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Author: Laura Petix, MS OTR/L

I'm a neurodiverse affirming pediatric Occupational Therapist who specializes in sensory processing skills for neurodivergent individuals. As a neurodivergent parent with a neurodivergent daughter, I can relate! I create content to teach parents and educators about how sensory processing skills directly impact learning and behavior.

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  • Sensory Processing
  • Developmental Activities
  • Social/Emotional Skills

PodcastHelp! My child wakes up dysregulated. What do I do?

I remember a time when Liliana was around 18  months old and we felt like we were just living life [continue reading]

Image of little girl in front of a timer for an episode on collaborative problem solving for neurodivergent, highly sensitive children.

PodcastBrainstorming solutions WITH our kids, instead of for them.

Today we’ll delve into a transformative approach that may already be a part of your parenting toolkit—though you might not [continue reading]

PodcastThe Nervous System Budget: a new way to think about accommodations for neurodivergent individuals

The Nervous System Budget is an analogy I came up with to give folks a new way to understand how [continue reading]

PodcastJourney from Referral to Recommendations: what to expect (Tips from a Clinical Psychologist)

When we begin to wonder whether our kids would benefit from some kind of evaluation, the next steps can be [continue reading]

PodcastAdvice from a 6 year old: Q&A with Liliana

My daughter Liliana loves making appearances on my podcast and delights in answering kids’ questions about neurodiversity! She surprises me [continue reading]

PodcastHow to use exercise to regulate your nervous system with Dr. Shannon Ritchey

I know some of us may not want to even think about exercise. As parents of neurodivergent kids, we feel [continue reading]

PodcastMaking screen time work for your family with Ash Brandin, EdS

Screens have become such a hot topic in parenting, and such a source of guilt and confusion for many parents [continue reading]

PodcastUnderstanding nervous system regulation with Dr. Joy Malik-Hasbrook

As a neurodiversity-affirming pediatric OT, you all know that I’m all about regulation. As parents, therapists and teachers, it’s critical [continue reading]

Podcast100 episodes “wiser” [with Liliana]

This is my 100th episode!! I’m so grateful to all of my past guests, to those of you who listen, [continue reading]

PodcastDestigmatizing cannabis use for millennial parents

Yes. We’re talking about cannabis. On a parenting podcast. If you’ve been following me on Instagram for a little while [continue reading]

PodcastSo your child was just diagnosed. Now what?

Getting a DSM diagnosis for your child can be a pivotal moment in your parenting journey. It can bring any [continue reading]

PodcastHow does sensory processing actually work?

Around here, we talk about sensory processing all the time: sensory processing disorder, sensory processing differences, sensory-seeking, sensory-sensitive. But what [continue reading]

PodcastUnscripted: My husband was the default parent for 17 days

This one is for my fellow default parents and their partners! I have a wonderful husband, Mark, who is such [continue reading]

PodcastHow to introduce neurodiversity and sensory tools to a general ed classroom

For some neurodivergent kids, the school setting can be a wonderfully inclusive, neurodiversity-affirming place. And for others, it can be [continue reading]

PodcastNavigating Food Allergies with Compassion: A Conversation with The Asian Allergy Mom

Food allergies are a bit of a departure from my usual content, but I think it’s incredibly valuable for us [continue reading]

PodcastIdentifying Neurodiverse Affirming Therapists: Green Flags to look for

With all the red tape, issues with insurance, access and scheduling, I know how hard it can be to find [continue reading]

PodcastThe Truth About Labels: Understanding the Pros and Cons

Have you noticed that most people don’t have much of an issue using labels such as “gifted” or “highly sensitive” [continue reading]

PodcastShort, Sweet or Sassy Comeback Responses for Every Judgy Relative

As parents, we’ve all experienced unsolicited advice or passive aggressive remarks from friends and family about our parenting style or [continue reading]

PodcastUnderstanding Pathological Demand Avoidance: Accommodating PDA Needs with Expert Casey Ehrlich

Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is a profile of Autism that is still being researched and understood. Casey Ehrlich, Ph.D. (@atpeaceparents [continue reading]

PodcastNeurodiversity in Society: Embracing Differences for a Better Future

We’re continuing the conversation about neurodivergence and neurodiversity, and looking at it with a broader lens. I shared a more [continue reading]

PodcastUnscripted: Am I neurodivergent?

I’ve always been an open book with you all, and in this episode, I’m sharing with you my unfiltered thoughts [continue reading]

PodcastAsk These 4 Questions to Identify Your Child’s Dysregulation Patterns

Last week (episode 86) we talked about the gap where behavior lives to help you better understand the moments your [continue reading]

PodcastWhy Is Your Child Acting Out? Uncovering ‘The Gap’ in Behavior

We are cracking the code to our child’s behavior and applying a framework that helps us understand what’s going on [continue reading]

Photo of Laura Petix at the laptop. It is the cover for the podcast episode about social stories for kids: what, why, how?

PodcastSocial stories for kids: What, why, how?

Have you ever wondered how to help your child understand or process a certain life event, like when a pet [continue reading]

Cover art for episode 84 of the SWS Podcast for Parents. Using sensory layering to enhance nervous system regulation.

PodcastUsing “sensory layering” to enhance nervous system regulation

There are lots of active sensory strategies that are really effective, but in this episode, we’re talking about more passive [continue reading]

PodcastAfter-school regulation ideas for neurodivergent kids

Many of us are back into the swing of things at school, and with that comes so much more dysregulation! [continue reading]

Sensory ProcessingBringing your neurodivergent child to the zoo: Tips from an OT

Bringing your neurodivergent child to the zoo should be more fun than stressful… use some of these tips to help boost regulation throughout the day for a successful trip! [continue reading]

PodcastHow to support regulation around the summer break transition

The transition to summer comes with so many emotions and behaviors, it can be really exhausting. There are ways to [continue reading]

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Empowering parents to be their child's best advocate.
-Laura Petix MS OTR/L

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