Episodes
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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.**We are currently on a hiatus until 2025**
Sensory Detectives Boot camp Waitlist
Episode transcript: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/podcastThe OT Butterfly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theotbutterfly
Work with Laura: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/parentconsult
Buy "A kids book about neurodiversity" : www.theotbutterfly.com/book
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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 youâre 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
**We are currently on a hiatus until 2025**
Sensory Detectives Boot camp Waitlist
Episode transcript: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/podcastThe OT Butterfly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theotbutterfly
Work with Laura: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/parentconsult
Buy "A kids book about neurodiversity" : www.theotbutterfly.com/book
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Missing episodes?
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Many of us are back into the swing of things at school, and with that comes so much more dysregulation! Listen in as I talk about where that dysregulation comes from and how you can try to get ahead of it (key word: try!).
Youâll learn:
What dysregulated behaviors are common to see after school How after school restraint collapse looks different for neurodivergent kidsSome immediate ways to regulate the nervous system right at school pick upWhat kinds of sensory strategies to try after school once you get home**We are currently on a hiatus until 2025**
Sensory Detectives Boot camp Waitlist
Episode transcript: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/podcastThe OT Butterfly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theotbutterfly
Work with Laura: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/parentconsult
Buy "A kids book about neurodiversity" : www.theotbutterfly.com/book
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Listen in to this episode to hear more context and insight behind some of the wording and passages I used in my book, A kids book about neurodiversity. You might be surprised to learn that this bookâs intended audience is actually neurotypical kids, because I want to spread awareness and acceptance and celebration for our neurodivergent kids; it shouldnât always be left up to us neurodivergent folks and families to constantly explain ourselves and our kidsâ behaviors and needs to the world; what if we lived in a world where everyone just knew that there are variations among humans?
Register for the free 60 minute masterclass here.Buy "A kids book about neurodiversity" here.
**We are currently on a hiatus until 2025**
Sensory Detectives Boot camp Waitlist
Episode transcript: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/podcastThe OT Butterfly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theotbutterfly
Work with Laura: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/parentconsult
Buy "A kids book about neurodiversity" : www.theotbutterfly.com/book
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Listen in to this casual, story time episode where I catch you up to speed with my anxiety/ADHD journey and why I stopped medication.
**We are currently on a hiatus until 2025**
Sensory Detectives Boot camp Waitlist
Episode transcript: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/podcastThe OT Butterfly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theotbutterfly
Work with Laura: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/parentconsult
Buy "A kids book about neurodiversity" : www.theotbutterfly.com/book
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Do you ever feel like your patience runs out before your coffee does? In this episode, we focus on why it's essential for parents, teachers, and caregivers to prioritize their own regulation. It's not just about being able to stay calm when your child spills cereal all over the floorâit's about being equipped to handle life's daily challenges with a sense of calm and control.
Join me as I share some straightforward and practical strategies for self-regulation that you might already be doing without realizing their true potential. From chewing gum to changing your clothes, discover how these simple acts can actually help you maintain your cool. Weâll dive into the science behind why our bodies react the way they do and explore how we can proactively use these sensory strategies to reclaim our brain's resources and be the best versions of ourselves for our kids.
In This Episode, Youâll Learn:
The importance of self-regulation for parents and caregivers.How to identify your own cues of dysregulation and what they might look like for you.The neuroscience behind why our bodies go into "protective mode" during stress and how it affects our ability to multi-task.Simple sensory strategies you can use throughout the dayMy most IMPORTANT tip for implementing these sensory strategies**We are currently on a hiatus until 2025**
Sensory Detectives Boot camp Waitlist
Episode transcript: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/podcastThe OT Butterfly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theotbutterfly
Work with Laura: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/parentconsult
Buy "A kids book about neurodiversity" : www.theotbutterfly.com/book
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What'd you think of the episode? Send me a note!
Are you receiving constant feedback about your child's behavior or learning challenges in the classroom?
In this episode, we explore why classroom accommodations are crucial for neurodivergent children and how they can transform your child's educational experience. I'll touch on sensory needs, emotional regulation, and executive functioning, offering general starting points to advocate for your child's unique needs.
Join us for the upcoming school accommodations workshop on August 11th
https://theotbutterfly.com/schoolworkshop**We are currently on a hiatus until 2025**
Sensory Detectives Boot camp Waitlist
Episode transcript: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/podcastThe OT Butterfly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theotbutterfly
Work with Laura: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/parentconsult
Buy "A kids book about neurodiversity" : www.theotbutterfly.com/book
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The size of the problem is a common lesson therapists and teachers use to teach kids emotional regulation skills. As I have learned more about the neurodivergent community, Iâve started thinking about this lesson in a different late and want to share that with you in this episode. Donât worry, itâs not all bad!
