The Sensory Code Podcast

The transition to summer comes with so many emotions and behaviors, it can be really exhausting. There are ways to support your neurodivergent child through this transition.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why the transition from end of school to summer vacation is difficult
How to handle big feelings around the end of school
How to optimize regulation at home
How to structure your time at home

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

Kids are ready- a conversation with Jelani Memory, founder and CEO of A Kids Co Jun 21, 2023

Show notes

I wanted to create a kids book about neurodiversity not only to help our neurodivergent kids feel seen and represented in a positive light, BUT also to help educate the greater population, the neurotypical population about what neurodiversity means- to foster more inclusion, to take control of the narrative about neurodiversity and change it more from a conversation centered around ableism and make it more about just differences- having a different brain is not bad; it’s just different. My vision is for this book to be on shelves of classrooms, clinics, bedrooms, libraries…. All over the world so we can take the pressure off of making neurodivergent individuals act more neurotypical, and instead create opportunities for neurotypical individuals to learn to accommodate and live alongside neurodivergent individuals just as they are.
In this episode, you’ll learn:

When should we talk to kids about these big topics?
How to talk to kids about big topics?
How books can help start the conversation
Why a kids book for neurodiversity is so needed and who it can help and how it can help.

Jelani Memory is the founder and CEO of A Kids Co., a media company that creates books and podcasts to help kids and their grownups have meaningful conversations about things that matter. He is also the author of the bestselling book A Kids Book About Racism. Mr. Memory is a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion. He believes that all kids deserve to see themselves represented in the stories they read and hear, and that books can be a powerful tool for starting important conversations about race, identity, and social justice. He has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and NPR. He lives in his hometown Portland, Oregon with his wife and six children.

Links:
Buy "A Kids Book About Neurodiversity"
Watch Jelani's ted talk

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

Giftedness and Neurodiversity with Caitlin Greer Meister Jun 18, 2023

Show notes

One of the big topics I talk about and something i joke will be written on my tomb stone one day is “Sensory is behavior” i’m always trying to reframe the debate “is it sensory or is it behavior?” because everything that we’re noticing our kids do is a behavior, but what parents/teachers want to get to the root of is “is this kid doing this thing on purpose or is it out of their control?”

So what I try to reframe for them is is the behavior being driven by a sensory trigger- OR is it being driven by something ELSE. And that something else can be cognitive disabilities, learning differences, need for connection, communication differences etc- and while I always call those reasons out, I rarely get to dive into those and unpack it, because I heavily talk about all the ways sensory can impact learning. So today we get to hear more of the “other” reasons that behavior might be happening.

Caitlin Greer Meister is the Founding Director & CEO of The Greer Meister Group, a New York City-based private tutoring and educational consulting practice that specializes in content mastery, cognitive flexibility, resilience, and academic independence. She is trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach for teaching students with language-based learning differences and has extensive experience working with gifted learners and supporting neurodiverse students. Caitlin has been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Parents Magazine, New York Magazine, Real Simple, WWD, and more

Follow Caitlin on Instagram @caitlingreermeister or visit joyfullylearning.com for more information.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

What a profoundly gifted student is and some early signs you might notice
Examples of how you can meet your gifted child’s needs at home and outside the classroom
When and how you should advocate with your child’s teacher about their different learning needs
Why you should be talking to your child about the way their brain works

Episode transcript: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/80

The OT Butterfly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theotbutterfly

Work with Laura: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/parentconsult

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

Using music as a vehicle to support the neurodivergent brain, with Diana Cameron of Kindermusik Jun 11, 2023

Show notes

Kindermusik is a purposefully created multisensory music and movement program for ages 0-7 that provides neurodivergent children the opportunity to improve in all learning areas by consciously stimulating the whole brain.

Kindermusik creates shared research-based curricula that:

Empower educators
Strengthen family and teacher-child relationships
Enhance community connections
Build a deep-rooted love for learning

while providing early development strategies that are memorable, playful, and fun.

Diana has been working with neurodivergent children for over 30 years using music as a vehicle for change. She has a background in music, early childhood, learning differences, and sound therapy. Her personal and professional life has always been involved with children and adults with additional needs.

For the past 25 years, Diana has taught the Kindermusik curricula. Diana has seen firsthand the profound impact carefully crafted music programs can have on children and the neurodivergent brain.
In this episode, we talk about:

What is Kindermusik
What is the role of music in a neurodivergent person?
Why auditory processing can be so impactful on learning and behavior in a child
How does a Kindermusik class cater to the sensory needs of each individual?
How does Kindermusik help social and emotional skills in the ND child?
Tips for parents- how you can get started today

Links:
Kindermusik: www.kindermusik.com

Diana's book: https://www.amazon.com/Insights-into-Autism-window-Childs/dp/0645389234/
Research studies:
https://s3.amazonaws.com/abt-media/pdf/science/Lucker_Doman_Autism_Research_Treatment.pdf
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/03057356211008968

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

Repair & Restitution: why it’s important and how to do it, with Myla Leinweber B.Ed, M.Ed, PCI Certified Parent Coach Jun 04, 2023

Show notes

Tune in to this episode to learn about:

What is repair and restitution and why are they important?
When should a parent repair with their child?
What we should do when we’re in a constant cycle of rupture and repair.
The power of re-writing the story
What does it sound like for a parent to repair?
How to facilitate repair from your child, even when they don’t want to

With Myla Leinweber B.Ed, M.Ed, PCI Certified Parent Coach

Myla is a mom of two young girls, a former kindergarten teacher and supports parents of young kids to enjoy parenting more and create long lasting connected relationships.

