In this episode, we'll be delving into the complex topic of sensory versus behavior in children. I teach the importance of asking the right questions as parents to truly understand the reasons behind certain behaviors. I talk about the challenges of homeschooling and parenting in a world filled with diverse opinions and resources. Providing practical tips and insights, I share the latest neuroscience behind behavior and offer guidance on how to regulate children's nervous systems before, during, and after engaging in different activities.

In this episode you'll hear about:

• Introduction to the Topic of Sensory vs Behavior
• Exploring the challenges of determining if behavior is sensory-related or not
• Sharing personal experiences as an OT and acknowledging past mistakes
• Emphasizing the importance of asking questions as parents and educators
• Challenges of Homeschooling and Parenting
• Discussing the abundance of resources and conflicting advice in homeschooling and parenting
• Highlighting the emotional challenges and feelings of guilt and fear faced by parents
• Emphasizing that there is no one right way to parent or educate children
• Discussing scenarios where children exhibit resistance or anger towards certain activities
• Reflecting on past experiences where therapy was not provided due to the child's behavior
• Acknowledging past shortcomings and committing to continuous learning and improvement
• Understanding the Fight, Flight, and Freeze Response
• Exploring the neuroscience behind the fight, flight, and freeze response
• Describing the automatic nature of the response and the involvement of different brain structures
• Providing examples of stimuli and the body's automatic responses in different situations
• Discussing the concept of authority as a parent and educator
• Emphasizing the need for mutual trust and understanding in the parent-child relationship
• Sharing personal experiences of co-regulating with children and modeling coping skills
• Exploring the concept of before, during, and after when engaging children in activities
• Discussing the importance of explaining the purpose of activities to children
• Sharing examples of regulating activities and the importance of processing experiences with children
• Emphasizing the role of verbal processing and inviting children to contribute to conversations
• Highlighting the applicability of these strategies to children at different developmental stages

Links and Resources From Today's Show

• Is it Sensory or Behavior? Understanding Challenging Behavior
• Free Sensory Vs Behavior Checklist
• A Homeschooler's Guide to Sensory Processing & the Eight SensorySystems
• Two Important Sensory Systems Affecting Learning in the Homeschool
• Adding Movement Breaks to the Homeschool Day
• Sensory Input Activity List
• Sensory Balanced Homeschool Focus Group