Episode 30

Why 'Just Take a Bite' Doesn't Work for Extremely Picky Eaters (And What To Do Instead!)

Last time, we talked about why toddler picky eating is usually just development doing its job. But what about the kids who don't grow out of it — the five-food kids, the kids who gag at the sight of a new food before a bite ever happens?

In this episode, we go a layer deeper into extreme picky eating. You'll learn why eating isn't one single skill but a whole sequence of smaller skills, and why jumping straight to "just take a bite" skips many of the steps most kids haven't built yet. We'll also talk about two things that get overlooked constantly - how your child's body is positioned at the table, and the mealtime environment around them.

In this episode, you'll learn:

The goal isn't to get your child eating everything overnight. It's to recognize that touching, smelling, or simply tolerating a new food on the plate is real progress, and that setting up their body and environment to succeed matters just as much as any food strategy.

💛 Resources Mentioned:

Link to the Nutrients article on neophobia

Dr. Kay Toomey’s SOS Approach to Feeding

💛 Next Steps:

💛 Related Episodes

Episode 8: Do mealtimes feel like you're wrangling kittens!? How positioning and body awareness impact a child's ability to sit for mealtime and what to do about it!

Episode 24: Can't Get Your Child to Calm Down? The Sensory Science Behind Co-Regulation

Episode 29: Is Your Toddler a Picky Eater? 5 Things to Try Today to Make Mealtimes Easier

💛 Connecting with Us!

DISCLAIMER

This podcast, Sensory Solutions for Parents, is intended for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, occupational therapy, or other professional advice.

The host is a licensed occupational therapist; however, the information shared in this podcast is general in nature and may not apply to your specific child or situation. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between you and Alison Foura, PhD, OTR/L. Any strategies, ideas, or suggestions shared are offered as general support for parents and caregivers and should be used at your own discretion, with consideration for your child's individual needs and your family's values.

Always seek the guidance of your child's pediatrician, occupational therapist, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your child's development, behavior, or health.

This podcast may also include personal experiences and, at times, faith-based perspectives. These are shared as part of Alison's personal and professional lens and are not intended to replace individualized care or professional guidance.

Episode 29

Is Mealtime a Battle with Your Picky Eater?  5 Things to Try Today to Help Make Mealtimes Easier!

Your toddler used to eat everything. Now dinner is beige, the sandwich has to be cut just right, and yesterday's favorite food is suddenly "yucky." If mealtimes have turned into a nightly battle, you're not imagining it — and you didn't cause it.

In this episode we’re talking about why toddlers get so “picky” with their eating and why this is one of the most normal, predictable stages of development.  We’ll also discuss what's typical picky eating vs. what's worth mentioning to your pediatrician, why pressuring your toddler to "just try one bite" almost always backfires and 5 practical strategies you can start using at tonight's dinner!

The goal isn't to win every meal. It's to keep food a calm, low-pressure part of your toddler's day, so curiosity has room to grow over time.

💛 Resources Mentioned:

Link to the Nutrients article on neophobia

💛 Next Steps:

💛 Related Episodes

Episode 8: Do mealtimes feel like you're wrangling kittens!? How positioning and body awareness impact a child's ability to sit for mealtime and what to do about it!

Episode 24: Can't Get Your Child to Calm Down? The Sensory Science Behind Co-Regulation

💛 Connecting with Us!

DISCLAIMER

The host is a licensed occupational therapist; however, the information shared in this podcast is general in nature and may not apply to your specific child or situation. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between you and Alison Foura, PhD, OTR/L. Any strategies, ideas, or suggestions shared are offered as general support for parents and caregivers and should be used at your own discretion, with consideration for your child's individual needs and your family's values.

Always seek the guidance of your child's pediatrician, occupational therapist, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your child's development, behavior, or health.

This podcast may also include personal experiences and, at times, faith-based perspectives. These are shared as part of Alison's personal and professional lens and are not intended to replace individualized care or professional guidance.

Episode 28

Is My Child a Sensory Seeker or a Sensory Avoider?  How to Tell the Difference and Why Most Kids are BOTH!

Understanding whether your child is a sensory seeker, a sensory avoider, or a mix of both is one of the most useful tools you can have as a parent — because it changes everything about which strategies will actually help.

In this episode, we're breaking down what sensory seeking and sensory avoiding really look like day to day, why your child might be both depending on the type of input or the time of day, and how to start noticing these patterns in your own home.

