Sensory Based Strategies for Kids: An Interview with Claire Heffron from The Inspired Treehouse

CALM AND CONNECTED - EPISODE 138

Does your child like to move and fidget a lot? Maybe lay upside down or spin around in circles? This isn’t just a random act of silliness or hyperactivity, they are likely gaining sensory input! In this episode, my guest Claire and I discuss proprioception, which is your body's ability to sense movement, action, and location. It's present in every muscle movement you have. Without proprioception, you wouldn't be able to move without thinking about your next step. We also discuss the vestibular system which functions to detect the position and movement of our head in space. This allows for the coordination of eye movements, posture, and equilibrium.

The topics we cover in this episode are;

  • Claire’s career background

  • Why it helps to work alongside different types of therapists 

  • What differences therapists have noticed since COVID

  • Language skills and self regulation skills in children after covid

  • The challenges of moving from elementary to middle school

  • Our thoughts on teachers

  • Strategies that are helpful for children’s behavior and self regulation

  • The proprioception and vestibular systems

  • What is proprioceptive input?

  • Where is our vestibular system in our body? And how does it work?

  • How a weighted hall-pass can help you 

  • What are Claire’s coping skills to find rest and peace?

About The Guest - CLAIRE HEFFRON

Claire Heffron is a pediatric occupational therapist who has worked in school and community settings since 2005. She and Lauren Drobnjak (physical therapist) started The Inspired Treehouse in 2013 and have developed the business into one of the top online resources for pediatric therapists around the world. Claire and Lauren also opened a non-profit organization in Cleveland called The Treehouse, where they provide developmental playgroups for children of all ability levels.

Website - theinspiredtreehouse.com

Instagram - https://instagram.com/insptreehouse/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/inspired.treehouse/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Theinspiredtreehouse

Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/inspiredtreehou/

The Therapist Informed Classroom - self-paced, email-based course https://theinspiredtreehouse.com/the-therapist-informed-classroom

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CALM AND CONNECTED PODCAST EPISODES

Mentioned in the Podcast

Ned Johnson

https://www.janinehalloran.com/podcast/calm-and-connected-episode-124

Nicole Schwarz

https://www.janinehalloran.com/podcast/calm-and-connected-episode-97

Sarah Moore

https://www.janinehalloran.com/podcast/calm-and-connected-episode-125

And remember, do not forget about yourself, take a few minutes for you and have a little fun!

© Encourage Play, LLC / Coping Skills for Kids 2021