The Sensory Code Podcast

In this episode, I explore one of the most nuanced topics in parenting - the use of labels for children. As an OT and mom to a sensory sensitive child, I've seen firsthand both the pros and cons that labels can bring. I discuss my own journey in understanding different perspectives on labels and how my views have evolved. Listeners will gain insight into why labels are so meaningful to some, yet controversial to others. I also share strategies for effective advocacy and community-building regardless of stance on labels. My goal is to start respectful conversations that consider multiple truths on this issue. Ultimately, we must challenge stigma at its root by promoting education over assumptions.

~Formerly known as The Sensory W.I.S.E. Solutions Pocast~
The Sensory Code Book

Short, Sweet or Sassy Comeback Responses for Every Judgy Relative Nov 19, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, I share my top comebacks for dealing with judgmental comments about parenting a neurodivergent child. As parents, we've all experienced unwanted advice or passive aggressive remarks from friends and family about our parenting style or our child's behavior. But it can be hard to know how to respond without causing conflict.

I'll provide a variety of polite, informative, and sassy responses you can have in your back pocket for common comments like "My parents would never let me get away with that" or "Why don't you just try XYZ intervention?" You'll learn different ways to shut down shaming, set boundaries, and educate others without losing your cool.

Whether you need neutral ways to handle helicopter relatives or spicy one-liners to use on particularly judgmental family members, this episode has the perfect comebacks to empower you to engage effectively while still keeping the peace. I'll also share tips for preventing problems and handling difficult conversations with tact. By the end, you'll feel prepared for any parenting critique this holiday season.

Check out episode 31 for more ideas

~Formerly known as The Sensory W.I.S.E. Solutions Pocast~
The Sensory Code Book

Understanding Pathological Demand Avoidance: Accommodating PDA Needs with Expert Casey Ehrlich Nov 12, 2023

Show notes

- Sally Cat (writes on the internalized expression of PDA)

In this episode, Laura Petix interviews Casey Ehrlich, a social scientist and expert in Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA). Casey shares her personal story of discovering her son's PDA diagnosis and journey to understanding. She discusses PDA as a dysregulated nervous system perceiving threats to autonomy. Casey provides 5 key accommodation strategies for supporting PDA needs, including letting kids win games, using declarative language, strewing for engagement, letting go of demands for "please" and "thank you", and allowing kids to opt out. Laura asks challenging questions and Casey explains how to apply accommodations thoughtfully. Parents will learn practical ways to connect with their PDA kids through an autonomy-focused lens. This episode is invaluable for anyone seeking to understand and support the unique needs of children with Pathological Demand Avoidance.
About the expert:
Casey Ehrlich, Ph.D. (she/her) is a social scientist, parent educator, and the founder of At Peace Parents, LLC. Casey brings 15 years of work experience and expertise in social science methodology to help parents and therapists understand how to connect with and accommodate PDA Autistic children. She specializes in teaching parents and therapists practical skills in the home or clinical setting to accommodate neuroception-driven demand avoidance and nervous system differences through creative techniques. She has served more than 1,000 families raising PDA Autistic children and teens since 2020 and is also raising a PDA autistic son.

Questions we cover:

What is PDA?

What is like parenting a child with PDA?

What are the best ways to accommodate a child with PDA?

What are some resources to look further into PDA?

Links:
@atpeaceparents instagram

PDA parents podcast https://www.pdaparents.com/podcast

- Kristy Forbes

- Neuroclastic

- Neurodivergent Lou

- PDA Society (for journal articles on research about PDA)

- “The declarative language handbook”

5 ways to accommodate a PDA child instagram post

4 S’s for regulation in PDA

~Formerly known as The Sensory W.I.S.E. Solutions Pocast~
The Sensory Code Book

Neurodiversity in Society: Embracing Differences for a Better Future (roundtable discussion) Nov 05, 2023

Show notes

I recently had an open discussion with my instagram audience on whether or not someone with a clinical diagnosis of anxiety would be considered neurodivergent. This stemmed from an inner conflict I was experiencing and trying to decide– am I neurodivergent?

I actually shared a more in depth view of where I stand on this topic personally and it’s in the previous episode, 88 if you want to go back and listen to that after this.

This question brought up such great conversations in my DMs and I realized how nuanced this topic was, and how much I wanted to bring this discussion to a larger platform and to include different voices on the topic.

So I reached out to some of my most respected peers in this space who all have some personal and professional tie to neurodiversity.

