All Things Sensory by Harkla

What is proprioception, and why is it so important? 🤔

In this recent episode of the podcast, Amanda and Rachel talking about proprioception, how it relates to pediatric OT, and why it can be such a powerful tool for helping kids feel more calm, organized, and connected to their bodies. 🧠✨

They also cover what proprioceptive seeking behavior can look like, from crashing, jumping, and squeezing to more subtle signs like leaning, slouching, or using too much force during everyday activities.

Tap the link below to watch or listen to the full episode now! 🩷
https://harkla.co/blogs/podcast/408-proprioception-what-it-is-and-why-it-matters

Does potty training feel stressful no matter what you try? Added pressure could be a key factor! 🔑

A relaxed body is a body that feels safe to go to the bathroom without stress. In this week’s episode of the podcast, Amanda and Rachel discuss pediatric pelvic floor health and potty training struggles families may face. 🧻

Body awareness, sensory processing, nervous system regulation, and coordination are all connected to the journey to toileting independence. Amanda and Rachel talk about what kids dealing with this may be experiencing, how parents can help, and when to seek further support.

Comment “410” for a link to the full episode sent to your Instagram DMs! 💬

Vibration plates in OT? Here’s what you actually need to know. 👇

This is NOT a “set it and forget it” tool! I am covering what you need to know about vibration plates in this week’s new episode.

When you’re using vibration plates with your clients, here are a few key things to keep in mind:

⚡Keep eyes on your client at all times to observe for any potential adverse reactions
⚡Always pair time spent on the vibration plate with a functional task
⚡️Don’t begin with too long at a time, start out with 1-2 minutes at most!

Used intentionally, vibration is incredibly powerful in therapy. But doing it the right way matters. 🙌

📌 Save this for your next session plan!
Then, comment PLATE for a link to the full episode sent to your DMs.

If you’ve ever had a bit too much to drink, you can relate to a child dealing with proprioceptive dysfunction. 🍷

Proprioception is your body’s awareness of where it is in space; including how your muscles and joints communicate where your limbs are, how much pressure to apply, and how to balance without needing to think about it.

When a child is experiencing proprioceptive dysfunction, it may feel like trying to walk up the stairs after one too many. Clumsy, uncoordinated, not being quite sure where your body is. 💫

We are not recommending having a drink to empathize, but this can act as a helpful thought to reference if you want to better understand how the kiddos who live in proprioception dysfunction go through every single day.

Curious to learn more about the “hidden sense”? That is what our new episode today is all about! Tap the link below to watch or listen now. 💬

https://harkla.co/blogs/podcast/408-proprioception-what-it-is-and-why-it-matters

I almost missed the signs in my own child… 🔎

As a pediatric OT practitioner, I am talking with families all the time about trusting their gut when something going on with their child feels “off.” But then, when it came to my own daughter, for a hot minute I felt that some of the “little things” were easy to explain away.

The head tilts. The hesitation with catching. The frustration during everyday tasks.

Sometimes vision challenges don’t look like blurry eyesight. They can show up in the way a child moves, learns, attends, and regulates. In the full episode, I am sharing the whole story around this visit, what we found out, and what we’re planning to do now! 🎧

Tap the link below to listen to (or watch) the full episode on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.

https://harkla.co/blogs/podcast/407-why-i-took-my-daughter-to-a-developmental-eye-doctor-part-1