PodcastsKids & FamilyConnected and Capable

Connected and Capable

Alisha Grogan
Connected and Capable
Latest episode

23 episodes

  • Connected and Capable

    22. 7 Quick Sensory Activities to Habit Stack for Regulating Kids

    01/06/2026 | 30 mins.
    If you’ve ever felt like sensory strategies sound helpful in theory… but impossible to actually fit into real life, this episode is for you.

    We’re talking about small, realistic ways to build regulation into the moments that are already happening throughout your day using quick sensory “doses” that can help with focus, emotional regulation, transitions, and big behaviors.

    You’ll also hear:

    Why sensory strategies don’t have to be complicated to work
    The idea of “habit stacking” and how parents are using it in everyday life
    How movement, deep pressure, vibration, and even hydration can impact the nervous system
    Ways to help sensory seekers and easily overwhelmed kids differently
    Practical ideas you can start using immediately at home, in the car, during homework, transitions, and more

    If your child seems dysregulated often, struggles with transitions, or you’re just trying to make daily life feel calmer and more manageable, this episode will leave you with simple ideas that actually feel doable.

    LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED:
    Join Fun and Function Giveaway (receive 10% off)
    Grab the Free Sensory Toolkit

    KEY TIMESTAMPS:
    04:39 – Habit stacking sensory tools
    06:59 – Weighted input & crawling
    13:33 – Vibration & fidgets
    18:25 – Movement for regulation
    25:08 – Why water helps regulate

    MORE RESOURCES FOR YOU

    Ready for a simple plan to overcome the attention, sleep, sensory, and big emotion challenges? I'll show you how for uniquely wired kids 1-18 years old in just 2-5 minutes a day. Join me in The Connection Hive-- https://YourKidsTable.com/TCH

    LET'S CONNECT:

    Instagram: https://Instagram.com/Yourkidstable
    Facebook: https://Facebook.com/Yourkidstable
    Pinterest: https://Pinterest.com/Yourkidstable

    If you enjoyed this episode, we'd be so grateful if you left us a review! It's a huge help in encouraging us and letting us know what parents with uniquely wired kids need the most.
  • Connected and Capable

    21. ADHD + Nutrition: What the Research Actually Says

    25/05/2026 | 35 mins.
    If you’ve ever wondered… does nutrition actually affect ADHD symptoms? Or is it all hype online?

    In this episode of the Connected + Capable Podcast, we’re digging into what the research really says about ADHD and nutrition in a practical, parent-friendly way.

    We’re talking about:
    ▶️ elimination diets and anti-inflammatory eating
    ▶️ food dyes and processed foods
    ▶️ fish oil and omega-3s
    ▶️ iron/ferritin and zinc
    ▶️ vitamin D and magnesium
    ▶️ what the studies actually show (and what they don’t)

    As both a pediatric OT and a mom of a child with ADHD, I know how overwhelming this conversation can feel. One person says nutrition changes everything… another says it doesn’t matter at all.

    The truth is much more nuanced.

    This episode is NOT about “curing” ADHD or giving you a giant list of supplements to start tomorrow. Instead, I want to help you understand:
    - where the evidence is strongest
    - which approaches may help some kids
    - why there’s no one-size-fits-all answer
    - and how to think through these options without fear or pressure

    We also talk honestly about sensory-based picky eating, the emotional toll of restrictive diets, how to approach nutrition without all-or-nothing thinking, and why supporting a child’s relationship with food matters too

    If your child struggles with ADHD, emotional regulation, hyperactivity, attention, sleep, or picky eating, this conversation will give you a grounded place to start.

    LINKS + RESOURCES MENTIONED:

    Supplement links + research articles referenced
    Free picky eating workshop: 3 Keys to Turn Around Picky Eating

    MORE RESOURCES FOR YOU

    Ready for a simple plan to overcome the attention, sleep, sensory, and big emotion challenges? I'll show you how for uniquely wired kids 1-18 years old in just 2-5 minutes a day. Join me in The Connection Hive-- https://YourKidsTable.com/TCH

    LET'S CONNECT:

    Instagram: https://Instagram.com/Yourkidstable
    Facebook: https://Facebook.com/Yourkidstable
    Pinterest: https://Pinterest.com/Yourkidstable

    If you enjoyed this episode, we'd be so grateful if you left us a review! It's a huge help in encouraging us and letting us know what parents with uniquely wired kids need the most.
  • Connected and Capable

    20. The surprising reasons kids bite and what you can do about it

    18/05/2026 | 27 mins.
    Biting can feel shocking, frustrating, and honestly… a little scary especially if it seems to come out of nowhere.

    Whether your child is biting others, biting themselves, or it’s happening in those intense, dysregulated moments, it’s important to know what's actually what’s going on.

    In this episode, I’m breaking down what’s really behind biting, and why it’s often not about hurting someone at all. We’re going to look at the 4 underlying drivers that are easy to miss, especially when it feels random or happens so fast you don’t see it coming.

    I’ll also walk you through3 foundational strategies you can start using right away to help decrease biting and support your child in a safer, more effective way.

    And if you’ve ever felt unsure how to respond in the moment, or like nothing you’ve tried is working consistently this episode is for you!

