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Episode 37 Does Thanksgiving Dinner with Your Selective Eater Have You Stressed? Why Holiday Meals Are So Hard for Sensory Kids and How to Help! The holidays are right around the corner, and whether you’re hosting or traveling to be with family, you’re probably already thinking about the meal. And if your child is a selective eater, struggles to sit still, or gets overwhelmed by a lot of noise, different smells or just too many people in their bubble, you may also be wondering: What is my child actually going to eat? What will Grandma say when they don’t touch the turkey? And how will we make it all the way to dessert? In Part 2 of our sensory-friendly holidays series, I explain why the holiday table can feel so overwhelming for many kids. We’ll also get into some practical ways to make it feel safer, plus simple scripts for responding when relatives comment on what your child eats. In this episode, we cover: Why selective eating isn’t about being stubborn or spoiled Practical strategies for the meal How to handle comments from family Why your calm matters so much at the table, and how to set one small, realistic goal for the meal Key takeaway: A calm meal matters more than a clean plate! When the holiday table feels safe, your child can connect, stay longer, and enjoy being with family, even if they only eat their own safe foods. Coming next: In Part 3, we’ll talk about dressy clothes: why holiday outfits can feel so uncomfortable for kids, and how to get through photos and services without a battle. 💛 Next Steps: Step 1: Join our free Facebook community and connect with other parents who are learning to understand behavior through a sensory and nervous system lens. Join our Free Facebook Community Step 2: Subscribe to the podcast for upcoming episodes as we continue exploring how the sensory system shapes behavior. Step 3: This week, spend a few moments thinking about what events and gatherings are coming up and start to recognize the way your own nervous system might respond in these situations and what you do as an adult to help yourself. 💛 Related Episodes: Episode 17: Do You Feel Worn Down by Your Child's Meltdowns? How Faith Can Support You Through the Toughest Seasons of Parenting   Episode 23: Do Your Child's Big Emotions and Meltdowns Leave You Feeling Confused? Understanding Why Behavior Makes Sense Through Regulation and Dysregulation   Episode 28: Is My Child a Sensory Seeker or a Sensory Avoider?  How to Tell the Difference and Why Most Kids are BOTH!   Episode 36: Dreading the Holiday Gatherings with Your Child?  Why Your Child Struggles and How to Help!   💛 Connecting with Us! Connect on FB -> Join our Free Facebook Community Podcast -> Sensory Solutions for Parents Instagram -> @SensorySolutionsforParents   DISCLAIMER This podcast, Sensory Solutions for Parents, is intended for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, occupational therapy, or other professional advice. The host is a licensed occupational therapist; however, the information shared in this podcast is general in nature and may not apply to your specific child or situation. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between you and Alison Foura, PhD, OTR/L. Any strategies, ideas, or suggestions shared are offered as general support for parents and caregivers and should be used at your own discretion, with consideration for your child’s individual needs and your family’s values. Always seek the guidance of your child’s pediatrician, occupational therapist, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your child’s development, behavior, or health. This podcast may also include personal experiences and, at times, faith-based perspectives. These are shared as part of Alison’s personal and professional lens and are not intended to replace individualized care or professional guidance.

Episode 36 Dreading the Holiday Gatherings with Your Child? Why Your Child Struggles and How to Help! Does your child struggle during holiday gatherings.  Maybe they cling to you for the entire time, refuse to go near the cousins, or bury their face when Grandma goes in for a hug? Or do they seem fine the whole time and then fall apart in the car on the way home? If you’re already dreading this year’s holiday gatherings, you’re not alone. In this episode, the first of a three-part series on sensory-friendly holidays, I explain why the holiday season can be so demanding on a child’s nervous system. I also share practical strategies to help your child, and your whole family, actually enjoy the celebrations! In this episode, we cover: Why holiday events “stack” and overload a child’s nervous system How kids experience gatherings differently than adults might How to prepare your child before you walk in the door: How to help during the gathering: When your child struggles at a holiday gathering, they’re not being rude or difficult. Their nervous system is overwhelmed. A little preparation and a few supports can make a big difference. 💛 Next Steps:   Step 1: Join our free Facebook community and connect with other parents who are learning to understand behavior through a sensory and nervous system lens. Join our Free Facebook Community Step 2: Subscribe to the podcast for upcoming episodes as we continue exploring how the sensory system shapes behavior. Step 3: This week, spend a few moments thinking about what events and gatherings are coming up and start to recognize the way your own nervous system might respond in these situations and what you do as an adult to help yourself. 💛 Related Episodes: Episode 17: Do You Feel Worn Down by Your Child's Meltdowns? How Faith Can Support You Through the Toughest Seasons of Parenting   Episode 23: Do Your Child's Big Emotions and Meltdowns Leave You Feeling Confused? Understanding Why Behavior Makes Sense Through Regulation and Dysregulation   Episode 28: Is My Child a Sensory Seeker or a Sensory Avoider?  How to Tell the Difference and Why Most Kids are BOTH! 💛 Connecting with Us! Connect on FB -> Join our Free Facebook Community Podcast -> Sensory Solutions for Parents Instagram -> @SensorySolutionsforParents DISCLAIMER This podcast, Sensory Solutions for Parents, is intended for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, occupational therapy, or other professional advice. The host is a licensed occupational therapist; however, the information shared in this podcast is general in nature and may not apply to your specific child or situation. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between you and Alison Foura, PhD, OTR/L. Any strategies, ideas, or suggestions shared are offered as general support for parents and caregivers and should be used at your own discretion, with consideration for your child’s individual needs and your family’s values. Always seek the guidance of your child’s pediatrician, occupational therapist, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your child’s development, behavior, or health. This podcast may also include personal experiences and, at times, faith-based perspectives. These are shared as part of Alison’s personal and professional lens and are not intended to replace individualized care or professional guidance.

