Sensory processing isn’t always easy to spot, but it affects how kids experience the world in a big way. From clothing struggles to party meltdowns, what looks like “behavior” can often be a child’s nervous system asking for help. That’s why I sat down with occupational therapist Laura Petix, who specializes in sensory processing and works with families online to support kids with unique sensory needs.
We talk about what sensory processing really means, sensory processing differences, how parents can recognize differences, and why shifting from “disorder” to “differences” matters for kids’ self-esteem and support. Laura shares her own parenting experiences as a neurodivergent mom raising a neurodivergent child, and we break down myths that leave parents feeling judged or confused.
We cover:
What sensory processing is and how it shapes daily life for kids
The difference between typical toddler behavior and sensory differences
Red flags that suggest a child might need more support
The “sensory cup” analogy for understanding overstimulation and meltdowns
Why discipline doesn’t fix sensory needs, and what actually helps
Practical ways parents can validate, regulate, and advocate for their kids
To connect with Laura Petix check out all her resources at https://theotbutterfly.com/. Follow her on Instagram at @theotbutterfly.
00:00 Intro & Dr. Mona’s Story
03:15 Meet The OT Butterfly (Laura Petix)
06:45 What Sensory Processing Really Means
10:40 Typical vs. Sensory-Driven Behavior
16:00 From Disorder to Difference
20:00 Early Signs in Babies and Toddlers
23:40 Parent Stories & The Sensory Cup Analogy
31:00 Supporting Kids (and Yourself)
34:00 Myths and Misunderstandings
41:00 When to Seek Help & Encouragement for Parents
We’d like to know who is listening! Please fill out our Listener Survey to help us improve the show and learn about you!
Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and subscribe to PedsDocTalk.
Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. Join the newsletter!
And don’t forget to follow @pedsdoctalkpodcast on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support.
We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships page of the website.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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48:49
The Follow-Up: Managing Health Anxiety
When my son had a stroke and seizures as a newborn, every moment felt uncertain. Once things stabilized, that deep anxiety finally eased until the first time he got sick again. I remember walking into his room and feeling that old fear rush back.
If you’ve ever felt your heart race when your child spikes a fever or starts coughing, you’re not alone. Even if your child’s never been seriously ill, that drop in your stomach is real. Health anxiety is something many parents carry, especially after the pandemic reminded us how fragile health can feel.
In this episode, I share what helped me work through that anxiety—both as a pediatrician and as a mom who’s lived it. I talk about the mindset shifts that changed everything:
Accepting that I can’t control every outcome for my child
Trusting that I’m doing my best with the resources I have
Remembering that back-to-back viruses mean my child’s immune system is learning
Focusing on what’s in my control, not the scary “what-ifs”
Finding hope, even when it’s hard
Listen to the original, full episode.
Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and subscribe to PedsDocTalk.
Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. Join the newsletter!
And don’t forget to follow @pedsdoctalkpodcast on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support.
We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships page of the website.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Public Health, Politics, and Gen Z Leadership with the Youngest Congressman Maxwell Frost
Politics and public health haven’t always been so divided, but in today’s world, even science and vaccines have become political battlegrounds. That’s why I sat down with Congressman Maxwell Frost, the youngest member of Congress and a voice for Gen Z leadership, to talk about where we go from here.
We dig into what it means to lead in such a polarized time, the dangers of politicizing health, and how younger generations can push for change. Congressman Frost opens up about his perspective on the vaccine mandate debate in Florida, the role of misinformation, and why community and courage matter more than ever.
We cover:
How public health became politicized—and why that’s so dangerous
The impact of Covid-19 on trust in science and communication missteps we can learn from
The real stakes of rolling back vaccine mandates in states like Florida
Why Gen Z’s voice and skepticism can be a strength in leadership
How grassroots advocacy, calls, and community action can still influence policy
Congressman Frost’s perspective on staying hopeful and grounded in the fight for public health and democracy
To connect with Congressman Maxwell Frost check out all his resources at https://frost.house.gov/. Follow him on Instagram at @repmaxwellfrost
We’d like to know who is listening! Please fill out our Listener Survey to help us improve the show and learn about you!
00:00 – Health care at risk: Frost’s opening
00:33 – Dr. Mona on vaccine rollbacks and misinformation
02:08 – Meet Rep. Maxwell Frost: Gen Z in Congress
04:32 – How public health became politicized
07:25 – Mistrust, disinformation, and Covid’s lasting impact
11:36 – The pediatrician’s perspective on burnout and broken systems
18:32 – Communication failures during the pandemic
21:23 – Vaccine mandates in Florida and political agendas
28:09 – What real advocacy looks like: calls, town halls, showing up
34:07 – Gen Z leadership, corruption, and the fight for change
43:08 – Division, anger, and re-centering community
50:26 – Radical optimism and final reflections
Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and subscribe to PedsDocTalk.
Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. Join the newsletter!
And don’t forget to follow @pedsdoctalkpodcast on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support.
We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships page of the website.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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The Follow-Up: Making Mom Friends is Hard
Friendships after motherhood can feel complicated. Before kids, hanging out with friends might have been as easy as grabbing brunch or planning a last-minute outing. But now? Time, energy, and support look very different.
In this Follow Up episode, Dr. Mona revisits her conversation with relational health educator Danielle Bayard Jackson, author of Fighting for Our Friendships: The Science and Art of Conflict and Connection in Women’s Relationships. Together, they break down why building and maintaining friendships as a mom feels harder—and how to approach it with more grace and intention.
Listen to the full episode.
You’ll hear about:
The three biggest reasons friendships fade after kids: lack of time, lack of practice, and lack of support
Why connection (even small, everyday moments) matters just as much as long-standing friendships
How to reframe expectations around old friendships that have shifted
Practical steps to nurture the friendships you want, from “autopilot” routines to finding weak ties that still bring value
The importance of reciprocity and how to express your needs without guilt
Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and subscribe to PedsDocTalk.
Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. Join the newsletter!
And don’t forget to follow @pedsdoctalkpodcast on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support.
We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships page of the website.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Car Seat Mistakes Most Parents Make (And How to Fix Them)
Car seat safety is one of those topics that feels overwhelming…so many straps, rules, and confusing instructions and yet it’s one of the most important things we do as parents.
In this episode, I sit down with my longtime friend and child passenger safety technician, Michelle Pratt from Safe in the Seat, to talk about the most common car seat mistakes parents make and how to fix them. We both share our own missteps (yes, even as a pediatrician and as a safety expert!) and the lessons that changed how we buckle our kids in.
We cover:
Why “winging it” with installation is risky, and how to practice before you leave the hospital
Chest clip placement, shoulder strap positioning, and the “one-inch rule” every parent should know
Rear-facing myths, what age to turn forward, and why “rear until 2” isn’t the full story
The truth about aftermarket products (like those head straps) and why they can be dangerousHow to empower kids to notice and speak up about their own car seat safety
To connect with Michelle Pratt check out all her resources at https://www.safeintheseat.com/. Follow her on Instagram at @safeintheseat.
Car Seat Finder Tool: https://www.safeintheseat.com/find-your-best-car-seat
Safe to Switch: https://courses.safeintheseat.com/offers/uufJeUvJ/checkout
We’d like to know who is listening! Please fill out our Listener Survey to help us improve the show and learn about you!
00:00 – Why Car Seat Safety Feels Overwhelming
01:00 – Dr. Mona Introduces Michelle Pratt and Their Connection
04:40 – Car Lines, Backpacks, and Real-Life Safety Struggles
08:20 – Michelle’s Origin Story and Why She Started Safe in the Seat
12:00 – The Hospital Discharge Mistake Almost Every Parent Makes
17:45 – Chest Clip Placement Explained
23:00 – Teaching Kids to Be Their Own Safety Advocates
26:00 – Survivor Bias and Distracted Driving Today
27:00 – The One-Inch Rules Parents Don’t Know
33:20 – Shoulder Strap Placement: Rear vs Forward Facing
37:00 – Why Reading the Manual Actually Matters
41:15 – Rear-Facing Until Four: The Physics and Development Behind It
46:30 – Real-Life Exceptions: Motion Sickness, Car Fit, and Caregiver Needs
59:00 – Resources from Safe in the Seat
1:00:15 – Final Thoughts and How to Share This Episode
Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and subscribe to PedsDocTalk.
Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. Join the newsletter!
And don’t forget to follow @pedsdoctalkpodcast on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support.
We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships page of the website.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
About The PedsDocTalk Podcast: Child Health, Development & Parenting—From a Pediatrician Mom
The PedsDocTalk Podcast is your go-to parenting resource, hosted by Dr. Mona Amin, a trusted pediatrician, parenting expert, and mom of two. As a top 30 Parenting Podcast in the U.S., this show delivers expert-backed guidance on child development, health, illness, behavior, feeding, and sleep—giving parents the confidence to navigate every stage from baby to teen.
Each episode dives into real-life parenting challenges, featuring conversations with specialists in pediatrics, child psychology, nutrition, and parental well-being. From potty training and sleep training to tackling tantrums, picky eating, discipline, screen time, postpartum recovery, and developmental milestones, Dr. Mona provides practical, science-backed advice that actually works.
Tune in on Mondays and Wednesdays for actionable insights, mindset shifts, and expert interviews that empower you to raise healthy, resilient, and happy kids—while thriving as a parent yourself!
Listen to The PedsDocTalk Podcast: Child Health, Development & Parenting—From a Pediatrician Mom, On Purpose with Jay Shetty and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app