All Things Sensory by Harkla

All Things Sensory by Harkla

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.

Episodes

July 2, 2025 49 mins

In this episode, we sit down with pediatric audiologist Debbie Baerlocher to unpack the real truth about Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)—what it is, what it’s not, and why it’s often misunderstood. Learn how APD is diagnosed, when to seek help, and why many children show similar symptoms without actually having APD.

Debbie has her Doctorate in Audiology and has been working at Elks Hearing and Balance, aka St. Luke's Hearing and ...

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Dr. Craig D. Clayton is a functional and biomimetic dentist based in Meridian, Idaho, and an influential online educator with a following of over 380K on Instagram. Passionate about uncovering the root causes of oral health issues, Dr. Clayton focuses on holistic cavity prevention, airway health, and innovative, biologically sound approaches to restoring teeth. As the host of the Dentistry Disrupted podcast, he is on a mission to s...

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Shop our Summer Sensory SALE! https://harkla.co/pages/summer-sensory-sale-2025

Free Primitive Reflex Webinar

https://harkla.co/pages/register-for-the-primitive-reflex-webinar-2025

Free Sensory Diet Webinar

https://harkla.co/pages/sensory-diet-webinar-registration-2024

We’re diving deep into the why behind retained primitive reflexes. These early movement patterns are essential in infancy—but when they don’t integr...

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Shop our Summer Sensory SALE! https://harkla.co/pages/summer-sensory-sale-2025

Free Primitive Reflex Webinar https://harkla.co/pages/register-for-the-primitive-reflex-webinar-2025

Summer can bring a lot of fun — and a lot of sensory dysregulation. In this episode, we’re sharing 10 activity ideas to help your child stay regulated during the warmer months. From water play and outdoor obstacle courses to sensory-friendly p...

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Summer is here—and with the heat, play, and sunshine comes a unique challenge for kids (and adults!) who struggle with interoception. In this episode, we explore what interoception is and why it’s so important to pay attention during the summer months. We discuss how challenges like dehydration, overheating, and sun sensitivity can affect children with sensory needs and how parents and caregivers can better support them through pra...

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Register for our FREE live webinar on June 4, 2025 https://harkla.co/pages/summer-sensory-diet-webinar-registration-2025

In this episode of the All Things Sensory Podcast, we explore how a baby’s sensory and nervous systems begin developing long before birth — and how expectant parents can actively support this critical growth during pregnancy.

From taste and touch to vestibular and proprioceptive systems, you'll learn whe...

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In this episode, we sit down with Angela Fritz, a board-certified pediatric physical therapist with a passion for infant development. Angela brings her expertise working in the NICU and shares valuable insights on supporting babies from the very beginning—especially those who’ve spent time in the NICU.

We dive into:

  • The role of physical therapy in the NICU

  • Tummy time and developmental milestone tips for infants (including NICU gra...

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In this episode, we sit down with Lori Benson Adams, M.Ed., Educational Intervention Specialist and founder of Breakthrough Learning Solutions, to explore the heart of DIRFloortime. We dive into the power of connection, the role of play-based therapy, and how honoring all forms of communication can transform the way we support children. Whether you're a parent or professional, this conversation will leave you inspired to lead with ...

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Welcome Amy Whelan, a pediatric speech-language pathologist, Natural Language Acquisition (NLA) specialist, and passionate AAC advocate. Amy brings her deep expertise and compassionate approach to early childhood communication, guiding us through the world of gestalt language processing, child-led therapy, and neurodiversity-affirming practices.

Amy Whelan, Ph.D., CCC-SLP has worked with young children at-risk for speech and languag...

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In this episode, we’re diving into our all-time favorite sensory tools to support autistic children. Whether you're a parent, therapist, or educator, these go-to items can help create a more regulated and sensory-friendly environment!

We’ll share why tools like noise-canceling headphones, a sensory corner, weighted items, Ark Therapeutic chewy toys, tunnels, crash pads, sour spray, and more—including fun products like the Bilibo...