35 SHOW NOTES Does the Upcoming Time Change Have You Losing Sleep? How Daylight-Saving Time Affects Your Child's Sleep, Behavior, and the Nervous System!   Does the Upcoming Time Change Have You Losing Sleep? How Daylight-Saving Time Affects Your Child's Sleep, Behavior, and the Nervous System! It’s just one hour, so why does it feel like it turns your whole household upside down? If your child struggles with bedtime, wakes up at 4am, melts down more easily, or just seems “off” for days or even weeks after the clocks change, you’re not alone. For many kids, especially those with sensory differences, the time change is more than a small schedule shift. Their internal clock, sleep, hunger cues, and nervous system all have to adjust at once, and that can show up as big behaviors. In this episode, we’ll dive into why daylight-saving time can be so hard for kids and share practical ways to help your child (and your whole family) adjust more smoothly. 💛 Next Steps: Step 1: Join our free Facebook community and connect with other parents who are learning to understand behavior through a sensory and nervous system lens. Join our Free Facebook Community Step 2: Subscribe to the podcast for upcoming episodes as we continue exploring how the sensory system shapes behavior. Step 3: This week, spend a few moments recognizing your own nervous system and regulation, especially in times when your child may be dysregulated.   💛 Related Episodes: Episode 17: Do You Feel Worn Down by Your Child's Meltdowns? How Faith Can Support You Through the Toughest Seasons of Parenting Episode 23: Episode 23 Do Your Child's Big Emotions and Meltdowns Leave You Feeling Confused? Understanding Why Behavior Makes Sense Through Regulation and Dysregulation Episode 28: Is My Child a Sensory Seeker or a Sensory Avoider?  How to Tell the Difference and Why Most Kids are BOTH! 💛 Connecting with Us! Connect on FB -> Join our Free Facebook Community Podcast -> Sensory Solutions for Parents Instagram -> @SensorySolutionsforParents   DISCLAIMER This podcast, Sensory Solutions for Parents, is intended for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, occupational therapy, or other professional advice. The host is a licensed occupational therapist; however, the information shared in this podcast is general in nature and may not apply to your specific child or situation. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between you and Alison Foura, PhD, OTR/L. Any strategies, ideas, or suggestions shared are offered as general support for parents and caregivers and should be used at your own discretion, with consideration for your child’s individual needs and your family’s values. Always seek the guidance of your child’s pediatrician, occupational therapist, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your child’s development, behavior, or health. This podcast may also include personal experiences and, at times, faith-based perspectives. These are shared as part of Alison’s personal and professional lens and are not intended to replace individualized care or professional guidance.

Did the School Year Start of Great and Now it's Falling Apart?  Why the Honeymoon Phase Ends and How to Help! Your child walked into September excited to start the new school year. Teachers said they were doing great, and they seemed happy when they got off the bus each day. Now it’s October, and suddenly there are meltdowns after school, battles over homework, tears at drop-off, or notes coming home about behavior. What happened? If this sounds familiar, you’re not imagining it, and you haven’t done anything wrong. Many kids, especially those with sensory differences, have a “honeymoon phase” at the start of the school year. The novelty and excitement of something new carries them for the first few weeks. But as the newness wears off and expectations ramp up, the stress quietly builds until their nervous system can’t hold it all anymore. In this episode, I explain why the honeymoon phase ends, what’s really behind the fall slump, and practical ways to help your child (and yourself) get through it. 💛 Next Steps: Step 1: Join our free Facebook community and connect with other parents who are learning to understand behavior through a sensory and nervous system lens. Join our Free Facebook Community Step 2: Subscribe to the podcast for upcoming episodes as we continue exploring how the sensory system shapes behavior. Step 3: This week, spend a few moments recognizing your own nervous system and regulation, especially in times when your child may be dysregulated.     💛 Connecting with Us! Connect on FB -> Join our Free Facebook Community Podcast -> Sensory Solutions for Parents Instagram -> @SensorySolutionsforParents   DISCLAIMER This podcast, Sensory Solutions for Parents, is intended for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, occupational therapy, or other professional advice. The host is a licensed occupational therapist; however, the information shared in this podcast is general in nature and may not apply to your specific child or situation. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between you and Alison Foura, PhD, OTR/L. Any strategies, ideas, or suggestions shared are offered as general support for parents and caregivers and should be used at your own discretion, with consideration for your child’s individual needs and your family’s values. Always seek the guidance of your child’s pediatrician, occupational therapist, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your child’s development, behavior, or health. This podcast may also include personal experiences and, at times, faith-based perspectives. These are shared as part of Alison’s personal and professional lens and are not intended to replace individualized care or professional guidance.

