Sensory Chat Podcasts
What Therapists Wished That Every Family Knew
Would you like to know the tips about sensory differences that therapists wish that every family knew? Listen in as five experienced Advanced Sensory Integration Practitioners discuss solutions and strategies for daily life people with sensory integration or sensory processing difficulties.
What is Sensory Chat?
Sensory Chat is a series of informal, friendly and fun chats between Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Speech & Language Therapists from the UK, Australia and Germany. If you work or care for people with sensory integration or sensory processing differences, autism, ADHD, dyspraxia (DCD) or special needs, Sensory Chat is for you. Sensory Chat is brought to you by the Association for Sensory Integration Practice (ASIP) and training course provider Sensory Integration Education.
Who is Sensory Chat for?
Sensory Chat is aimed at helping parents and carers of children with sensory integration or sensory processing differences, Autism, ADHD, DCD (dyspraxia) or special needs.
Who's talking?
Lelanie Brewer is an Occupational Therapist and Advanced SI Practitioner and also the Director of Student Development for Sensory Integration Education. A highly experienced clinician, Lelanie is currently working towards a PhD with her research focusing on self-care in children with motor difficulties.
Amy Stephens is a Speech and Language Therapist and Advanced SI Practitioner with a long experience working with children and adults with a wide range of different speech, language and communication challenges. As a coach and mentor, Amy enjoys uncovering new insights into effective and positive strategies for supporting clients as well as the families, educators and clinical professionals who support them.
Angela Tieman is a Paediatric Occupational Therapist and Advanced SI Practitioner with extensive experience working in Early Childhood Intervention in both Australia and the United Kingdom. Angela has been trained by and received supervision from world renowned experts in the field of Sensory Integration, Trauma and Attachment, and also works as a clinical mentor in this field.
Emma Snowdon is a Paediatric Physiotherapist and an Advanced Sensory Integration Practitioner. With extensive experience in the public and independent sectors, Emma is also a clinical supervisor and delivers training to numerous agencies including Adoption Central England (ACE) and lectures for national conferences.
Emer Broderick is an Occupational Therapist and Advanced SI Practitioner, working in independent practice with children and young people. Emer has worked predominately with children with ASD, DCD, ADHD, CP, as well as babies with developmental difficulties.
Regulation Strategies That Fit in with Your Family
Series 2, Episode #5
It can be an overwhelming process working with a therapist to help your child's sensory differences. Sure, they have the expertise to offer invaluable strategies to help your child, but how does the home programme fit in with you and your child's needs day-to-day? Could you start by focusing on fewer techniques rather than overloading yourself? We unpick these ideas in this conversation, and we raise important questions to ask you and your child once you begin your home plan. We emphasize self-care and provide small and tangible methods to regulate yourself through everyday activities.
The Importance of Regulation and Co-Regulation
Series 2, Episode #4
In this episode, Amy, Emer, Emma, Angela and Lelanie discuss regulation, defining the term and sharing the neurology of being regulated and dysregulated. They dive into how we as individuals experience this through our senses as well as through our emotions. In this conversation, they also highlight co-regulation and how co-regulation can support individuals who may need the support of another to regulate their nervous system.
What Is Sensory Processing - and Why Do We All Need It?
Series 2, Episode #3
The Sensory Chat team think about what sensory processing does, and how everyone has an individual combination of preferences and dislikes in their own sensory profile. We consider how this relates to how we as parents might set up the routines and activities of the day, and what happens when there is a mismatch between the sensory preferences of different family members. As always, we share practical ideas about to recognise where sensory differences are affecting family relationships, and how to recognise your own sensory style.
Sensory Supports for Less-stressful Mealtimes
Series 2, Episode #2
Emer, Emma and Amy share the suggestions and tips from their work as Sensory Integration practitioners supporting children who find it harder to eat the same foods as the rest of the family.
"Fussy" eating from a Sensory Integration perspective
Series 2, Episode #1
Emer, Emma and Amy welcome you to the new series of Sensory Chat podcast for parents. We think about the different factors which might be involved that result in a child finding it hard to eat the same foods as the rest of the family, and think about where sensory integration might fit into that picture.
When Bedtime is Dread-time: Tips for Parents of Toddlers
Series 1, Episode #4
If bedtime means dread-time in your house, listen to this relaxed session of Sensory Chat where four international therapists chat over practical tips on helping your little one move towards a sleepy state. What is down-regulation? How can you use the sensory experiences of light, temperature, touch and taste to help get your toddler ready for sleep? Why does making the transition to bedtime longer and slower help, even when it’s probably the last thing you want to do!
Listen to this final episode in the current series of Sensory Chat to find out how reframing your view of your child’s bedtime process can improve both your experiences of it.
Getting Dressed: A Sensory Perspective
Series 1, Episode #3
Is every morning a struggle to get your preschooler dressed? This episode of Sensory Chat is for you, particularly if your little one has sensory issues around clothing or struggles with balance, body awareness or fine motor skills. Listen as four international therapists draw on their personal and professional experience to chat over what difficulties your child could be experiencing around clothing and dressing along with some practical tips to try.
Eating Out With Children: A Sensory Perspective
Series 1, Episode #2
Eating out with very young children can be a frantic rather than fun experience. Particularly if your child gets easily overwhelmed or over-excited. Listen in as four experienced therapists chat about how to make taking your toddler to a cafe or restaurant be less stressful and more enjoyable for the whole family. Get tips on how to help your child be prepared for the experience. Learn how a stomping walk beforehand can help your child sit for longer later. What should you look for when choosing a child-friendly restaurant - and we don’t just mean the menu. This episode of Sensory Chat is aimed at parents but will also be useful for teachers and professionals.
Toddlers and Eating: A Sensory Perspective
Series 1, Episode #1
In the first episode of Sensory Chat, the therapists chat over the common challenges that toddlers face with mealtimes.
What should we be expecting of 2- and 3-year-olds at mealtimes? What skills do toddlers need to be able to successfully eat? How does their ability to sit up and sit still at the table affect their eating? Are tablets on the table a help or a hindrance? Why do we need to consider family and cultural contexts relating to mealtimes and how do our own sensory preferences affect our children’s mealtime experience? It’s all covered in the podcast along with some handy tips and reassurance for struggling parents and carers.