Demand avoidance in autistic students is one of the most challenging patterns school-based teams encounter. Students may refuse tasks, withdraw, shut down, or resist transitions in ways that are difficult to interpret without understanding the underlying factors driving these responses. When a child also identifies with a Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) profile, the picture can […]
If you’ve ever watched a child who just can’t seem to sit still, constantly fidgets, moves around the room, or touches everything in sight, you may be observing sensory seeking behavior. For many kids, these movements aren’t distractions or defiance. They’re the brain’s attempt to get the sensory input it needs to stay regulated and […]
Does your child struggle to recognize when they’re hungry, anxious, or overwhelmed? They may be experiencing difficulty with interoception, the body’s hidden eighth sense. At Your Therapy Source, we believe that helping children tune into their internal signals is one of the most powerful tools we can give them for emotional regulation, self-awareness, and everyday […]
Many children struggle to recognize what their body is telling them. Body awareness, also known as interoception, is a foundational skill for self-regulation, emotional understanding, and overall well-being. The Be a Body Detective Interoception worksheet is a free, simple, and effective tool to help kids tune in to their internal signals and take action. What […]
Does your body ever feel like it’s trying to tell you something? A racing heart before a big test. A tight feeling in your stomach when something doesn’t feel right. Shaky hands when you’re frustrated. These are your body’s signals, and learning to listen to them is one of the most powerful skills a child […]
In classrooms, students are expected to regulate emotions, maintain attention, transition between activities, and participate socially and academically throughout the day. When these skills break down, challenges are often addressed through behavioral supports, academic accommodations, or environmental modifications. However, an underlying system frequently influences all of these areas. Learn more about how interoception in the […]
Understanding how thermosensory signals and self regulation interact can support educators and therapists in thinking more broadly about the sensory context of learning. Thermosensory signals include skin temperature and the perception of warmth or cold. In adult research, these signals have been linked not only to physical regulation but also to how individuals experience their […]
Understanding sensory processing and learning is important for educators supporting student participation and academics. Recent research examined whether specific sensory modalities, particularly auditory processing, are associated with reading and mathematics performance in autistic students, students with ADHD, and neurotypical students. These findings offer school-based professionals insight into how environmental factors and individual sensory differences may […]
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 […]