Episode 33: Parenting a Child with Extreme Demand Avoidance (PDA)? Why Traditional Discipline Backfires and What to Try Instead! If your child has extreme demand avoidance, you’ve probably discovered that the usual parenting advice doesn’t just fail; it can make things worse. Firmer limits, bigger rewards, and stronger consequences often lead to more resistance, bigger meltdowns, and a family that feels stuck.  We talk about why traditional discipline backfires for children with PDA, and offer practical, nervous-system-friendly strategies that lower the sense of threat and build cooperation. Parenting a child with extreme demand avoidance can feel isolating, and you don’t have to figure it out alone. Parent coaching is launching soon. Join the FB community to be the first to know! Join our Free Facebook Community   💛 In this episode, you'll learn: Why rewards, consequences, and power struggles increase the threat response Lowering the demand load at home: what to let go of, and what to keep Using declarative language instead of direct demands Indirect requests, humor, and playfulness to reduce pressure Collaborating with your child and giving them a real sense of control Why your own regulation is one of your most powerful tools Supporting the whole family, including siblings and yourself Key takeaway: When a child with a PDA profile says "no," their nervous system is often saying "I don't feel safe." When we recognize and then lower the sense of threat, cooperation becomes possible.   💛 Next Steps: Step 1: Join our free Facebook community and connect with other parents who are learning to understand behavior through a sensory and nervous system lens. Step 2: Subscribe to the podcast for upcoming episodes as we continue exploring how the sensory system shapes behavior. Step 3: This week, spend a few moments recognizing your own nervous system and regulation, especially in times when your child may be dysregulated.   💛 Related Resources: At Peace Parents on TikTok: @atpeaceparents PDA North America: https://pdanorthamerica.org/ Dr. Ross Greene’s book “The Explosive Child” Child Mind Institute’s info on PDA in Kids: https://childmind.org/article/pathological-demand-avoidance-in-kids/ 💛 Related Episodes: Episode 32: Is It Defiance or Demand Avoidance (PDA)? Why Some Kids Resist Every Demand and What’s Really Going On! Episode 31: Got a Defiant Child? Why Sticker Charts and Bribery Don’t Work and What to Try Instead!   💛 Connecting with Us! Connect on FB -> Join our Free Facebook Community Podcast -> Sensory Solutions for Parents Instagram -> @SensorySolutionsforParents   DISCLAIMER This podcast, Sensory Solutions for Parents, is intended for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, occupational therapy, or other professional advice. The host is a licensed occupational therapist; however, the information shared in this podcast is general in nature and may not apply to your specific child or situation. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between you and Alison Foura, PhD, OTR/L. Any strategies, ideas, or suggestions shared are offered as general support for parents and caregivers and should be used at your own discretion, with consideration for your child’s individual needs and your family’s values. Always seek the guidance of your child’s pediatrician, occupational therapist, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your child’s development, behavior, or health. This podcast may also include personal experiences and, at times, faith-based perspectives. These are shared as part of Alison’s personal and professional lens and are not intended to replace individualized care or professional guidance.

32 Does your child explode at the simplest ask? The Truth About Pervasive Drive for Autonomy (or PDA) and What Finally Works   Does your child resist even the things they want to do? Does a simple "time to put your shoes on" turn into an explosive meltdown? Today we’re talking about Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), which many families and clinicians now call a Pervasive Drive for Autonomy. In previous episodes we've talked about sensory versus behavior, sensory seeking and avoiding, and why the nervous system can override a child's motivation to “behave.” For kids and individuals with PDA, a demand doesn't feel like a request. It feels like a threat, and their nervous system responds that way. 💛 In this episode, you'll learn: What PDA is and what it looks like in daily life Why demand avoidance is a threat response, not manipulation or "bad behavior" How PDA can look different from typical oppositional behavior, and why traditional reward-and-consequence approaches backfire What happens in your child's nervous system when they feel a loss of control Practical shifts you can try at home: Declarative language ("I notice the shoes are by the door") instead of direct instructions Reducing and "disguising" demands Offering real choices and shared control Collaborating rather than commanding Regulating first, for your child and for you Why your own calm matters so much, and how to protect it on hard days Key takeaway: When a child with a PDA profile says "no," their nervous system is often saying "I don't feel safe." When we recognize and then lower the sense of threat, cooperation becomes possible. 💛 Next Steps: Step 1: Join our free Facebook community and connect with other parents who are learning to understand behavior through a sensory and nervous system lens. Step 2: Subscribe to the podcast for upcoming episodes as we continue exploring how the sensory system shapes behavior. Step 3: This week, spend a few moments recognizing your own nervous system and regulation, especially in times when your child may be dysregulated.   💛 Related Resources: At Peace Parents on TikTok: @atpeaceparents PDA North America: https://pdanorthamerica.org/ Dr. Ross Greene’s book “The Explosive Child” Child Mind Institute’s info on PDA in Kids: https://childmind.org/article/pathological-demand-avoidance-in-kids/ 💛 Related Episodes: Episode 10: Struggling with Your Child's Intense Meltdowns? What's Really Happening and What to Do in the Moment Episode 24: Can't Get Your Child to Calm Down? The Sensory Science Behind Co-Regulation Episode 31: Got a Defiant Child?  Why Sticker Charts and Bribery Don't Work and What to Try Instead!   💛 Connecting with Us! Connect on FB -> Join our Free Facebook Community Podcast -> Sensory Solutions for Parents Instagram -> @SensorySolutionsforParents   DISCLAIMER This podcast, Sensory Solutions for Parents, is intended for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, occupational therapy, or other professional advice. The host is a licensed occupational therapist; however, the information shared in this podcast is general in nature and may not apply to your specific child or situation. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between you and Alison Foura, PhD, OTR/L. Any strategies, ideas, or suggestions shared are offered as general support for parents and caregivers and should be used at your own discretion, with consideration for your child’s individual needs and your family’s values. Always seek the guidance of your child’s pediatrician, occupational therapist, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your child’s development, behavior, or health. This podcast may also include personal experiences and, at times, faith-based perspectives. These are shared as part of Alison’s personal and professional lens and are not intended to replace individualized care or professional guidance.

