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Today’s episode is a special one because we’re introducing someone new to the podcast. If you’ve been listening for a while, you know our mission has always been to support families, therapists, and educators with practical, real-life strategies rooted in occupational therapy.
As the Harkla team continues to grow, we’re excited to welcome Amanda, our new co-host and in-house occupational therapist to the podcast. In this episode, you’ll hear more about her journey into occupational therapy, the different settings she’s worked in, and the perspective she brings from both early intervention and school-based practice. Amanda shares about working directly in classrooms with children and families, the challenges she sees most often in schools today, and her knowledge of potty training and pediatric pelvic floor health.
We’re so excited for this next chapter of the podcast and can’t wait for you to get to know Amanda in upcoming episodes.
Thanks for listening 🩷
We’d love to hear from you! What questions would you like Amanda to answer in a future episode?
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
In this episode of All Things Sensory by Harkla, Rachel introduces the newest podcast host, Amanda, a pediatric occupational therapist with experience across clinic-based therapy, early intervention, pelvic floor therapy, and school-based practice.
Amanda shares how an unexpected moment on social media led her to specialize in pediatric potty training support, helping thousands of families who felt like they had nowhere else to turn. This episode is a fun and personal introduction to Amanda, but it also highlights something deeper: families often struggle to find support for everyday developmental challenges, and occupational therapy can offer a holistic, practical approach.
Amanda graduated from the University of St. Augustine in 2019 and has spent the last several years working in pediatric occupational therapy across the East Coast.
Her clinical experience includes:
Clinic-based pediatric therapy.
Early intervention.
School-based occupational therapy.
Pediatric pelvic floor therapy.
Throughout her career, Amanda noticed a recurring theme: families often need guidance beyond the therapy clinic. Many parents are eager to learn strategies they can use at home but don’t always receive enough practical information.
That’s exactly where education platforms like podcasts, social media, and blogs can make a huge difference.
Amanda originally started creating content online during the COVID era while working in a pediatric clinic. Her goal was simple: Provide parents with helpful therapy ideas they could implement at home.
She created videos demonstrating:
Fine motor activities.
Therapy tools like putty and tennis ball games.
Simple developmental strategies.
Then something unexpected happened. One parent repeatedly asked questions about potty training challenges, so Amanda made a short video addressing the topic.
The algorithm responded immediately. Soon she had:
Thousands of messages from parents.
Hundreds of comments asking for help.
Families sharing stories of being dismissed by providers.
Many parents said things like:
“Our pediatrician didn’t know what to tell us.”
“We were given one suggestion and then left to figure it out ourselves.”
This overwhelming response pushed Amanda to deepen her expertise.
Amanda realized that if so many families were asking for help, she needed to ensure her information was evidence-based. She spent the next two years taking specialized courses, including advanced training through Herman & Wallace, a leading pelvic health education organization.
Through this training, she expanded her understanding of:
Pediatric pelvic floor function.
Constipation and bowel health.
Bladder control development.
Behavioral and sensory influences on toileting.
This deeper knowledge allowed her to better support families struggling with potty training.
One of the most important insights from the episode is why OTs often approach toileting differently than other providers. Many medical providers focus primarily on the digestive system.
For example:
Medication for constipation.
Diet recommendations.
Gastrointestinal testing.
While those interventions can be helpful, occupational therapists look at the entire system involved in toileting, including:
Children need stronginteroception to recognize signals like:
The urge to urinate.
The need to have a bowel movement.
Proper positioning on the toilet can dramatically improve success. For example:
Feet supported on a stool
Knees slightly higher than hips
Relaxed breathing
Some children struggle with toileting because of sensory sensitivities such as:
Fear of flushing sounds.
Discomfort sitting on the toilet.
Difficulty recognizing internal body signals.
Toileting also requires a calm and regulated nervous system. Stress, anxiety, and sensory overload can all interfere with a child’s ability to relax enough to use the bathroom successfully.
Amanda shares a reality many parents face: toileting struggles are incredibly common, but families often feel alone. Parents frequently report:
Being told to “just wait it out”.
Being given minimal guidance.
Feeling dismissed when their child struggles.
Yet toileting involves many developmental systems, including:
Sensory processing.
Motor planning.
Body awareness.
Emotional regulation.
When these systems are supported together, children often make more progress.
Amanda’s story highlights something important about pediatric therapy and parenting. Families don’t just need diagnoses or quick tips; they need:
Clear explanations.
Practical strategies.
Support from professionals who understand the full picture.
That’s the mission behind Harkla’s educational content — to provide science-backed, practical solutions that empower both parents and therapists.
Here are the biggest insights from Amanda’s introduction episode:
1. Toileting challenges are incredibly common.
Many families struggle with potty training and need more guidance than they currently receive.
2. Occupational therapy looks at the whole child.
OTs consider sensory processing, body awareness, positioning, and regulation when addressing toileting.
3. Social media can reveal real needs.
Amanda discovered a major gap in parent education simply by listening to questions families were asking online.
4. Evidence-based education matters.
Amanda pursued advanced training to ensure she was providing accurate, research-informed support.
5. Families deserve practical solutions.
Simple strategies and education can make a huge difference in daily routines like potty training.
If your child is struggling with toileting, you’re not alone. Many children need extra support as their bodies learn to coordinate the sensory, motor, and emotional components of toileting.
With the right strategies, patience, and guidance, meaningful progress is possible — and small steps can lead to big breakthroughs over time.
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 & art. One doctor / therapist may have a different way of doing things from another. We are simply presenting our views & opinions on how to address common sensory challenges, health related difficulties & 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 & make purchases. However, this does not impact our reviews & comparisons. We try our best to keep things fair & 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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