All Things Sensory by Harkla

There are a few phrases I hear over and over again from parents, usually right after they’ve tried everything and nothing worked. If you’ve ever been told things like “they just need more discipline” or “they’ll grow out of it,” this episode is for you.
In this episode, I share my perspective as a certified occupational therapy assistant and primitive reflex clinical specialist, reacting to common parenting advice I hear all the time. This isn’t about calling that advice wrong. It’s about understanding what might be missing when we don’t consider a child’s sensory system and nervous system.
I’ll walk through familiar phrases like “ignore it and it’ll stop,” “they just need to get used to it,” and “all kids need the same routines,” and explain why these approaches can sometimes fall short. I share how behavior is often rooted in regulation, how sensory needs shape a child’s response to everyday situations, and why the same strategy can work for one child and completely backfire for another.
Throughout the episode, you’ll hear practical reframes that help shift from reacting to behavior to understanding what the nervous system actually needs. I also share how I filter parenting advice as a COTA, including the questions I ask before recommending any strategy and why trusting what you’re seeing in your own child matters more than following one-size-fits-all advice.
This conversation is a reminder that most parenting advice isn’t wrong, it’s just incomplete. When you start looking at your child through a sensory lens, things begin to make a lot more sense.
Thanks for listening 🩷 If this episode made you feel a little more confident in trusting your instincts, share it with someone who’s been second-guessing their parenting lately.
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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All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram 
https://www.instagram.com/allthingssensorypodcast/ 
Harkla Website 
https://harkla.co/ 
Harkla YouTube
​​https://www.youtube.com/c/HarklaFamily 
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Have you ever wondered why your child seems “fine” all day at school… and then completely falls apart at home? In this episode, we’re breaking down what’s really going on through a sensory lens.
We walk through what sensory integration actually means in everyday life, how the brain receives, organizes, and responds to sensory input, and why this process can look very different from child to child. We talk about the difference between being over-responsive, under-responsive, and sensory seeking, and how each of those patterns can show up in behavior, emotions, and daily routines.
You’ll also hear a clear, practical explanation of all eight sensory systems, including the three “hidden” senses (vestibular, proprioception, and interoception) that play a huge role in regulation, body awareness, and emotional responses.
One of the most important takeaways from this episode is understanding how sensory input builds up throughout the day. Many kids are holding it together in structured environments like school, but by the time they get home, their nervous system is overwhelmed, which is why after-school meltdowns are so common.
We also talk about how to tell the difference between sensory quirks and sensory challenges that are actually impacting daily life, why behavior is often communication, and how small, proactive strategies throughout the day can make a big difference in preventing dysregulation later on.
This episode is all about helping you see your child and yourself through a new lens, so you can better understand what’s really driving behavior and how to support regulation in a more intentional way.
Thanks for listening 🩷 If this episode gave you a new perspective, share it with someone who’s navigating after-school meltdowns or trying to better understand sensory processing.
LINKS
We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form - https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3 
Sensory Preferences Checklist
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1380/9417/files/Copy_of_Mod_3_5_Child_Sensory_Preferences.pdf?v=1729447315
Shop our OT Month Sale!
https://harkla.co/pages/ot-month-sale
Enter the Autism Acceptance Month Giveaway!
https://harkla.co/pages/aam-giveaway
All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram 
https://www.instagram.com/allthingssensorypodcast/ 
Harkla Website 
https://harkla.co/ 
Harkla YouTube
​​https://www.youtube.com/c/HarklaFamily 
Harkla Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/harkla_family/ 
Harkla Digital Courses
https://harkla.co/collections/courses

In this episode, I share some honest reflections on pediatrician visits - what’s working, what could be improved, and what families truly need more of in those early appointments. This isn’t about criticizing pediatricians, but about opening up the conversation and advocating for better support for babies, kids, and their families.
I walk through common phrases like “wait and see” or “they’ll grow out of it,” and why those approaches can sometimes delay important support. I'll also share my personal experience navigating torticollis with my son, feeding, and development and highlight how early intervention, referrals, and education can make a significant difference.
I also share what I wish pediatric visits included more of - like education on tummy time, crawling, primitive reflexes, messy play, nutrition, lactation support, and trusted referrals to specialists like OT, PT, and lactation consultants.
This episode is ultimately about empowering parents to ask questions, trust their instincts, and advocate for the support their child needs.
Thanks for listening 🩷 If this episode resonated, share it with a new or expecting parent who’s navigating those early pediatrician visits.
LINKS
⁠What To Ask Your Doctor Checklist⁠
⁠https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1380/9417/files/WhatToAskYourDoctor_Checklist__EP_145_Freebie_1.pdf⁠ 
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 
https://www.instagram.com/allthingssensorypodcast/ 
Harkla Website 
https://harkla.co/ 
Harkla YouTube
​​https://www.youtube.com/c/HarklaFamily 
Harkla Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/harkla_family/ 
Harkla Digital Courses
https://harkla.co/collections/courses

There has been growing conversation around proposed legislation that would require children to be toilet trained before enrolling in kindergarten. In this episode, we take a thoughtful look at what these policies mean from a developmental and occupational therapy perspective.
We talk about what the proposed Kansas bill would require, how states like Utah already define “toilet trained,” and the gray area that can exist for children who may not yet have an official diagnosis but are still struggling with toileting for medical, sensory, or developmental reasons.
Throughout the conversation, we discuss the many factors that can affect toileting development in young children, including pelvic floor dysfunction, constipation, encopresis, sensory processing differences, interoception challenges, anxiety, and major life changes that can lead to regression. We also look at the real-world challenges schools face when supporting young students and why toileting independence can’t always be viewed as a simple behavior or discipline issue.
This episode is not about debating policy. Instead, it’s about understanding child development, recognizing how complex toileting readiness can be, and considering how families, schools, and healthcare professionals can better support kids who are still developing these skills.
Thanks for listening 🩷If this conversation resonated with you, share it with a parent, teacher, or therapist navigating potty training or school readiness.
LINKS
We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form - https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3 
Read more about the Kansas bill:
https://kansasreflector.com/2026/02/02/kansas-bill-would-require-kindergarteners-to-be-potty-trained-before-starting-school/ 
All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram 
https://www.instagram.com/allthingssensorypodcast/ 
Harkla Website 
https://harkla.co/ 
Harkla YouTube
​​https://www.youtube.com/c/HarklaFamily 
Harkla Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/harkla_family/ 
Harkla Digital Courses
https://harkla.co/collections/courses

Today’s episode is a special one because we’re introducing someone new to the podcast. If you’ve been listening for a while, you know our mission has always been to support families, therapists, and educators with practical, real-life strategies rooted in occupational therapy.
As the Harkla team continues to grow, we’re excited to welcome Amanda, our new co-host and in-house occupational therapist to the podcast. In this episode, you’ll hear more about her journey into occupational therapy, the different settings she’s worked in, and the perspective she brings from both early intervention and school-based practice. Amanda shares about working directly in classrooms with children and families, the challenges she sees most often in schools today, and her knowledge of potty training and pediatric pelvic floor health. 
We’re so excited for this next chapter of the podcast and can’t wait for you to get to know Amanda in upcoming episodes.
Thanks for listening 🩷 We’d love to hear from you! What questions would you like Amanda to answer in a future episode?

We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form - https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3 
Amanda’s Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/yourpediatricot/ 
All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram 
https://www.instagram.com/allthingssensorypodcast/ 
Harkla Website 
https://harkla.co/ 
Harkla YouTube
​​https://www.youtube.com/c/HarklaFamily 
Harkla Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/harkla_family/ 
Harkla Digital Courses
https://harkla.co/collections/courses