Chewing on shirt collars, biting pencils, humming during lessons, or constantly mouthing objects are behaviors that often raise concern in classrooms and at home. These oral stimming actions are sometimes labeled as habits to break or behaviors to stop. However, research across neuroscience, psychology, and developmental science suggests a different interpretation. For many students, oral […]
Stimming is a natural and meaningful way many children regulate their bodies, emotions, attention, and social experiences. Although stimming is often discussed in relation to autism, it is not unique to autistic children. All humans engage in repetitive actions such as tapping a foot, doodling, pacing, or humming. For many neurodivergent children, stimming is more […]
When a child reacts intensely to a sound, a fabric texture, a crowded hallway, or bright lighting, adults often wonder why. What is the relationship between sensory over-responsivity and behavior? Research published in the Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders offers important insight into what is happening inside the brain during these moments of sensory overload. For […]
Interoception is the sense that helps us notice internal body signals such as heartbeat, breathing, muscle tension, temperature, and more. Children and adults rely on interoception to understand emotions, regulate behavior, and participate effectively in school and daily routines. Music is a powerful doorway into interoception. Research shows that music can influence heart rate, insula […]
Sensory based interventions are widely used in classrooms, therapy settings, and homes to support children with sensory processing differences. A recent systematic review examined research from 2015 to 2024 to determine which approaches improve real functional outcomes for children and youth. The review focused on participation, attention, sleep, regulation, and daily task performance. Learn more […]
Children use many senses to stay balanced as they sit, move, and play throughout the day. A new study explored how two specific skills, proprioception and visual motion detection, might contribute to a child’s ability to stay steady, especially during movement. The results help us understand why some children seem stable while standing still but […]
Every teacher has met them, the fidgety kids. The ones who bounce in their chairs, drop pencils, rock back and forth, or tap their feet during lessons. At first glance, it can look like misbehavior. But what if those wiggles are really clues? With the right approach, we can decode what’s happening and respond in […]
When we think about self-regulation, we often picture a child’s ability to manage emotions, behavior, and attention. But there’s an important piece of the puzzle we can’t ignore: sensory processing. The way a child takes in, organizes, and responds to sensory information can influence how calm, focused, and flexible they are throughout the day. If […]
Children and adults with ADHD often struggle with attention, movement, and self-regulation. There’s another layer that significantly impacts daily life, sensory needs in ADHD. A major 2025 research review confirmed that people with ADHD are far more likely to experience differences in how they take in and respond to sensory input. Learn more about what […]
Interoception is often called the “eighth sense.” It helps us notice what’s happening inside our bodies—like when we feel hungry, nervous, tired, or excited. For children, learning to understand these body signals is a key part of building emotional balance and staying focused during everyday tasks. A recent research study looked closely at interoception and […]