The TalkSense Podcast

In this insightful episode, we dive into the world of kinesiology and reflex integration with Amanda Savoury, a British-qualified Primary Years teacher and practitioner of Touch for Health Kinesiology and Brain Gym. With over 25 years of experience in teaching and educational consultancy, Amanda has dedicated her career to helping both adults and children achieve their full potential. Her journey into holistic therapies began after a traumatic horse-riding accident, where she discovered the profound benefits of kinesiology for emotional and developmental challenges. Inspired by this experience, Amanda deepened her expertise in child-centred kinesiology, broadening her approach to include techniques like Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and hypnotherapy. Now, she passionately supports children's learning and development with a holistic focus, empowering families to restore balance and resilience in body, mind, and spirit.

Key Takeaways:

• Amanda Savoury's Expertise: Amanda has over three decades of experience as a qualified teacher and practitioner in fields like kinesiology, brain gym, hypnotherapy, and NLP, with a focus on kinesiology and brain gym for children.
• Kinesiology and Brain Gym: Amanda's practice of kinesiology aims to achieve balance in the body, addressing physical, emotional, and biochemical factors. She emphasizes brain integration to enhance learning and development in children.
• Family Involvement: Amanda involves parents in sessions, promoting activities that foster balance and development, which can be easily integrated into daily routines.
• Flexible Approach: Unlike traditional therapies, Amanda uses muscle testing to determine when a child needs another session, allowing for a tailored approach based on individual needs.
• Retained Primitive Reflexes: Amanda focuses on integrating retained primitive reflexes, which can affect a child's behaviour and development. She uses muscle testing and simple movements to facilitate this integration.
• Understanding Behaviours: The discussion highlights the importance of understanding the underlying causes of children's behaviours, particularly in educational settings, to avoid mislabelling and misunderstandings.
• Alternative Methods: Amanda advocates for awareness of alternative methods like kinesiology and reflex integration, which can support children without medication.
• Causes of Retained Reflexes: Factors like stressful pregnancies or early health complications can lead to retained reflexes, which are not the fault of the child or parents.
• Holistic Approach: Amanda's work underscores the interconnectedness of physical, emotional, and cognitive development, advocating for a holistic approach to support children's growth.
• Support for Adults: Amanda reassures that it's never too late for adults to seek help for retained reflexes, as she has successfully supported adults with similar challenges.

Gratitude and Future Plans:

We plan to dive deeper into topics that matter to you, featuring expert guests and new perspectives. We aim to provide practical advice and insights that make a real difference. Stay tuned for more enriching episodes, and please share the podcast to help us expand our reach.

Links and Resources:

In this insightful podcast episode, we delve into the life of Paul, a dedicated father to William, an almost seven-year-old boy with autism who is non-speaking. Paul shares his experiences and the unique challenges and joys of raising a child with sensory-seeking behaviours. These behaviours are expressed through William's love for active play, including running, climbing, and jumping on a trampoline. Paul is the founder of The Autism Adventure support hub and father of an autistic boy, William. He previously worked as a university lecturer and at a college for adults with additional needs. He uses his experience to run The Autism Adventure, which includes a tutoring service for neurodivergent students and a support network for families affected by the challenges of autism. 

Key Takeaways:

1.     Parenting Journey: Paul discusses his transition from a previous career to becoming a full-time carer for William, driven by the increasing demands of his son's needs. This change led him to share their journey on social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook.

1. Educational Adjustments: Due to the difficulties traditional schooling posed for William, he is now enrolled in a special school tailored to his needs. This shift has allowed Paul to return to work, where he supports other parents and autistic individuals through tutoring.
2. Strength-Based Approach: Paul emphasizes the importance of viewing William's behaviours as authentic expressions of his personality rather than issues to be fixed. This perspective has been crucial in fostering a positive environment for their family.
3. Home Environment Modifications: Paul describes how he has adapted their home to accommodate William's sensory needs, creating safe spaces for physical play and minimizing breakable items.
4. Water Play Challenges: The episode addresses the challenges of water play, with Paul finding effective solutions like allowing William to enjoy showers to manage his love for water without causing damage.
5. Guidance for Parents: Paul's primary message to other parents is to be guided by their children, encouraging them to understand and embrace their child's unique play styles and needs.
6. Current Work: Paul discusses his work under "The Autism Adventure," providing tutoring for neurodivergent students, including those with autism and ADHD, in a neuro-affirming manner.