In this episode, you'll learn:

The goal isn't to put your child in a permanent box labeled "seeker" or "avoider." It's to start noticing their patterns so you can respond to what their nervous system actually needs, in that moment — not what worked yesterday, or what worked for someone else's child.

💛 Next Steps:

💛 Related Episode

Episode 2: Struggling to understand all of this sensory stuff? Breaking it down into every day language

Episode 10: Struggling With Your Child’s Intense Meltdowns? What’s Really Happening and What to Do in the Moment

Episode 11: Curious About Why Your Child Plays the Way They Do? Understanding Their Sensory Needs Through Play

Episode 21: Got a Kiddo Who Just Won’t Stop Moving?! What Proprioception Is and Why It Matters for Your Child’s Behavior

Episode 23: Do Your Child's Big Emotions and Meltdowns Leave You Feeling Confused? Understanding Why Behavior Makes Sense Through Regulation and Dysregulation

Episode 24: Can’t Get Your Child to Calm Down? The Sensory Science Behind Co-Regulation

💛 Connecting with Us!

DISCLAIMER

The host is a licensed occupational therapist; however, the information shared in this podcast is general in nature and may not apply to your specific child or situation. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between you and Alison Foura, PhD, OTR/L. Any strategies, ideas, or suggestions shared are offered as general support for parents and caregivers and should be used at your own discretion, with consideration for your child's individual needs and your family's values.

Always seek the guidance of your child's pediatrician, occupational therapist, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your child's development, behavior, or health.

This podcast may also include personal experiences and, at times, faith-based perspectives. These are shared as part of Alison's personal and professional lens and are not intended to replace individualized care or professional guidance.

Episode 27:

Is It Sensory or Behavior? Why That's the Wrong Question to Ask for Your Child’s Meltdown!

"Is this sensory... or is this behavior?" It's one of the most common questions parents, grandparents and teachers ask when a child melts down. We want a label - sensory or behavior - because we think the label tells us what to do next.

In this episode, we're challenging the question itself. Because sensory processing isn't a separate category from behavior – it’s what’s underneath it all! All behavior has a sensory or nervous system root, and once you see it that way, so much of what looked like "bad behavior" starts to make sense.

In this episode, you'll learn:

The goal isn't to sort every behavior into the right category. It's to understand what your child's behavior may be communicating, and get curious instead of frustrated, because curiosity almost always leads to better solutions.

💛 Next Steps:

💛 Related Episodes

Episode 13: Why Your Toddler Falls Apart After Daycare (And What to Do About It!)

Episode 10: Struggling With Your Child's Intense Meltdowns? What's Really Happening and What to Do in the Moment

Episode 22: Does Your Child Have a Behavior Problem…or a Skill Problem? The 5 Skills Behind Better Behavior that Every Parent Needs to Know

Episode 25 Calming Strategies Never Work for My Child! How to Find the Sensory Input They Actually Need

💛 Connecting with Us!

DISCLAIMER

This podcast, Sensory Solutions for Parents, is intended for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, occupational therapy, or other professional advice.

The host is a licensed occupational therapist; however, the information shared in this podcast is general in nature and may not apply to your specific child or situation. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between you and Alison Foura, PhD, OTR/L. Any strategies, ideas, or suggestions shared are offered as general support for parents and caregivers and should be used at your own discretion, with consideration for your child’s individual needs and your family’s values.

Always seek the guidance of your child’s pediatrician, occupational therapist, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your child’s development, behavior, or health.

This podcast may also include personal experiences and, at times, faith-based perspectives. These are shared as part of Alison’s personal and professional lens and are not intended to replace individualized care or professional guidance.

Back-to-school can be exciting, but it can also mean more stress for your child – and you! More noise, more transitions, more demands, and a whole lot more sensory information to process.

If your child is struggling with the morning routine, having a hard time with drop-off, constantly moving after school, eating less at school, or completely falling apart when they get home, their nervous system may simply be working overtime to adjust.

In this episode we're talking about how much the back to school transition can affect your child's sensory system and 5 simple strategies you can start using right away to make the transition easier.

The goal isn't to eliminate every difficult moment or create a perfectly calm child. It's to understand what your child's behavior may be communicating and make small changes that help their nervous system manage the demands of the school day.

Step 1: Join our free Facebook community and connect with other parents who are learning to understand behavior through a sensory and nervous system lens.

Step 2: Subscribe to the podcast for upcoming episodes.

Step 3: This week, spend a few moments recognizing your own nervous system and regulation, especially in times when your child may be dysregulated.  

💛 Related Episode

Episode 13: Why Your Toddler Falls Apart After Daycare (And What to Do About It!)