I invited Dr. Cassidy Freitas (LMFT), Andi Putt (speech therapist) and Mr. Chazz (teacher of teachers and parenting coach) to join me for this round table episode.

I asked questions like

What does the label of neurodivergent/ neurotypical do for people and society
if we classified too many mental health diagnoses as neurodivergent, would that “dilute” the meaning?
If we include mental health diagnoses, it can seem like majority of the population would classify as neurodivergent, what does that mean for a "neurotypical" label if they are in the minority?
Should you tell your child’s teacher about their neurodiversity at the beginning of the school year?
I asked them to weigh in on a thought someone shared with me that said “is anyone really neurotypical?”

Links:
Mr. Chazz Instagram

Mr. Chazz podcast episode: “Conscious Discipline with a ND child”

Mr. Chazz podcast episode: “How to handle hitting with an OT”
Mr. Chazz podcast epsiode: " Vestibular Processing with an OT"

Dr. Cassidy Instagram

Dr. Cassidy podcast episode:” The trauma experience in parenthood”

Dr. Cassidy podcast episode: “Raising a sensory sensitive child”

Andi Putt Instagram

Andi Putt podcast episode: “Celebrating Autism with a neurodiverse lens”
Self-reflection episode on neurodiversity

~Formerly known as The Sensory W.I.S.E. Solutions Pocast~
The Sensory Code Book

Unscripted: Am I neurodivergent? Oct 29, 2023

Show notes

It all started when a 4th grader at my daughter’s school asked me if I’m neurodivergent after I finished doing a read aloud of my book to their school. And I don’t know why but I stumbled over my words.

I kept thinking about it over and over again that day and then shared it to my stories with a question, am I neurodivergent?

~Formerly known as The Sensory W.I.S.E. Solutions Pocast~
The Sensory Code Book

Ask These 4 Questions to Identify Your Child's Dysregulation Patterns Oct 22, 2023

Show notes

We talk a lot about noticing when your child becomes dysregulated and paying attention to their behaviors so you can identify a pattern, but what if the pattern isn't obvious?
There are 4 main questions that you could be thinking about to help narrow down patterns around your child's behavior and I'm sharing them with you today.
You'll also get to hear testimony from previous sensory detectives boot camp (SDBC) alum.

~Formerly known as The Sensory W.I.S.E. Solutions Pocast~
The Sensory Code Book

Why Is Your Child Acting Out? Uncovering 'The Gap' in Behavior Oct 15, 2023

Show notes

Are you searching for the answers to help stop a certain behavior that keeps coming up for your child? Maybe they’re always hitting or yelling; maybe they are getting notes sent home from school that they’re not paying attention or keeps disrupting class.

Before you can look for solutions to stop the behavior, you need to understand why the behavior is occurring. And the first place to look for the answer to that question is in “the gap”. Listen to this episode to hear how I talk about the “gap where behavior lives”.

You’ll learn:

What I mean by “the gap”
How to breakdown the demands of a task/environment
Why your child doesn’t always have access to the skills they previously had
2 ways to decrease “the gap”

~Formerly known as The Sensory W.I.S.E. Solutions Pocast~
The Sensory Code Book

Social stories for kids: What, why, how? Oct 08, 2023

Show notes

Have you ever wondered how to help your child understand or process a certain life event, like when a pet dies, or when a friend moves away?

Or maybe you’ve wondered what’s the best way to prepare your child for something that’s going to happen like moving houses, welcoming a new sibling to the family or even going to the dentist?

Perhaps you’ve needed to find a way to talk about a certain behavior or challenge that keeps coming up, like learning how to share toys with a sibling or how to ask someone to play.

My answer to these are- social stories! And that’s what we’re here to talk about today.
Links:
Free social story template for receiving gifts:
https://theotbutterfly.com/gifts/
Free social story template for Halloween
https://theotbutterfly.com/halloween/

~Formerly known as The Sensory W.I.S.E. Solutions Pocast~
The Sensory Code Book

Using “sensory layering” to enhance nervous system regulation Oct 01, 2023

Show notes

Have you ever used a combination of sensory inputs and sensory tools to build this ultimate, customized sensory strategy for your child? Mixing and matching, adding on or taking away sensory input?

If so- you’re already a pro at sensory layering. If not, give this episode a listen to understand how you can use what I call “sensory layering” to enhance nervous system regulation.

~Formerly known as The Sensory W.I.S.E. Solutions Pocast~
The Sensory Code Book

After school regulation ideas for neurodivergent kids Sep 24, 2023

Show notes