Got a Defiant Child?  Why Sticker Charts and Bribery Don't Work and What to Try Instead! Your child isn’t choosing to misbehave, their nervous system might be overriding their motivation to do the right thing in that moment. In this episode, we’re breaking down why "they know better" so often falls apart in the moment it matters, what's actually happening in a child's brain during a meltdown or a power struggle, and why sticker charts and consequences fail when a child's nervous system has already taken the wheel.   💛 In this episode, you'll learn: ·      Why motivation isn't the problem when your child "won't" listen — and what actually is ·      The difference between a fight-or-flight meltdown and a freeze/shutdown response, and why both can look like defiance ·      How to shift from "won't" to "can't right now" without dropping your boundaries ·      Practical, sensory-first strategies: co-regulating before correcting, catching dysregulation early, and teaching skills only once your child is calm enough to learn   💛 Next Steps: Step 1: Join our free Facebook community and connect with other parents who are learning to understand behavior through a sensory and nervous system lens. Step 2: Subscribe to the podcast for upcoming episodes in the Sensory Solutions Framework series as we continue exploring how the sensory system shapes behavior. Step 3: This week, spend a few moments recognizing your own nervous system and regulation, especially in times when your child may be dysregulated.   💛 Related Resources: Dr. Ross Greene: https://drrossgreene.com There are also additional free resources on the Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) approach and the idea that "kids do well if they can." https://livesinthebalance.org   💛 Related Episodes: Episode 10: Struggling with Your Child's Intense Meltdowns? What's Really Happening and What to Do in the Moment Episode 13: Why Your Toddler Falls Apart After Daycare (And What to Do About It!) Episode 22: Does Your Child Have a Behavior Problem…or a Skill Problem? The 5 Skills Behind Better Behavior that Every Parent Needs to Know 💛 Connecting with Us! Connect on FB -> Join our Free Facebook Community Podcast -> Sensory Solutions for Parents Instagram -> @SensorySolutionsforParents   DISCLAIMER This podcast, Sensory Solutions for Parents, is intended for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, occupational therapy, or other professional advice. The host is a licensed occupational therapist; however, the information shared in this podcast is general in nature and may not apply to your specific child or situation. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between you and Alison Foura, PhD, OTR/L. Any strategies, ideas, or suggestions shared are offered as general support for parents and caregivers and should be used at your own discretion, with consideration for your child’s individual needs and your family’s values. Always seek the guidance of your child’s pediatrician, occupational therapist, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your child’s development, behavior, or health. This podcast may also include personal experiences and, at times, faith-based perspectives. These are shared as part of Alison’s personal and professional lens and are not intended to replace individualized care or professional guidance.

Episode 30 Why 'Just Take a Bite' Doesn't Work for Extremely Picky Eaters (And What To Do Instead!) Last time, we talked about why toddler picky eating is usually just development doing its job. But what about the kids who don't grow out of it — the five-food kids, the kids who gag at the sight of a new food before a bite ever happens? In this episode, we go a layer deeper into extreme picky eating. You'll learn why eating isn't one single skill but a whole sequence of smaller skills, and why jumping straight to "just take a bite" skips many of the steps most kids haven't built yet. We'll also talk about two things that get overlooked constantly - how your child's body is positioned at the table, and the mealtime environment around them. In this episode, you'll learn: Why extreme picky eating is different from typical toddler pickiness Why a new food can genuinely register as a threat to a child's nervous system Why proper seating and the right environment frees things up in your child’s body for the harder work of trying new foods Simple environment adjustments that reduce the sensory load at the table, without changing the food at all The goal isn't to get your child eating everything overnight. It's to recognize that touching, smelling, or simply tolerating a new food on the plate is real progress, and that setting up their body and environment to succeed matters just as much as any food strategy. 💛 Resources Mentioned: Link to the Nutrients article on neophobia Dr. Kay Toomey’s SOS Approach to Feeding   💛 Next Steps: Step 1: Join our free Facebook community and connect with other parents who are learning to understand behavior through a sensory and nervous system lens. Step 2: Subscribe to the podcast for upcoming episodes. Step 3: This week, offer one new food with zero pressure to eat it — just let it sit on the plate next to something familiar, and see what happens. 💛 Related Episodes Episode 2: Messy Play Meltdowns!  Why Some Kids Struggle with Getting Their Hands Messy Episode 8: Do mealtimes feel like you're wrangling kittens!? How positioning and body awareness impact a child's ability to sit for mealtime and what to do about it! Episode 24: Can't Get Your Child to Calm Down? The Sensory Science Behind Co-Regulation Episode 29: Is Your Toddler a Picky Eater? 5 Things to Try Today to Make Mealtimes Easier   💛 Connecting with Us! Connect on FB -> Join our Free Facebook Community Podcast -> Sensory Solutions for Parents Instagram -> @SensorySolutionsforParents   DISCLAIMER This podcast, Sensory Solutions for Parents, is intended for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, occupational therapy, or other professional advice. The host is a licensed occupational therapist; however, the information shared in this podcast is general in nature and may not apply to your specific child or situation. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between you and Alison Foura, PhD, OTR/L. Any strategies, ideas, or suggestions shared are offered as general support for parents and caregivers and should be used at your own discretion, with consideration for your child's individual needs and your family's values. Always seek the guidance of your child's pediatrician, occupational therapist, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your child's development, behavior, or health. This podcast may also include personal experiences and, at times, faith-based perspectives. These are shared as part of Alison's personal and professional lens and are not intended to replace individualized care or professional guidance.

