Have you ever wondered what it’s like to live as an undiagnosed Autistic person living in a neurotypical world? Maybe you’re a parent to a nonspeaking child or a child who’s too young to be able to properly express their experience. Learning from actually Autistic adults is one of the most valuable things you can do for your Autistic child and other Autistic individuals in the world, and today, we’re lucky enough to be hearing from one of my favorite Autistic adult creators, Paige Layle. 

She just released her memoir, “But Everyone Feels this Way: How an Autism Diagnosis Saved My Life” and we’re diving into it today. 

You can buy her book at Target, amazon, or Hachette’s website and I highly recommend it!

Trigger warning: Paige discusses her experience with thoughts of suicide. Please listen at your own discretion, and do not listen with your children around. 

Listen to this story to learn more about: 

• Paige’s internal experience with sensory overload in the classroom
• Her experience of an adult autistic meltdown vs. child autistic meltdown
• How she made the difficult decision to leave university
• How she would have benefitted from school accommodations if she were offered them

Link to Paige's book: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/paige-layle/but-everyone-feels-this-way/9780306831256/
Link to Paige's social: @paigelayle

SDBC Waitlist
Episode transcript: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/podcast

The OT Butterfly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theotbutterfly

Work with Laura: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/parentconsult

Buy "A kids book about neurodiversity" : www.theotbutterfly.com/book

This week I'm diving into some sneaky reasons why some sensory kids might be wigglers that have nothing to do with needing more movement. Prepare to get your mind blown as I break down the connection between core strength, posture, and focus. I'll also give you tons of do's and don'ts for supporting these kiddos in the classroom. By the end you'll be armed with all the deets to help your little learner shine without extra distractions. 

You’ll learn:

- The hidden connection between core strength, posture, and attention abilities 

- Common signs that weak core muscles may be to blame for fidgety behavior

- Why approaches like weighted vests or inflated seating options can backfire

- Practical seating solutions and positioning tips to support learning

SDBC Waitlist
Episode transcript: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/podcast

The OT Butterfly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theotbutterfly

Work with Laura: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/parentconsult

Buy "A kids book about neurodiversity" : www.theotbutterfly.com/book

As an OT, I often get asked how parents should explain why their child has to go to Occupational Therapy visits.

In this episode,  parents will have some guidance on preparing children for evaluations, answering their questions about therapy, and explaining OT to siblings.

You'll learn simple scripts tailored to different child ages that will help demystify the process and make OT a more positive experience.

Whether you're new to OT or a seasoned pro, I'll share my tips for communicating effectively with kids about sensory processing and how an occupational therapist can help them feel more comfortable at home and school.

In this episode, you'll learn:

- What questions to ask of the OT clinic to prepare your child best 

- Age-appropriate ways to explain the evaluation process to kids

- Sample scripts for talking to children about why they attend OT sessions

- Sample scripts for helping neurotypical siblings understand why their sibling attends OT

SDBC Waitlist
Episode transcript: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/podcast

The OT Butterfly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theotbutterfly

Work with Laura: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/parentconsult

Buy "A kids book about neurodiversity" : www.theotbutterfly.com/book

Get ready for an info-packed episode on Occupational Therapy to celebrate this wonderful field in OT month (for U.S.).

 I shared how OT can help with all different kinds of challenges like motor skills, focusing, anxiety and sensory issues. Whether assessing needs, modifying environments or teaching regulating strategies, OTs have creative solutions to support kids' skills and behaviors. From building body awareness to providing customized interventions, we get to play all day while helping kids learn. I hope this gave you a taste of what OT is all about - it was so fun sharing all the insights!

- Episode 30: How to Get Started with OT and how it can change your life

- Episode 93: How to identify neurodiverse affirming therapists and some green flags to look for

- Episode 70: An interview with Dr. Krupa Playforth on advocating for OT with your pediatrician 

- Episode 24: Making the most out of OT services

- Episode 69: Understanding IEPs and 504 plans in a school-based OT setting

SDBC Waitlist
Episode transcript: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/podcast

The OT Butterfly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theotbutterfly

Work with Laura: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/parentconsult

Buy "A kids book about neurodiversity" : www.theotbutterfly.com/book

In this episode, I dive into why some kids – especially neurodivergent ones – thrive on routine and struggle when things change.

 As a neurodivergent adult and occupational therapist, I'll share insights into the sensory and cognitive challenges that can make even small changes feel like big disruptions. I'll also dish out practical tips for parents to support their neurodivergent kiddos through these transitions. Join me as we uncover the secrets to smoother sailing in the unpredictable seas of routine changes.

Social story podcast: 
https://theotbutterfly.com/social-stories-for-kids/sws-podcast/ 

SDBC Waitlist
Episode transcript: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/podcast

The OT Butterfly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theotbutterfly

Work with Laura: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/parentconsult

Buy "A kids book about neurodiversity" : www.theotbutterfly.com/book

Do you feel pulled in multiple directions trying to meet the unique sensory needs of each child in your home? In this episode, I’ll dish my top strategies for balancing the often conflicting sensory profiles within families.