**We are currently on a hiatus until 2025**
Sensory Detectives Boot camp Waitlist
Episode transcript: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/podcastThe OT Butterfly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theotbutterfly
Work with Laura: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/parentconsult
Buy "A kids book about neurodiversity" : www.theotbutterfly.com/book
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What'd you think of the episode? Send me a note!
The transition to summer comes with so many emotions and behaviors, it can be really exhausting. There are ways to support your neurodivergent child through this transition.
In this episode, youâll learn:
Why the transition from end of school to summer vacation is difficultHow to handle big feelings around the end of school How to optimize regulation at home How to structure your time at home**We are currently on a hiatus until 2025**
Sensory Detectives Boot camp Waitlist
Episode transcript: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/podcastThe OT Butterfly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theotbutterfly
Work with Laura: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/parentconsult
Buy "A kids book about neurodiversity" : www.theotbutterfly.com/book
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What'd you think of the episode? Send me a note!
Calling all millennial parents! Did you grow up hearing things like:
"Because I said so!"
"You're too old to be acting like that!"
"Give your Grandma a hug, don't be rude!"
"If you don't clean up these toys, I'm throwing them away!"
"I told you that would happen! You never listen."
Our parents were doing the best with the information they had-- not to mention, many of them also growing up with the same narrative. Well, in the age of gentle parenting and respectful parenting, our generation is now doing the work to unlearn all of those and go off script as we try to raise a more emotionally intelligent generation. In this episode, Stephanie and I share examples of what it sounds like to set healthy boundaries in a respectful way with your kids.
Register for the Chaos 2 Connection Summit for free HERE.
Stephanie lives in Sydney, Australia with her family and is a certified Emotional Intelligence coach, paediatric anxiety therapist, and ex-speech pathologist. She is the founder of Let's Raise Emotionally Intelligent Kids, an online community of over 90,000 parents.
Her ground-breaking book, From Chaos to Connection, was published in March 2023 and was an immediate Amazon Best Seller.
Stephanie was appointed as the Emotional Intelligence Mentor for Australiaâs Nurture Parenting Magazine in 2021. She has also been featured in numerous international parenting summits and conferences and has now hosted 2 virtual parenting conferences with speakers from across the globe.
Her platform focuses on supporting parents in learning how to manage their emotions, frustrations and stress so that they are happier, calmer and connect more deeply with their kids. She also helps parents to raise emotionally intelligent kids, who are self-aware and positively manage their emotions and behaviour.**We are currently on a hiatus until 2025**
Sensory Detectives Boot camp Waitlist
Episode transcript: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/podcastThe OT Butterfly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theotbutterfly
Work with Laura: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/parentconsult
Buy "A kids book about neurodiversity" : www.theotbutterfly.com/book
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What'd you think of the episode? Send me a note!
If you have a sensory seeker and you're in need of easy, indoor ideas to keep them both entertained AND regulated... this is the episode for you.
Listen to this episode (sponsored in part, by Figgy) to hear 7 sensory based movement activities to do inside with your sensory seeker.
Here's a link to grab your own Figgy couch with a $20 discount**We are currently on a hiatus until 2025**
Sensory Detectives Boot camp Waitlist
Episode transcript: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/podcastThe OT Butterfly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theotbutterfly
Work with Laura: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/parentconsult
Buy "A kids book about neurodiversity" : www.theotbutterfly.com/book
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What'd you think of the episode? Send me a note!
If you have a child whoâs been sick recently, youâve probably found yourself wondering âWhy are they so moody?â âwhy do they seem more sensitive than before?â
Youâre not imagining it. The nervous system is in a state of stress when itâs fighting viruses, ailments and bugs. Sensory systems are more impacted and so is behavior.
Listen to this episode to feel validated for an experience you might have had recently or a reminder for what to expect next time. Stay till the end to hear my practical tips that I think every neurodivergent parent needs to know when helping their child transition back to ânormal lifeâ after an illness.
PS- If youâre listening to this episode before June 30th, thereâs time to register for my FREE masterclass, â4 steps to less stressful daily routines with your sensory sensitive child (without using punishments or sticker charts)â Register at THEOTBUTTERFLY.COM/4Steps
Canât wait to see you there!
**We are currently on a hiatus until 2025**
Sensory Detectives Boot camp Waitlist
Episode transcript: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/podcastThe OT Butterfly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theotbutterfly
Work with Laura: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/parentconsult
Buy "A kids book about neurodiversity" : www.theotbutterfly.com/book
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Are you a late diagnosed adult with childhood trauma relating to their missed/ignored neurodivergent needs who is NOW trying to provide better support for their own neurodivergent child? *Sigh* us too. Join Marcela Collier, certified parenting coach and neurodivergent mom to discuss our journey to accepting our neurodivergent brains and advocating for our own needs so we can better show up for our kids.
