Episode 10: Struggling with your child’s intense meltdowns? What’s Really Happening and What to Do in the Moment

Have you ever wondered:

What do you do when your child is in the middle of a meltdown—and nothing seems to be working?

In this episode of Sensory Solutions for Parents, we’re breaking down what’s really happening during meltdowns—and even full-on rage—and how to respond in a way that actually helps your child.

You’ll learn why meltdowns are typically not just “misbehavior,” but a nervous system response, and how moments of hitting, kicking, or losing control are often part of the fight response when a child becomes overwhelmed.

Instead of focusing on just stopping the behavior, this episode walks you through connection-first strategies that support your child’s regulation in the moment.

You’ll walk away with simple, practical tools to:

If you’ve ever felt unsure, overwhelmed, or stuck during your child’s meltdowns, this episode will give you a clear path forward.

Key Takeaways from this Episode:

❤️ REMEMBER

Your child isn’t trying to give you a hard time.

NEXT STEPS:

🤍 Join our supportive community of Moms looking for solutions and support at the free Facebook group Sensory Solutions for Parents

⭐ Share & leave a review on Apple Podcasts to help more families!

https://www.instagram.com/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 toddler or young child struggle at church—melting down during music, refusing to go in, or clinging to you in crowded spaces?

In this episode of Sensory Solutions for Parents, we break down why church environments can feel overwhelming for some children and how those big reactions are often sensory-based stress responses, not misbehavior.

You’ll learn how your child’s nervous system (fight, flight, freeze or fawn) plays a major role in behaviors like running away, shutting down, or acting out.

This episode will help you:

If Sundays have started to feel more stressful than peaceful, this episode will give you a new lens—and simple, practical strategies you can use right away.

Instead of asking:

Try asking:

Your child isn’t trying to give you a hard time.

If this episode helped you, share it with a friend who struggles with church mornings.

And if you want more support like this, come join my free Facebook community where we talk about real-life strategies for real-life parenting.

https://www.facebook.com/share/g/14ftp5s17YP/

⭐  Don’t forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts! It helps more families find this support!

https://www.instagram.com/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 constantly leave the table… stand while eating… or seem like they just can’t sit through a meal?

Have you tried reminders, rewards, or consequences—and nothing seems to stick?

What if staying at the table isn’t just behavior… but your child’s body asking for more support?

In this episode of Sensory Solutions for Parents, we’re breaking down a commonly missed piece of the puzzle: how seating positioning and proprioception (your child’s sense of body awareness) directly impact their ability to stay seated and regulated during meals.

You’ll walk away with a new way of looking at mealtime struggles—and simple, realistic strategies you can start using today.

Before your next meal:

👉 Give your child 2 minutes of heavy work

Then simply observe:

“Support the body first—and behavior will follow.”

If this episode helped you, share it with another parent who could use this.

And for more simple, real-life sensory strategies:

You can also find us on IG @SensorySolutionsforParents

Hey there! In this episode, we dive a little deeper into why kids bite and how the environment impacts this!  We look at the environment, both at home and in other spaces, such as daycare or the playground!

👉 Biting is often not a behavior problem—it’s a nervous system response.

You’ll learn more about:

💛 Key takeaway: Your child isn’t trying to be aggressive!  Typically, they’re trying to communicate, regulate, or BOTH!

NEXT STEPS:

🎁 Grab your free guide, What to Do When Your Toddler Bites, in our FB community at the link below!

🤍 Join our supportive community of Moms looking for solutions and support at the free Facebook group Sensory Solutions for Parents

⭐ Share + leave a review to help more families!

Follow Sensory Solutions for Parents on IG!

Does your toddler keep biting—even when you’ve tried everything to get them to stop? Does it leave you wondering how much biting is ‘normal’ and why isn’t anything working?

In this episode of Sensory Solutions for Parents, we break down toddler biting through a sensory lens—so you can understand what your child is really trying to tell you.

👉 Biting is often not a behavior problem—it’s a nervous system response.

You’ll learn:

💛 Key takeaway: Your child isn’t trying to be aggressive!  Typically, they’re trying to communicate, regulate, or BOTH!

NEXT STEPS:

🎁 Grab your free guide, What to Do When Your Toddler Bites, in our FB community at the link below!

🤍 Join our supportive community of Moms looking for solutions and support at the free Facebook group Sensory Solutions for Parents

⭐ Share + leave a review on Apple Podcasts to help more families!

https://www.instagram.com/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 cry, refuse to sit, or completely melt down during haircuts?

You’re not alone, and this isn’t just about behavior.

In this episode, we’re looking at haircuts through a sensory lens so you can better understand what’s actually happening in your child’s body, and how to support them in a way that feels calmer and more manageable for both of you.

Because when we understand the why, the what to do becomes so much clearer.

You’ll get a simple, clear understanding of how your child’s nervous system is working behind the scenes, and why haircuts are sometimes just “too much” for some kids. I’ll share 5 practical, realistic ways to support your child before and during their next haircut. 

NEXT STEPS:

Join our supportive community of Moms looking for solutions and support at the free Facebook group Sensory Solutions for Parents

Follow Sensory Solutions for Parents on IG!

https://www.instagram.com/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 left a birthday party feeling exhausted, confused, or wondering, “Why was that so hard for my child?”

In this episode, we’re breaking down what’s really going on when birthday parties feel overwhelming for your child. Because those big reactions...they’re not random, and they're not intentional! They’re a window into your child’s nervous system and ultimately they’re communication.

Today we discuss how your child’s sensory systems and nervous system are working behind the scenes, and why busy, loud environments your child’s sensory system and nervous system are working behind the scenes, and why busy, loud environments - like birthday parties - can feel like “too much” for some kids.  You’ll walk away with practical, realistic ways to support your child before, during, and after a party—so you can move from surviving these moments to feeling more confident and connected.

NEXT STEPS:

Join our supportive community of Moms looking for solutions and support at the free Facebook group Sensory Solutions for Parents

https://www.instagram.com/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 panic when their hands get messy?

Do they refuse finger painting, or to play with slime, or shaving cream?

Do they meltdown the moment something sticky touches their fingers?

In this episode, we’re talking about why some kids love messy play and why others can’t tolerate it.  We’ll discuss what to do about it, so you can help your child participate in sensory play and activities without feeling so overwhelmed!

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

NEXT STEPS:

Join our supportive community of Moms looking for solutions and support at the free Facebook group Sensory Solutions for Parents

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.

Struggling to make sense of all the sensory stuff? Feeling like your child’s behavior is somehow related to their sensory needs and don’t know where to start?  In this episode, we’re going to kick-start our understanding of behaviors by learning about our sensory systems, in simple, easy to understand language!  We’ll talk about all 8 sensory systems, not just the 5 we learn about in school, so you can start to better understand what your child’s behavior is telling you and how to respond in a way that actually helps! 

NEXT STEPS:

Join our supportive community of Moms looking for solutions and support at the free Facebook group Sensory Solutions for Parents

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.

Introduction to Sensory Solutions for Parents Podcast.

In Sensory Solutions for Parents, we take a deep dive into the "sensory stuff," along with toddler and childhood behavior, and overall regulation. Drawing from both my clinical experience as a pediatric occupational therapist and my own parenting journey, I share why this podcast exists, why families need this conversation now, and how you can better understand your child’s behavior through a sensory-informed, connection-first lens.

If you’re a parent of a young child navigating big emotions, meltdowns, or sensory challenges, this Podcast is for you!

NEXT STEPS:

Join our supportive community of Moms looking for solutions and support at the free Facebook group Sensory Solutions for Parents

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.