Preparatory activities are the “warm ups” you incorporate into a treatment session. These activities should stimulate different sensory systems, wake up different muscle groups, and help the child prepare for functional, occupation-based activities.We dive into WHY we love preparatory activities and we give you our top 10 favorites that you need to include daily! This isn’t just for therapists - parents and teachers can use these preparatory activities to help children prepare for daily activ...

#246 - What Are Preparatory Activities and Why Does Everyone Need to be Doing Them?

Rachel Harrington and Jessica Hill, are two passionate Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants who answer your questions related to all things sensory, occupational therapy, parenting, self-care, nutrition, and health, from a therapist’s perspective. Providing raw, honest, fun ideas, and strategies, for parents and families to implement into daily life. Great for those who work with children with sensory processing disorder, special needs, autism, and ADHD. This podcast is brought to you by Harkla. At Harkla, our goal is to help those with special needs live happy and healthy lives.

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Have you ever wondered why we always recommend obstacle courses for kids during therapy and at home?It’s because they have so many benefits!Today’s episode is all about WHY obstacle courses are so beneficial and how to set up obstacle courses for all children!We talk about our favorite equipment pieces to use, how to identify the number of steps in the obstacle course, how to add a function-based play component, how to add different transitions into it, and MORE!We’d love to answer your quest...

#311 - Teaching You How to Set Up Obstacle Courses that Target Multiple Goals

In this episode, we are answering your questions. We talk about strategies for helping an 8 year old with toileting skills, toddler sleep challenges, games that help with teaching the Zones of Regulation, how to help a 4 year old wake up easier, tips for parents who are ‘touched out’ with their sensory seeking child, and ideas for a toddler who seems extra clumsy.We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form -> https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3Brought To You B...

#310 - Answering Your Sensory and OT Questions

Alex Doman is an entrepreneur, bestselling author, psychoacoustic music producer, and TEDx speaker with more than thirty years of experience in neurotechnology. His mission is to help others achieve their optimal potential and become the best version of themselves. The third generation in a family of pioneers dedicated to improving people's brain performance for over seventy-five years, Alex founded Advanced Brain Technologies and co-founded Sleep Genius and Vital Neuro. Doman’s production cr...

#309 - In-Home Neurofeedback Training with Vital Neuro Headphones ft. Co-founder Alex Doman

We received a question from an OT practitioner working in the schools: What are some simple proprioceptive activities that I can do with my students that don’t require a lot of space or equipment?Tune in for a discussion all about proprioception and get some new ideas for using heavy work and deep pressure in the school setting.Make sure to check out all of our links below!We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form -> https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3Brough...

#308 - Simple, Effective Heavy Work Activities in the School Setting

Jewelisa Blanks, a respected public speaker and seasoned educator, has devoted her professional life to empowering teachers and students. A proud graduate of The Ohio State University, Jewelisa spent over seven years serving in the public education sector, fostering a deep understanding of the field over her ten years of educational experience. Leveraging her knowledge and experience, she has drawn on cutting-edge emotional health research to affect meaningful change within the education syst...

#246 - What Are Preparatory Activities and Why Does Everyone Need to be Doing Them?

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