#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/

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/

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/

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

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

Summer is here—and with the heat, play, and sunshine comes a unique challenge for kids (and adults!) who struggle with interoception. In this episode, we explore what interoception is and why it’s so important to pay attention during the summer months. We discuss how challenges like dehydration, overheating, and sun sensitivity can affect children with sensory needs and how parents and caregivers can better support them through practical strategies, products, and daily routines.We also share actionable tips for boosting interoceptive awareness, from mindfulness exercises to hydration reminders, and highlight summer-friendly tools like cooling vests, splash pads, and visual schedules.PLUS—we answer a thoughtful listener question about managing sensory seeking behaviors at home after school, and offer guidance for making sensory play more structured and less overwhelming.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/The Interoception Curriculum by Kelly Mahlerhttps://www.kelly-mahler.com/product/the-interoception-curriculum-a-step-bystep-guide-to-developing-mindful-self-regulation/Sensational Brain: The Interoceptive Sensory Systemhttps://sensationalbrain.com/product/interoceptive-sensory-system/Beyond Behaviors (Amazon) https://a.co/d/ft3dFmFSensory Explorers https://www.sensoryexplorers.com/

Register for our FREE live webinar on June 4, 2025 https://harkla.co/pages/summer-sensory-diet-webinar-registration-2025In this episode of the All Things Sensory Podcast, we explore how a baby’s sensory and nervous systems begin developing long before birth — and how expectant parents can actively support this critical growth during pregnancy.From taste and touch to vestibular and proprioceptive systems, you'll learn when each sensory system starts forming in the womb and what factors influence healthy development. We also highlight practical, evidence-based strategies for optimizing your baby’s neurological health through nutrition, movement, stress management, and mindful prenatal care.Plus, we dive into fascinating research connecting prenatal experiences — like maternal stress, illnesses, medications, and even birth methods — to the likelihood of sensory processing difficulties later in childhood.Whether you’re expecting or supporting someone who is, this episode empowers you with tools and insights to lay a strong sensory foundation for your baby’s future.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/Research: Incidence of pre-, peri-, and post-natal birth and developmental problems of children with sensory processing disorder and children with autism spectrum disorderhttps://www.frontiersin.org/journals/integrative-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/neuro.07.031.2009/fullResearch: Association between cesarean section and sensory integration dysfunction in preschool children: a prospective cohort studyhttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34511164/Research: The Occurrence of the Sensory Processing Disorder in Children Depending on the Type and Time of Delivery: A Pilot Studyhttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35682475/#:~:text=Descriptive%20results%20and%20percentage%20calculations%20were%20compared.,those%20delivered%20on%20time%20by%20vaginal%20birth.Research: The Prenatal and Perinatal Risk Variables of the Sensory Processing Disorderhttps://www.walshmedicalmedia.com/open-access/the-prenatal-and-perinatal-risk-variables-of-the-sensory-processing-disorder-2090-7214-1000286.pdf

In this episode, we sit down with Angela Fritz, a board-certified pediatric physical therapist with a passion for infant development. Angela brings her expertise working in the NICU and shares valuable insights on supporting babies from the very beginning—especially those who’ve spent time in the NICU.We dive into:The role of physical therapy in the NICUTummy time and developmental milestone tips for infants (including NICU grads)The importance of positioning for developmentPrimitive reflexes and how they influence early movementPractical advice for parents and caregiversWhether you're a therapist, parent, or caregiver, you'll come away with actionable tips and a deeper understanding of the early building blocks of development.Angela Fritz, PT, DPT, PCS is a board-certified pediatric physical therapist who specializes in infant development. She received her doctorate degree in physical therapy (DPT) from the University of Washington (Go Dawgs!) and has worked with infants and children ever since! Angela just recently moved to Boise, ID and works in the NICU and NICU follow up at St Luke’s Children’s Hospital, but was trained in neonatal therapy at Seattle Children’s Hospital. Though her passion lies with infants, Angela has experience working with children 0-18 years of age. She is passionate about celebrating the unique spark in each and every baby, and believes that empowering parents to advocate for, engage with, and support their baby is the best way to foster lifelong success. Angela was also born with hearing loss and is passionate about disability awareness, inclusion, and justice and making healthcare more accessible for all!LINKSVisit Angela’s Website - https://www.bebe-pt.com/servicesWe’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/

In this episode, we sit down with Lori Benson Adams, M.Ed., Educational Intervention Specialist and founder of Breakthrough Learning Solutions, to explore the heart of DIRFloortime. We dive into the power of connection, the role of play-based therapy, and how honoring all forms of communication can transform the way we support children. Whether you're a parent or professional, this conversation will leave you inspired to lead with curiosity, connection, and compassion.Lori Benson Adams, M.Ed Educational Intervention Specialist, is the owner of Breakthrough Learning Solutions, a private practice providing direct support to families and children, as well as professional development opportunities to private and school based professionals nationwide.LINKSVisit Lori's websitehttps://loribensonadams.com/Lori on Sensational Brainhttps://sensationalbrain.com/ceu/on-demand-webinars/?_speaker=lori-benson-adams-medDIRFloortimehttps://www.icdl.com/dirDyslexia with Lori Benson Adamshttps://harkla.co/blogs/podcast/179-what-is-dyslexia?_pos=2&_sid=89fa10f07&_ss=rWe’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/HarklaFamily/playlistsHarkla Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/harkla_family/

Welcome Amy Whelan, a pediatric speech-language pathologist, Natural Language Acquisition (NLA) specialist, and passionate AAC advocate. Amy brings her deep expertise and compassionate approach to early childhood communication, guiding us through the world of gestalt language processing, child-led therapy, and neurodiversity-affirming practices.Amy Whelan, Ph.D., CCC-SLP has worked with young children at-risk for speech and language delays and their families her entire career. Movement and play are her favorite ways to encourage regulation, connection, engagement, and communication. She believes in the power of YET to give hope to what is to come and foster positive, empowered, resilient children. Always learning, Amy has specialized training in family-centered therapy, early intervention and preschool-based therapy, Natural Language Acquisition and gestalt language processors, as well as neurodiversity affirming goal writing and therapy practices.LINKSFollow Amy on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/twojillsandajack/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/@HarklaFamily/videosHarkla Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/harkla_family/