Did you know that sensory integration problems may manifest as distraction, impulsivity, lashing out or melting down? It can also manifest through hyperactivity, resisting hugs and putting things in their mouth. There are many theories to the cause of this behavior: it can be sensory processing disorder, ADHD or autism.

One popular approach to treatment is called Sensory Integration therapy (SI). SI uses fun activities in a controlled, stimulating environment. This way, kids experiencing sensory integration problems can experience stimuli without feeling overwhelmed. Over time, they will develop coping skills for being exposed to stimuli. Occupational Therapists are the specialists who work with kids who have sensory issues.

In this episode, we have Lilibel Bernhardt who shared her valuable insights on how SI addresses sensory processing deficits among children. Lilibel Bernhardt is an Occupational Therapy assistant and a PhD candidate in Organizational Psychology with a focus on sensory integration in the workplace. She is a co-founder of Re-connections Education center in New Port Richey, Florida.   Her biggest interests are sensory integration techniques and emotional regulation techniques for children within a wide range of ages and diagnosis.

You can reach Lilibel Bernhardt through this website: https://reconnectionseducationcenter.org/ 

Alternatively, you may reach her through the following social media pages:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/REConnectionsEducationCenter
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reconnectionseducation/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/reconnectionsc

Here at the Parenting Balance Podcast, you'll find simple, science-based tools and tricks for parenting kids with ADHD or anxiety. Although we are both family therapists, this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not replace the guidance of a qualified professional. Join us as we debate and discuss our own experiences as parents of kids diagnosed with ADHD and anxiety and breakdown the latest research into easily digestible portions. We created this podcast to educate, inspire hope, explore new ideas and discover together what we know to be true: you are not alone, and finding a community of support can make all the difference. Please join our Parenting Balance Podcast Community here and sign up here to be the first in line for our new Modern Guide to Understanding Kids With ADHD mini-course.

In this week's episode, we explore ENERGY HEALING as an alternative treatment that can be used to relieve anxiety among kids with ADHD. It is more popular for dealing with health issues, but is gaining traction in mental health. This is because energy healing is intended to induce relaxation and disconnection from many sources of fears.  You can learn more about energy healing and find a practitioner here.

We invited an advocate and expert on this subject, Dr. Cynthia Higgins, who will share with us her personal journey on how she discovered energy therapy and her realization that it is an extension of science in the healing process, rather than a competition or a replacement.

Dr. Cynthia Higgins is an Integrative Psychiatrist, Motivational Speaker, and Practitioner of Energy Psychology. Drawing upon her 20 years of experience as a physician and principals of Energy Psychology, Dr Higgins possesses a number of eclectic skills. Whether she is serving as an integrative psychiatrist, meditation teacher or entrepreneur, her overall goal is to help others bring clarity to challenging experiences to promote strength and resiliency.  Learn more about Dr. Higgins on her website here or schedule and appointment with her at her office in Sarasota, Florida by calling 941-378-9959.  Her candles and sprays can be purchased on Etsy through her shop Work of Angles.  

Here at the Parenting Balance Podcast, you'll find simple, science-based tools and tricks for parenting kids with ADHD or anxiety. Although we are both family therapists, this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not replace the guidance of a qualified professional. Join us as we debate and discuss our own experiences as parents of kids diagnosed with ADHD and anxiety and breakdown the latest research into easily digestible portions. We created this podcast to educate, inspire hope, explore new ideas and discover together what we know to be true: you are not alone, and finding a community of support can make all the difference. Please join our Parenting Balance Podcast Community here and sign up here to be the first in line for our new Modern Guide to Understanding Kids With ADHD mini-course.

This is the 2nd part of the 2-part series of our talk with Dr. Lisa Rapp-McCall about human trafficking.  This episode focuses on the internet as the primary means for human traffickers to target unsuspecting and vulnerable youths for their own personal gains. Dr. Lisa Rapp-McCall provided valuable insights on how parents can protect kids against online predators without overstepping private boundaries.

Dr. Lisa Rapp-McCall received her MSW degree in Social Work from the University of Buffalo and worked as a Psychiatric Social Worker in the areas of Domestic Violence, Children and Adolescent psychiatric inpatient units, outpatient clinics, Crisis Services, and in the Juvenile Justice system. She earned her Ph.D. in Social Welfare at the University of Buffalo and has taught at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, the University of South Florida, and currently at Saint Leo University.

Here at the Parenting Balance Podcast, you'll find simple, science-based tools and tricks for parenting kids with ADHD or anxiety. Although we are both family therapists, this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not replace the guidance of a qualified professional. Join us as we debate and discuss our own experiences as parents of kids diagnosed with ADHD and anxiety and breakdown the latest research into easily digestible portions. We created this podcast to educate, inspire hope, explore new ideas and discover together what we know to be true: you are not alone, and finding a community of support can make all the difference. Please join our Parenting Balance Podcast Community here and sign up here to be the first in line for our new Modern Guide to Understanding Kids With ADHD mini-course.

Human trafficking is a 150 billion dollar industry and the third-largest crime industry in the world. The idea of human trafficking is so disturbing that many parents can’t imagine having a conversation with their children about it. In this episode, we talked to Dr. Lisa Rapp-McCall about the subject. Dr. Rapp-McCall explains the different types of human trafficking and the dynamics of the relationship between the trafficker and the victim. She also tells us what we need to know about how victims are recruited and trafficked. You can learn more about human trafficking here and here. The Human Trafficking Hotline is available around the clock and serves victims and survivors of human trafficking across the United States 1-888-373-7888. 

Dr. Lisa Rapp-McCall received her MSW degree in Social Work from the University of Buffalo and worked as a Psychiatric Social Worker in the areas of Domestic Violence, Children and Adolescent psychiatric inpatient units, outpatient clinics, Crisis services, and in the Juvenile Justice system. She earned her Ph.D. in Social Welfare at the University of Buffalo and has taught at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, the University of South Florida, and currently at Saint Leo University.

