All Things Sensory by Harkla

Making friends can be hard, and for neurodivergent kids, the path to connection often looks a little different. This episode was inspired by a question from Instagram and dives into practical, compassionate ways to support social connection without forcing kids to fit into a mold that doesn’t work for them.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why friendship can be more challenging for neurodivergent kidsHow sensory processing, executive function, and communication impact social skillsWhy quality of connection matters more than the number of friendsOT-informed strategies to support social interaction in safe, structured waysHow to build friendships by leaning into a child’s strengths and interestsThanks for listening 🩷 If this episode resonated, share it with a parent or therapist supporting a neurodivergent child.LINKSWe’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form - https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3 All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/allthingssensorypodcast/ Harkla Website https://harkla.co/ Harkla YouTube​​https://www.youtube.com/c/HarklaFamily Harkla Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/harkla_family/ Harkla Digital Courseshttps://harkla.co/collections/courses 

Is your child constantly sucking their thumb or fingers and you’re wondering if it’s sensory, habit, or something else? This episode comes straight from a parent question on Instagram, and we’re breaking it all down.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why thumb and finger sucking is considered oral sensory seekingWhen sucking is developmentally appropriate and when to look closerCommon reasons older kids continue sucking for regulation or anxietyHow to talk to your child about the habit in a supportive wayPractical sensory and oral motor replacements that actually helpThanks for listening 🩷 If this question hit close to home, share this episode with another parent who’s navigating thumb or finger sucking too.We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form - https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3 Z-Vibe https://www.arktherapeutic.com/arks-z-vibe-vibrating-oral-motor-tool/ Chew Tubeshttps://www.arktherapeutic.com/handheld-chews/ Chewleryhttps://www.arktherapeutic.com/chewelry/ 5 Ways to Use Proprioception for Calming and Regulationhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHdCj8sWtV0 Top 10 Oral Motor Activities Every Parent Should Knowhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEXEbyBX858&t=443s Sensory Snacks Explainedhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOswosl5pHg All Things Sensory Ep. 376 - Oral Sensory Seeking in Kidshttps://harkla.co/blogs/podcast/376-oral-sensory-seeking-in-kids-what-you-need-to-know-how-to-helpAll Things Sensory Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/allthingssensorypodcast/ Harkla Website https://harkla.co/ Harkla YouTube​​https://www.youtube.com/c/HarklaFamily Harkla Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/harkla_family/ Harkla Digital Courseshttps://harkla.co/collections/courses 

“I didn’t crawl and I’m fine.” We hear this all the time - from parents, grandparents, and even professionals. And while it can be true, there’s a lot more nuance to the conversation.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why crawling plays such a critical role in developmentHow crawling supports strength, coordination, vision, and primitive reflex integrationWhy skipping crawling may not seem like a problem early on, but can impact coordination, learning, and regulation laterSimple ways to encourage crawling in babies, kids, and even adultsHow to respond (kindly and confidently) when someone says, “I didn’t crawl and I’m fine”Thanks for listening 🩷 If this episode made you think differently about crawling, share it with someone who says they’re “fine” without it.LINKSWe’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form - ⁠https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3⁠ Why Crawling Is Essential for Babies, Kids & Adults? Infant Development & OT Strategieshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKcDD9FtVIY Crawling for Brain Developmenthttps://sensationalbrain.com/product/crawling-brain-development-curriculum/ All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/allthingssensorypodcast/ Harkla Website https://harkla.co/ Harkla YouTube​​https://www.youtube.com/c/HarklaFamily Harkla Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/harkla_family/ Harkla Digital Courseshttps://harkla.co/collections/courses 

This week, we’re joined by Taylor Kruse, movement coach, educator, and founder of Kruse Elite, who specializes in applied neurology and the nervous system. Taylor works with adults to help them move, feel, and function better but his insights are just as relevant for kids and therapists, too.In this episode, you’ll learn:What “applied neurology” means and how it connects to movement and painWhy visual and vestibular systems are key to body awareness and regulationHow the brainstem, eyes, and tongue all work together for posture and balanceThe impact of mouth breathing and poor CO₂ tolerance on the nervous systemPractical drills for vision, vestibular activation, and improved breathingThanks for listening 🩷 Try one of Taylor’s breathing or visual drills and let us know how it goes!LINKSWe’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form - https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3 Taylor’s Websitehttps://www.kruseelite.com/Follow Taylor on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kruseelite All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/allthingssensorypodcast/ Harkla Website https://harkla.co/ Harkla YouTube​​https://www.youtube.com/c/HarklaFamily Harkla Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/harkla_family/ Harkla Digital Courseshttps://harkla.co/collections/courses 

Swinging, spinning, and jumping can be incredible tools for regulation but they can also lead to overstimulation if we’re not careful. In this episode, we’re breaking down how to safely use vestibular input (aka movement) to support sensory regulation without causing meltdowns or motion sickness.In this episode, you’ll learn:What the vestibular system is and why it’s so importantThe difference between seekers, avoiders, and under-respondersSigns of vestibular overload and what to look forHow to safely build up tolerance to spinning, swinging, and movementTips for balancing vestibular input with proprioception for regulationThanks for listening 🩷 Share this episode with a parent or therapist who wants to better understand movement and regulation!LINKSWe’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form - https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3 All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/allthingssensorypodcast/ Harkla Website https://harkla.co/ Harkla YouTube​​https://www.youtube.com/c/HarklaFamily Harkla Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/harkla_family/ Harkla Digital Courseshttps://harkla.co/collections/courses What is Vestibular Input? (Blog Post) https://harkla.co/blogs/special-needs/vestibular-input?_pos=4&_sid=58b88ae0e&_ss=r What is the Vestibular System? (Podcast)https://harkla.co/blogs/podcast/21-vestibular-system?_pos=1&_sid=58b88ae0e&_ss=r Sensory Dice https://harkla.co/collections/focus/products/sensory-activity-foam-dice Sensory Sticks https://harkla.co/collections/focus/products/sensory-activity-sticks Sensory Cardshttps://harkla.co/collections/focus/products/sensory-activity-cards Research Articles:Vestibular Input in Children https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/11/1/2Vestibular Activity and Development in Children https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/integrative-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnint.2013.00092/fullVestibular Dysfunction in Children https://vestibular.org/article/diagnosis-treatment/types-of-vestibular-disorders/pediatric-vestibular-disorders/part-i-vestibular-dysfunction-children/ Epidemiology of Vestibular Impairmentshttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6054584/Assessment of Vestibular Function in the Pediatric Population https://www.audiology.org/practice-guideline/american-academy-of-audiology-clinical-consensus-statement-assessment-of-vestibular-function-in-the-pediatric-population/Effectiveness of Vestibular and Proprioceptive Exercises in Reducing Hyperactivity in Children with Autismhttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S305065652500015X#:~:text=Vestibular%20and%20proprioceptive%20training%20significantly,significant%20changes%20in%20vestibular%20function. Association of Sensory Processing and Behavioral Challenges in Children https://research.aota.org/ajot/article-abstract/78/Supplement_2/7811500008p1/25267/Association-of-Sensory-Processing-amp-Behavioral?redirectedFrom=fulltext