The Happy Sensory Corner

A brain map with heat colors, percentile rankings and brain-shaped diagrams looks scientific. That look is exactly what makes it dangerous when the person handing it to you cannot read the raw data underneath. Dr. Tiff Thompson, one of a small group of QEEG diplomates in North America, shows parents how to tell the difference before they sign up for the year of neurofeedback that follows. About ou...

The American Academy of Pediatrics just dropped screen time duration as the main thing parents should monitor. If that surprises you, wait until you hear what they replaced it with — and why Dr. Sajita Setia says sleep is doing more damage than the screen ever did. Dr. Sajita Setia is a physician and evidence-based educator with over 20 years in healthcare, a global speaker, published researcher,...

Your child has a data manager in their brain named Harold. He can't tell time, can't reason, and has been making decisions about their behavior before you even walk into the room. When Harold decides there's a threat, he calls in Bob, the security manager, and Bob hits the panic button. At that point, the CEO of your brain gets sent out for coffee. Everything you say after that, every calm voice,...

Your child can't regulate if you can't. Here's what changes when parents do the work first. Jacintha Field (Jay) is a family child counselor, art therapist, and founder of Happy Souls Kids, a global platform helping children ages 5 to 12 manage big emotions through gamified storytelling and real-world role models. She co-founded it with her 11-year-old son. Her approach didn't come...

If your child doesn’t show connection in the ways you expected, it can mess with your confidence in a really deep way. You can be doing everything, therapies, routines, all the effort, and still feel like you’re guessing whether your child feels close to you. That’s what we’re talking about today. Dr. Jack Hinman, Psy. D. (licensed clinical psychologist, Founder and Executive Director of Engage Yo...

Many autistic children struggle with sleeplessness, exhaustion, anxiety, and sensory overload, and parents are often told it’s “just autism.” But what if some of these struggles are actually signs of pain or immune stress that kids can’t explain? In this episode, we explore what autism parents can learn from fibromyalgia research—and why those discoveries matter for children who can’t tell us when...

If your child struggles to communicate feelings, this episode will show you how  colorful capes  can become a powerful tool for emotional connection, even in the hardest moments. Meet Constance Lewis —nurse practitioner, mom of three, and co-author of  Miles and the Colorful Capes of Feelings . Inspired by her son’s journey through seizures and brain surgery, she created a color-based system that...

Many parents choose autism clinics carefully, follow the recommendations, and still watch their child fall apart at home. In this episode, we talk about autism clinic fit. How to recognize when a clinic is supporting real regulation and recovery, and how to tell when it’s quietly overloading your child, even if sessions look “successful.” Joined by parent advocate and clinic founder Stephanie Flug...

This conversation is for the tired parents who are trying everything, and still feeling stuck. Our guest is Susie Pettit, certified life and parenting coach and host of The Love Your Life Show. Susie helps moms break generational cycles of codependency and perfectionism so they can raise emotionally healthy kids without losing themselves. Chapters 00:00 – Welcome and episode preview 01:32 – Susie’...

If someone talked over you, ignored you while you were in the room, or touched you without asking, how would you feel? Many autistic and non-speaking children experience this every day, even from loving parents who don’t realize the impact. In this episode, I talk with Hollis Peirce, historian, disability advocate, and creator of  21st Century Disability , about what dignity feels like when you gr...

When a new challenging behavior appears—spitting food, slamming doors, panicking at noise—most parents ask the same thing: “Is there an exercise for this?” In this episode, Claudie and Kent unpack why that question is more powerful than it seems… and why the real solution rarely looks like what you’d expect. What you’ll learn - How to tell when a behavior is stress, anxiety, or simple exploration...

In this episode, we explore what emotionally intelligent robots are teaching us about presence, emotional safety, and how to become the parent your child still hopes for—even if they can’t say it. Guest:  Peter Fitzpatrick is the co-founder of  FunFriends.com , where he leads the creation of emotionally intelligent social robots designed to support children who struggle to connect. With a backgrou...

Learn more at https://www.mendability.com Free meltdowns guide: http://go.mendability.com/start/meltdowns-guide Feeling stuck in endless therapy routines? Discover how a few minutes of sensory-based games can lift moods, calm anxiety, and bring peace back to your home. This episode is for parents of children with autism, ADHD, or sensory challenges who want real progress, without burnout. Featurin...