Episode 29 Is Mealtime a Battle with Your Picky Eater?  5 Things to Try Today to Help Make Mealtimes Easier! Your toddler used to eat everything. Now dinner is beige, the sandwich has to be cut just right, and yesterday's favorite food is suddenly "yucky." If mealtimes have turned into a nightly battle, you're not imagining it — and you didn't cause it. In this episode we’re talking about why toddlers get so “picky” with their eating and why this is one of the most normal, predictable stages of development.  We’ll also discuss what's typical picky eating vs. what's worth mentioning to your pediatrician, why pressuring your toddler to "just try one bite" almost always backfires and 5 practical strategies you can start using at tonight's dinner! The goal isn't to win every meal. It's to keep food a calm, low-pressure part of your toddler's day, so curiosity has room to grow over time.   💛 Resources Mentioned: Link to the Nutrients article on neophobia   💛 Next Steps: Step 1: Join our free Facebook community and connect with other parents who are learning to understand behavior through a sensory and nervous system lens. Step 2: Subscribe to the podcast for upcoming episodes. Step 3: This week, offer one new food with zero pressure to eat it — just let it sit on the plate next to something familiar, and see what happens. 💛 Related Episodes Episode 2: Messy Play Meltdowns!  Why Some Kids Struggle with Getting Their Hands Messy Episode 8: Do mealtimes feel like you're wrangling kittens!? How positioning and body awareness impact a child's ability to sit for mealtime and what to do about it! Episode 24: Can't Get Your Child to Calm Down? The Sensory Science Behind Co-Regulation   💛 Connecting with Us! Connect on FB -> Join our Free Facebook Community Podcast -> Sensory Solutions for Parents Instagram -> @SensorySolutionsforParents   DISCLAIMER This podcast, Sensory Solutions for Parents, is intended for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, occupational therapy, or other professional advice. The host is a licensed occupational therapist; however, the information shared in this podcast is general in nature and may not apply to your specific child or situation. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between you and Alison Foura, PhD, OTR/L. Any strategies, ideas, or suggestions shared are offered as general support for parents and caregivers and should be used at your own discretion, with consideration for your child's individual needs and your family's values. Always seek the guidance of your child's pediatrician, occupational therapist, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your child's development, behavior, or health. This podcast may also include personal experiences and, at times, faith-based perspectives. These are shared as part of Alison's personal and professional lens and are not intended to replace individualized care or professional guidance.

Episode 28 Is My Child a Sensory Seeker or a Sensory Avoider?  How to Tell the Difference and Why Most Kids are BOTH! Understanding whether your child is a sensory seeker, a sensory avoider, or a mix of both is one of the most useful tools you can have as a parent — because it changes everything about which strategies will actually help. In this episode, we're breaking down what sensory seeking and sensory avoiding really look like day to day, why your child might be both depending on the type of input or the time of day, and how to start noticing these patterns in your own home. In this episode, you'll learn: What sensory seeking actually looks like — crashing, jumping, chewing, touching everything, needing constant movement What sensory avoiding actually looks like — covering ears, avoiding messy play, selective/picky eating, resisting touch or certain fabrics Why your child can be a seeker for one type of input and an avoider for another, all at the same time Why the same child might seek input on some days and avoid it on others, depending on their nervous system's capacity that day How knowing your child's pattern helps you choose strategies that actually work, instead of guessing Why "too much" and "too little" can look identical from the outside, even though your child needs the opposite response The goal isn't to put your child in a permanent box labeled "seeker" or "avoider." It's to start noticing their patterns so you can respond to what their nervous system actually needs, in that moment — not what worked yesterday, or what worked for someone else's child. 💛 Next Steps: Step 1: Join our free Facebook community and connect with other parents who are learning to understand behavior through a sensory and nervous system lens. Step 2: Subscribe to the podcast for upcoming episodes. Step 3: This week, notice one seeking behavior and one avoiding behavior in your child — you may be surprised to find both. 💛 Related Episode Episode 2: Struggling to understand all of this sensory stuff? Breaking it down into every day language Episode 10: Struggling With Your Child’s Intense Meltdowns? What’s Really Happening and What to Do in the Moment Episode 11: Curious About Why Your Child Plays the Way They Do? Understanding Their Sensory Needs Through Play Episode 21: Got a Kiddo Who Just Won’t Stop Moving?! What Proprioception Is and Why It Matters for Your Child’s Behavior Episode 23: Do Your Child's Big Emotions and Meltdowns Leave You Feeling Confused? Understanding Why Behavior Makes Sense Through Regulation and Dysregulation Episode 24: Can’t Get Your Child to Calm Down? The Sensory Science Behind Co-Regulation 💛 Connecting with Us! Connect on FB -> Join our Free Facebook Community Podcast -> Sensory Solutions for Parents Instagram -> @SensorySolutionsforParents DISCLAIMER This podcast, Sensory Solutions for Parents, is intended for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, occupational therapy, or other professional advice. The host is a licensed occupational therapist; however, the information shared in this podcast is general in nature and may not apply to your specific child or situation. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between you and Alison Foura, PhD, OTR/L. Any strategies, ideas, or suggestions shared are offered as general support for parents and caregivers and should be used at your own discretion, with consideration for your child's individual needs and your family's values. Always seek the guidance of your child's pediatrician, occupational therapist, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your child's development, behavior, or health. This podcast may also include personal experiences and, at times, faith-based perspectives. These are shared as part of Alison's personal and professional lens and are not intended to replace individualized care or professional guidance.

Episode 27: Is It Sensory or Behavior? Why That's the Wrong Question to Ask for Your Child’s Meltdown! "Is this sensory... or is this behavior?" It's one of the most common questions parents, grandparents and teachers ask when a child melts down. We want a label - sensory or behavior - because we think the label tells us what to do next. In this episode, we're challenging the question itself. Because sensory processing isn't a separate category from behavior – it’s what’s underneath it all! All behavior has a sensory or nervous system root, and once you see it that way, so much of what looked like "bad behavior" starts to make sense. In this episode, you'll learn: Why sensory processing isn't a separate category from behavior The one mindset shift that changes how you respond to nearly every difficult moment Why we instinctively sort behavior into "sensory" (deserving compassion) vs. "behavior" (deserving correction) - and why that split doesn't reflect what's actually happening in your child's body How this shows up in real moments: the grocery store meltdown, the shoe-refusal standoff, hitting a sibling, amongst many others! Why holding a boundary and staying curious about the nervous system underneath it aren't in conflict The goal isn't to sort every behavior into the right category. It's to understand what your child's behavior may be communicating, and get curious instead of frustrated, because curiosity almost always leads to better solutions. 💛 Next Steps: Step 1: Join our free Facebook community and connect with other parents who are learning to understand behavior through a sensory and nervous system lens. Step 2: Subscribe to the podcast for upcoming episodes. Step 3: This week, next time you catch yourself asking "is this sensory or behavior," try asking instead: what is my child's nervous system trying to tell me? 💛 Related Episodes Episode 13: Why Your Toddler Falls Apart After Daycare (And What to Do About It!) Episode 10: Struggling With Your Child's Intense Meltdowns? What's Really Happening and What to Do in the Moment Episode 22: Does Your Child Have a Behavior Problem…or a Skill Problem? The 5 Skills Behind Better Behavior that Every Parent Needs to Know Episode 25 Calming Strategies Never Work for My Child! How to Find the Sensory Input They Actually Need 💛 Connecting with Us! Connect on FB -> Join our Free Facebook Community Podcast -> Sensory Solutions for Parents Instagram -> @SensorySolutionsforParents DISCLAIMER This podcast, Sensory Solutions for Parents, is intended for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, occupational therapy, or other professional advice. The host is a licensed occupational therapist; however, the information shared in this podcast is general in nature and may not apply to your specific child or situation. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between you and Alison Foura, PhD, OTR/L. Any strategies, ideas, or suggestions shared are offered as general support for parents and caregivers and should be used at your own discretion, with consideration for your child’s individual needs and your family’s values. Always seek the guidance of your child’s pediatrician, occupational therapist, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your child’s development, behavior, or health. This podcast may also include personal experiences and, at times, faith-based perspectives. These are shared as part of Alison’s personal and professional lens and are not intended to replace individualized care or professional guidance.

