Connected and Capable

20. The surprising reasons kids bite and what you can do about it

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. We’re going to look at the 4 underlying drivers that are easy to miss, especially when it feels random or happens so fast you don’t see it coming. I’ll also walk you through3 foundational strategies you can start using right away to help decrease biting and support your child in a safer, more effective way. And if you’ve ever felt unsure how to respond in the moment, or like nothing you’ve tried is working consistently this episode is for you! Want to go deeper on helping your kid with aggression? A new deep dive workshop is happening this week: How to Decrease Aggressive Behaviors, sign up here: https://yourkidstable.com/aggressive-behaviors/ [https://yourkidstable.com/aggressive-behaviors/ ] Key Timestamps: 03:09 What causes biting 11:30 Sensory and calming reasons 16:38 Dysregulation and survival mode 18:40 Helping your child instead 22:11 Crunching and safe mouth options 25:00 When to seek extra support 26:54 Encouragement and next steps MORE RESOURCES FOR YOU Ready for a simple plan to overcome the attention, sleep, sensory, and big emotion challenges? I'll show you how for uniquely wired kids 1-18 years old in just 2-5 minutes a day. Join me in The Connection Hive-- https://YourKidsTable.com/TCH [https://yourkidstable.com/TCH] LET'S CONNECT: Instagram: https://Instagram.com/Yourkidstable [https://instagram.com/Yourkidstable] Facebook: https://Facebook.com/Yourkidstable [https://facebook.com/Yourkidstable] Pinterest: https://Pinterest.com/Yourkidstable [https://pinterest.com/Yourkidstable] If you enjoyed this episode, we'd be so grateful if you left us a review! It's a huge help in encouraging us and letting us know what parents with uniquely wired kids need the most.

19. 5 Tricks for Kids that Hate Getting Their Hair Washed

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 sensitivities, and even hidden systems like the vestibular system can play a bigger role than you might think. And why some kids seem “fine”… until suddenly they’re not. I’m also sharing 5 simple, practical strategies you can start using right away to make hair washing feel safer, calmer, and more doable for everyone.  If bath time has been a battle, this episode will help you look at it differently—and take the first step toward changing it. Mentioned in this episode: How to Decrease Aggressive Behaviors Workshop: https://yourkidstable.com/aggressive-behaviors/ Vestibular sensitivity podcast episode Key Timestamps: 00:00 Why hair washing can turn into a meltdown 01:20 What’s really going on (it’s not just behavior) 03:30 The hidden sensory trigger most parents miss 08:00 Strategy #1 that changes everything fast 12:30 Small tweaks that make a big difference 17:10 The step most parents skip (but matters most) MORE RESOURCES FOR YOU Ready for a simple plan to overcome the attention, sleep, sensory, and big emotion challenges? I'll show you how for uniquely wired kids 1-18 years old in just 2-5 minutes a day. Join me in The Connection Hive-- https://YourKidsTable.com/TCH [https://yourkidstable.com/TCH] LET'S CONNECT: Instagram: https://Instagram.com/Yourkidstable [https://instagram.com/Yourkidstable] Facebook: https://Facebook.com/Yourkidstable [https://facebook.com/Yourkidstable] Pinterest: https://Pinterest.com/Yourkidstable [https://pinterest.com/Yourkidstable] If you enjoyed this episode, we'd be so grateful if you left us a review! It's a huge help in encouraging us and letting us know what parents with uniquely wired kids need the most.

