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Why You Can't 'Just Stop' Biting Your Nails(Post)
You've already tried everything. Bitter-tasting nail polish. Sitting on your hands. Activities to keep your hands busy. Sheer willpower and a running internal monologue of stop, stop, stop. If you're ...
Sensory Diets for Adults: The Importance of Regulation for All Ages(Post)Why We Think Sensory = Kids When you hear the term “sensory diet” or even just “sensory,” most people think of kids. And it’s true. Kids often need more direct sensory s ...
My child / student is biting other kids - what can I do?(Post)Kids biting is not uncommon. Think of biting as a way of communicating. Infants and young children don't yet have the expressive language skills to “tell" an adult or another child that th ...
Why Chewing Matters: How Chew Tools Support Sensory Needs(Post)Chew tools may seem simple at first glance, but they pack a long list of benefits. For many people, they’re a simple way to self-regulate, focus, and cope with everyday stress and anxiety. For ...
What Supporting Neurodivergent Brains Actually Looks Like(Post)As an Occupational Therapist, I often get the question "What are the best ways to support regulation for my Autistic, ADHD, or [insert neurodivergence here] child?" And I have to be honest. My reply ...
How to Help Kids Stay Regulated through the Holidays(Post)The holidays are often filled with excitement, tradition, and togetherness, but they can also feel overwhelming for kids. Extra noise, changes in routine, new places, and busy schedules can make it h ...
My Child Won't Stop Chewing on Their Shirt - What's Going On?(Post)It's Not a Bad Habit - It's a Need If your child has ever come home from school with soaked collars or sleeves or holes in their shirts, you're not alone. Chewing on clothing is one of the most commo ...
DIY Noodle Snake & Fun Activities for Bilateral Coordination(Post)Simply put, bilateral coordination is the ability to use both sides of your body together in an organized, coordinated manner. Most children pick up this skill naturally, but sometimes there ...
New Year, New Sensory Diet: Tips, Tools, & Strategies(Post)New Year, New Sensory Diet It’s early January, and today was my kids’ first day back at school. As much as I loved the holiday break, I found myself, and my kids, craving routine, though ...
An Intro Guide to Individualized Education Plans (IEPs)(Post)In our last article - Does Your Child Need Special Services at School? - we discussed the process and options for school interventions that lead up to an Individualized Education Plan (IEP ...
Finger, Knuckle, and Hand Chewing: How to Help(Post)Hand and finger chewing are one of the most common things we get questions about at ARK. Why? Because our hands and fingers literally go with us everywhere! For kids and adults who chew on their fing ...
Calming a High Energy Sensory Seeker(Post)Question: We are currently working with my son on his out of control behavior mostly at school, but also at home. I've noticed he likes to run his hands over my arms, or through my ha ...