📘 Free guide: How to De-Escalate a Meltdown in Seconds Without Saying a Word → https://go.mendability.com/start/meltdowns-guide Many parents spend years in behavior management and therapy routines—only to realize those very systems may have damaged their relationship with their child. When every moment becomes a lesson or correction, the joy fades, and both parent and child grow guarded. In this...

The holidays can be magical — but for many children with trauma or sensory sensitivities, the lights, noise, and changes in routine can trigger stress instead of joy. Learn how to make this season calmer and more connected for your family using simple, brain-based strategies. Featuring: Claudie Pomares, neuroscience pioneer and creator of Sensory Enrichment Therapy, a hands-on method proven to boo...

Ever feel like constant correction makes things worse? This episode is for every parent navigating special education, IEPs, or just trying to help their neurodiverse child feel confident again. Meet Christopher Wyatt, autistic father, educator, and former university lecturer, who shares what really helps autistic students grow—in the classroom and at home. What you’ll learn: • Why punishment shuts...

Struggling with autism-related behaviors at home? This episode shows how “fixing” the outside can leave kids lonely on the inside—and what to do instead. Learn connection-first steps that calm meltdowns and build trust. Guest:  MegAnne Ford , parenting coach and creator of the C.L.E.A.R. Method (attachment- and brain-based parenting; Be Kind Coaching). How “connect before correct” reduces meltdown...

Struggling to stay connected as a couple while raising a neurodiverse child? You’re not alone—and it doesn’t have to stay this hard. This episode is about rekindling love and strengthening your marriage even under the weight of stress, exhaustion, and survival mode. Join us as we talk with  Melanie Yates , a relationship and dating coach who helps couples find joy and strength in their relationshi...

Struggling with power struggles or meltdowns at home? This episode shows parents how to shift from conflict to connection using simple communication strategies that work with both neurotypical and neurodivergent kids. Our guest is Jeanine Mouchawar, certified life coach and Stanford graduate, who specializes in helping parents of teens replace conflict-driven approaches with calm, collaborative co...

Turn stressful routines into connection using music, voice, and simple rituals. Guest Craig Parks, ParentingHarmony. Music educator and creator of the A-to-E method for parent–child connection. What you’ll learn • How parent singing builds bonding even if you “can’t sing” • Bedtime routine for autistic children that lowers anxiety • Nonverbal communication that boosts cooperation (eye level, postu...

Teen addiction, parental burnout, guilt, and shame—this episode tackles some of the hardest parts of parenting a child in crisis. Our guest, Austin Davis, is the founder of Clearfork Academy, a residential treatment center helping teens recover from addiction and mental health challenges. We talk about: What really causes a child’s crisis to escalate—and how parents miss the early signs How to tel...

This episode features estate planning expert Oscar Vasquez, who breaks down what families really need to know about wills, trusts, probates and protecting your child with additional needs, even if you don't have assets. We talk about: • Why a will might not protect your child the way you think • How a trust can preserve your home and even guide care instructions • What to do if you don’t have...

In this episode, we explore what Dana Kay calls the “Trash Can Test” — a way to understand your child’s ability to clear toxins and inflammation from their body and how that affects ADHD symptoms and behavior. Dana Kay , board-certified health and nutrition practitioner and founder of the ADHD Thrive Institute, explains how genetics, diet, and lifestyle determine how “full” your child’s metaphoric...

Criminal defense attorney McCracken Poston Jr. shares the incredible true story of Alvin Ridley—a man accused of murdering his wife, misunderstood for decades, and diagnosed with autism only after his trial was over. This episode covers how Alvin’s behavior was misread, how the legal system often fails adults with undiagnosed neurodivergence, and what happened when McCracken finally understood the...

What if a few loving words at bedtime could change your child’s emotional world? In this episode, we explore the power of unconditional love, subconscious messaging during sleep, and how the SleepTalk® method helps children feel secure, calm, and deeply connected—especially when they struggle during the day. Kerre Burley, founder of the International SleepTalk® Training Academy, joins us to share...