Marcela Collier is a certified Parenting coach and former Therapeutic Care Provider-TFC, who specializes in helping parents break free from angry reactions, become secure parents, and raise emotionally healthy children. She is the founder of HIC Parenting Education Agency who has supported 14,151 parents to date in becoming secure parents through courses and coaching programs. She is a neurodivergent mom of twins with sensory processing needs.Instagram @highimpactclub
Marcela interviews me on her podcast: Spotify link apple link
Website: HICparenting.com
**We are currently on a hiatus until 2025**
Sensory Detectives Boot camp Waitlist
Episode transcript: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/podcastThe OT Butterfly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theotbutterfly
Work with Laura: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/parentconsult
Buy "A kids book about neurodiversity" : www.theotbutterfly.com/book
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What'd you think of the episode? Send me a note!
Itâs 2024, self-pleasure, masturbation, orgasmsâŠ. Itâs one of the most natural, fun, immediate ways to regulate our bodies, why should we be ashamed of it? Listen in to this unfiltered discussion about changes to intimacy after becoming parents and how burnt out, touched out moms can start getting bringing sexy back!
Dr. Tracy Dalgleish helps empower women and couples to improve their communication and build strong and healthy connections with themselves and their partner through therapy, wellness seminars, and her work outside of the therapy room. She contributes to popular media sites, including Motherly, Huffington Post, and Bustle. In addition to hosting the podcast, âIâm not your shrinkâ where she dives deeper into clinical knowledge and research in a relatable and informal way, her book âI Didnât Sign Up For This: Stories of Unlocking Old Patterns and Finding Joy in Your Relationshipâ is a fantastic resource, which I highly recommend. Dr. Tracy is a mom of two young children and owner of Ottawaâs mental health clinic, Integrated Wellness, she knows what it means to balance the full load.
Learn more from Dr. Tracy:
Dr. Tracy website
Dr. Tracyâs free guide to nurturing intimacy
Dr. Tracy instagram
Dr. Tracy book
Come as you are book
**We are currently on a hiatus until 2025**
Sensory Detectives Boot camp Waitlist
Episode transcript: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/podcastThe OT Butterfly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theotbutterfly
Work with Laura: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/parentconsult
Buy "A kids book about neurodiversity" : www.theotbutterfly.com/book
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What'd you think of the episode? Send me a note!
Dr. Miyabe Shields, is a Ph.D. pharmaceutical scientist who specialized in the structural biochemistry of the endocannabinoid system for drug discovery. They have received national and international recognition for their pre-doctoral research in the endocannabinoid system and industrial accomplishments in the cannabis and emerging psychedelics industries.
After co-founding a cannabis research startup post-PhD, they delved into rare extract and formulation research, exploring heat-transformed cannabinoids and developed a novel form of cannabis extraction. Miyabe transitioned to community education and science advocacy through social media and podcasts, reaching over 6 million people.
Shifting away from production-focused roles, they now advocate for the therapeutic benefits of cannabis and psychedelics for neurodivergent brains. They co-founded the Network of Applied Pharmacognosy (NAP), a new research non-profit, to disseminate real-world applications of the synergies of nature by analyzing data and communicating research and educational information to the public.
In this episode, weâll talk all about the difference between ways to take in cannabis, the different ingredients, and how this can be helpful (or harmful) to various neurotypes. Again, please keep in mind- this is not medical advice. This is just a discussion between 2 neurodivergent adults who happen to use cannabis as a tool in our regulation toolbox, sharing our lived experience and clinical research.
Miyabe's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miyabeshieldsMiyabe's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miyabephd/
Miyaboe's Research: https://www.appliedpharmacognosy.org/
**We are currently on a hiatus until 2025**
Sensory Detectives Boot camp Waitlist
Episode transcript: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/podcastThe OT Butterfly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theotbutterfly
Work with Laura: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/parentconsult
Buy "A kids book about neurodiversity" : www.theotbutterfly.com/book
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What'd you think of the episode? Send me a note!
Restaurants are a multi-sensory experience, and if you've got a neurodivergent child, you know that multi-sensory doesn't always necessarily mean a good thing. Between the sensory overload, confined space and social expectations of "behaving" in a restaurant, it makes sense why eating out as a family feels stressful for some families. Today I'll peel back the layers and talk about the specific triggers that are contributing to dysregulation, and give strategies to best support your children. Plus hacks for keeping busy at the table.
Related episodes:
Social stories
Postural Endurance and wiggly kids
Interoception episode with Kelly Mahler
Interoception episode (Laura only)**We are currently on a hiatus until 2025**
Sensory Detectives Boot camp Waitlist
Episode transcript: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/podcastThe OT Butterfly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theotbutterfly
Work with Laura: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/parentconsult
Buy "A kids book about neurodiversity" : www.theotbutterfly.com/book
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What'd you think of the episode? Send me a note!
Whether attending other celebrations or hosting your own, birthday parties can often be overwhelming due to sensory and emotional regulation challenges. However, with proper preparation and accommodations, we can minimize distress and help our neurodivergent kids fully participate and enjoy the experience. In this episode, I'll share my go-to strategies for birthday party guest OR host preparation.
**We are currently on a hiatus until 2025**
Sensory Detectives Boot camp Waitlist
Episode transcript: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/podcastThe OT Butterfly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theotbutterfly
Work with Laura: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/parentconsult
Buy "A kids book about neurodiversity" : www.theotbutterfly.com/book
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What'd you think of the episode? Send me a note!
Tune in to hear us discuss the benefits of nature-based occupational therapy with Dr. Laura Park Figueroa. We explore how incorporating natural elements into therapy can help children build skills while regulating their nervous systems. I share some of my own experiences as an "indoor cat" to highlight how nature-based approaches arenât always inherently sought out, but still incredibly important.
Dr. Laura Park Figueroa, PhD, OTR/L is a pediatric occupational therapist with over 20 years of experience. She is the founder of Outdoor Kids OT, Inc., a nature-based pediatric practice, and Therapy in the Great Outdoors, LLC, an online hub for nature-based pediatric therapists of all kinds. Her PhD research examined the mechanisms of change at work in nature-based pediatric occupational therapy.
You can connect with her on Instagram @lauraparkfig and follow Outdoor Kids OT @outdoorkidsot
Resource she mentioned:
âLast child in the woodsâ book
âBalanced and Barefootâ by Angela Hanscom
**We are currently on a hiatus until 2025**
Sensory Detectives Boot camp Waitlist
Episode transcript: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/podcastThe OT Butterfly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theotbutterfly
Work with Laura: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/parentconsult
Buy "A kids book about neurodiversity" : www.theotbutterfly.com/book
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What'd you think of the episode? Send me a note!
Have you ever wondered what itâs like to live as an undiagnosed Autistic person living in a neurotypical world? Maybe youâre a parent to a nonspeaking child or a child whoâs too young to be able to properly express their experience. Learning from actually Autistic adults is one of the most valuable things you can do for your Autistic child and other Autistic individuals in the world, and today, weâre lucky enough to be hearing from one of my favorite Autistic adult creators, Paige Layle.
She just released her memoir, âBut Everyone Feels this Way: How an Autism Diagnosis Saved My Lifeâ and weâre diving into it today.
You can buy her book at Target, amazon, or Hachetteâs website and I highly recommend it!
Trigger warning: Paige discusses her experience with thoughts of suicide. Please listen at your own discretion, and do not listen with your children around.
Listen to this story to learn more about:
Paigeâs internal experience with sensory overload in the classroomHer experience of an adult autistic meltdown vs. child autistic meltdownHow she made the difficult decision to leave universityHow she would have benefitted from school accommodations if she were offered themLink to Paige's book: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/paige-layle/but-everyone-feels-this-way/9780306831256/
Link to Paige's social: @paigelayle**We are currently on a hiatus until 2025**
Sensory Detectives Boot camp Waitlist
Episode transcript: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/podcastThe OT Butterfly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theotbutterfly
Work with Laura: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/parentconsult
Buy "A kids book about neurodiversity" : www.theotbutterfly.com/book
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What'd you think of the episode? Send me a note!
This week I'm diving into some sneaky reasons why some sensory kids might be wigglers that have nothing to do with needing more movement. Prepare to get your mind blown as I break down the connection between core strength, posture, and focus. I'll also give you tons of do's and don'ts for supporting these kiddos in the classroom. By the end you'll be armed with all the deets to help your little learner shine without extra distractions.
Youâll learn:- The hidden connection between core strength, posture, and attention abilities
- Common signs that weak core muscles may be to blame for fidgety behavior
- Why approaches like weighted vests or inflated seating options can backfire
- Practical seating solutions and positioning tips to support learning
**We are currently on a hiatus until 2025**
Sensory Detectives Boot camp Waitlist
Episode transcript: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/podcastThe OT Butterfly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theotbutterfly
Work with Laura: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/parentconsult
Buy "A kids book about neurodiversity" : www.theotbutterfly.com/book
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