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Shop our Autism Acceptance Month Sale! https://harkla.co/pages/aam-sale

What really makes a great occupational therapy practitioner? In today’s episode, we’re diving into the key qualities that set exceptional OTs apart—beyond just clinical skills.

We’ll chat about:

  • The importance of lifelong learning and continuing education

  • Why collaboration with other professionals is a game-changer

  • How building rapport with a wide variety of cli...

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Shop our Autism Acceptance Month Sale!

https://harkla.co/pages/aam-sale

What are Primitive Reflexes?

https://harkla.co/blogs/special-needs/what-are-primitive-reflexes?_pos=1&_sid=91f65780c&_ss=r

We’re diving deep into the connection between retained primitive reflexes and autism. You'll learn what these reflexes are, why they might stick around longer in autistic children, and how they can impact sensory processing, motor s...

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Shop our OT Month SALE! Ends April 14th, 2025! https://harkla.co/pages/ot-month-sale

Sign up for our FREE live webinar on April 16th, 2025! https://harkla.co/pages/classroom-sensory-strategies-webinar-registration-2025

We’re setting the record straight on some of the most common myths about occupational therapy! From the idea that OTs just help people find jobs to the belief that OT is only for kids with disabilities—we’re debunking ...

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Shop our OT Month SALE! Ends April 14th, 2025! https://harkla.co/pages/ot-month-sale

Happy OT Month and Autism Acceptance Month! In this episode of All Things Sensory, we’re diving into the incredible role Occupational Therapy (OT) plays in supporting autistic children. Whether you’re an OT, parent, educator, or just curious about how OT can make a difference, this episode is packed with valuable insights.

Every child is uniqu...

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Home exercise programs (HEPs) are a game-changer for sensory regulation, emotional development, and reflex integration—but only if they’re done consistently! In this episode, we’re sharing our favorite HEP activities that are easy to implement and make a big impact. From sensory diet routines like jumping, crawling, and bubble mountain to oral motor tools and co-regulation strategies, we’re giving you practical ideas to support you...

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Register for our FREE Live Webinar on March 24, 2025 - https://harkla.co/pages/register-for-the-primitive-reflex-webinar-2025

Primitive reflexes play a crucial role in early development, but when they don’t integrate properly, they can create challenges in the classroom—impacting focus, learning, and behavior. In this episode, we’re breaking down what primitive reflexes are, why they matter, and how retained reflexes can affe...

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We are beyond excited to introduce Harkla’s newest sensory tool—the Sensory Dice! These simple yet powerful dice are designed to make sensory and primitive reflex integration fun, engaging, and effective.

In this episode, we dive into how sensory integration and primitive reflex integration are deeply connected—when you work on one, you naturally support the other! We’ll break down how each of the three Sensory Dice categories (Ale...

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Maranda Argiros, BCBA and Jenny Barcellona, BCBA provide Behavior Training and Support for Caregivers and Families which consists of Family Focused Treatments and Interventions that equip families with the tools they need to foster behavior change in their natural environment. In addition, they provide Behavior Consulting Services for schools, daycares, and other providers by implementing realistic strategies and techniques to ...

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Creating and Implementing Sensory Diet Routines to Improve Daily Activities - https://harkla.co/products/sensory-diet-course 

In today’s episode, we dive into the world of sensory avoiders—children (and even adults) who may experience heightened sensitivity to sensory input and react with avoidance or distress. We'll explore key signs that your child might be a sensory avoider and share 5 practical tips for helping them m...

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Learn how to create personalized sensory diet routines that actually work! https://harkla.co/products/sensory-diet-course

In today's episode we dive into strategies to support sensory seekers. If your child is constantly seeking movement, touch, or sounds that interfere with their daily activities—or if they never seem to get enough sensory input—this episode is for you! We’re sharing five practical tips to help you suppo...

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