#368 - Ocular Motor Skills: The Secret to Better Focus & Fewer Headaches
Headaches that won’t go away? Trouble reading or switching between screens? Feeling drained after a day at your desk? These might not be random quirks—they could be signs of ocular motor deficits.In this episode, we’re diving into how visual-ocular challenges—convergence, saccades, and pursuits—can impact adults in everyday life. You’ll hear a personal story, a powerful example of how unresolved visual motor skills led to chronic headaches, and how vision therapy changed everything.We’ll also unpack the key signs of ocular motor dysfunction in adults, how they’re often linked to headaches, fatigue, and even ADHD symptoms, and why primitive reflexes might still be at play long after childhood. You’ll learn simple screening tools to try at home and get expert insight into what interventions actually help.LINKSWe’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form - https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3 Free live webinar on July 16th https://harkla.co/pages/infant-sensory-development-webinar-registration-2025Primitive Reflex Digital Coursehttps://harkla.co/products/primitive-reflexes-courseAll Things Sensory Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/allthingssensorypodcast/Harkla Website https://harkla.co/Harkla YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/c/HarklaFamilyHarkla Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/harkla_family/
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#367 - Auditory Processing vs. Attention Issues: How to Tell the Difference with Debbie Baerlocher
In this episode, we sit down with pediatric audiologist Debbie Baerlocher to unpack the real truth about Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)—what it is, what it’s not, and why it’s often misunderstood. Learn how APD is diagnosed, when to seek help, and why many children show similar symptoms without actually having APD.Debbie has her Doctorate in Audiology and has been working at Elks Hearing and Balance, aka St. Luke's Hearing and Balance, in Boise, Idaho since she moved to the Treasure Valley just about 25 years ago. By the end of this episode you’ll learn:- What a true APD diagnosis involves- Why symptom lists can be misleading- When hearing loss, ADHD, or anxiety might be the real cause- What parents can do right now to helpWhether you’re a parent, caregiver, or therapist, this episode offers clarity, empathy, and expert advice you won’t want to miss.LINKShttps://www.hearingfirst.org/https://www.readingrockets.org/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 https://www.instagram.com/allthingssensorypodcast/Harkla Website https://harkla.co/Harkla YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/c/HarklaFamilyHarkla Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/harkla_family/
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#366 - What Your Dentist Won’t Tell You: A Functional Approach to Oral Health with Dr. Craig Clayton
Dr. Craig D. Clayton is a functional and biomimetic dentist based in Meridian, Idaho, and an influential online educator with a following of over 380K on Instagram. Passionate about uncovering the root causes of oral health issues, Dr. Clayton focuses on holistic cavity prevention, airway health, and innovative, biologically sound approaches to restoring teeth. As the host of the Dentistry Disrupted podcast, he is on a mission to shift the dental industry toward a more patient-centered, root-cause-focused approach. Through educating and empowering patients, he hopes to bridge the gap between oral health and overall well-being.Follow Dr. Clayton on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/restoration.dentistryMore information https://restorationdentistryid.com/Free resources https://stan.store/restorationdentistryListen to Dr. Clayton’s Podcast - Dentistry Disrupted https://open.spotify.com/show/37YIyN9xGxzvT5MkuH9GOD?si=JNrtjoisToSEU80e1asRQwElementa Toothpaste https://elementasilver.com/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 https://www.instagram.com/allthingssensorypodcast/Harkla Website https://harkla.co/Harkla YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/c/HarklaFamilyHarkla Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/harkla_family/
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#365 - What Pregnancy & Birth Can Tell Us About Retained Reflexes
Shop our Summer Sensory SALE! https://harkla.co/pages/summer-sensory-sale-2025Free Primitive Reflex Webinar https://harkla.co/pages/register-for-the-primitive-reflex-webinar-2025Free Sensory Diet Webinar https://harkla.co/pages/sensory-diet-webinar-registration-2024We’re diving deep into the why behind retained primitive reflexes. These early movement patterns are essential in infancy—but when they don’t integrate properly, they can lead to challenges with regulation, development, and everyday functioning.We cover some of the most common causes of retained reflexes, including:Neurological immaturityBirth trauma or complications during deliveryLack of early movement (think: limited tummy time or crawling)Environmental stressors during pregnancyPrematurity and other perinatal factorsGenetic predispositionsWe also highlight insights from Sally Goddard Blythe’s work on neuromotor immaturity and how these retained reflexes can show up in both kids and adults.We also respond to a thoughtful question from a literacy coach about a 5-year-old with ADHD. We explore possible sensory and neurological factors at play—and share ideas for supporting regulation and integration through movement.This is a must-listen for parents, therapists, and educators who want to better understand the foundational role of reflexes in child development.LINKSWe’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form - https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3 All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/allthingssensorypodcast/Harkla Website https://harkla.co/Harkla YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/c/HarklaFamilyHarkla Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/harkla_family/Neuromotor Immaturity in Children and Adults by Sally Goddard Blythhttps://a.co/d/dlX4KGIFreebies - Free Sensory Checklist https://harkla.co/pages/freebies?_pos=1&_sid=af3b45f36&_ss=r
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#364 - 10 Sensory Activities to Support Regulation During the Summer
Shop our Summer Sensory SALE! https://harkla.co/pages/summer-sensory-sale-2025Free Primitive Reflex Webinar https://harkla.co/pages/register-for-the-primitive-reflex-webinar-2025Summer can bring a lot of fun — and a lot of sensory dysregulation. In this episode, we’re sharing 10 activity ideas to help your child stay regulated during the warmer months. From water play and outdoor obstacle courses to sensory-friendly picnics and consistent routines, these ideas are designed to support sensory processing, connection, and fun for the whole family.We also answer a thoughtful listener question about tongue proprioception and how to support oral awareness in a child navigating speech sound production, balance challenges, toe-walking, and a history of a frenectomy.LINKSWe’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form - https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3 All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/allthingssensorypodcast/Harkla Website https://harkla.co/Harkla YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/c/HarklaFamilyHarkla Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/harkla_family/Water Balloons - Bunch O Balloons https://a.co/d/0jkzuSHOral Motor Super Duper Deck https://a.co/d/40Jclqd
Rachel Harrington and Jessica Hill, are two passionate Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants who answer your questions related to all things sensory, occupational therapy, parenting, self-care, nutrition, and health, from a therapist’s perspective. Providing raw, honest, fun ideas, and strategies, for parents and families to implement into daily life. Great for those who work with children with sensory processing disorder, special needs, autism, and ADHD. This podcast is brought to you by Harkla. At Harkla, our goal is to help those with special needs live happy and healthy lives.
Netherlands