When she’s not helping parents, she’s on her skis, mountain bike or yoga mat, or having a dance party with her family in the kitchen.

Links:
@joyful.parents Instagram

Episode transcript: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/78

Free temperament quiz

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

Unscripted: Interviewing my 5 year old about emotional regulation & sensory sensitivity May 28, 2023

Show notes

Tune in for this short but sweet episode where I interviewed my 5 year old about some of the things we talk about often at home, including

how she expresses her emotions
what she thinks about everyone having feelings
how meltdowns are handled and how she prefers to handle them
what it's like being sensory sensitive

Links:
Podcast transcript: www.theotbutterfly.com/77
Enroll in Sensory W.I.S.E. Solutions

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

4 steps to supporting your child’s sensory sensitivities May 21, 2023

Show notes

Do you have a child who avoids, is fearful of, or has meltdowns around sensory triggers related to:

wearing certain clothes/fabrics/shoes/socks
eating a variety of foods
being around loud sounds/busy environments
getting their hands or skin messy/sticky
hygiene tasks like taking a bath, washing their hair or brushing their hair

This episode takes you through my 4 step process (W.I.S.E.) to supporting them through this at home!
If you're looking for more details on this process, come to my free masterclass on Saturday May 27th at 5PM PST. Register at www.theotbutterfly.com/masterclass
Episode transcript: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/76

The OT Butterfly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theotbutterfly

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

Unscripted: Trust the process May 14, 2023

Show notes

In this unscripted episode, I catch you up to speed with where we are with emotional and sensory regulation. Spoiler alert- Liliana is THRIVING. I talk about some of the big, foundational, anchoring concepts we focused on that I feel have made a huge impact in getting to where we are today.
You'll hear me talk about

Whether or not I think development/age plays a factor in her progress
The top 5 game discussions/concepts/strategies that played a huge role in her growth
Some examples of what we do proactively in terms of sensory and regulation strategies

Links:
Episode transcript: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/75

The OT Butterfly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theotbutterfly

Work with Laura: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/parentconsult

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

How to talk to kids about their nervous system May 07, 2023

Show notes

Educating your kids about how their brain and bodies work can be a game changer when it comes to supporting their regulation. When we give them the cheat sheet to how their brain works, they can start to understand why certain things are hard for them, and why they may have certain quirks or behaviors. More importantly, when we educate our kids about how their brain and bodies work, it can give them the language to self advocate with peers or other adults around them and give them the motivation to try the strategies that will support their regulation.
In this episode, I’ll help you start the conversation with your child about their nervous system and how it helps the brain and body communicate with eachother.
In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why it’s important to explain to your child how their brain and body communicate
How to explain the body and brain connection to your child

Links:

Episode transcript: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/74

The OT Butterfly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theotbutterfly

Join the Sensory Detectives Boot camp: www.theotbutterfly.com/bootcamp

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

When your parenting styles differ from your partner’s: Tips from a Clinical Psychologist Apr 30, 2023

Show notes

Dr. Tracy website
Free: 100 Questions to spark a deeper conversation with your partner

Dr. Tracy Dalgleish helps empower women and couples to improve their communication and build strong and healthy connections with themselves and their partner through therapy, wellness seminars, and her work outside of the therapy room. She contributes to popular media sites, including Motherly, Huffington Post, and Bustle. In addition to hosting the podcast, “I’m not your shrink” where she dives deeper into clinical knowledge and research in a relatable and informal way, her book “I Didn’t Sign Up For This: Stories of Unlocking Old Patterns and Finding Joy in Your Relationship” will be available in September 2023. A mom of two young children and owner of Ottawa’s mental health clinic, Integrated Wellness, she knows what it means to balance the full load.

In this episode, we talked about

Where to start when your partner is not on board with your parenting style
Do both parents need to have the exact same parenting style?
What might be coming up for your partner when discussing neurodiversity
When it’s time to seek professional support to feel more secure in your partnership
What to do about big decisions where compromising isn’t an option

Episode transcript: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/73
Part 1 of this conversation on Dr. D's podcast (apple link)
Part 1 of this conversation on Dr. D's podcast (spotify link)

Dr. Tracy instagram

Detecting Dysregulation free training & community: www.theotbutterfly.com/training

The OT Butterfly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theotbutterfly

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