a2&_ss=r

How to Build Literacy Skills https://harkla.co/blogs/podcast/297-how-to-build-literacy-skills-and-a-love-for-reading?_pos=3&_sid=74dc1a6a2&_ss=r

Lori Benson Adams - Sensational Brain Courses https://sensationalbrain.com/ceu/on-demand-webinars/?_speaker=lori-benson-adams-med

Research: Rhythmic processing in children with developmental dyslexia: Auditory and motor rhythms link to reading and spelling

Research: Auditory and motor rhythm awareness in adults with dyslexia

Research: Rhythm discrimination and metronome tapping in 4-year-old children at risk for developmental dyslexia

Research: Improving reading abilities in dyslexia with neurofeedback and multi-sensory learning

Research: Effect of Multi-Sensory Intervention Programmes on Fluid Reading Abilities of Dyslexic Children in Primary Schools in Anambra State

#343 - How Sensory Processing Affects Executive Function Jan 15, 2025

Show notes

LIVE Free Webinar on Jan. 20! Sign up here: https://harkla.co/pages/balanced-brain-webinar-registration

In this episode, we dive into the connection between sensory processing and executive function. We begin by defining sensory processing and its vital role in our daily lives. From the basic five senses of touch, taste, sight, sound, and smell, to the more complex senses of vestibular, proprioception, and interoception, we explore how each sense helps us navigate the world and regulate our physical and emotional responses. Next, we define executive function and its core components. We explain how these skills are essential for tasks like planning, organizing, decision-making, and self-regulation. We examine how difficulties with sensory processing—whether it’s over-responsiveness, under-responsiveness, or sensory-seeking behaviors—can disrupt focus, attention, impulse control, and emotional regulation. These challenges can make it harder to plan, organize, and complete tasks, impacting children and adults both at school, work, and in social settings. Finally we share practical tips for supporting individuals with sensory processing difficulties in improving executive function. Learn how creating sensory-friendly environments, offering sensory breaks, breaking tasks into smaller steps, and incorporating calming sensory activities can help regulate emotions and enhance self-control.

LINKS

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

Harkla YouTube Channel

Harkla Website - Shop Sensory Products!

Harkla Instagram

The Ultimate Guide to Sensory Processing Disorder

The Pyramid of Learning

Executive Function Skills

Sensory Diet Digital Course

#342 - How to Use Movement and Sensory Activities to Promote Communication When You’re Not an OT Jan 08, 2025

Show notes

Should SLPs use sensory strategies during their sessions? That’s the question we’re discussing in this podcast episode! We dive into making sure we stay within our scope of practice when using different tools, how SLPs and other professionals can use movement and sensory activities with their clients, and some specific activity ideas that we know will help your clients, no matter what area you’re working in!

LINKS

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

Harkla YouTube Channel

Harkla Website - Shop Sensory Products!

Harkla Instagram

Easy Ways to Incorporate Speech into Play

Helping an SLP Implement Sensory Strategies

Speech Therapy and Beyond

#341 - Five OT Tips to Improve Handwriting! Jan 01, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, we’re not going to talk about how to improve letter formation, placement on the line, or size. Instead, we’re going to focus on how to improve the underlying skills required for handwriting, including postural control, strength, dexterity, visual tracking, and more! We also chat about primitive reflexes and give you some specific ideas to help build hand strength!

LINKS

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

Harkla YouTube Channel

Harkla Website - Shop Sensory Products!

Harkla Instagram

10 Hacks for Handwriting

What are Preparatory Activities?

Assess Ocular Motor Skills

Assess 6 Primitive Reflexes

Fine Motor Skills Activity Course