All Things Sensory by Harkla

By: Rachel Harrington COTA/L AC & Jessica Hill COTA/L
  • Summary

  • 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.
    Rachel Harrington, COTA/L, AC & Jessica Hill, COTA/L
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Episodes
  • #348 - Supporting Sensory Seekers: Practical Tips for Every Day
    Feb 19 2025

    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 support sensory seekers at home, in the clinic, or anywhere in between. From providing sensory snacks to integrating full-body heavy work, these strategies can make a world of difference in nervous system regulation and emotional well-being. Plus, we’ll discuss the importance of daily outdoor time and how emotional intelligence programs can help children identify and manage their sensory needs.

    LINKS

    We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form - https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3

    All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram

    Harkla YouTube Channel

    Harkla Website - Shop Sensory Products!

    Harkla Instagram

    Webe Kalm (Amazon)

    Talk Tools

    Sensory Snacks Explained

    Zones of Regulation

    Superflex Curriculum

    Alert Program

    Balanced and Barefoot

    Tips and Tricks for Your Sensory Seeking Child

    Episode 11

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    20 mins
  • #347 - Helping Kids Love Mealtime: OT Tips for Feeding Success!
    Feb 12 2025

    In today’s episode, we dive into some real-life feeding strategies that Jessica recently discussed with a fellow OT who’s working with a client struggling with picky eating and meal-time resistance. Feeling stuck in a rut? You're not alone! Sometimes it just takes a good brainstorming session to unlock fresh ideas.

    We cover practical tips and strategies, including:

    • How focusing onone meal a day can improve family engagement around the table.

    • Fun and motivating ways to get a picky eater excited about meals (yes,fun really does help!).

    • The power of consistency—how building a daily habit can change everything.

    • Giving kids more responsibility in the kitchen and around meal prep, from grocery shopping to cleanup.

    • Moving away from grazing to structured sit-down meals (and why hunger can actually be a good thing in some situations!).

    • Ways to switch up therapy routines to keep feeding sessions fresh and engaging, like using sensory bins, changing environments, or giving kids more control.

    If you’re working with kids on feeding challenges, or just looking for some fresh perspective, this episode is packed with actionable strategies you can try today. Tune in for an honest, practical conversation on making mealtime a little less stressful and a lot more fun!

    LINKS

    We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form -https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3

    All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram

    Harkla YouTube Channel

    Harkla Website - Shop Sensory Products!

    Harkla Instagram

    Book: Food Chaining (Amazon) https://a.co/d/aS3LY4L

    More resources for picky eating - https://harkla.co/search?q=picky+eating&submit=Search

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    28 mins
  • #346 - Finding the Right Balance: Should We Accommodate or Desensitize?
    Feb 5 2025

    In this episode, we dive deep into a critical question for therapists and caregivers: should we accommodate or desensitize? Sensory processing challenges can significantly impact a child’s daily life, and understanding when to offer accommodations and when to gently push for desensitization is key to promoting independence and improving quality of life. Through real-life examples, we'll explore how these strategies work together to help children navigate their sensory world, from a variety of environments to everyday activities like dressing and playing. Plus, we’ll share practical tips for therapists and caregivers to develop personalized plans that promote both immediate comfort and long-term resilience.

    Create personalized sensory diets that work! https://harkla.co/products/sensory-diet-course

    LINKS

    We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form - https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3

    All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram

    Harkla YouTube Channel

    Harkla Website - Shop Sensory Products!

    Harkla Instagram

    The Just Right Challenge for Sensory Activities

    How to Know if Your OT is Right For You

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    24 mins

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