Gratitude and Future Plans:

Thank you to our listeners for your unwavering support and engagement. Your feedback inspires us to continue sharing valuable insights on managing behaviour through a sensory and communication lens. We look forward to bringing you more episodes with practical strategies, expert interviews, and real-life stories to help you navigate parenting and child development. Stay tuned for more empowering content to create a supportive and empathetic environment for your children. Thank you for being part of our community!

Links and Resources:

·       Paul - Website: www.theautismadventure.co.uk; TikTok: @theautismadventure; YouTube: @theautismadventure; X (Twitter): @autis_adventure; Instagram: @theautismadventure1; Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091643995357 

In this episode, Jo and Vicky delve into strategies for understanding and managing behaviour by considering sensory and communication aspects. They emphasise the importance of recognising individual differences in sensory responses and understanding both children's and adults' sensory preferences. The discussion highlights the development of the brain's upstairs (rational) and downstairs (sensory) regions, noting that children often respond from their sensory brain. This necessitates an empathetic and regulated approach from adults.

Key Takeaways:

1. Recognise Individual Sensory Differences: Understanding that both children and adults have unique sensory preferences and responses is crucial for managing behaviour effectively.

2. Brain Development Insights: The brain has upstairs (rational) and downstairs (sensory) regions. Children often respond from their sensory brain, necessitating empathetic and regulated responses from adults.

3. Behaviour as Communication: Behaviour, especially in children with limited verbal skills, should be viewed as a form of communication. Parents are encouraged to approach challenging behaviours with curiosity and problem-solving.

4. Beyond Compliance: Instead of focusing solely on compliance, it is important to understand and meet children's sensory needs proactively.

5. Supportive Environment: Creating a calm and supportive environment allows children to express themselves, including non-verbal expressions.

6. Self-Regulation for Co-Regulation: Parents should practice self-regulation techniques to effectively co-regulate with their children, addressing sensory needs, communication challenges, and behavioural triggers.

7. Long-Term Development: Helping children develop coping and problem-solving skills is essential. Supporting their emotional expression and regulation with patience and understanding fosters long-term development.

Gratitude and Future Plans:

Thank you to our listeners for your unwavering support and engagement. Your feedback inspires us to continue sharing valuable insights on managing behaviour through a sensory and communication lens. We look forward to bringing you more episodes with practical strategies, expert interviews, and real-life stories to help you navigate parenting and child development. Stay tuned for more empowering content to create a supportive and empathetic environment for your children. Thank you for being part of our community!

Links and Resources:

In this insightful episode, we sit down with Susie Robbins, a behaviour consultant at Resolve to Play, to delve into the intricacies of children's behaviour and emotional needs. Susie shares her expertise on how challenging behaviour is a form of communication and not a personal attack. She emphasizes the importance of emotional literacy and intrinsic motivation over external rewards, offering practical advice for parents and educators alike.

Key Takeaways:

• Understanding Behaviour: Challenging behaviour in children is a form of communication, not a personal attack.
• Emotional Literacy: Prioritizing emotional literacy and intrinsic motivation over external rewards is crucial.
• Open Discussions: Engage in open discussions about emotions and involve children in problem-solving by intentionally making mistakes.
• Support for Families: Susie Robbins provides behaviour consultations and ongoing support programmes to help families navigate difficult situations.
• Child Development: Parents should understand child development and use practical techniques to nurture children's emotional well-being.
• Parent-Child Relationships: The approach focuses on nurturing and empowering children to foster strong, supportive parent-child relationships.
• Classroom Behaviour Management: Addressing behaviour management in the classroom is also significant, with strategies provided for educators.
• Holistic Development: The overall goal is to promote emotional literacy, intrinsic motivation, and positive interactions to support children's holistic development.

Gratitude and Future Plans:

Susie Robbins thanks the families and educators who have trusted her approach to children's behavior. She is grateful for the opportunity to impact children's emotional well-being and plans to expand her programs, create more resources, and collaborate with schools to promote holistic development and support children's needs.

Links and Resources:

Emma Worrollo is a researcher, writer, and content creator who inspires businesses, teams, and individuals to harness the power of play. As a mother of three and a children's research specialist, Emma specializes in play and Generation Alpha. In this enlightening episode, we sit down with her to delve into the profound impact of play on children's development and overall well-being. Emma shares her unique insights on integrating play into daily life, not just as an activity but as a mindset. She emphasizes the importance of adults embracing their inner child and infusing playfulness into everyday tasks. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Integrating Play into Daily Life: Emma discusses how play can be a mindset and not just an activity, encouraging adults to find joy in mundane tasks. 

