Home exercise programs (HEPs) are a game-changer for sensory regulation, emotional development, and reflex integration—but only if they’re done consistently! In this episode, we’re sharing our favorite HEP activities that are easy to implement and make a big impact. From sensory diet routines like jumping, crawling, and bubble mountain to oral motor tools and co-regulation strategies, we’re giving you practical ideas to support your child’s development at home.

Plus, we answer a listener’s question about a 12-month-old with delayed gross motor skills and share our top tips to encourage independent movement.

LINKS

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 

Harkla YouTube Channel

Harkla Website - Shop Sensory Products!

Harkla Instagram

Crawling for Brain Development

The Jungle Crawl 

Advanced Brain Technologies 

Sensory Snacks

The Zones of Regulation

Sensory Diet Digital Course

BrainWorks

6 Tips for Crawling 

Early Intervention Blueprint 

Register for our FREE Live Webinar on March 24, 2025 - https://harkla.co/pages/register-for-the-primitive-reflex-webinar-2025

Primitive reflexes play a crucial role in early development, but when they don’t integrate properly, they can create challenges in the classroom—impacting focus, learning, and behavior. In this episode, we’re breaking down what primitive reflexes are, why they matter, and how retained reflexes can affect children academically, socially, and emotionally.

We’ll explore:

• The role of primitive reflexes in infant development

• How unintegrated reflexes can affect attention, handwriting, posture, and self-regulation

• Signs and symptoms educators and parents should watch for

• Practical strategies for teachers and school staff to support children with retained reflexes

Plus, we’ll wrap up with a listener Q&A on sensory diets and meal planning for a child with ARFID and oral sensitivities!

LINKS

Sensory Dice and Sensory Sticks

Free Classroom Webinar and Improving Focus and Behavior in the Classroom (Full Digital Course)  

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 

Harkla YouTube Channel

Harkla Website - Shop Sensory Products!

Harkla Instagram

What are Primitive Reflexes? 

The Pyramid of Learning

An Introduction to ARFID

We are beyond excited to introduce Harkla’s newest sensory tool—the Sensory Dice! These simple yet powerful dice are designed to make sensory and primitive reflex integration fun, engaging, and effective.

In this episode, we dive into how sensory integration and primitive reflex integration are deeply connected—when you work on one, you naturally support the other! We’ll break down how each of the three Sensory Dice categories (Alerting, Calming, and Focus) can help integrate retained primitive reflexes through movement and sensory-based activities.

We’ll also share specific activities from each dice that target common retained primitive reflexes, such as the Moro, STNR, ATNR, TLR, Palmar Grasp, and more! From yoga flows and windmills to wall push-ups and animal walks, these activities are simple yet effective for supporting nervous system development.

LINKS

Harkla Sensory Activity Dice

Primitive Reflex Digital Course

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 

Harkla YouTube Channel

Harkla Website - Shop Sensory Products!

Harkla Instagram

What are Primitive Reflexes? 

Maranda Argiros, BCBA and Jenny Barcellona, BCBA provide Behavior Training and Support for Caregivers and Families which consists of Family Focused Treatments and Interventions that equip families with the tools they need to foster behavior change in their natural environment. In addition, they provide Behavior Consulting Services for schools, daycares, and other providers by implementing realistic strategies and techniques to increase skill acquisition while decreasing and managing challenging behaviors. What The Function also provides IEP Advocacy Services and BCBA supervision for students seeking certification. They work to expand the reach and increase public knowledge of how the science of Behavior Analysis is used to help individuals outside of what ABA is typically known for. Marand and Jenny are passionate about the success they have had in using Behavior Analysis across all environments regardless of age, socioeconomic status, and diagnoses.

LINKS

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 

Harkla Website 

Harkla YouTube

Harkla Instagram

What The Function Website

Creating and Implementing Sensory Diet Routines to Improve Daily Activities - https://harkla.co/products/sensory-diet-course 

In today’s episode, we dive into the world of sensory avoiders—children (and even adults) who may experience heightened sensitivity to sensory input and react with avoidance or distress. We'll explore key signs that your child might be a sensory avoider and share 5 practical tips for helping them manage sensory overload, whether at home, in the clinic, or in everyday situations.

• Some signs that your child may be a sensory avoider:

• The fight or flight response when entering new or familiar situations

• Avoiding certain movements 

• Sensitivity to sounds (like vacuums or blenders) that lead to meltdowns 

• Extreme picky eating habits

• Struggling to focus in busy environments, or avoiding them altogether

LINKS

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 

Harkla YouTube Channel

Harkla Website - Shop Sensory Products!

Harkla Instagram

Advanced Brain Technologies 

Vital Neuro 

Vital Links

The Just Right Challenge 

Create a Sensory/Calm Down Corner  

Gifts of Joy 

The Zones of Regulation 

Learn how to create personalized sensory diet routines that actually work! https://harkla.co/products/sensory-diet-course

In today's episode we dive into strategies to support sensory seekers. If your child is constantly seeking movement, touch, or sounds that interfere with their daily activities—or if they never seem to get enough sensory input—this episode is for you! We’re sharing five practical tips to help you support sensory seekers at home, in the clinic, or anywhere in between. From providing sensory snacks to integrating full-body heavy work, these strategies can make a world of difference in nervous system regulation and emotional well-being. Plus, we’ll discuss the importance of daily outdoor time and how emotional intelligence programs can help children identify and manage their sensory needs.

