All Things Sensory by Harkla

All Things Sensory by Harkla Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from All Things Sensory by Harkla, Podcast, 1403 S Broadway, Boise, ID.

Amanda and Rachel are two passionate pediatric therapy practitioners who answer your questions related to all things sensory, occupational therapy, parenting, self-care, nutrition, and health, from a therapist’s perspective.

06/11/2026

New podcast episode is LIVE! 🎙️

If a child was born between 2018 and 2022, should they have their primitive reflexes checked? 🤔 That question sets the tone for this week’s new podcast episode.

This week we explore how the COVID pandemic may have impacted child development, from pregnancy stress and delayed services to increased screen time, fewer social opportunities, and less movement. 🤸

We also discuss what primitive reflexes are, how retained reflexes can impact learning, behavior, coordination, and emotional regulation, and why Rachel believes reflex screenings should become a routine part of early childhood care.

This conversation is about getting curious, identifying challenges early, and giving kids the support they need to thrive. 🩵

Listen to (or watch) the full episode out now on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.

Tap the link below to head there now! 🎧
https://harkla.co/blogs/podcast/412-why-were-screening-more-covid-era-kids-for-primitive-reflexes

Do you have a pandemic-era child? Have you noticed any of the challenges discussed in this episode? We’d love to hear your thoughts below.👇

Have you ever noticed that chewing gum, squeezing a stress ball, or doing a workout can help you feel more calm and focu...
06/10/2026

Have you ever noticed that chewing gum, squeezing a stress ball, or doing a workout can help you feel more calm and focused? That’s proprioceptive input at work. 💡

In this recent episode, Amanda and Rachel break down what proprioception is, how it supports regulation, common signs a child may be seeking proprioceptive input, and suggestions as to how it can be incorporated more into daily life.

Watch or listen to the full episode when you tap the link below!🎙️

https://harkla.co/blogs/podcast/408-proprioception-what-it-is-and-why-it-matters

06/09/2026

Lactation support isn’t just for after the birth! Having a prenatal lactation consult and allowing time to practice before the baby arrives can help parents feel more confident postpartum. 🤱🍼

In this clip from episode 411 of the podcast, Kristin and Maureen from Wild Milk Co., both International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs), share why meeting with a lactation consultant during pregnancy can be such a helpful part of preparing for babies to be born.

In the full interview, we talk about latch, oral ties, bottle feeding, supply concerns, reflux, colic, and how feeding connects to infant development, sensory processing, and nervous system regulation! This is a great conversation. 🩷

06/07/2026

No one hands you a manual for feeding your baby… yet somehow you’re expected to know exactly what to do. 🍼💗

If feeding has ever felt stressful, confusing, painful, or overwhelming, this week’s podcast episode is for you.

In Episode 411, I sat down with Kristin and Maureen from Wild Milk Co., two International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs), to talk about common feeding challenges like painful latch, supply concerns, reflux, colic, bottle feeding struggles, and oral ties.

Whether you’re breastfeeding, bottle feeding, pumping, or doing a combination of all three, my hope is that this conversation helps you feel more informed, supported, and confident in your feeding journey. 🤱

Tap the link below to listen to the full episode now! ⬇️

https://harkla.co/blogs/podcast/411-what-lactation-consultants-want-parents-to-know-an-interview-with-wild-milk-co

When reading drains a child, we can’t immediately assume that they are not trying. 📖🫩Kids who are struggling with readin...
06/01/2026

When reading drains a child, we can’t immediately assume that they are not trying. 📖🫩

Kids who are struggling with reading, comprehension, or focus are often trying a lot harder than we realize. Sometimes, what looks like “not paying attention” or“not trying” may actually be a sign that a visual system isn’t working efficiently.

Moments like this are why I always come back to this rule: when in doubt, rule it out.

In this recent episode, I’m sharing why developmental vision challenges can be missed, how they may show up in learning and behavior, and what I learned from taking my own daughter to a developmental optometrist. 👀

If a child’s eyes are working overtime just to track, focus, or team together, reading and learning can feel exhausting. Over time, that can take a real toll on their confidence.

This episode is a more personal look at a very important topic. Tap the link below to watch or listen to the full episode now! 🎙️

https://harkla.co/blogs/podcast/407-why-i-took-my-daughter-to-a-developmental-eye-doctor-part-1

05/29/2026

What is proprioception, and why is it so important? 🤔

In this recent episode of the podcast, Amanda and Rachel talking about proprioception, how it relates to pediatric OT, and why it can be such a powerful tool for helping kids feel more calm, organized, and connected to their bodies. 🧠✨

They also cover what proprioceptive seeking behavior can look like, from crashing, jumping, and squeezing to more subtle signs like leaning, slouching, or using too much force during everyday activities.

Tap the link below to watch or listen to the full episode now! 🩷
https://harkla.co/blogs/podcast/408-proprioception-what-it-is-and-why-it-matters

05/28/2026

Does potty training feel stressful no matter what you try? Added pressure could be a key factor! 🔑

A relaxed body is a body that feels safe to go to the bathroom without stress. In this week’s episode of the podcast, Amanda and Rachel discuss pediatric pelvic floor health and potty training struggles families may face. 🧻

Body awareness, sensory processing, nervous system regulation, and coordination are all connected to the journey to toileting independence. Amanda and Rachel talk about what kids dealing with this may be experiencing, how parents can help, and when to seek further support.

Comment “410” for a link to the full episode sent to your Instagram DMs! 💬

Today, we remember the brave men and women who sacrificed everything for our freedom. Thank you for your selfless servic...
05/25/2026

Today, we remember the brave men and women who sacrificed everything for our freedom. Thank you for your selfless service. 🩵🇺🇸

05/22/2026

Vibration plates in OT? Here’s what you actually need to know. 👇

This is NOT a “set it and forget it” tool! I am covering what you need to know about vibration plates in this week’s new episode.

When you’re using vibration plates with your clients, here are a few key things to keep in mind:

⚡Keep eyes on your client at all times to observe for any potential adverse reactions
⚡Always pair time spent on the vibration plate with a functional task
⚡️Don’t begin with too long at a time, start out with 1-2 minutes at most!

Used intentionally, vibration is incredibly powerful in therapy. But doing it the right way matters. 🙌

📌 Save this for your next session plan!
Then, comment PLATE for a link to the full episode sent to your DMs.

Whether we like it or not, bedtime does not come with an on and off switch! 🌙Those last-minute wiggles, stalling, and bu...
05/18/2026

Whether we like it or not, bedtime does not come with an on and off switch! 🌙

Those last-minute wiggles, stalling, and bursts of energy are actually signs that a child needs more sensory input before settling down for sleep.

In episode 406 of the podcast, Amanda and Rachel talk about why so many kids struggle to go from busy bodies and active brains straight into sleep mode!

In the episode, we share how to look at the end of the day through a sensory lens and how to better set kids up for a good night’s sleep through regulation. 💤

Tap the link below to listen now! 🎧

https://harkla.co/blogs/podcast/406-why-your-child-needs-more-movement-before-bed-sleep-tips-for-sensory-seekers

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1403 S Broadway
Boise, ID
83706

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