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LIVE 2-1 Mentoring Session with Rachel and Jessica!
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LIVE 2-1 Mentoring Session With Rachel and Jessica!
Parenting a child with sensory challenges, anxiety, or ADHD can feel overwhelming. You’re not alone in navigating these complex issues.
This article will explore strategies from a two-on-one mentoring session, sharing insights into retained primitive reflexes, emotional regulation, and tailored sensory solutions. Whether you’re a parent trying to help your child thrive or a professional seeking innovative tools for therapy, you’ll find actionable tips to create a supportive and understanding environment.
What Are Primitive Reflexes, And Why Do They Matter?
Primitive reflexes are automatic movements that babies use to navigate early development stages. While most children integrate these reflexes naturally, retained reflexes can impact coordination, emotional regulation, and behavior as they age.
Key Signs Of Retained Reflexes
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Difficulty with crawling or atypical movement patterns as an infant.
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Challenges in separating upper and lower body movements, as seen in "duck and pigeon" walking styles.
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Overflow movements, like sticking out the tongue when focusing.
If your child exhibits these behaviors, incorporating targeted exercises can support better integration.
Addressing Emotional Regulation And Anxiety
Children with sensory and emotional challenges often struggle to identify or cope with their emotions. A practical tool like the Zones of Regulation Program uses color-coded zones to help children label their feelings and choose appropriate self-regulation strategies.
How It Works
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Red Zone: Stop (Angry, overwhelmed).
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Yellow Zone: Slow down (Frustrated, wiggly).
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Green Zone: Good to go (Calm, focused).
This visual framework simplifies emotional awareness for both children and parents. It’s also a tool the whole family can use to model self-regulation.
Sensory Diet Essentials For Daily Success
A sensory diet provides structured activities to help children regulate their sensory needs. Examples include:
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Morning Activities: Jumping on a trampoline, practicing primitive reflex exercises (e.g., cat-cow stretch).
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Evening Wind-Down: Gentle sensory tools like a vibrating oral motor device or deep-pressure massage.
Tailoring activities to your child’s preferences ensures engagement and maximizes benefits. For instance, a child who loves climbing may enjoy a Ninja Warrior class to work on motor planning and self-control.
Building A Support Network
Finding the right professionals and programs can feel like trial and error. Whether exploring occupational therapy, chiropractic care, or listening programs, it’s crucial to seek options that resonate with your child’s unique needs.
Pro Recommendations
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The Listening Program: Uses modified classical music for auditory processing and regulation.
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Safe and Sound Protocol: A short-term intervention focused on reducing startle reflex and improving calmness.
Don’t forget to involve your child in decision-making to ease anxiety and encourage buy-in.
Parent Reflection – It’s A Marathon, Not A Sprint
Raising a child with sensory and emotional challenges is undoubtedly a complex journey, but progress is made one small step at a time. Focusing on achievable daily goals can create a manageable path forward, reducing overwhelming feelings for you and your child.
Parenting a child with unique needs is profoundly personal and can be filled with triumphs and challenges. It’s important to remember there’s no universal "right" answer—only the solutions that best fit your child’s individuality and your family’s dynamic.
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.
Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you.
This podcast should not be used in any legal capacity whatsoever, including but not limited to establishing “standard of care” in a legal sense or as a basis for expert witness testimony. No guarantee is given regarding the accuracy of any statements or opinions made on the podcast.
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