Episode 10: Struggling With Your Child's Intense Meltdowns? What's Really Happening and What to Do in the Moment

Episode 21: Got a Kiddo Who Just Won’t Stop Moving?! What Proprioception Is and Why It Matters for Your Child’s Behavior

Episode 24: Can’t Get Your Child to Calm Down? The Sensory Science Behind Co-Regulation

Connect on FB -> Join our Free Facebook Community

Podcast -> Sensory Solutions for Parents

Instagram -> @SensorySolutionsforParents

DISCLAIMER

This podcast, Sensory Solutions for Parents, is intended for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, occupational therapy, or other professional advice.

The host is a licensed occupational therapist; however, the information shared in this podcast is general in nature and may not apply to your specific child or situation. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between you and Alison Foura, PhD, OTR/L. Any strategies, ideas, or suggestions shared are offered as general support for parents and caregivers and should be used at your own discretion, with consideration for your child’s individual needs and your family’s values.

Always seek the guidance of your child’s pediatrician, occupational therapist, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your child’s development, behavior, or health.

This podcast may also include personal experiences and, at times, faith-based perspectives. These are shared as part of Alison’s personal and professional lens and are not intended to replace individualized care or professional guidance.

Episode 25:

Calming Strategies Never Work for My Child! How to Find the Sensory Input They Actually Need

Have you tried deep breathing, a calm-down corner, sensory toys, or other calming strategies with your child…only to feel like nothing actually works?

Here's the thing: your child may not always need to calm down. Their nervous system may need more sensory input, less sensory input, or a completely different type of sensory input.

In today's episode of Sensory Solutions for Parents, we're talking about how to become a sensory detective and start looking beyond your child's behavior to figure out what their nervous system may actually be communicating.

The goal isn't simply to make our children's bodies look calm.  It's to understand what their sensory systems and nervous system needs to help them feel more organized, comfortable, and ready to participate.

Because the behavior gives us a ton of information - and when we get curious about what's happening underneath that behavior, we can choose strategies that better match what our children actually need!

Step 1: Join our free Facebook community and connect with other parents who are learning to understand behavior through a sensory and nervous system lens.

Step 2: Subscribe to the podcast for upcoming episodes in the Sensory Solutions Framework series as we continue exploring how the sensory system shapes behavior.

Step 3: This week, spend a few moments recognizing your own nervous system and regulation, especially in times when your child may be dysregulated.  

💛 Related Episode

Episode 2: Struggling to understand all of this sensory stuff? Breaking it down into every day language

Episode 10: Struggling With Your Child’s Intense Meltdowns? What’s Really Happening and What to Do in the Moment

Episode 11: Curious About Why Your Child Plays the Way They Do? Understanding Their Sensory Needs Through Play

Episode 21: Got a Kiddo Who Just Won’t Stop Moving?! What Proprioception Is and Why It Matters for Your Child’s Behavior

Episode 23: Do Your Child's Big Emotions and Meltdowns Leave You Feeling Confused? Understanding Why Behavior Makes Sense Through Regulation and Dysregulation

Episode 24: Can’t Get Your Child to Calm Down? The Sensory Science Behind Co-Regulation

Connect on FB -> Join our Free Facebook Community

Podcast -> Sensory Solutions for Parents

Instagram -> @SensorySolutionsforParents

DISCLAIMER

This podcast, Sensory Solutions for Parents, is intended for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, occupational therapy, or other professional advice.

The host is a licensed occupational therapist; however, the information shared in this podcast is general in nature and may not apply to your specific child or situation. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between you and Alison Foura, PhD, OTR/L. Any strategies, ideas, or suggestions shared are offered as general support for parents and caregivers and should be used at your own discretion, with consideration for your child’s individual needs and your family’s values.

Always seek the guidance of your child’s pediatrician, occupational therapist, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your child’s development, behavior, or health.

This podcast may also include personal experiences and, at times, faith-based perspectives. These are shared as part of Alison’s personal and professional lens and are not intended to replace individualized care or professional guidance.

You've probably heard the term co-regulation – it’s everywhere from social media to parenting books, and possibly other parents you know. But what does it actually mean? And how do you do it in everyday life?

In this episode of Sensory Solutions for Parents, we're building on last week's conversation about regulation and exploring how children actually learn to regulate their emotions and behavior over time.

You'll discover why YOU are one of your child's most powerful sensory experiences and how your voice, facial expressions, movement, breathing, and overall presence communicate safety to your child's nervous system.