• Strength-Based Approach in Therapy: The importance of focusing on children's special interests, especially for neurodiverse children, and expanding play within those interests. 

• Intrinsic Motivation in Play: How play is self-directed and intrinsically motivating for children, and the importance of parents observing and following their child's lead. 

• Practical Tips for Engaging in Play: Emma offers advice for adults struggling to engage in play with their children, including setting aside specific playtime, disconnecting from distractions, and nurturing their own inner child. 

• Therapeutic Benefits of Different Types of Play: Exploring the benefits of rough and tumble play, sensory play, and outdoor activities in regulating emotions and building connections. 

• Impact of Play on Relationships and Emotional Well-Being: How play can improve relationships, enhance emotional well-being, and reconnect individuals with their humanity.

Gratitude and Future Plans: 

We plan to dive deeper into topics that matter to you, featuring expert guests and new perspectives. We aim to provide practical advice and insights that make a real difference. Stay tuned for more enriching episodes, and please share the podcast to help us expand our reach. 

Links and Resources: 

• Follow Emma on Instagram @Playful_den 

• Check out Emma's podcast "People Who Play" for more insights on the importance of play. 

In this episode, Jo and Vicky delve into their collaborative work with a child named Jack, highlighting the synergy between speech therapy and occupational therapy. They discuss the importance of using screening tools to assess sensory processing, speech, and language needs. Vicky explains how Jack was identified as under-registering in sensory input and describes the sensory-rich activities used to stimulate his body and enhance his communication skills. Jo outlines her method for assessing various areas of Jack's development, which was crucial in setting specific goals for his progress.

Key Takeaways:

• Screening Tools: The significance of using screening tools to evaluate a child's sensory processing, speech, and language needs.

• Sensory Input: Vicky’s identification of Jack's under-registration in sensory input and the sensory-rich activities implemented.

• Developmental Assessment: Jo’s approach to assessing Jack's development and setting targeted goals.

• Foundational Skills: The necessity of establishing a strong foundation before addressing more complex skills.

• Progression: Jack's journey from sensory awakening to sensory discrimination, with notable improvements in functional abilities and language development.

• Ongoing Monitoring: The continuous process of monitoring, evaluating, and adjusting strategies based on Jack's progress.

• Family Support: The therapists' reflections on their experience with Jack and their commitment to supporting families through therapy.

• Future Opportunities: Encouragement for interested families to join the waiting list for future therapy opportunities.

Gratitude and Future Plans: We are grateful for the opportunity to work with Jack and his family, witnessing his progress through our collaborative speech and occupational therapy efforts. Moving forward, we remain committed to refining our strategies and supporting more families. 

Links and Resources:

In this heartfelt episode, Louise shares her inspiring journey as a mother navigating the world of occupational therapy (OT) and speech and language therapy (SLT) for her non-speaking son, Jack. Initially facing challenges with traditional therapy methods, Louise found a breakthrough with a holistic approach that considered Jack's sensory needs, motor skills, and communication abilities. This episode delves into the significant progress Jack has made, the importance of a supportive environment, and the power of tailored, everyday therapy activities.

Key Takeaways:

• Holistic Therapy Approach: Learn how a comprehensive method addressing sensory, motor, and communication needs can lead to remarkable improvements.
• Parental Advocacy: Louise emphasizes the importance of trusting parental instincts and advocating for personalized therapy to meet a child's unique needs.
• Supportive Environment: Discover the impact of integrating therapy into daily routines at home and school, creating a nurturing and engaging atmosphere for development.
• Team Effort: The episode highlights the collaborative efforts of therapists, school staff, and family in supporting Jack's growth.
• Positive Outcomes: Despite initial struggles, Jack's progress is celebrated, showcasing the potential of holistic therapy in enhancing play skills, relationships, and overall well-being.

Gratitude and Future Plans: Louise expresses deep gratitude to everyone involved in Jack's journey, from therapists to school staff. She feels honoured to be part of Jack's development and is excited about his future milestones.

Listen to this episode to be inspired by Jack's story and gain insights into the transformative power of holistic therapy for children with unique developmental needs.

Links and Resources: