The Sensory Code Podcast

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Summary

Learn how to manage conflicting sensory needs among children, especially in limited spaces, and emphasize the importance of understanding neurodiversity. I’ll also share some practical strategies for creating supportive environments and fostering better communication about sensory needs.

Check these reels for examples of talking to kids about neurodiversity

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DB_08gSxS0_/?igsi=MWdtbXB1NW12dGg4dg==

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPt0xKuCYHJ/?igsi=azh2bmF6eG1keGZp

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSQHxiZkaFK/?igsi=MWx3MGlrdGw0d2NodQ==

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCpuRjNzaCI/?igsi=MXJ4aTZ0NXNzajRjZg==

The sensory cup lesson 

 Key  topics

• Understanding neurodiversity and sensory profiles
• The importance of conversations about neurodiversity
• Creative space management for conflicting sensory needs
• Using sensory tools and zones to support regulation
• Managing limited space with sensory sanctuaries

 Takeaways

• You can't meet every child's needs perfectly at all times, especially in shared spaces.
• Talking openly about neurodiversity helps children understand and manage their needs.
• Creating designated zones and using sensory tools can reduce dysregulation.
• Limited space requires creative solutions like pop-up tents and sensory sanctuaries.
•  Recognizing your resource limitations is key to managing expectations.

~Formerly known as The Sensory W.I.S.E. Solutions Pocast~
The Sensory Code Book

Sensory Detectives Boot camp Waitlist 

The OT Butterfly Instagram

Work with Laura

The Sensory Code Newsletter

A Kids Book About Neurodiversity

What'd you think of the episode? Send me a note!

I share my thoughts on supporting neurodivergent children through accommodations and how to handle critics who oppose this approach. With my new book, The Sensory Code, out now, I want to encourage parents to embrace a lifestyle that meets their child's needs without guilt.

 key  topics

• The importance of sensory accommodations for neurodivergent children
• Addressing criticism and misconceptions about supporting children
• Building skills and self-advocacy in children
• The role of parents in creating supportive environments
• My new book, The Sensory Code, and its message

 takeaways

• Supporting your child's needs does not make them 'soft' or incapable.
• Accommodations are similar to the strategies adults use to improve their daily lives.
• Haters often have unmet needs or unresolved childhood issues.
• Building skills alongside accommodations empowers children to advocate for themselves.
• Creating a supportive lifestyle benefits children at home and in school.

~Formerly known as The Sensory W.I.S.E. Solutions Pocast~
The Sensory Code Book

Sensory Detectives Boot camp Waitlist 

The OT Butterfly Instagram

Work with Laura

The Sensory Code Newsletter

A Kids Book About Neurodiversity

What'd you think of the episode? Send me a note!

I share insights from my upcoming book, The Sensory Code, and introduce the nervous system budget framework to help parents and educators understand and support children's sensory processing differences proactively.

 Key  Topics:

• Nervous system budget framework
• Proactive sensory support strategies
• Sensory processing differences and behavior
• Application of the spoon theory to sensory regulation
• How to build a sensory-friendly daily schedule

 Takeaways

• The nervous system has a limited 'budget' that gets spent on daily demands.
• Sensory triggers can 'cost' more for sensitive children, depleting their nervous system budget.
• Proactively reducing sensory 'costs' and adding 'deposits' can help prevent dysregulation.
• Understanding the nervous system budget helps foster compassion and patience.
• Sleep alone does not replenish the nervous system budget; ongoing support is needed.

~Formerly known as The Sensory W.I.S.E. Solutions Pocast~
The Sensory Code Book

Sensory Detectives Boot camp Waitlist 

The OT Butterfly Instagram

Work with Laura

The Sensory Code Newsletter

A Kids Book About Neurodiversity

What'd you think of the episode? Send me a note!

I discuss whether a child's diagnosis influences occupational therapy treatment plans, emphasizing that while diagnoses can provide helpful context, they shouldn't define the intervention approach. I also highlight the importance of focusing on the child's current skills and needs, and when specific diagnoses like OCD require tailored strategies.

Points Discussed

• Diagnosis's role in OT treatment
• Focus on child's current skills
• Differences in clinic settings
• Impact of specific diagnoses like OCD
• Using diagnosis as a guide, not a box
• Supporting children with sensory needs

Takeaways

• Diagnosis shouldn't be the primary focus in intervention planning.
• Focus on the child's current skills and goals.
• Diagnosis can inform but shouldn't limit therapy.
• OCD requires specific considerations in therapy.
• Many children have misdiagnoses or no diagnosis.

~Formerly known as The Sensory W.I.S.E. Solutions Pocast~
The Sensory Code Book

Sensory Detectives Boot camp Waitlist 

The OT Butterfly Instagram

Work with Laura

The Sensory Code Newsletter

A Kids Book About Neurodiversity

What'd you think of the episode? Send me a note!

In this episode of the Sensory Code Podcast, I reflect on a personal realization about my daughter's accommodations as she turned nine. I discuss the complacency that can arise in parenting, particularly in providing support for children with sensory processing differences. I emphasize the importance of encouraging independence in daily tasks and the need for continuous assessment of accommodations to foster self-advocacy and personal growth in children.

Takeaways

• I was complacent with the routine accommodations for my daughter.
• I realized I was holding her back by not reassessing her needs.
• Accommodations can become habitual and unexamined over time.
• It's important to encourage independence in daily living skills.
• Children should learn to ask for the accommodations they need.
• Development happens under the surface, and children can surprise us.
• We should continuously check in with our children's needs.
• Teaching children to advocate for themselves is crucial.
• Accommodations may be lifelong, and that's okay.
• The goal is to help children understand their sensory needs.