Overwhelmed by Back-to-School? 5 Sensory Strategies to Help Your Child (and YOU!) Adjust to School Back-to-school can be exciting, but it can also mean more stress for your child – and you! More noise, more transitions, more demands, and a whole lot more sensory information to process. If your child is struggling with the morning routine, having a hard time with drop-off, constantly moving after school, eating less at school, or completely falling apart when they get home, their nervous system may simply be working overtime to adjust. In this episode we're talking about how much the back to school transition can affect your child's sensory system and 5 simple strategies you can start using right away to make the transition easier. 💛 In this episode, you'll learn: Why the morning rush can overwhelm your child's sensory system before school even starts How creating a predictable morning and drop-off routine can make transitions easier Why some kids actually need more movement, not less, to stay focused How the cafeteria can affect your child's eating Why your child may hold it together at school and completely fall apart at home How to create a simple after-school "landing place" to help your child decompress The goal isn't to eliminate every difficult moment or create a perfectly calm child. It's to understand what your child's behavior may be communicating and make small changes that help their nervous system manage the demands of the school day. 💛 Next Steps: Step 1: Join our free Facebook community and connect with other parents who are learning to understand behavior through a sensory and nervous system lens. Step 2: Subscribe to the podcast for upcoming episodes. Step 3: This week, spend a few moments recognizing your own nervous system and regulation, especially in times when your child may be dysregulated.     💛 Related Episode Episode 13: Why Your Toddler Falls Apart After Daycare (And What to Do About It!) Episode 10: Struggling With Your Child's Intense Meltdowns? What's Really Happening and What to Do in the Moment Episode 21: Got a Kiddo Who Just Won’t Stop Moving?! What Proprioception Is and Why It Matters for Your Child’s Behavior Episode 24: Can’t Get Your Child to Calm Down? The Sensory Science Behind Co-Regulation 💛 Connecting with Us! Connect on FB -> Join our Free Facebook Community Podcast -> Sensory Solutions for Parents Instagram -> @SensorySolutionsforParents   DISCLAIMER This podcast, Sensory Solutions for Parents, is intended for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, occupational therapy, or other professional advice. The host is a licensed occupational therapist; however, the information shared in this podcast is general in nature and may not apply to your specific child or situation. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between you and Alison Foura, PhD, OTR/L. Any strategies, ideas, or suggestions shared are offered as general support for parents and caregivers and should be used at your own discretion, with consideration for your child’s individual needs and your family’s values. Always seek the guidance of your child’s pediatrician, occupational therapist, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your child’s development, behavior, or health. This podcast may also include personal experiences and, at times, faith-based perspectives. These are shared as part of Alison’s personal and professional lens and are not intended to replace individualized care or professional guidance.

Episode 25: Calming Strategies Never Work for My Child! How to Find the Sensory Input They Actually Need Have you tried deep breathing, a calm-down corner, sensory toys, or other calming strategies with your child…only to feel like nothing actually works? Here's the thing: your child may not always need to calm down. Their nervous system may need more sensory input, less sensory input, or a completely different type of sensory input. In today's episode of Sensory Solutions for Parents, we're talking about how to become a sensory detective and start looking beyond your child's behavior to figure out what their nervous system may actually be communicating. The goal isn't simply to make our children's bodies look calm.  It's to understand what their sensory systems and nervous system needs to help them feel more organized, comfortable, and ready to participate. Because the behavior gives us a ton of information - and when we get curious about what's happening underneath that behavior, we can choose strategies that better match what our children actually need! 💛 Next Steps: Step 1: Join our free Facebook community and connect with other parents who are learning to understand behavior through a sensory and nervous system lens. Step 2: Subscribe to the podcast for upcoming episodes in the Sensory Solutions Framework series as we continue exploring how the sensory system shapes behavior. Step 3: This week, spend a few moments recognizing your own nervous system and regulation, especially in times when your child may be dysregulated.     💛 Related Episode Episode 2: Struggling to understand all of this sensory stuff? Breaking it down into every day language Episode 10: Struggling With Your Child’s Intense Meltdowns? What’s Really Happening and What to Do in the Moment Episode 11: Curious About Why Your Child Plays the Way They Do? Understanding Their Sensory Needs Through Play Episode 21: Got a Kiddo Who Just Won’t Stop Moving?! What Proprioception Is and Why It Matters for Your Child’s Behavior Episode 23: Do Your Child's Big Emotions and Meltdowns Leave You Feeling Confused? Understanding Why Behavior Makes Sense Through Regulation and Dysregulation Episode 24: Can’t Get Your Child to Calm Down? The Sensory Science Behind Co-Regulation 💛 Connecting with Us! Connect on FB -> Join our Free Facebook Community Podcast -> Sensory Solutions for Parents Instagram -> @SensorySolutionsforParents DISCLAIMER This podcast, Sensory Solutions for Parents, is intended for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, occupational therapy, or other professional advice. The host is a licensed occupational therapist; however, the information shared in this podcast is general in nature and may not apply to your specific child or situation. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between you and Alison Foura, PhD, OTR/L. Any strategies, ideas, or suggestions shared are offered as general support for parents and caregivers and should be used at your own discretion, with consideration for your child’s individual needs and your family’s values. Always seek the guidance of your child’s pediatrician, occupational therapist, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your child’s development, behavior, or health. This podcast may also include personal experiences and, at times, faith-based perspectives. These are shared as part of Alison’s personal and professional lens and are not intended to replace individualized care or professional guidance.

