There is still so much to learn and share in the world of autism, parenting, and just pushing forward the conversation around difference. We are happy to welcome Kristi Brewer today, who is very difficult to put into a box! She is a mother to two daughters, weightlifter, CPA, business-owner, and all-around powerhouse for positive progress. Kristi admits when her second daughter was diagnosed with Autism she felt very overwhelmed and scared due to her ignorance on the subject. K...

Receiving a diagnosis for your child can elicit a wide range of emotions, and that is completely normal. In today’s episode, your hosts Rachel and Jessica, dive into ways to deal with your own feelings around the diagnosis, as well as the best things that you can do for your child once they have been diagnosed. The discussion dives into the importance of doing your research and finding a community; this can be found in online or offline groups. It just depends on what resonates with...

This is an extra special bonus episode with an incredible lactation consultant, infant massage instructor, and postpartum doula, Melanie Henstrom, on the subject of all things tongue-tie! Melanie lives and works in Boise, Idaho, specializing in teaching prenatal breastfeeding, educating professionals on tongue tie, and how to better support the breastfeeding dyad. This podcast is illuminating and potentially life-changing! Melanie shares her professional and personal journey with is...

Today’s guest, Dr. Sam Zink, is a dentist who focuses on airway dental medicine. Dr. Zink’s practice is rooted in the belief that all dentistry should support and enhance an optimal airway. In today’s episode, Dr. Zink shares how having his three sons struggle with upper airway resistance syndrome drew him into this specialization. We hear about why tongue and lip ties often go undiagnosed and the importance of finding a team that understands what it takes to diagnose and treat thes...

Back in episode 16, we talked about disciplining a sensory kiddo and it has remained one of our most listened-to episodes. So, we thought we would revisit the topic and incorporate some new ideas. Discipline is a tricky topic, and it presents challenges even without a sensory difficulty or diagnosis, so we are here to share what we think works best. We walk through a case study in a classroom setting, unpacking the child's response to being overstimulated and overwhelmed. It appears...

Aquatic therapy can be used as a treatment modality for Occupational Therapy and comes with a range of benefits for both adults and children. Today we sit with Nicole Nickell, an Occupational Therapist and founder of Lullaby Waters. In this episode, we take a deep dive into aquatic therapy and what makes it so impactful.We talk to Nicole about the genesis of Lullaby Waters, as we discover how her love for water-based therapy evolved from a stint at St. Luke's Rehab Institute. We the...

Today’s episode is about another primitive reflex: the palmar grasp reflex. Primitive reflexes impact so many things! Be sure to check out our 5-episode series on primitive reflexes (#100-104), as we continue our mission to get this information out there to everyone! The palmar grasp reflex happens when pressure is put on an infant’s palm & they reflexively curl their fingers to grasp whatever is in their palm. You’ll hear about all things related to palmar grasp reflex, in...

Whether it's your first or fifth child, today’s guests are here to help! Every child has successes and challenges, and every family needs support, regardless of whether or not those families include members with special needs. Tuning in, you’ll hear from Sonya Abegglen and Lynnelle King from the Family Seasons Postpartum Clinic, where they offer pre- and postnatal education, advanced lactation care, specialized bodywork, parenting resources, and – the topic of this episode – craniosacral...

Life can be challenging if you’re struggling with knowing where your body is in space. Some of your kiddos might be facing daily challenges if they lack body awareness, mid-range control, or force modulation, so today’s episode is all about these skills and tips for improving them. These three “skills” act like a little triad that you have to think about when you are addressing these challenges with a client (as a therapist), or if you are a parent and you are trying to figure out w...

The topic of essential oils gives rise to varying opinions & reactions, & to help us understand this often misunderstood topic, we invited our friend Erin Owings, who runs The Supernatural Project, to have a discussion! As the mother to two children who have struggled with Laryngomalacia, which can greatly inhibit a baby's ability to breathe, Erin discovered the power of essential oils out of necessity, to help her children thrive. The immense difference that a few simple pr...