We'll also explore the fascinating role of mirror neurons, why children who experience sensory input more intensely or have big emotions often need even more co-regulation, and three practical ways to help your child move from overwhelm back to connection.

When we understand co-regulation through a sensory lens, we stop focusing on fixing behavior and start building the lifelong regulation skills our children need to succeed.

Step 1: Join our free Facebook community and connect with other parents who are learning to understand behavior through a sensory and nervous system lens.

Step 2: Subscribe to the podcast for upcoming episodes in the Sensory Solutions Framework series as we continue exploring how the sensory system shapes behavior.

Step 3: This week, spend a few moments recognizing your own nervous system and regulation, especially in times when your child may be dysregulated.  

💛 Related Episodes:

Episode 10: Struggling with Your Child's Intense Meltdowns? What's Really Happening and What to Do in the Moment

Episode 13: Why Your Toddler Falls Apart After Daycare (And What to Do About It!)

Episode 22: Does Your Child Have a Behavior Problem…or a Skill Problem? The 5 Skills Behind Better Behavior that Every Parent Needs to Know

Episode 23: Do Your Child's Big Emotions and Meltdowns Leave You Feeling Confused? Understanding Why Behavior Makes Sense Through Regulation and Dysregulation

Connect on FB -> Join our Free Facebook Community

Podcast -> Sensory Solutions for Parents

Instagram -> @SensorySolutionsforParents

DISCLAIMER

This podcast, Sensory Solutions for Parents, is intended for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, occupational therapy, or other professional advice.

The host is a licensed occupational therapist; however, the information shared in this podcast is general in nature and may not apply to your specific child or situation. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between you and Alison Foura, PhD, OTR/L. Any strategies, ideas, or suggestions shared are offered as general support for parents and caregivers and should be used at your own discretion, with consideration for your child’s individual needs and your family’s values.

Always seek the guidance of your child’s pediatrician, occupational therapist, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your child’s development, behavior, or health.

This podcast may also include personal experiences and, at times, faith-based perspectives. These are shared as part of Alison’s personal and professional lens and are not intended to replace individualized care or professional guidance.

23 Do Your Child's Big Emotions and Meltdowns Leave You Feeling Confused? Understanding Why Behavior Makes Sense Through Regulation and Dysregulation

In this episode we're diving into one of the most important concepts in child development: regulation and dysregulation. Understanding these concepts can completely change the way you view your child's behavior—and help you respond with more confidence, connection, and compassion.

You'll learn why regulation is about much more than simply "being calm," why dysregulation is often mistaken for defiance, and how your child's nervous system influences their emotions, behavior, and ability to participate in everyday life.

When we begin to understand what's happening inside a child's brain and body, behavior starts to make sense.

Step 1: Join our free Facebook community and connect with other parents who are learning to understand behavior through a sensory and nervous system lens.

Step 2: Subscribe to the podcast for upcoming episodes in the Sensory Solutions Framework series as we continue exploring how the sensory system shapes behavior.

Step 3: This week, spend a few moments recognizing your own nervous system and regulation, especially in times when your child may be dysregulated.  

💛 Related Resources:

Autism Level Up

@AutismLevelUp

Website: Autism Level Up

This is not just for autistic individuals, but they have GREAT resources on a ton of things related to regulation and sensory processing, etc.  They also have a fantastic FB page; very active with great resources!

American Society for Positive Care of Children

3 Ways Coregulation is the Key to Raising an Emotionally Healthy Child

💛 Related Episodes:

Episode 10: Struggling with Your Child's Intense Meltdowns? What's Really Happening and What to Do in the Moment

Episode 13: Why Your Toddler Falls Apart After Daycare (And What to Do About It!)

Episode 22: Does Your Child Have a Behavior Problem…or a Skill Problem? The 5 Skills Behind Better Behavior that Every Parent Needs to Know

Connect on FB -> Join our Free Facebook Community

Podcast -> Sensory Solutions for Parents

Instagram -> @SensorySolutionsforParents

DISCLAIMER

This podcast, Sensory Solutions for Parents, is intended for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, occupational therapy, or other professional advice.

The host is a licensed occupational therapist; however, the information shared in this podcast is general in nature and may not apply to your specific child or situation. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between you and Alison Foura, PhD, OTR/L. Any strategies, ideas, or suggestions shared are offered as general support for parents and caregivers and should be used at your own discretion, with consideration for your child’s individual needs and your family’s values.

Always seek the guidance of your child’s pediatrician, occupational therapist, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your child’s development, behavior, or health.