Can't Get Your Child to Calm Down? The Sensory Science Behind Co-Regulation You've probably heard the term co-regulation – it’s everywhere from social media to parenting books, and possibly other parents you know. But what does it actually mean? And how do you do it in everyday life? In this episode of Sensory Solutions for Parents, we're building on last week's conversation about regulation and exploring how children actually learn to regulate their emotions and behavior over time. You'll discover why YOU are one of your child's most powerful sensory experiences and how your voice, facial expressions, movement, breathing, and overall presence communicate safety to your child's nervous system. We'll also explore the fascinating role of mirror neurons, why children who experience sensory input more intensely or have big emotions often need even more co-regulation, and three practical ways to help your child move from overwhelm back to connection. When we understand co-regulation through a sensory lens, we stop focusing on fixing behavior and start building the lifelong regulation skills our children need to succeed. 💛 Next Steps: Step 1: Join our free Facebook community and connect with other parents who are learning to understand behavior through a sensory and nervous system lens. Step 2: Subscribe to the podcast for upcoming episodes in the Sensory Solutions Framework series as we continue exploring how the sensory system shapes behavior. Step 3: This week, spend a few moments recognizing your own nervous system and regulation, especially in times when your child may be dysregulated.     💛 Related Episodes: Episode 10: Struggling with Your Child's Intense Meltdowns? What's Really Happening and What to Do in the Moment Episode 13: Why Your Toddler Falls Apart After Daycare (And What to Do About It!) Episode 22: Does Your Child Have a Behavior Problem…or a Skill Problem? The 5 Skills Behind Better Behavior that Every Parent Needs to Know Episode 23: Do Your Child's Big Emotions and Meltdowns Leave You Feeling Confused? Understanding Why Behavior Makes Sense Through Regulation and Dysregulation 💛 Connecting with Us! Connect on FB -> Join our Free Facebook Community Podcast -> Sensory Solutions for Parents Instagram -> @SensorySolutionsforParents   DISCLAIMER This podcast, Sensory Solutions for Parents, is intended for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, occupational therapy, or other professional advice. The host is a licensed occupational therapist; however, the information shared in this podcast is general in nature and may not apply to your specific child or situation. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between you and Alison Foura, PhD, OTR/L. Any strategies, ideas, or suggestions shared are offered as general support for parents and caregivers and should be used at your own discretion, with consideration for your child’s individual needs and your family’s values. Always seek the guidance of your child’s pediatrician, occupational therapist, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your child’s development, behavior, or health. This podcast may also include personal experiences and, at times, faith-based perspectives. These are shared as part of Alison’s personal and professional lens and are not intended to replace individualized care or professional guidance.

23 Do Your Child's Big Emotions and Meltdowns Leave You Feeling Confused? Understanding Why Behavior Makes Sense Through Regulation and Dysregulation In this episode we're diving into one of the most important concepts in child development: regulation and dysregulation. Understanding these concepts can completely change the way you view your child's behavior—and help you respond with more confidence, connection, and compassion. You'll learn why regulation is about much more than simply "being calm," why dysregulation is often mistaken for defiance, and how your child's nervous system influences their emotions, behavior, and ability to participate in everyday life. When we begin to understand what's happening inside a child's brain and body, behavior starts to make sense. 💛 In this episode, you'll learn: What it really means to be regulated Why regulation isn't the same as being calm or sitting still How a child's energy level should match the demands of the current activity or environment What dysregulation looks like—and why it doesn't always involve a meltdown Why dysregulation is often mistaken for disobedience or "bad behavior" Why this is the foundation for understanding sensory processing, emotional regulation, and behavior   💛 Next Steps: Step 1: Join our free Facebook community and connect with other parents who are learning to understand behavior through a sensory and nervous system lens. Step 2: Subscribe to the podcast for upcoming episodes in the Sensory Solutions Framework series as we continue exploring how the sensory system shapes behavior. Step 3: This week, spend a few moments recognizing your own nervous system and regulation, especially in times when your child may be dysregulated.   💛 Related Resources: Autism Level Up @AutismLevelUp Website: Autism Level Up This is not just for autistic individuals, but they have GREAT resources on a ton of things related to regulation and sensory processing, etc.  They also have a fantastic FB page; very active with great resources! American Society for Positive Care of Children 3 Ways Coregulation is the Key to Raising an Emotionally Healthy Child   💛 Related Episodes: Episode 10: Struggling with Your Child's Intense Meltdowns? What's Really Happening and What to Do in the Moment Episode 13: Why Your Toddler Falls Apart After Daycare (And What to Do About It!) Episode 22: Does Your Child Have a Behavior Problem…or a Skill Problem? The 5 Skills Behind Better Behavior that Every Parent Needs to Know 💛 Connecting with Us! Connect on FB -> Join our Free Facebook Community Podcast -> Sensory Solutions for Parents Instagram -> @SensorySolutionsforParents   DISCLAIMER This podcast, Sensory Solutions for Parents, is intended for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, occupational therapy, or other professional advice. The host is a licensed occupational therapist; however, the information shared in this podcast is general in nature and may not apply to your specific child or situation. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between you and Alison Foura, PhD, OTR/L. Any strategies, ideas, or suggestions shared are offered as general support for parents and caregivers and should be used at your own discretion, with consideration for your child’s individual needs and your family’s values. Always seek the guidance of your child’s pediatrician, occupational therapist, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your child’s development, behavior, or health. This podcast may also include personal experiences and, at times, faith-based perspectives. These are shared as part of Alison’s personal and professional lens and are not intended to replace individualized care or professional guidance.