The Sensory Code: What Your Child's Behavior Is Trying to Tell You with Occupational Therapist Laura Petix

⁠VOTE! The PedsDocTalk Podcast has been nominated for a People's Choice Signal Award - Family and Child Rearing. Vote now through October 15th.

I’m joined by Laura Petix, pediatric occupational therapist and the founder of The OT Butterfly, to unpack your child’s sensory processing differences. Behaviors like meltdowns, crashing, restlessness or selective eating often stem from their unique “sensory code”. Recognizing these underneath-the-surface needs allow us to move away from reactive power struggles and toward proactive connection.

We discuss: 

The three hidden internal systems: vestibular, proprioceptive, and interoceptive

Oversensitivity to internal sensations during moments of distress or embarrassment

Kids who constantly climb, crash or spin and what needs they need met

Sensory overload in environments like school cafeterias 

Adults who accommodate their own sensory preferences daily

How dysregulation is usually a gradual buildup

Simple sensory tools like cooling items, fidgets and crunchy foods

To connect with Laura Petix follow her on Instagram @theOTbutterfuly and find all her resources at https://theotbutterfly.com/. Buy her new book, “The Sensory Code: Understanding Sensory Processing Differences to Support Your Child’s Unique Needs”: https://link.amazon/B0fDglrrK (paid link)

Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and ⁠subscribe to PedsDocTalk⁠.