All Things Sensory by Harkla

Latest Episodes:

#340 - Visual Schedules Made Simple: A Step-by-Step Approach Dec 25, 2024

Show notes

We talk a lot about using visual schedules to help children with routines, sensory diets, transitions, and more. But if you’ve never created and used a visual schedule with a child, how do you get started? We break it down step-by-step, starting with identifying the specific routine or activities you want to add to a visual schedule. We dive into different types of visual schedules and how to choose the right one for your child, how to make it easily accessible, and how to create a system so your child enjoys using their visual schedule!

LINKS

Free Visual Schedule Template

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

Sensory Diet Digital Course

Creating the Most Effective Visual Supports

#339 - How Heavy Work Activities Can Help With Anxiety Dec 18, 2024

Show notes

Save 20% on our digital courses through December 23rd, 2024! https://harkla.co/pages/digital-courses-holiday-sale

We are diving into the variety of benefits that can be gained from using proprioception - heavy work activities, specifically as it relates to anxiety and adults! Proprioception is typically calming to the nervous system and we dive into the reasons why - including how heavy work is grounding, how these activities can stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, and more. Then we share our favorite heavy work activities that we use and the ones that we recommend! We talk about going on a walk, doing yoga, gardening, and more!

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 Sensory Overload?

Sensory Overload in Adults

#338 - Why is My Kid Bouncing Off the Walls Before They Go to Bed and What to do About it?! Dec 11, 2024

Show notes

Save 20% on our digital courses through December 23rd, 2024! https://harkla.co/pages/digital-courses-holiday-sale

We get this question all the time! “Why is my child bouncing off the walls before bed?!” In this episode, we’re going to break down the WHY - why is your child bouncing off the walls before bed? Is it due to sensory seeking tendencies or is there something else going on? Then we dive into tips and strategies that you can use during the day and right before bedtime! We talk about changing the lighting in the house, going outside, how to use proprioceptive input, why a visual schedule might be helpful, and more!

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 it Means to Meet the Sensory Threshold

Tips and Tricks for Your Sensory Seeking Child

#337 - 12 Things You Need to Know About Sensory Integration Dec 04, 2024

Show notes

Shop our Holiday Sale! https://harkla.co/pages/holiday-sale

This episode is all about sensory processing, sensory integration, and Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). We dive into the 8 sensory systems, why SPD is not a recognized diagnosis, sensory meltdowns, and how SPD can affect daily life. Share this episode with a friend who is new to the ‘sensory world’!

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

Research Article

8 Myths About Sensory Processing Disorder

Does Everybody Have Sensory Quirks?

Improving Focus and Behavior in the Classroom - Digital Course

Disciplining a Sensory Kiddo

#336 - Sensory Products for Sensory Seekers and Sensory Avoiders: Holiday Edition Nov 27, 2024

Show notes

Shop our BIGGEST sale of the year! https://harkla.co/pages/black-friday-cyber-monday

In this episode, we are breaking down what it means for someone to be a “sensory seeker” and what it means for someone to be a “sensory avoider.” Then we talk about our favorite sensory products for both including the Harkla Compression Swing, lycra tunnels, weighted medicine balls, therapy/yoga balls, a crash pad, and more!

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

5 Activities for a Sensory Seeker

5 Tips for a Sensory Avoider

Supporting Mixed Sensory Needs

10 Activities with a Yoga Ball

Tunnels (Amazon)

Medicine Balls

Rebounder Trampolines (Amazon)

Platform Swings (Amazon)

Therapy Balls (Amazon)

Pop Up Tents (Amazon)

Vibrating Pillow

Giant Bean Bag

SPEKS Adult Fidgets

#335 - Listener Question: Tips for an Overstimulated Child and Parent! Nov 20, 2024

Show notes

Shop our BIGGEST sale of the year!

Today we are answering a listener question: how to help a 5-year-old who becomes overstimulated and how to help the parent who becomes overstimulated. We discuss strategies to set the child up for success before the overstimulating situations, strategies for the car ride, and how to decompress. We also talk about strategies for the parent, including getting outside, drinking enough water, asking for help, and more!

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

When Your Child’s Sensory Preferences Don’t Match Yours

Free Primitive Reflex Webinar

What is the Moro Reflex?

Book: Building a Non-Anxious Life

Book: Too Loud, Too Bright, Too Fast, Too Tight

Tips for Getting Outside

8 Activities for Regulation

Sensory Strategies for Teens and Adults

Peaceful Parenting Tips

Free Sensory Diet Webinar

On-the-go Sensory Strategies

Free Social Story Template

#334 - Listener Question: Tips for Safety During Transitions Nov 13, 2024

Show notes

We are answering a listener question today: a 4-year-old child who is receiving speech and OT services and the family is struggling “to prevent eloping in parking lots and helping him understand the dangers of moving vehicles.” We talk about some different ideas including a sticker/reward chart, different ways to transition to the car, practicing “safe” and “not safe” scenarios, creating a social story, and MORE!

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

Eloping: The Why and How For Kids Who Run Away

Weighted Lap Animal

Gestalt Language Processing

Social Story Template

Social Stories

#333 - The Difference Between Passive and Active Sensory Activities Nov 06, 2024

Show notes

What is the difference between a passive sensory activity and an active sensory activity? Is one type better than the other? How long does a passive sensory activity “last” in the body, compared to an activity sensory activity?

We answer these questions and give you our favorite passive sensory activities and our favorite active sensory activities!

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

Sensory Diet Digital Course

The Sensory Chef

#332 - 10 Things We've Learned in 10 Years! Oct 30, 2024

Show notes

We’re sharing ten things that we’ve learned in the past 10 years! We’ve been certified occupational therapy assistants for just over 10 years and we’ve learned so many things, it was very difficult to pick just 10! We talk about mentoring, asking questions, referring out, and MORE! We’d love to hear from you - Leave a comment on Spotify or YouTube and let us know what you’ve learned in your career or what you’ve learned from listening to us!

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 We Really Do in OT

#331 - Listener Question: Tips for Understanding Sensory Challenges Oct 23, 2024

Show notes

We’re answering a listener question today - helping a parent understand how to help their child self-regulate, understand sensory challenges, how to find help, and how primitive reflexes might be connected to learning in school, specifically reading. This child was recently diagnosed with ADHD as well. We dive into using the Harkla Sensory Preferences Checklist (free download linked below), adding more sensory activities into the daily routine, how to improve emotional intelligence, and more!

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

Download Free Sensory Preferences Checklist

Free Sensory Diet Webinar

Sensory Diet Digital Course

Build a Sensory Corner

Free Primitive Reflex Webinar

Free Classroom Webinar