18. Kid Stuck in Negative Thinking? Do this Today.

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 simple shift you can start using today to help your child move out of all-or-nothing thinking, build confidence, and feel more emotionally steady. If your child is hard on themselves, melts down after mistakes, or always expects the worst, this episode will help you see them differently and know where to start next. Key Timestamps: 02:18 What’s really happening under “I’m bad” thoughts 05:12 The hidden link between ADHD, anxiety, and self-talk 09:45 Why logic doesn’t work in the moment 13:08 The first thing to do before teaching confidence 16:42 A simple script to shift black-and-white thinking 22:05 How to build self-esteem in everyday moments Grab your free printable copy of our 5 Big Calming Techniques for Big Emotions + Dysregulation-- https://yourkidstable.com/emotions-printable/ If you're a therapist join me inside our Therapist membership and unlock hours of CEU's, treatment planning center, a community to collaborate and more: yourkidstable.com/taam/ MORE RESOURCES FOR YOU Ready for a simple plan to overcome the attention, sleep, sensory, and big emotion challenges? I'll show you how for uniquely wired kids 1-18 years old in just 2-5 minutes a day. Join me in The Connection Hive-- https://YourKidsTable.com/TCH [https://yourkidstable.com/TCH] LET'S CONNECT: Instagram: https://Instagram.com/Yourkidstable [https://instagram.com/Yourkidstable] Facebook: https://Facebook.com/Yourkidstable [https://facebook.com/Yourkidstable] Pinterest: https://Pinterest.com/Yourkidstable [https://pinterest.com/Yourkidstable] If you enjoyed this episode, we'd be so grateful if you left us a review! It's a huge help in encouraging us and letting us know what parents with uniquely wired kids need the most.

17. 3 Steps for When Your Too Dysregulated to Help Your Kid

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. There's hope, tune it to get started.  Key Timestamps: 02:23 Regulation and nervous system 09:17 Three steps to start 13:05 Notice your dysregulation 16:54 Use a calming tool 22:17 Fill your cup daily 24:52 Slow down and recharge 26:33 Encouragement and next support Grab your free printable copy of our 5 Big Calming Techniques for Big Emotions + Dysregulation-- https://yourkidstable.com/emotions-printable/ Parent Instagram Reel: https://www.instagram.com/p/DXNKZ_bD9Oh/ MORE RESOURCES FOR YOU Ready for a simple plan to overcome the attention, sleep, sensory, and big emotion challenges? I'll show you how for uniquely wired kids 1-18 years old in just 2-5 minutes a day. Join me in The Connection Hive-- https://YourKidsTable.com/TCH [https://yourkidstable.com/TCH] LET'S CONNECT: Instagram: https://Instagram.com/Yourkidstable [https://instagram.com/Yourkidstable] Facebook: https://Facebook.com/Yourkidstable [https://facebook.com/Yourkidstable] Pinterest: https://Pinterest.com/Yourkidstable [https://pinterest.com/Yourkidstable] If you enjoyed this episode, we'd be so grateful if you left us a review! It's a huge help in encouraging us and letting us know what parents with uniquely wired kids need the most.

16. The Truth about Sensory Processing Disorder

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 why it matters so much for your child’s day-to-day life. Because sensory isn’t just about being “sensitive” or “picky.” It’s how your child’s brain is taking in and making sense of the world around them—everything from movement and touch to sounds, food, and even how their body feels on the inside. When that system isn’t working smoothly, it can show up as meltdowns, trouble focusing, extreme picky eating, constant movement, or avoiding things that seem simple. Most importantly, I want you to walk away understanding what’s really going on underneath your child’s behavior—because when you see it through that lens, it changes how you respond and what actually helps. Get Started with Supporting Your Kid's Sensory Needs with this freebie: https://yourkidstable.com/sensoryessentials/ [https://yourkidstable.com/sensoryessentials/] Key Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Sensory Processing 01:51 How Sensory Processing Works 07:16 Official Diagnosis Overview 09:17 Impact on Daily Life 13:49 Overlap with Other Diagnoses 16:04 Recognizing Sensory Processing Issues 20:33 Support and Resources Available MORE RESOURCES FOR YOU Ready for a simple plan to overcome the attention, sleep, sensory, and big emotion challenges? I'll show you how for uniquely wired kids 1-18 years old in just 2-5 minutes a day. Join me in The Connection Hive-- https://YourKidsTable.com/TCH [https://yourkidstable.com/TCH] LET'S CONNECT: Instagram: https://Instagram.com/Yourkidstable [https://instagram.com/Yourkidstable] Facebook: https://Facebook.com/Yourkidstable [https://facebook.com/Yourkidstable] Pinterest: https://Pinterest.com/Yourkidstable [https://pinterest.com/Yourkidstable] If you enjoyed this episode, we'd be so grateful if you left us a review! It's a huge help in encouraging us and letting us know what parents with uniquely wired kids need the most.