Sensory Processing

Supporting a child with ADHD can be invigorating, exhausting and rewarding! In this new Voices of Compassion podcast episode, we dive into the unique strengths of ADHD and explore actionable strategies parents can use to help their child thrive. In conversation with CHC experts, Danna Torres and Karly Crockett, we unpack how to channel their creativity, energy, and problem-solving skills. How can you turn ADHD challenges into opportunities for growth? Whether you're navigating school struggles or looking for ways to boost focus at home, this conversation offers practical advice to make life smoother for both parents and kids.

One of the most important things we can do for our children is to help them develop resilience. A common misconception is that people are either resilient or not; that we’re born one way or the other. In fact, the process of building resilience is a lifelong journey of learning to cope with challenging experiences and adapt well in the face of adversity. It’s important to let our kids make mistakes and be there on the sidelines to encourage, rather than fix it for them. Learn more in our conversation today with experts from CHC’s Catherine T. Harvey Center for Clinical Services, Patrice Crisostomo, PhD, Clinical Program Manager and Psychologist, and Sarah Taylor, MS, Doctoral Psychology Intern.

Autism can present in many different ways, but at its core it's about social communication. Autism is usually suspected at a young age because children aren’t developing language or social skills at the same rate as their peers. Sometimes parents don’t want to have their child screened for autism because they are afraid of labels, stigma and limitations. But while overwhelming, diagnosis can also bring support, services and maybe even relief.  Don’t miss this special podcast episode with two CHC experts who are also parents of young children with autism: Sarah Knepper, MEd, Educational Services Manager at EBC Schools and Cristal Byrne, PhD, licensed psychologist at CHC’s Catherine T. Harvey Center for Clinical Services. Join us to hear personal and professional advice for finding empathy, understanding and community while raising a child on the spectrum.

When you hear a sound, how do you respond? You might choose to ignore it or investigate its source. This process of using our senses to interpret a situation and respond in a purposeful way is called sensory integration. When these systems don’t synthesize, whether due to a diagnosis like autism or ADHD or to a skills deficit, it can lead to a whole host of learning and behavioral challenges. Studies have found that 1 in every 6 children has sensory processing issues that make it more difficult for them to thrive in school. In today’s podcast episode, we sit down with CHC’s Catherine T. Harvey Center for Clinical Services Occupational Therapist, Pamela Olson, MOT, OTR/L, to learn how best to support our child’s sensory skills development and what to do when things don’t seem quite right.