All Things Sensory by Harkla

Making friends can be hard, and for neurodivergent kids, the path to connection often looks a little different. This episode was inspired by a question from Instagram and dives into practical, compassionate ways to support social connection without forcing kids to fit into a mold that doesn’t work for them.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why friendship can be more challenging for neurodivergent kids

How sensory processing, executive function, and communication impact social skills

Why quality of connection matters more than the number of friends

OT-informed strategies to support social interaction in safe, structured ways

How to build friendships by leaning into a child’s strengths and interests

Thanks for listening 🩷 If this episode resonated, share it with a parent or therapist supporting a neurodivergent child.
LINKS
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 YouTube
​​https://www.youtube.com/c/HarklaFamily 
Harkla Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/harkla_family/ 
Harkla Digital Courses
https://harkla.co/collections/courses

Is your child constantly sucking their thumb or fingers and you’re wondering if it’s sensory, habit, or something else? This episode comes straight from a parent question on Instagram, and we’re breaking it all down.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why thumb and finger sucking is considered oral sensory seeking

When sucking is developmentally appropriate and when to look closer

Common reasons older kids continue sucking for regulation or anxiety

How to talk to your child about the habit in a supportive way

Practical sensory and oral motor replacements that actually help

Thanks for listening 🩷 If this question hit close to home, share this episode with another parent who’s navigating thumb or finger sucking too.

We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form - https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3
Z-Vibe 
https://www.arktherapeutic.com/arks-z-vibe-vibrating-oral-motor-tool/ 
Chew Tubes
https://www.arktherapeutic.com/handheld-chews/ 
Chewlery
https://www.arktherapeutic.com/chewelry/ 
5 Ways to Use Proprioception for Calming and Regulation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHdCj8sWtV0 
Top 10 Oral Motor Activities Every Parent Should Know
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEXEbyBX858&t=443s 
Sensory Snacks Explained
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOswosl5pHg
All Things Sensory Ep. 376 - Oral Sensory Seeking in Kids
https://harkla.co/blogs/podcast/376-oral-sensory-seeking-in-kids-what-you-need-to-know-how-to-help

All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram 
https://www.instagram.com/allthingssensorypodcast/ 
Harkla Website 
https://harkla.co/ 
Harkla YouTube
​​https://www.youtube.com/c/HarklaFamily 
Harkla Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/harkla_family/ 
Harkla Digital Courses
https://harkla.co/collections/courses

“I didn’t crawl and I’m fine.” We hear this all the time - from parents, grandparents, and even professionals. And while it can be true, there’s a lot more nuance to the conversation.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why crawling plays such a critical role in development

How crawling supports strength, coordination, vision, and primitive reflex integration

Why skipping crawling may not seem like a problem early on, but can impact coordination, learning, and regulation later

Simple ways to encourage crawling in babies, kids, and even adults

How to respond (kindly and confidently) when someone says, “I didn’t crawl and I’m fine”

Thanks for listening 🩷 If this episode made you think differently about crawling, share it with someone who says they’re “fine” without it.
LINKS
We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form - ⁠https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3⁠ 
Why Crawling Is Essential for Babies, Kids & Adults? Infant Development & OT Strategies
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKcDD9FtVIY 
Crawling for Brain Development
https://sensationalbrain.com/product/crawling-brain-development-curriculum/ 
All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram 
https://www.instagram.com/allthingssensorypodcast/ 
Harkla Website 
https://harkla.co/ 
Harkla YouTube
​​https://www.youtube.com/c/HarklaFamily 
Harkla Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/harkla_family/ 
Harkla Digital Courses
https://harkla.co/collections/courses

This week, we’re joined by Taylor Kruse, movement coach, educator, and founder of Kruse Elite, who specializes in applied neurology and the nervous system. Taylor works with adults to help them move, feel, and function better but his insights are just as relevant for kids and therapists, too.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
What “applied neurology” means and how it connects to movement and pain

Why visual and vestibular systems are key to body awareness and regulation

How the brainstem, eyes, and tongue all work together for posture and balance

The impact of mouth breathing and poor CO₂ tolerance on the nervous system

Practical drills for vision, vestibular activation, and improved breathing

Thanks for listening 🩷 Try one of Taylor’s breathing or visual drills and let us know how it goes!
LINKS
We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form - https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3
Taylor’s Website
https://www.kruseelite.com/
Follow Taylor on Instagram 
https://www.instagram.com/kruseelite 
All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram 
https://www.instagram.com/allthingssensorypodcast/ 
Harkla Website 
https://harkla.co/ 
Harkla YouTube
​​https://www.youtube.com/c/HarklaFamily 
Harkla Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/harkla_family/ 
Harkla Digital Courses
https://harkla.co/collections/courses

Swinging, spinning, and jumping can be incredible tools for regulation but they can also lead to overstimulation if we’re not careful. In this episode, we’re breaking down how to safely use vestibular input (aka movement) to support sensory regulation without causing meltdowns or motion sickness.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
What the vestibular system is and why it’s so important

The difference between seekers, avoiders, and under-responders

Signs of vestibular overload and what to look for

How to safely build up tolerance to spinning, swinging, and movement

Tips for balancing vestibular input with proprioception for regulation

Thanks for listening 🩷 Share this episode with a parent or therapist who wants to better understand movement and regulation!
LINKS
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 YouTube
​​https://www.youtube.com/c/HarklaFamily 
Harkla Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/harkla_family/ 
Harkla Digital Courses
https://harkla.co/collections/courses 
What is Vestibular Input? (Blog Post) 
https://harkla.co/blogs/special-needs/vestibular-input?_pos=4&_sid=58b88ae0e&_ss=r 
What is the Vestibular System? (Podcast)
https://harkla.co/blogs/podcast/21-vestibular-system?_pos=1&_sid=58b88ae0e&_ss=r 
Sensory Dice 
https://harkla.co/collections/focus/products/sensory-activity-foam-dice 
Sensory Sticks 
https://harkla.co/collections/focus/products/sensory-activity-sticks 
Sensory Cards
https://harkla.co/collections/focus/products/sensory-activity-cards 
Research Articles:
Vestibular Input in Children 
https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/11/1/2
Vestibular Activity and Development in Children 
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/integrative-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnint.2013.00092/full
Vestibular Dysfunction in Children 
https://vestibular.org/article/diagnosis-treatment/types-of-vestibular-disorders/pediatric-vestibular-disorders/part-i-vestibular-dysfunction-children/ 
Epidemiology of Vestibular Impairments
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6054584/
Assessment of Vestibular Function in the Pediatric Population 
https://www.audiology.org/practice-guideline/american-academy-of-audiology-clinical-consensus-statement-assessment-of-vestibular-function-in-the-pediatric-population/
Effectiveness of Vestibular and Proprioceptive Exercises in Reducing Hyperactivity in Children with Autism
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S305065652500015X#:~:text=Vestibular%20and%20proprioceptive%20training%20significantly,significant%20changes%20in%20vestibular%20function. 
Association of Sensory Processing and Behavioral Challenges in Children 
https://research.aota.org/ajot/article-abstract/78/Supplement_2/7811500008p1/25267/Association-of-Sensory-Processing-amp-Behavioral?redirectedFrom=fulltext