All Things Sensory by Harkla

Vibration plates are everywhere right now, but how do you actually use them safely and effectively with kids? In this episode, I’m diving into one of my favorite tools and sharing how I use vibration plates in therapy, what the research is saying, and what families and therapists need to know before trying one at home.
I talk about how vibration plates work, why they were originally developed, and why they can be such a powerful tool for sensory regulation, body awareness, muscle activation, and reflex integration. I also share some of the biggest safety considerations, including when to avoid using vibration plates, what signs to watch for during sessions, and why “low and slow” is always the best place to start.
Throughout the episode, I walk through practical ways I incorporate vibration plates into therapy sessions using functional activities instead of just having kids stand on them. From balance work and yoga flows to games, primitive reflex activities, and sensory integration exercises, I share ideas that make this tool purposeful and engaging.
I also discuss what current research is showing around toe walking, constipation, cerebral palsy, and sensory regulation, along with how I decide whether a vibration plate might be helpful for a child at home versus something better used in a clinical setting.
This episode is designed to help you feel more informed, more confident, and more thoughtful about using vibration plates with kids in a way that supports the nervous system safely and intentionally.
Thanks for listening 🩷If you’ve ever used a vibration plate with your child or in therapy, I’d love to hear about your experience!
LINKS
We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form - https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3 
LifePro Vibration Plates
https://lifeprofitness.com/collections/vibration-therapy 
Therapeutic Use of Vibration Plates Webinar
https://sensationalbrain.com/product/vibration-plates-pediatric-occupational-therapy/ 
All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram 
https://www.instagram.com/allthingssensorypodcast/ 
Harkla Website 
https://harkla.co/ 
Harkla YouTube
​​https://www.youtube.com/c/HarklaFamily 
Harkla Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/harkla_family/ 
Harkla Digital Courses
https://harkla.co/collections/courses

If your child is constantly crashing into things, squeezing you a little too tight, or always on the move, there’s a good chance they're seeking out proprioceptive input. In this episode, we’re breaking down one of the most important (and often overlooked) sensory systems and why it can feel like a “secret tool” when it comes to regulation.
We talk about what proprioception actually is, how it helps with body awareness, and why so many kids need more of this type of input throughout their day. You’ll hear why this system is unique compared to other sensory systems and how it can actually help calm and organize the nervous system, especially during moments of overwhelm or anxiety.
We also walk through what it can look like when a child is under-responsive in this system, from big, obvious movements like crashing and jumping to more subtle signs like leaning, slouching, or using too much force when playing or writing. We also touch on how this can show up differently from child to child and why it’s not always easy to spot.
Throughout the episode, we share simple ways to start using proprioceptive input as a tool, both for your kids and for yourself. From squeezing, pushing, and pulling, to everyday activities like chewing, exercising, or even leaning against a wall, these strategies can make a big difference in helping the nervous system feel more grounded and regulated.
This episode is all about helping you better understand what your child’s body might be asking for and giving you a few simple ways to start supporting it in a practical, realistic way.
Thanks for listening 🩷 If this episode helped you understand your child a little better, share it with someone who might be navigating similar sensory needs.
LINKS
We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form - https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3 
All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram 
https://www.instagram.com/allthingssensorypodcast/ 
Harkla Website 
https://harkla.co/ 
Harkla YouTube
​​https://www.youtube.com/c/HarklaFamily 
Harkla Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/harkla_family/ 
Harkla Digital Courses
https://harkla.co/collections/courses

In this episode, I’m sharing a very real, very personal story about my daughter and what led me to take her to a developmental optometrist. As both a COTA and a mom, I always tell families “when in doubt, rule it out,” and this was one of those moments where I had to take my own advice.
I walk through what I started noticing at home, from how she was positioning her head while writing, to her difficulty with attention during fine motor tasks, to hesitations with sports and play. At first, it was easy to brush some of it off as personality or age, but the patterns kept showing up.
I share what our appointment actually looked like, what they were assessing, and the moment that really clicked for me when the doctor showed me what she might be seeing on a daily basis. It was one of those experiences where everything suddenly made more sense.
I also talk about the difference between visual acuity and how the eyes actually function together. Just because a child can “see” doesn’t mean their visual system is working efficiently. That was a big takeaway for me and something I think more families need to understand.
This episode is really about awareness. Ocular motor skills, accommodation, and visual processing play such a huge role in things like attention, behavior, reading, and overall development, and they’re often overlooked or mistaken for something else.
I also share how to know who to go to if you’re noticing similar concerns, what a developmental optometrist actually does, and why this can be such an important piece of the puzzle.
This is just the beginning of our journey, and I’ll continue to share updates as we learn more, especially if we move into vision therapy.
Thanks for listening 🩷 If this made you think about your own child’s vision in a new way, share it with someone who might need to hear this too.
LINKS
We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form - https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3 
All Things Sensory Episode #75 The Power of Vision Therapy with Dr. Ryan Johnson
https://harkla.co/blogs/podcast/75-the-power-of-vision-therapy
Best Part Multivitamin
https://bestpartkids.com/ 
All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram 
https://www.instagram.com/allthingssensorypodcast/ 
Harkla Website 
https://harkla.co/ 
Harkla YouTube
​​https://www.youtube.com/c/HarklaFamily 
Harkla Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/harkla_family/ 
Harkla Digital Courses
https://harkla.co/collections/courses

