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Welcome to episode 116! In this episode, you will hear from Keary, the face behind @graceandsalt. She is the mother to two beautiful children, as well as an advocate for holistic nutrition, sensory integration, homeschooling, and Type 1 diabetes. She is passionate, funny, smart, and just an all around great speaker! Listen in, take some notes, and go show her some love on Instagram!
LINKS
Instagram - @theoneroomschool
Keary’s IG - @graceandsalt
Keary’s blog - Grace & Salt
The Mind-Gut Connection (book; Amazon)
The 5-Hour School Week (book; Amazon)
Be the Bridge (book; Amazon)
The Whole-Brain Child (book; Amazon)
Gut and Psychology Syndrome (book; Amazon)
WANT MORE?! Check these out!
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Navigating the world of special needs parenting can feel overwhelming, especially when multiple complex challenges intersect. But Keary's story is one of resilience, intuition, and transformation.
As a mom of two children adopted from Uganda, both living with sensory processing challenges, and as someone managing her own and her daughter’s type-1 diabetes, Keary has embraced a holistic, empowering approach. Her experience weaves together themes of adoption, sensory processing disorder (SPD), chronic illness, and the rewarding journey of homeschooling.
Keary and her husband always envisioned adoption as part of their family story and that vision took shape when they traveled to Uganda to bring home their son, Oliver. What they didn't expect was a life-altering health crisis.
Shortly after arriving, Keary became gravely ill and had to return to the United States. She soon slipped into a coma and was diagnosed with type-1 diabetes—a surprising diagnosis, especially given her healthy lifestyle.
Back in Uganda, her husband cared for their son, while Keary focused on recovery. Amid this emotional rollercoaster, Keary received another call: a young girl with type-1 diabetes needed a foster family and Keary said yes.
Once their family reunited in the United States, Keary began noticing patterns in Oliver's behavior that didn’t seem typical. A friend mentioned sensory processing disorder, and it resonated.
Keary dove into research, completed a sensory checklist, and discovered that many of Oliver’s behaviors—such as crashing into walls, crying for extended periods, disliking restraint in a car seat, and disorganized eating—were classic sensory-seeking traits. Instead of brushing off these signs, Keary leaned in.
She implemented strategies at home that she had learned from occupational therapists and sensory experts, such as:
Creating safe spaces for movement and active play.
Incorporating proprioceptive input like bear hugs and deep pressure activities.
Being mindful of sensory triggers like noise or texture sensitivity.
These changes helped her son thrive and strengthened their bond.
Keary’s passion for holistic health grew as she explored how diet and gut health influence the brain and sensory system. After readingGut and Psychology Syndrome by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride, Keary started to view her son’s sensory needs through a nutritional lens.
She noticed that her son had keratosis pilaris (small bumps on his skin) and frequent digestive upset—clues pointing toward gut inflammation. Food sensitivity testing revealed a strong reaction to gluten. Within two weeks of eliminating gluten, dramatic improvements followed:
His skin cleared up.
He was able to write his name for the first time.
He no longer slammed doors or pressed too hard when coloring.
This was a pivotal moment. The connection between food, gut health, and sensory processing was no longer theoretical—it was personal and life-changing.
Parenting children with diverse health needs while managing her own diabetes requires constant vigilance. Using tools like the Dexcom app, Keary monitors her and her daughter’s blood sugar in real-time.
Through trial and error, Keary learned how blood sugar swings can influence mood and sensory regulation. Her household follows a naturally gluten-free diet that includes whole foods, balanced meals, and minimal processed sugars.
Though birthday parties and restaurant outings can be challenging, the stability gained from a consistent diet is worth it. Keary emphasizes that diet isn’t about restriction—it’s about empowerment.
When Zola and Oliver joined the family, Keary transitioned from dreaming about homeschooling to making it a reality. With Zola newly adopted at seven and Oliver still a toddler, homeschooling became the best option for stability and individual attention.
Keary quickly realized that traditional classroom methods wouldn’t meet her children’s needs. So she adapted:
Movement breaks became part of the daily schedule.
Trampoline bouncing was paired with phonics drills.
Weighted blankets and lap pads helped increase focus during seatwork.
Metronomes supported rhythm and memory in learning.
Keary also joined a charter school that provided elective classes like art, cooking, and theater. These small-group classes offered social engagement without the sensory overload of a crowded school.
With her background in holistic health and her mother’s experience in education, Keary co-foundedThe One Room School, a resource hub for homeschooling families. Inspired by the classic one-room schoolhouse, this model encourages:
Teaching multiple age groups together.
Hands-on, project-based learning.
Flexibility and integration of movement for sensory regulation.
This venture isn’t just about education—it’s about creating a lifestyle that works for neurodiverse learners and families seeking alternatives to traditional education.
Keary believes that every parent is their child’s strongest advocate. Throughout her journey, her intuition has been the most powerful guide—even when others minimized her concerns.
"You may not have all the answers," she says, "but you do have the insight that matters most: your connection with your child." She encourages parents to:
Trust their gut feelings.
Keep asking questions.
Embrace trial and error.
Seek support without shame.
Her story is a reminder that challenges like SPD, diabetes, and adoption aren’t roadblocks—they’re invitations to deeper connection, creativity, and growth.
Keary’s journey illustrates a powerful truth: when families are equipped with the right tools, support, and mindset, they can transform struggles into strengths. Whether it’s managing blood sugar, navigating sensory overload, or building a homeschool curriculum, the secret lies in personalized, proactive care.
Use movement before and during learning activities.
Don’t be afraid to take sensory breaks throughout the day.
Try flexible seating or learning environments.
Trust your child’s sensory signals—and your own intuition.
Incorporate sensory-friendly tools like weighted lap pads or compression swings.
You are your child’s best advocate. You are not alone and with the right resources, your child can thrive.
BORING, BUT NECESSARY LEGAL DISCLAIMERS
While we make every effort to share correct information, we are still learning. We will double check all of our facts but realize that medicine is a constantly changing science and art. One doctor / therapist may have a different way of doing things from another. We are simply presenting our views and opinions on how to address common sensory challenges, health related difficulties and what we have found to be beneficial that will be as evidenced based as possible. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or your children. Consult your child’s pediatrician/ therapist for any medical issues that he or she may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Rachel Harrington, Harkla, Jessica Hill, or any guests or contributors to the podcast, as well as any employees, associates, or affiliates of Harkla, be responsible for damages arising from use of the podcast.
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