    Want to go deeper on helping your kid with aggression? A new deep dive workshop is happening this week:

    How to Decrease Aggressive Behaviors, sign up here: https://yourkidstable.com/aggressive-behaviors/

    Key Timestamps:
    03:09 What causes biting
    11:30 Sensory and calming reasons
    16:38 Dysregulation and survival mode
    18:40 Helping your child instead
    22:11 Crunching and safe mouth options
    25:00 When to seek extra support
    26:54 Encouragement and next steps

    MORE RESOURCES FOR YOU

    Ready for a simple plan to overcome the attention, sleep, sensory, and big emotion challenges? I'll show you how for uniquely wired kids 1-18 years old in just 2-5 minutes a day. Join me in The Connection Hive-- https://YourKidsTable.com/TCH

    LET'S CONNECT:

    Instagram: https://Instagram.com/Yourkidstable
    Facebook: https://Facebook.com/Yourkidstable
    Pinterest: https://Pinterest.com/Yourkidstable

    If you enjoyed this episode, we'd be so grateful if you left us a review! It's a huge help in encouraging us and letting us know what parents with uniquely wired kids need the most.
  • Connected and Capable

    19. 5 Tricks for Kids that Hate Getting Their Hair Washed

    11/05/2026 | 23 mins.
    If hair washing turns into tears, resistance, or full-blown meltdowns in your house… I’m breaking down what’s really going on beneath the surface when kids struggle with having their hair washed, especially for sensory and neurodivergent kids. Because once you understand why this everyday task feels so overwhelming, everything starts to shift.

    We’ll talk about how past experiences, sensory sensitivities, and even hidden systems like the vestibular system can play a bigger role than you might think. And why some kids seem “fine”… until suddenly they’re not.

    I’m also sharing 5 simple, practical strategies you can start using right away to make hair washing feel safer, calmer, and more doable for everyone.

    If bath time has been a battle, this episode will help you look at it differently—and take the first step toward changing it.

    Mentioned in this episode:

    How to Decrease Aggressive Behaviors Workshop: https://yourkidstable.com/aggressive-behaviors/
    Vestibular sensitivity podcast episode

    Key Timestamps:
    00:00 Why hair washing can turn into a meltdown
    01:20 What’s really going on (it’s not just behavior)
    03:30 The hidden sensory trigger most parents miss
    08:00 Strategy #1 that changes everything fast
    12:30 Small tweaks that make a big difference
    17:10 The step most parents skip (but matters most)

    MORE RESOURCES FOR YOU

    Ready for a simple plan to overcome the attention, sleep, sensory, and big emotion challenges? I'll show you how for uniquely wired kids 1-18 years old in just 2-5 minutes a day. Join me in The Connection Hive-- https://YourKidsTable.com/TCH

    LET'S CONNECT:

    Instagram: https://Instagram.com/Yourkidstable
    Facebook: https://Facebook.com/Yourkidstable
    Pinterest: https://Pinterest.com/Yourkidstable

    If you enjoyed this episode, we'd be so grateful if you left us a review! It's a huge help in encouraging us and letting us know what parents with uniquely wired kids need the most.
  • Connected and Capable

    18. Kid Stuck in Negative Thinking? Do this Today.

    04/05/2026 | 26 mins.
    Does your child quickly jump to:

    “I’m bad.”
    “I never do anything right.”
    “Everything always goes wrong.”

    That kind of negative thinking can be exhausting for kids and heartbreaking for parents to watch.

    In this episode, I’m breaking down what’s often really happening underneath these thought patterns in kids with ADHD, anxiety, sensory needs, and other uniquely wired challenges.

    I’m also sharing a simple shift you can start using today to help your child move out of all-or-nothing thinking, build confidence, and feel more emotionally steady.

    If your child is hard on themselves, melts down after mistakes, or always expects the worst, this episode will help you see them differently and know where to start next.

    Key Timestamps:
    02:18 What’s really happening under “I’m bad” thoughts
    05:12 The hidden link between ADHD, anxiety, and self-talk
    09:45 Why logic doesn’t work in the moment
    13:08 The first thing to do before teaching confidence
    16:42 A simple script to shift black-and-white thinking
    22:05 How to build self-esteem in everyday moments

    Grab your free printable copy of our 5 Big Calming Techniques for Big Emotions + Dysregulation-- https://yourkidstable.com/emotions-printable/

    If you're a therapist join me inside our Therapist membership and unlock hours of CEU's, treatment planning center, a community to collaborate and more: yourkidstable.com/taam/

    MORE RESOURCES FOR YOU

    Ready for a simple plan to overcome the attention, sleep, sensory, and big emotion challenges? I'll show you how for uniquely wired kids 1-18 years old in just 2-5 minutes a day. Join me in The Connection Hive-- https://YourKidsTable.com/TCH

    LET'S CONNECT:

    Instagram: https://Instagram.com/Yourkidstable
    Facebook: https://Facebook.com/Yourkidstable
    Pinterest: https://Pinterest.com/Yourkidstable

    If you enjoyed this episode, we'd be so grateful if you left us a review! It's a huge help in encouraging us and letting us know what parents with uniquely wired kids need the most.
More Kids & Family podcasts
About Connected and Capable
A podcast for parents of uniquely wired kids—kids with sensory needs, ADHD, big emotions, anxiety, or executive functioning challenges.Hosted by pediatric occupational therapist and mom Alisha Grogan, this podcast goes beyond behavior and quick fixes to uncover what’s really pulling the strings beneath the surface. You’ll learn how sensory processing, emotional regulation, executive functioning, and retained primitive reflexes are deeply connected—and how understanding these connections changes the way you support your child.Because your child is capable. And so are you.
Podcast website

Listen to Connected and Capable, Not As We Planned and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app

Get the free radio.net app

  • Stations and podcasts to bookmark
  • Stream via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
  • Supports Carplay & Android Auto
  • Many other app features