This podcast may also include personal experiences and, at times, faith-based perspectives. These are shared as part of Alison’s personal and professional lens and are not intended to replace individualized care or professional guidance.

Have you ever found yourself asking…

"Why won't my child listen?"

"Why does everything turn into a battle?"

"Why do they keep having meltdowns over the smallest things?"

If so, you're not alone.

As parents, it's easy to focus on the behavior we see—tantrums, defiance, whining, hitting, refusing to cooperate, or shutting down. But what if those behaviors aren't the real problem?

In this episode, we're exploring one of the biggest mindset shifts you can make as a parent: challenging behavior is often a sign that a child is still developing important life skills, not that they're choosing to misbehave.

Step 1: Join our free Facebook community and connect with other parents who are learning to understand behavior through a sensory and nervous system lens.

Step 2: This week, spend a few moments looking for one small sign of growth in your child…and YOU! Growth is often happening even when progress feels slow.

💛 Related Episodes:

Episode 10: Struggling with Your Child's Intense Meltdowns? What's Really Happening and What to Do in the Moment

Episode 13: Why Your Toddler Falls Apart After Daycare (And What to Do About It!)

Episode 14: Does Everything Turn into a Battle with Your Child? Why Power Struggles Happen (and What to Do Instead)

Connect on FB -> Join our Free Facebook Community

Podcast -> Sensory Solutions for Parents

Instagram -> @SensorySolutionsforParents

DISCLAIMER

This podcast, Sensory Solutions for Parents, is intended for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, occupational therapy, or other professional advice.

The host is a licensed occupational therapist; however, the information shared in this podcast is general in nature and may not apply to your specific child or situation. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between you and Alison Foura, PhD, OTR/L. Any strategies, ideas, or suggestions shared are offered as general support for parents and caregivers and should be used at your own discretion, with consideration for your child’s individual needs and your family’s values.

Always seek the guidance of your child’s pediatrician, occupational therapist, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your child’s development, behavior, or health.

This podcast may also include personal experiences and, at times, faith-based perspectives. These are shared as part of Alison’s personal and professional lens and are not intended to replace individualized care or professional guidance.

Does your child seem like they never stop moving, constantly crashes into things, jumps on the furniture, or can't sit still? In this episode, we're talking about proprioception, one of the most important sensory systems for child behavior, emotional regulation, attention, and body awareness.

Today we're diving into one of the most misunderstood parts of your child's sensory system: proprioception. Don't let the big word intimidate you! I'll explain what it is in simple language and why it's often the missing piece behind your child's constant movement, difficulty sitting still, big emotions, and even challenging behaviors.

As a pediatric occupational therapist, I'll help you understand why your child's body may actually be asking for movement—not because they're trying to be difficult, but because their nervous system is seeking the input it needs to feel organized and ready to learn, or to do whatever it is they’re needing to in that moment.

Most importantly, you'll walk away with practical strategies you can start using today to meet your child's sensory needs at home, in the community, and throughout your daily routines.

Step 1: Join our free Facebook community and connect with other parents who are learning to understand behavior through a sensory and nervous system lens.

Step 2: This week, spend a few moments looking for one small sign of growth in your child…and YOU! Growth is often happening even when progress feels slow.

💛 Related Episodes:

Episode 10: Struggling with Your Child's Intense Meltdowns? What's Really Happening and What to Do in the Moment

Episode 11: Curious about why your child play the way they do? Understanding their sensory needs through play

Episode 13: Why Your Toddler Falls Apart After Daycare (And What to Do About It!)

Episode 14: Does Everything Turn into a Battle with Your Child? Why Power Struggles Happen (and What to Do Instead)

Connect on FB -> Join our Free Facebook Community

Podcast -> Sensory Solutions for Parents

Instagram -> @SensorySolutionsforParents

DISCLAIMER

This podcast, Sensory Solutions for Parents, is intended for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, occupational therapy, or other professional advice.

The host is a licensed occupational therapist; however, the information shared in this podcast is general in nature and may not apply to your specific child or situation. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between you and Alison Foura, PhD, OTR/L. Any strategies, ideas, or suggestions shared are offered as general support for parents and caregivers and should be used at your own discretion, with consideration for your child’s individual needs and your family’s values.

Always seek the guidance of your child’s pediatrician, occupational therapist, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your child’s development, behavior, or health.

This podcast may also include personal experiences and, at times, faith-based perspectives. These are shared as part of Alison’s personal and professional lens and are not intended to replace individualized care or professional guidance.