~Formerly known as The Sensory W.I.S.E. Solutions Pocast~
The Sensory Code Book

Sensory Detectives Boot camp Waitlist 

The OT Butterfly Instagram

Work with Laura

The Sensory Code Newsletter

A Kids Book About Neurodiversity

What'd you think of the episode? Send me a note!

Summary

Let me tell you about the top five actions I would take if I just discovered my child was neurodivergent. I emphasize the importance of pausing to process the information, embracing accommodations, documenting progress, taking proactive steps for occupational therapy, and communicating about neurodivergence in a positive and affirming light. 

Takeaways

Pause and process before taking action.

Accommodations can make daily life easier.

Documenting progress helps recognize growth.

Don't wait for referrals; seek occupational therapy directly.

Communicate about neurodivergence in a positive way.

Links & Resources: 

• Instagram video: how to ask your pediatrician for an OT referral 
• Autistic/ Neurodivergent content creators:
  • Livedexperienceeducator
  • Neurodivergent_lou
  • Itsthatparent
  • Toren.wolf
  • Neurodivergent_insights
  • Blackspectrumscholar
  • Fidgets.and.fries
  • Neurotatical 

~Formerly known as The Sensory W.I.S.E. Solutions Pocast~
The Sensory Code Book

Sensory Detectives Boot camp Waitlist 

The OT Butterfly Instagram

Work with Laura

The Sensory Code Newsletter

A Kids Book About Neurodiversity

What'd you think of the episode? Send me a note!

Formerly known as The Sensory W.I.S.E. Solutions Podcast — now The Sensory Code Podcast. Every week, pediatric occupational therapist Laura Petix helps you view behavior through a nervous system lens. When parents, caregivers, educators, and therapists understand how sensory processing differences affect learning and behavior, it changes the game forever.

Laura brings a unique POV to the table: her clinical experience as a pediatric OT, her lived experience as a neurodivergent, ADHD, sensory-sensitive person, and her firsthand knowledge of parenting a neurodivergent child. However you're showing up — parent, provider, or both — you're in the right place. 

Just pull up a chair, grab your fidget, and lock in.

~Formerly known as The Sensory W.I.S.E. Solutions Pocast~
The Sensory Code Book

Sensory Detectives Boot camp Waitlist 

The OT Butterfly Instagram

Work with Laura

The Sensory Code Newsletter

A Kids Book About Neurodiversity

What'd you think of the episode? Send me a note!

I’m an Occupational Therapist, and I’m also a Mom with an invisible mental load that never ends. Screen time is a tool that I am NOT afraid to use. But not all screen time is created equal. 

Some games or apps are more dysregulating than others, which is probably a HUGE reason for the meltdowns and behaviors that come up when it comes to turning off the device. Since the day I was introduced to Pok Pok (in 2021) until now, this has remained our ONE app that has never, and I mean NEVER caused behaviors or meltdowns. 

Melissa Cash is the Co-Founder and CEO at Pok Pok, the award-winning company reinventing healthy screen time for kids. One of Canada’s Top 100 Most Influential People of 2024, Melissa is also an advocate and start-up advisor for women and underrepresented founders. Previously, she was a Product Designer for the Walt Disney Company and worked at start-ups in Europe and Canada.

Esther Huybreghts is the Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer at Pok Pok. With a Master's degree in Animation from the RITCS institute in Brussels, Belgium, she's the creative visionary behind the award-winning children's app Pok Pok, reimagining the way young children interact with technology from the ground up.

Ready to try Pok Pok for yourself? Click [ here ] and use code 25OTBUTTERFLY for a 25% off annual subscription, and a 7 day free trial! 

~Formerly known as The Sensory W.I.S.E. Solutions Pocast~
The Sensory Code Book

Sensory Detectives Boot camp Waitlist 

The OT Butterfly Instagram

Work with Laura

The Sensory Code Newsletter

A Kids Book About Neurodiversity

What'd you think of the episode? Send me a note!

Listen to this short and sweet episode to help you understand the difference between kids who enjoy some sensory input, and kids who NEED some sensory input to function properly in their day. 

I'm tired of hearing comments like "but all kids do that!" or "aren't we all a little on the spectrum?" and this episode is my attempt to address those conversations.

~Formerly known as The Sensory W.I.S.E. Solutions Pocast~
The Sensory Code Book

Sensory Detectives Boot camp Waitlist 

The OT Butterfly Instagram

Work with Laura

The Sensory Code Newsletter

A Kids Book About Neurodiversity

What'd you think of the episode? Send me a note!

Did you know some kids are getting their recess taken away as punishment for not focusing, being distracted, not getting their work done, and other behavioral issues in the classroom? Maybe you’re the parent to a child who has had this done to them. The American Academy of Pediatrics and The Center for Disease Control and Prevention have both made public statements emphasizing the necessity of at least 20 minutes of recess for elementary aged kids, and they both further state that recess should never be taken away as a punitive measure. 

This episode breaks down those research briefs and gives you the tools to advocate so that your child never misses out on their right to recess again.

Here are the links mentioned:

AAP statement

State Policies Database 

CDC + springboard brief

Results from the School Health Policies and Practices Study 2014

Sign up for the Sensory Detectives BootCamp 

~Formerly known as The Sensory W.I.S.E. Solutions Pocast~
The Sensory Code Book

Sensory Detectives Boot camp Waitlist 

The OT Butterfly Instagram

Work with Laura

The Sensory Code Newsletter

A Kids Book About Neurodiversity