If your child seems to get a burst of energy right before bed, asks for one more hug, one more drink, or one more lap around the house, it can feel confusing and exhausting. In this episode, we’re breaking down what might really be going on, especially for kids who are sensory seekers.
We talk about what it means to have a high sensory threshold and why some kids need more movement, pressure, and input throughout the day to feel regulated. For many of these kids, bedtime isn’t a behavior issue. It’s a nervous system that hasn’t met its sensory needs yet.
As the day winds down and the environment gets quieter, their bodies may actually feel more dysregulated, not less. We walk through why this happens, including challenges with body awareness, recognizing tired cues, and the difference between being overtired and under-regulated.
We also share some of the most common mistakes we see at bedtime, like expecting kids to go from high energy to completely calm, removing movement too early, or relying on screens to help them wind down.
Most importantly, we talk about what actually helps. From adding heavy work before bed, to using deep pressure and creating a predictable wind-down routine, to giving your child a small “top-off” of sensory input right before sleep. These strategies are simple, practical, and designed to work with your child’s nervous system instead of against it.
We also touch on when sleep struggles might be connected to something more, like medical or regulation-related challenges, and when it might be helpful to seek additional support.
If bedtime has been a struggle in your home, this episode is here to help you understand your child in a new way and give you a few simple things to try this week.
Thanks for listening 🩷 If this episode gave you a new perspective on bedtime, share it with a parent who’s in the thick of it right now.

We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form - https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3 
Calming Music Amanda Mentions
https://www.youtube.com/watch
Best Part Multivitamin
https://bestpartkids.com/ 
Enter the Autism Acceptance Month Giveaway & Shop Our Sale!
https://harkla.co/ 
All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram 
https://www.instagram.com/allthingssensorypodcast/ 
Harkla Website 
https://harkla.co/ 
Harkla YouTube
​​https://www.youtube.com/c/HarklaFamily 
Harkla Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/harkla_family/ 
Harkla Digital Courses
https://harkla.co/collections/courses

In today’s episode, I’m sharing something a little more personal. This conversation is all about ADHD in women and moms, why it’s so often missed, and what it can actually feel like in real life.
For so many of us, ADHD doesn’t look like what we're taught to expect. It’s not always the hyper, can’t-sit-still version we picture in young boys. For women, it often shows up as mental overload, constant overwhelm, emotional ups and downs, and feeling like we just can’t keep up no matter how hard we try. It gets labeled as anxiety, disorganization, or just being “too much,” and we carry that for years without realizing there might be more going on.
I share my own journey of starting to question things, what I experienced growing up versus now as a mom, and how masking, perfectionism, and overcompensating played a role in how I showed up. There were moments of relief, validation, and honestly a lot of emotion that came with finally understanding my brain in a different way.
I’ll also talk about how ADHD can show up in motherhood. The mental load, the constant juggling, the time blindness, the sensory overwhelm, and the emotional regulation challenges that can feel so intense. Motherhood has a way of bringing all of that to the surface in a way that’s hard to ignore.
But this episode isn’t just about the challenges. It’s also about reframing ADHD through a different lens. I talk about the strengths I now recognize in myself, like creativity, problem-solving, empathy, and the ability to hyperfocus. Letting go of unrealistic expectations and the “shoulds” has been a huge part of that process.
I also get into what support can actually look like. Things like creating systems that work for your brain, externalizing tasks instead of trying to hold everything mentally, using sensory strategies to regulate, and giving yourself permission to ask for help without guilt.
If you’ve ever wondered, “Is this me?” I want you to know that it’s okay to explore that question. You’re not broken, and you’re not failing. Understanding your brain can open the door to so much more compassion and support.
Thanks for listening 🩷 If this episode made you feel seen, share it with another mom who might need to hear this too.
LINKS
We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form - https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3 
#233 ADHD in Adults with Dr. Ashley
https://harkla.co/blogs/podcast/233-adhd-in-adults-with-dr-ashley-houchin-clinical-psychologist
#275 - Alternative Strategies for ADHD with Dr. David
https://harkla.co/blogs/podcast/275-alternative-strategies-for-adhd-with-dr-david-nowell 
Best Part Multivitamin
https://bestpartkids.com/ 
Enter the Autism Acceptance Month Giveaway & Shop Our Sale!
https://harkla.co/ 
All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram 
https://www.instagram.com/allthingssensorypodcast/ 
Harkla Website 
https://harkla.co/ 
Harkla YouTube
​​https://www.youtube.com/c/HarklaFamily 
Harkla Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/harkla_family/ 
Harkla Digital Courses
https://harkla.co/collections/courses