Your Cart is Empty
We’re answering a listener question today - helping a parent understand how to help their child self-regulate, understand sensory challenges, how to find help, and how primitive reflexes might be connected to learning in school, specifically reading. This child was recently diagnosed with ADHD as well.
We dive into using the Harkla Sensory Preferences Checklist (free download linked below), adding more sensory activities into the daily routine, how to improve emotional intelligence, and more!
Check out all of the links below!
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 Website - Shop Sensory Products!
Download Free Sensory Preferences Checklist
Helping children on the autism spectrum or with ADHD understand their emotions and manage their sensory needs can be challenging. Many parents, like the one who wrote to us, struggle to find the right support.
If you're facing similar challenges, this post will help you understand your child’s sensory processing issues and offer practical strategies to improve their self-regulation.
By identifying what your child seeks or avoids, you can create a sensory-friendly environment that helps them feel calm and regulated. A helpful first step is to use a sensory preferences checklist to better understand your child’s specific sensory needs.
This can empower your child to feel more in control of their environment. For instance, if your child craves deep pressure or is sensitive to loud noises, incorporating tools like weighted blankets or noise-canceling headphones into their daily routine can make a big difference in helping them stay calm and focused.
Once you've identified your child’s sensory preferences, it’s crucial to connect these activities with their emotions. Encourage your child to label how they feel during both preferred and non-preferred activities.
Is this activity making them happy, calm, or frustrated? By teaching them to recognize how different activities affect their emotions, they can learn to make choices that help them self-regulate independently.
A simple yet effective strategy to help your child self-regulate is to set up a sensory corner or space at home. This dedicated area should include their favorite sensory tools, such as a sensory swing, weighted blanket, or calming lights, and can be a tent, a cozy nook, or a small section of their room—any place where they feel safe and secure.
Children can use this space to decompress after school or whenever they feel overwhelmed. The more they use it, the more they'll understand when they need a sensory break, which is a big step toward independent regulation.
For children with retained primitive reflexes—automatic movements they should have outgrown in infancy—issues like poor reading skills can arise. Reflexes like the Moro or Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR) may still be present, impacting your child’s academic progress.
If your child hasn’t made progress in reading for a couple of years, consider asking an occupational therapist (OT) to assess both their retained reflexes and visual motor skills. Vision skills such as saccades (eye movements), convergence, and divergence are essential for reading, and problems in these areas can often be tied to primitive reflexes.
Parents often ask how they can get reflex integration exercises into their child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). While it can be challenging, especially in schools where OTs may not have specific training in reflex integration, it’s possible.
If the reflexes impact academic performance, you can advocate for these interventions as part of sensory breaks or sensory strategies written into the IEP. Meeting with the school OT to discuss your child’s needs and ensuring the integration of reflex-related activities can make a big difference in their school performance.
If you're not currently receiving outpatient OT services, it might be time to consider it—especially now with your child’s recent ADHD diagnosis. Working with a therapist with expertise in ADHD and reflex integration can provide targeted, individualized support.
Although online resources and courses are helpful, in-person therapy offers the chance to build a deeper connection with your child and receive personalized advice.
Children may resist doing these exercises daily, especially if parents lead the charge. It’s crucial to stay consistent with the activities and encourage participation, even when it’s challenging.
If possible, working with a therapist ensures someone other than the parent is guiding these exercises, which can increase your child’s engagement. As exhausting as it can be, consistent practice leads to the best results.
Parenting a child with sensory processing challenges and ADHD is no small feat, but you’re not alone. Whether you're creating a sensory space, pushing for reflex integration in school, or seeking professional help, each step brings you closer to helping your child thrive.
Use our Sensory Preferences Checklist to start understanding your child’s needs today, and don’t hesitate to contact professionals for support. You're doing an amazing job advocating for your child, and they can achieve their full potential with the right strategies.
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.
Comments will be approved before showing up.