LINKS

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 

Harkla YouTube Channel

Harkla Website - Shop Sensory Products!

Harkla Instagram

Webe Kalm (Amazon)

Talk Tools 

Sensory Snacks Explained

Zones of Regulation

Superflex Curriculum 

Alert Program 

Balanced and Barefoot 

Tips and Tricks for Your Sensory Seeking Child

Episode 11

In today’s episode, we dive into some real-life feeding strategies that Jessica recently discussed with a fellow OT who’s working with a client struggling with picky eating and meal-time resistance. Feeling stuck in a rut? You're not alone! Sometimes it just takes a good brainstorming session to unlock fresh ideas.

We cover practical tips and strategies, including:

• How focusing onone meal a day can improve family engagement around the table.

• Fun and motivating ways to get a picky eater excited about meals (yes,fun really does help!).

• The power of consistency—how building a daily habit can change everything.

• Giving kids more responsibility in the kitchen and around meal prep, from grocery shopping to cleanup.

• Moving away from grazing to structured sit-down meals (and why hunger can actually be a good thing in some situations!).

• Ways to switch up therapy routines to keep feeding sessions fresh and engaging, like using sensory bins, changing environments, or giving kids more control.

If you’re working with kids on feeding challenges, or just looking for some fresh perspective, this episode is packed with actionable strategies you can try today. Tune in for an honest, practical conversation on making mealtime a little less stressful and a lot more fun!

LINKS

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 

Harkla YouTube Channel

Harkla Website - Shop Sensory Products!

Harkla Instagram

Book: Food Chaining (Amazon) https://a.co/d/aS3LY4L

More resources for picky eating - https://harkla.co/search?q=picky+eating&submit=Search

In this episode, we dive deep into a critical question for therapists and caregivers: should we accommodate or desensitize? Sensory processing challenges can significantly impact a child’s daily life, and understanding when to offer accommodations and when to gently push for desensitization is key to promoting independence and improving quality of life. Through real-life examples, we'll explore how these strategies work together to help children navigate their sensory world, from a variety of environments to everyday activities like dressing and playing. Plus, we’ll share practical tips for therapists and caregivers to develop personalized plans that promote both immediate comfort and long-term resilience.

Create personalized sensory diets that work! https://harkla.co/products/sensory-diet-course

LINKS

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 

Harkla YouTube Channel

Harkla Website - Shop Sensory Products!

Harkla Instagram

The Just Right Challenge for Sensory Activities 

How to Know if Your OT is Right For You

Many many years ago, we created a 30 day challenge - it was our 30 Day Multi-Sensory Challenge - and it included 30 activities with the metronome. Our goal was to give parents and therapists a variety of multi-sensory activities to help with processing speed, auditory processing, motor coordination, ocular motor development, bilateral coordination, and more! We recently decided that this challenge needed an upgrade, so we created an entirely new program based on the 30 day challenge and it’s FINALLY ready for you! 

Introducing - A Balanced Brain: A Multi-Sensory Program for Learning and Focus https://harkla.co/products/balanced-brain

We also share 3 of our favorite activities from the program! 

LINKS

Check out all of our digital courses! https://harkla.co/collections/courses

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 

Harkla YouTube Channel

Harkla Website - Shop Sensory Products!

Harkla Instagram

Check out our new program! https://harkla.co/products/balanced-brain

In this episode, we explore the powerful connection between dyslexia and multi-sensory learning strategies. From understanding the neurological challenges dyslexia presents, to discovering how engaging multiple senses can significantly improve reading and writing skills, we dive deep into the science of learning. We also introduce our new program, A Balanced Brain: A Multi-Sensory Program for Learning and Focus, designed to help children, teens, and adults overcome learning difficulties and unlock their full potential.

LINKS

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 

Harkla YouTube Channel

Harkla Website - Shop Sensory Products!

Harkla Instagram

What is Dyslexia? https://harkla.co/blogs/podcast/179-what-is-dyslexia?_pos=2&_sid=74dc1a6a2&_ss=r

How to Build Literacy Skills https://harkla.co/blogs/podcast/297-how-to-build-literacy-skills-and-a-love-for-reading?_pos=3&_sid=74dc1a6a2&_ss=r

Lori Benson Adams - Sensational Brain Courses https://sensationalbrain.com/ceu/on-demand-webinars/?_speaker=lori-benson-adams-med

Research: Rhythmic processing in children with developmental dyslexia: Auditory and motor rhythms link to reading and spelling

Research: Auditory and motor rhythm awareness in adults with dyslexia

Research: Rhythm discrimination and metronome tapping in 4-year-old children at risk for developmental dyslexia

Research: Improving reading abilities in dyslexia with neurofeedback and multi-sensory learning

Research: Effect of Multi-Sensory Intervention Programmes on Fluid Reading Abilities of Dyslexic Children in Primary Schools in Anambra State