Strategies for Behavior Development

Every parent, teacher, or caregiver has had moments where they wonder if they are “managing” behavior the right way. The truth is, children do not need management. They need guidance. This article explores how adults can act as coaches, helping kids build behavioral regulation skills that last a lif...

Holidays can feel overwhelming, but small sensory‑smart steps make Thanksgiving calmer and more inclusive. Families can use predictable routines, comfort kits, and gentle feeding strategies to help children enjoy the day with dignity and choice. These tips should prevent a meltdown but if a meltdown...

Christmas often overwhelms children because bright lights, loud music, travel, and schedule changes stack up; set up a calm corner, keep predictable routines, and rehearse simple exit plans to prevent meltdowns and keep the day meaningful for everyone. These tips should prevent a meltdown but if a m...

From "Aggression" to "Work Avoidance" this alphabetized reference list is a practical starting point for understanding which unmet needs, underdeveloped skills, and targeted approaches intersect to shape specific behaviors. For a deeper framework that explains why these strategies work and how to as...

Halloween can be magical and stressful at the same time. It’s normal for children and families to feel both excitement and anxiety. Every child deserves to have fun and participate if they want to, and it is equally okay to choose to skip it. For children who are sensory sensitive, neurodivergent, o...

Starting a new school year brings excitement and uncertainty. As a parent, your support can turn first-day nerves into confidence. These seven tips focus on real-life routines and simple tools you can use right away. 

Author: Devina King, Occupational Therapist and Certified Autism and ADHD Special...

Does your child get fighting mad when it is time to go to bed? If so, you're not alone. Most parents want to know how to make bedtime easier!

For many kids, the shift from play to sleep isn’t just a relaxing bedtime routine or as simple as deciding it is time to sleep. It’s a full-body transition t...

Research shows that nearly half of all children struggle with sleep, and the numbers are even higher for the populations occupational therapy practitioners serve. Childhood sleep problems are a public health epidemic occupational therapists are uniquely qualified to address. Unfortunately, this is a...

Billy stomps into the house and collapses onto the couch in a stupor. Or he bursts through the door climbing the walls. His stimulant medication has worn off and the adderall crash afternoon has arrived. Irritability spikes, difficulty focusing come back at full force, impulsivity reigns, and emotio...

Every July 4th, my husband and our 17-year-old head off to the neighborhood barbecue while my 19-year-old, our scaredy dog, and I turn our living room into a cool, quiet haven. I used to force myself to smile through fireworks smoke that stung my nose and pretend hotdogs didn’t taste gross or make m...

When glasses or eye patching are prescribed by your child's eye doctor, consistent wear is not optional; it’s a medical necessity. These tools support visual development, treat conditions like amblyopia, and prevent long-term disability. But for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, anything unfamilia...

I noticed something that comes naturally to me today with a few of my kids. I frequently say “sit safe”. We all know those kids—the ones who rock so far back that it seems they're daring gravity to take them out. Instead of instructing them to "sit still" on chairs that sometimes double as rockers (...