Episode
356: Teaching Kids to Communicate their Sensory Needs, with Sarah Collins, MSOT, OTR/L
- Podcast
- Beautifully Complex
- Published
- Apr 30, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2200
- Processing state
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Summary
There’s a moment most of us recognize when our child’s behavior feels confusing, intense, or completely out of left field. But what if that behavior is actually communication we haven’t yet learned how to interpret? In this episode, I sit down with occupational therapist Sarah Collins to talk about something that can truly shift how we parent: helping our kids understand and communicate their sensory needs. When kids don’t have the words, or even the awareness for what’s happening in their bodies, it often shows up as “challenging behavior.” And when we can decode that, everything starts to change. We talk about what sensory processing really is (in a way that actually makes sense), including those lesser-known internal senses like interoception, which helps kids recognize hunger, anxiety, or overwhelm. We also explore how movement supports awareness, why some kids need to move to focus, and how behavior is often a child’s first attempt at self-advocacy. Sarah shares practical ways to build this awareness, from using everyday observations to introducing simple language frameworks. We also talk about when to talk and when to say nothing at all. This conversation is about helping our kids feel seen in their bodies so they can begin to understand themselves and eventually advocate for what they need. This episode will open your eyes in the best way. Listen now and start seeing your child’s needs through a new lens. Visit our sponsor, Best Part, at https://BestpartKids.com . You can find additional resources at parentingadhdandautism.com — because it’s not just about the struggles, it’s about progress, one step at a time. Show notes and more resources at parentingadhdandautism.com/356 Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beautifully-complex-…