Ep 07 - Guest Expert: Erin Grujic, Occupational Therapist, Sensory Integration in Youth

08/05/20 • 45 min

Cast:
Dr. Tara Egan, host
Anna, teen co-host
Erin Grujic, Occupational Therapist

Tara, Anna, and Erin (our guest expert) discuss:

1. What is an occupational therapist? How do they support their clients?

2. What is sensory integration?

Erin notes that we have 7-8 sensory systems and some (or all) of these sensory systems can become easily overloaded, impacting our functioning if our brain misinterprets this sensory information as negative. If this happens, kids can get distressed, resulting in a fight-or-flight response that leads to crying, tantrums, covering their ears, refusing to participate, running away, or showing anger. Erin observes that quarantine--the disruption of routine--is contributing to an abbreviated "window of tolerance."

Erin provides a helpful analogy about us all having a "cup" that needs to be filled with sensory information. If the cup isn't completely filled (kids are under-stimulated), kids can seek more input. If the cup is overflowing, kids can get overwhelmed easily and want to avoid sensory stimulation.

3. How do kids develop sensory integration problems?

Kids benefit from having parents who can be responsive to child's sensory needs.Tara discusses having to modify her parenting style with her son, as he demonstrated sensory sensitivity as an infant and toddler. He found loud noises and having sun in his eyes to be distressing. Tara relates to this, as she's also sensitive to loud noises, sun in her eyes, fans blowing on her, etc.

4. Are kids with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, anxiety, or ADHD more susceptible to sensory integration difficulties?

Erin notes that it's essential to figure out the "function" of kids' behavior---what need are they trying to meet? For example, they may be seeking attention, sensory input, or avoidance of unpleasant tasks. We want kids have an increased "bandwidth" to tolerate sensory information.

5. What strategies can parents use in the home environment to support their children's sensory development?
- recognizing triggers
- using strategies to increase their bandwidth, or tolerance, of these triggers so kids can stay at their "just right" level
- make sure to PLAY with your kids; let them get messy and be a little bit risky
- help your kids co-regulate---adjust their environment to set the stage for success

6. Do you ever feel that parents take it personally when their kids "misbehave" as the result of sensory issues?

7. What are some indicators that can help determine whether it's necessary to consult an OT about your child's sensory issues?

Erin notes that OT's can provide a comprehensive assessment to determine whether a child could benefit from intervention from an OT.

You can find more information about Erin and her mobile clinic at Sensational Path.

Please visit our Facebook page and Instagram page.

If you'd like to try BARK, a dashboard that monitors content on your child's technological devices, please use the code QSG7JBW to get 20% off. If you'd like to try Circle Home Plus to set guidelines around when and where your kids spend their online screen time, use THIS LINK to get $20 off. I use both of these tools to protect my children.

To learn more about Dr. Tara Egan, visit HERE or HERE.

"One Day You'll Thank Me" is edited by Laura Bauder from PodcastHers.

Previous Episode

06 - The Truth About Lying

Title: Ep 06 - The Truth About Lying
Cast:
Dr. Tara Egan (host)
Anna (teen cohost)
Dr. Tara Egan and Anna discuss lying---why kids lie and how parents can address it. Anna agrees that everyone lies from time to time. Tara shares a common lie she's told in order to reassure clients that they shouldn't feel self-conscious about the state of their home when she conducts a home visit. Tara encourages Anna to reveal all her big lies on air, but Anna denies that she has ever told "huge lies."
Top Reasons Why Kids Lie:
1) To get out of trouble
2) To avoid something unpleasant
3) To avoid shame or embarrassment
4) To protect privacy or keep a secret
5) To try to control what others' opinions are of them
6) To protect their safety
Tara encourages her brother, Kevin, to confess to the lie he (probably) told when they were children.
Lying is a complex form of communication. It's simplistic to say, "lying is always wrong," as lying can be functional and it's often role modeled by parents. Parents have to set the tone as to what the family culture is when it comes to telling small lies.
Help kids be truthful from the start. Don't "set a trap" for them to lie and then be angry when they do. Avoid triggering defensiveness and be direct about what you know. And parents may have a different version of the truth than their child, and they both can be right.
Anna asks, "Is it better to have a bunch of little lies, or a couple of big lies?"
This episode is sponsored by Moe's Southwest Grill. Make family dinner fun with Moe's Southwest Grill. Order a family taco kit for $34.99.
Please visit our Facebook page and Instagram page.
If you'd like to try BARK, a dashboard that monitors content on your child's technological devices, please use the code QSG7JBW to get 20% off. If you'd like to try Circle Home Plus to set guidelines around when and where your kids spend their online screen time, use THIS LINK to get $20 off. I use both of these tools to protect my children.
To learn more about Dr. Tara Egan, visit HERE.
To learn more about Dr. Tara Egan's therapy practice based in Charlotte, NC, visit HERE.
"One Day You'll Thank Me" is edited by Laura Bauder from PodcastHers.

Next Episode

08 - Imaginary Audience and Personal Fable

Cast:
Dr. Tara Egan, host
Anna, teen co-host
Imaginary audience, a term coined by David Elkind, refers to teens' tendency to feel that others are hyper-aware of how others view them. They feel judged or criticized by others (usually peers), and this causes them stress. This way of thinking is age-appropriate and typical during teen development.
Tara shares several incidences from Anna's teenage years re: imaginary audience, and Anna recalls an episode from Friends that displays the degree of self-consciousness felt by those experiencing this concept.
Personal fable, a term referring to teens' tendency to think that their experiences are different and unique (even mainstream activities). Oftentimes, these teens may interpret their circumstances are unique to the point where they are unlikely to experience "normal" consequences of behavior. However, this belief can bolster kids' ability to try something new and stressful.
Tara and Anna discuss how personal fable may influence how teens cope with the stress of COVID-19.
Some ways that parents can support their teen:
1) Be patient.
2) Validate emotions without indulging in irrational thinking.
3) Encourage them to tune in to their environment.
4) Give them gentle reassurance.
This episode is sponsored by Moe's Southwest Grill. Make family dinner fun with Moe's Southwest Grill. Order a family taco kit for $34.99.
Please visit our Facebook page and Instagram page.
If you'd like to try BARK, a dashboard that monitors content on your child's technological devices, please use the code QSG7JBW to get 20% off. If you'd like to try Circle Home Plus to set guidelines around when and where your kids spend their online screen time, use THIS LINK to get $20 off. I use both of these tools to protect my children.
To learn more about Dr. Tara Egan, visit HERE.
To learn more about Dr. Tara Egan's therapy practice based in Charlotte, NC, visit HERE.
"One Day You'll Thank Me" is edited by Laura Bauder from PodcastHers.