Connected and Capable

How much should I be helping... and when do I need to step back? Because reminding them about the homework, the test, the missing assignment, or the thing they swore they were going to remember can get exhausting. But simply backing off and expecting them to figure it all out on their own usually isn’t the answer either. In this episode, I’m sharing what this looks like in real life with my own te...

A few months ago, I went through one of the hardest nervous system experiences of my life. As I worked through the weeks that followed, I couldn't stop thinking about the kids with autism I've worked with for over 20 years... and one question kept coming back to me. Could big meltdowns actually leave a child's nervous system stuck in a cycle that's much harder to escape than we realize? In this ep...

When should we embrace a child's differences... and when is it a sign they need more support? It's one of the hardest questions parents of autistic and neurodivergent kids face. In this episode, I'm sharing a simple 3-step framework I use as an occupational therapist to help sort through that question. We'll talk about stimming, aggression, sensory challenges, participation, and how to tell the di...

This week at sensory summer camp, one moment completely changed the direction of my day... and reinforced something I think every parent of a neurodivergent child needs to hear. When a child melts down, refuses, runs away, or seems completely "noncompliant," what if we're asking the wrong question? In this episode, I'm sharing two real stories from camp that highlight what was happening underneath...

What if one food could help your child feel safe enough to start expanding beyond the handful of foods they currently eat? In this final episode of our picky eating series, I'm sharing what I call a gateway food, specifically a recipe that helped my own son move from eating one specific brand of chicken nuggets to eventually eating grilled chicken, different proteins, and a much wider variety of f...

In this episode, we're digging into one of the most important factors for helping extreme picky eaters: they're struggling because something deeper is getting in the way. There's 5 big reasons kids refuse to eat and it's not because of you're parenting or that they're just difficult. Learn how to identify these signs yourself and how to start looking at your child's eating through a different lens...

In this first episode of our picky eating series, I'm sharing the story of how my son went from gagging at the sight of food to becoming a kid that loves a wide variety of foods. A reality that wouldn't have happened if we had just waited for him to grow out of it.  You'll hear the mistakes I see parents make over and over again (through no fault of their own), and the 5-step framework that g...

If you’ve ever felt like sensory strategies sound helpful in theory… but impossible to actually fit into real life, this episode is for you. We’re talking about small, realistic ways to build regulation into the moments that are already happening throughout your day using quick sensory “doses” that can help with focus, emotional regulation, transitions, and big behaviors. You’ll also hear: Why sen...

If you’ve ever wondered… does nutrition actually affect ADHD symptoms? Or is it all hype online? In this episode of the Connected + Capable Podcast, we’re digging into what the research really says about ADHD and nutrition in a practical, parent-friendly way. We’re talking about: ▶️ elimination diets and anti-inflammatory eating ▶️ food dyes and processed foods ▶️ fish oil and omega-3s ▶️ iron/fer...

Biting can feel shocking, frustrating, and honestly… a little scary especially if it seems to come out of nowhere. Whether your child is biting others, biting themselves, or it’s happening in those intense, dysregulated moments, it’s important to know what's actually what’s going on. In this episode, I’m breaking down what’s really behind biting, and why it’s often not about hurting someone at all...

If hair washing turns into tears, resistance, or full-blown meltdowns in your house… I’m breaking down what’s really going on beneath the surface when kids struggle with having their hair washed, especially for sensory and neurodivergent kids. Because once you understand why this everyday task feels so overwhelming, everything starts to shift. We’ll talk about how past experiences, sensory sensiti...

Does your child quickly jump to: “I’m bad.” “I never do anything right.” “Everything always goes wrong.” That kind of negative thinking can be exhausting for kids and heartbreaking for parents to watch. In this episode, I’m breaking down what’s often really happening underneath these thought patterns in kids with ADHD, anxiety, sensory needs, and other uniquely wired challenges. I’m also sharing a...