Dr. Rapp-McCall’s research expertise includes crime and violence, child abuse, school violence, human trafficking, and program evaluation. She teaches Human Behavior, Research Methods, Evaluation, Child Abuse and Neglect, Children’s Services, Human Trafficking, and Causes and Control of Anger and Aggression. 

Here at the Parenting Balance Podcast, you'll find simple, science-based tools and tricks for parenting kids with ADHD or anxiety. Although we are both family therapists, this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not replace the guidance of a qualified professional. Join us as we debate and discuss our own experiences as parents of kids diagnosed with ADHD and anxiety and breakdown the latest research into easily digestible portions. We created this podcast to educate, inspire hope, explore new ideas and discover together what we know to be true: you are not alone, and finding a community of support can make all the difference. Please join our Parenting Balance Podcast Community here and sign up here to be the first in line for our new Modern Guide to Understanding Kids With ADHD mini-course.

People with ADHD break the law four to seven times more than individuals without ADHD.  This explains why many parents we talk to worry about their child getting into legal trouble.   In this episode, Attorney Kevin Astl explains how parents can talk to their children about law enforcement.  We also discuss the legal rights parents have when making treatment decisions for their children if both parents are not in agreement. 

Kevin Astl is a Family Law Attorney in the Tampa, Florida area specializing in divorce, elder law, and paternity.  He's represented over a thousand individuals during his 20-year career. You can reach Kevin on his website or contact him by phone at 813-279-6699.

Here at the Parenting Balance Podcast, you'll find simple, science-based tools and tricks for parenting kids with ADHD or anxiety. Although we are both family therapists, this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not replace the guidance of a qualified professional. Join us as we debate and discuss our own experiences as parents of kids diagnosed with ADHD and anxiety and breakdown the latest research into easily digestible portions. We created this podcast to educate, inspire hope, explore new ideas and discover together what we know to be true: you are not alone, and finding a community of support can make all the difference. Please join our Parenting Balance Podcast Community here and sign up here to be the first in line for our new Modern Guide to Understanding Kids With ADHD mini-course.

Attention dog lovers! We were thrilled to have the opportunity to interview Dr. Sabrina Schuck about the research she has led on canine-assisted therapy. In this episode, you will learn the difference between a service animal, a therapy animal, and an emotional support pet. But most exciting are the findings of current research investigating the effectiveness of therapy animals working with kids with ADHD. *Spoiler Alert* The findings are promising but we suggest you listen for yourself. 

Dr. Schuck, is an assistant professor of Pediatrics at the University of California, Irvine. She’s also the Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board for The Children’s School, which is a non-profit private school specifically designed to support the development of executive function in children and adolescents. At UCI, she leads the Positive Assertive Cooperative Kids (P.A.C.K.) where her research team investigates practical applications of Animal Assisted Interventions for children with ADHD and Autism.

You can reach Dr. Schuck by email at Sabrina@uci.edu. If you want to learn more about The Children's School check it out their website here. Information on Pet Partners including the benefits of animal-assisted interventions can be found here. 

Here at the Parenting Balance Podcast, you'll find simple, science-based tools and tricks for parenting kids with ADHD or anxiety. Although we are both family therapists, this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not replace the guidance of a qualified professional. Join us as we debate and discuss our own experiences as parents of kids diagnosed with ADHD and anxiety and breakdown the latest research into easily digestible portions. We created this podcast to educate, inspire hope, explore new ideas and discover together what we know to be true: you are not alone, and finding a community of support can make all the difference. Please join our Parenting Balance Podcast Community here and sign up here to be the first in line for our new Modern Guide to Understanding Kids With ADHD mini-course.

With the COVID pandemic seemingly never-ending, many families find themselves making unhealthy meal choices while limiting their physical activity. We are guilty of this ourselves and coined the weight we gained “the Covid-19 lbs.” This is why we were very excited to speak to Nutrition Coach, Isa Griffin to learn the basics of healthy eating to boost immunity, maintain a healthy weight, and have optimal brain function. She shares tips and tricks to simplify the process of making healthy food choices. In this episode, she suggested hiding chia seeds in a pudding to create a healthy dessert your kids will love. We found an Isa-approved recipe for chia seed pudding you may want to try. Check it out here. You can find Isa on Facebook @enourishnutrition, Instagram @isagriffin, and her website https://www.enourish.life.

Isa is a personal and professional coach based in California. She is a business owner and entrepreneur in the Health and Wellness industry. She is certified in small business management as well as nutrition coaching and has a thriving private client practice. Isa has a very versatile background that includes over ten years of experience in the spa and beauty industry as well as a career in modeling that allowed her to see the world. Most recently she has explored commercial gardening on her family property where she has rediscovered her profound love for nature and plants. As much as the pandemic has grounded her, before this adventurous soul could be found surfing in Costa Rica or sightseeing in China, this girl truly loves to travel. Right now though, she can be found embracing slow-living in the redwood forests of Northern California with her longtime partner Zack and their pup Moosh. 

Here at the Parenting Balance Podcast, you'll find simple, science-based tools and tricks for parenting kids with ADHD or anxiety. Although we are both family therapists, this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not replace the guidance of a qualified professional. Join us as we debate and discuss our own experiences as parents of kids diagnosed with ADHD and anxiety and breakdown the latest research into easily digestible portions. We created this podcast to educate, inspire hope, explore new ideas and discover together what we know to be true: you are not alone, and finding a community of support can make all the difference. Please join our Parenting Balance Podcast Community here and sign up here to be the first in line for our new Modern Guide to Understanding Kids With ADHD mini-course.