In today’s episode, occupational therapist AnnMarie Murphy is joined by Laura Baldwin, licensed professional counselor, registered play therapist, and beloved member of the Great Kids Place team. Together, they explore the neuroscience behind behavior—specifically how the brain’s structure, stress responses, and sensory processing shape the everyday emotional and behavioral reactions of our sensory kids.

This episode offers a rich blend of brain science, practical examples, and compassionate guidance for parents, caregivers, and educators seeking to better understand what drives challenging behavior—and how to support kids through it with connection, regulation, and empathy.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• The “Flipped Lid” Theory

• What Dysregulation Looks Like in Real Life

• The Window of Tolerance as a “Staircase”

• What Adults Can Do: Co-Regulation Strategies

• How Kids Can Learn to Self-Regulate

• Practical Tools to Use at Home

Emotional regulation is a developmental process—one shaped by brain maturation, sensory systems, relational support, and repeated co-regulation. Neuroplasticity allows these pathways to grow stronger over time, but it requires consistency, patience, and grace for both kids and caregivers. Teaching kids to understand and support their emotions is not just a gift for today—it shapes their future relationships, resilience, and well-being.

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Want more resources? Please visit our blog: https://greatkidsplace.com/category/blog/

and https://sensoryemotional.org/

About

AnnMarie Murphy, OTD, OT/L, PNAP

Occupational Therapist, Great Kids Place

Co-Director, Sensory-motor Emotional EngageMent

AnnMarie is an Occupational Therapist and Assistant Professor at FDU, where she teaches mental health, neuroscience, and pediatrics. She holds a doctoral degree in occupational therapy, specializes in the evaluation and treatment of Sensory Processing Disorder, and is a fellow of Michele Parkins, MS, OTR/L, IMH-E.

Her background also includes a degree in Psychology, supporting her focus on social-emotional development, parent stress, and family dynamics.

Laura Baldwin, MA, LPC, ACS, RPT™, NCC, ADHD-CCSPLicensed Professional Counselor, Great Kids Place

Laura is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Registered Play Therapist, and Approved Clinical Supervisor with over 20 years of experience supporting children with sensory, emotional, and developmental needs. She specializes in pediatric mental health, play therapy, and relationship-based interventions that improve the physical, psychological, social, and emotional well-being of children and their families.  

A Tribute to Michele Parkins, MS, OTR/L, IMH-E®

Founder, Great Kids Place and the Sensory-motor Emotional EngageMent Frame of Reference

Michele Parkins dedicated her life to supporting children and families with sensory processing and social-emotional challenges. As both a professional and a parent of two sensory children, she combined expertise with deep personal understanding.

Passionate about empowering families and mentoring therapists, Michele taught internationally, consulted with schools, and co-authored a chapter in the 3rd edition of Sensory Integration: Theory and Practice, the leading textbook in the field. At the time of her passing, she was writing books to help families recognize their Sensory Emotional Personality styles and discover strength and joy within them.

Though gone too soon, Michele’s legacy endures in the lives she touched, the community she built, and the vision she entrusted us to carry forward.