Connected and Capable

23. How My Kid Went From Super Picky Eater to Foodie: My 5 Step Plan

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 guided us from surviving mealtimes to actually enjoying them. If you've ever wondered what's really behind picky eating, or how to help your kid's eating improve, this episode is for you!  RESOURCES MENTIONED: Free Picky Eating Workshop [https://yourkidstable.com/free/] KEY TIMESTAMPS: 4:31 The child who changed my career 8:24 When my own son stopped eating 14:42 Step 1: The biggest mindset shift 16:38 Step 2: Why routines matter 18:30 Step 3: What's underneath picky eating 20:09 Steps 4 & 5: Building progress that lasts 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.

22. 7 Quick Sensory Activities to Habit Stack for Regulating Kids

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 sensory strategies don’t have to be complicated to work The idea of “habit stacking” and how parents are using it in everyday life How movement, deep pressure, vibration, and even hydration can impact the nervous system Ways to help sensory seekers and easily overwhelmed kids differently Practical ideas you can start using immediately at home, in the car, during homework, transitions, and more If your child seems dysregulated often, struggles with transitions, or you’re just trying to make daily life feel calmer and more manageable, this episode will leave you with simple ideas that actually feel doable. LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED: Join Fun and Function Giveaway (receive 10% off) [https://funandfunction.attn.tv/p/lQZ/landing-page] Grab the Free Sensory Toolkit [https://yourkidstable.com/sensoryessentials/] KEY TIMESTAMPS: 04:39 – Habit stacking sensory tools 06:59 – Weighted input & crawling 13:33 – Vibration & fidgets 18:25 – Movement for regulation 25:08 – Why water helps regulate 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.

21. ADHD + Nutrition: What the Research Actually Says

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/ferritin and zinc ▶️ vitamin D and magnesium ▶️ what the studies actually show (and what they don’t) As both a pediatric OT and a mom of a child with ADHD, I know how overwhelming this conversation can feel. One person says nutrition changes everything… another says it doesn’t matter at all. The truth is much more nuanced. This episode is NOT about “curing” ADHD or giving you a giant list of supplements to start tomorrow. Instead, I want to help you understand: - where the evidence is strongest - which approaches may help some kids - why there’s no one-size-fits-all answer - and how to think through these options without fear or pressure We also talk honestly about sensory-based picky eating, the emotional toll of restrictive diets, how to approach nutrition without all-or-nothing thinking, and why supporting a child’s relationship with food matters too If your child struggles with ADHD, emotional regulation, hyperactivity, attention, sleep, or picky eating, this conversation will give you a grounded place to start. LINKS + RESOURCES MENTIONED: Supplement links + research articles referenced [https://yourkidstable.com/adhd-nutrition-what-the-research-actually-says] Free picky eating workshop: 3 Keys to Turn Around Picky Eating [https://yourkidstable.com/free] 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.

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.