We hear it from parents so often... how do I help my kid when I'm dysregulated myself? That's a wise question and one many are wrestling with.   In this episode I'm sharing why we often feel like we're falling short, what to do about the dysregulation you feel, and 3 simple steps you can start today!  We'll also talk about why neurodivergent parents may feel more dysregulation.&nbsp...

Sensory processing disorder is something you’ve probably heard before… maybe from a therapist, a teacher, or even your pediatrician. But here’s the tricky part—it’s not actually an official diagnosis. And that can make this whole topic feel confusing and overwhelming. In this episode, I’m breaking down what sensory processing really is, what we mean when we say “sensory processing disorder,” and w...

Toe walking seems like an odd habit, and while it can become habitual there are almost always underlying reasons kids are toe walking!  Getting to the bottom of what's causing your kid to tip toe all over the place is key for helping them walk on their whole foot, which is important because long term toe walking can cause physical issues.   But, I do have one thing you should no mat...

So often we see gaps in executive functioning skills as personality traits. Or, they frustrate the heck out of us. In my own parenting journey understanding my kid was struggling with executive functioning AND wasn't just a difficult kid, changed everything.   That's why it's important to understand more of these executive functioning skills in this part 2 edition of our episodes de...

Neurodivergent kids often struggle with following directions, listening, and self-control. What are we to do? We worry they aren't learning and want them to understand consequences. Both are very valid. In this episode learn why these popular parenting techniques we sometimes use intentionally and often out of desperation backfire with kids that have ADHD, Autism, or sensory needs. ...

Most parents are told that ADHD treatment begins and ends with medication, which can be helpful for some kids. But there’s so much more to the story. (Grab a spot in the free Executive Functioning Week for parents below). In this episode we talk about four powerful — and often overlooked — ways to improve ADHD symptoms in kids. You’ll learn why ADHD is actually more than just poor attention, so mu...

If your child avoids swings, hates being tipped back to wash their hair, or panics when their feet leave the ground… there may be more going on than simple fear. In this episode, I’m diving into vestibular sensitivities — one of the most overlooked sensory challenges that can quietly affect everything from balance and coordination to reading, attention, and anxiety. You’ll learn what the vestibula...

After-school meltdowns are so common there’s actually a name for it: after-school restraint collapse. If your child comes home and completely falls apart — big emotions, aggression, withdrawal, nonstop chaos — you are not alone. Yes, masking all day is part of the story. But it’s not the whole story. In this episode, I walk you through two other big reasons uniquely wired kids struggle during that...

Some say screen time is “regulating”… and honestly, it can look that way. In this episode, we slow the conversation down—no shame, no judgment—and unpack why screens can feel like the only thing that works when your child is overwhelmed. But we also zoom out and ask the bigger question: is that calm actually regulation… or is something else happening? I’ll share a personal story that changed how I...

Have you ever watched your child do something that just makes you pause… but you can’t quite explain what's going on, but you know something deeper is behind it?  in this episode, I’m talking about things kids with sensory needs do that are easy mistake s quirks, phases, or personality. This isn’t about labeling your child or diagnosing anything. It’s about helping you see your kid through a...

What if the most powerful tool for reducing meltdowns isn’t a strategy, a script, or a consequence — but something you already carry with you? In this episode, Alisha breaks down the often-misunderstood role of co-regulation and why it works in every setting, at every age, and at every intensity level. She explains why common “in-the-moment” techniques fail when a child is dysregulated, and what a...

The struggles are kids have can be hard, dysregulating, and cause lots of worry. Understandably so! What's the best way to tackle them? How can we help them make lasting change?  In this episode I'm diving into what really works and how to know which way to turn whether your kid is struggling with anxiety, bad handwriting, aggressive behaviors--or anything in between.  It's the question...

What if some of the hardest moments with your child aren’t about behavior, motivation, or personality at all? In this episode, I share executive functioning as the next critical piece of the puzzle, and why so many uniquely wired kids struggle in ways that are easy to misinterpret.   You’ll hear why executive functioning is far bigger than attention alone, 4 more EF skills, and they quie...