You'll learn practical ways to create separate sensory spaces, set clear boundaries with alternatives, and rely on sensory layering to make any environment work for everyone. 

Whether you have an overstimulated child and a sensory avoider under the same roof or just struggle with dinner time chaos, you'll walk away with immediate tips you can start using tonight. 

By prioritizing inclusion, boundaries and regulation for all, you'll feel more confident in your ability to meet the needs of every unique individual in your home.

Link from show:
Sensory Layering podcast episode

SDBC Waitlist
Episode transcript: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/podcast

The OT Butterfly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theotbutterfly

Work with Laura: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/parentconsult

Buy "A kids book about neurodiversity" : www.theotbutterfly.com/book

Parents, are you dealing with a kid who just constantly wakes up on the wrong side of the bed? NO matter what you do or offer them, they're just dysregulated no matter what. 

This episode is for you. I'll help you make sense of those non-sensical moods and give you an action plan to hopefully curb some of that dysregulation.  

Listen into learn: 

• That chronic dysregulation is a real thing and some children's nervous systems can get stuck in a state of fight or flight activation.  
• Why your child might be chronically dysregulated
• 3 in the moment tips to intercept the morning meltdown
• How waking up earlier oneself can help be more present for a dysregulated child.
• Ideas on how to start proactively regulating their nervous system

SDBC Waitlist
Episode transcript: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/podcast

The OT Butterfly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theotbutterfly

Work with Laura: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/parentconsult

Buy "A kids book about neurodiversity" : www.theotbutterfly.com/book

In this episode, I'm exploring an approach I've found really effective called collaborative problem-solving. I'll break down the steps so you can understand the process. And I'll share a real example from my own parenting journey - what happened when I tried validating my daughter's perspective and attacking the problem objectively (minimizing emotions) to find a creative solution that she could agree to? Collaborative problem solving has really shifted our dynamic from a battle of wills to a feeling of partnership.

Dr. Ross Greene's Book "The Explosive Child"

SDBC Waitlist
Episode transcript: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/podcast

The OT Butterfly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theotbutterfly

Work with Laura: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/parentconsult

Buy "A kids book about neurodiversity" : www.theotbutterfly.com/book

 I wanted to share a new concept I've been thinking about called the "nervous system budget." Basically, it's a way to visualize how different tasks and environments affect our nervous systems. I'll explain how we all have a limited amount of "nervous system cash" each day, and how certain things can cost more than others. 

I'll also give some ideas for how parents can help kids spend less and save more for the things that really matter. My hope is that framing it this way can help parents be more intentional about supporting their kids' regulation. 

SDBC Waitlist
Episode transcript: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/podcast

The OT Butterfly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theotbutterfly

Work with Laura: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/parentconsult

Buy "A kids book about neurodiversity" : www.theotbutterfly.com/book

Dr. Alex Reed is a clinical psychologist who specializes in the assessment and support of neurodevelopmental diagnoses across the lifespan 

Alex and I are both contributors in Dr. Becky’s goodinside community- a movement and platform that we really enjoy supporting. Alex and I have so many sideline conversations about neurodiversity and are constantly sharing resources and posts that speak to our souls— they usually have to do with finding ND affirming care. So I invited Alex on today because she does most of her work within the more traditional DSM-medical model, so she can give us more insight into that lens… but more specifically, I invited her on because she and I have both been hearing about how many parents leave this process-their evaluation, their diagnosis with a referral to therapies they aren’t sure about, or they leave with more questions, or they leave feeling icky. 

I’m hoping Alex can peel back some of those layers for us today so we can understand a bit more about the process and the quote unquote system– and more importantly, what’s within our control as parents if we can ONLY access those services through “the system”- what are our options to help our neurodivergent kids thrive as they are? 

Find more from her on instagram @dr_alex_reed

SDBC Waitlist
Episode transcript: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/podcast

The OT Butterfly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theotbutterfly

Work with Laura: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/parentconsult

Buy "A kids book about neurodiversity" : www.theotbutterfly.com/book

Liliana surprises me every single day. She’s intelligent, well spoken, mature, empathetic and so so caring. You can see all of those qualities through her in this episode, which was in part created by you who submitted questions for her to answer!

In this episode, you’ll hear Liliana give advice about

• What to do when you’re worried about going to school
• What to do when you can’t fall asleep
• Her favorite calming techniques
• What to do in the morning if you have a hard time getting up 

And so much more!

SDBC Waitlist
Episode transcript: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/podcast

The OT Butterfly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theotbutterfly

Work with Laura: https://www.theotbutterfly.com/parentconsult

Buy "A kids book about neurodiversity" : www.theotbutterfly.com/book