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Connected and Capable

Alisha Grogan 24 Episodes Aug 26, 2026

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, it 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.

Episodes

29. How to Help Your ADHD Teen Succeed in School--Without Nagging! Aug 26, 2026 00:32:47 How much should I be helping... and when do I need to step back?Because reminding them about the homework, the test, the missing assignment, or the thing they swore they were going to remember can get exhausting.But simply backing off and expecting them to figure it all out on their own usually isn’t the answer either.In this episode, I’m sharing what this looks like in real life with my own teen

28. Are Big Meltdowns Causing Trauma for Kids with Autism? What we know… Aug 17, 2026 00:22:50 A few months ago, I went through one of the hardest nervous system experiences of my life.As I worked through the weeks that followed, I couldn't stop thinking about the kids with autism I've worked with for over 20 years... and one question kept coming back to me.Could big meltdowns actually leave a child's nervous system stuck in a cycle that's much harder to escape than we realize?In this episo

27. How to decide if you should accept or treat autistic challenges? Aug 10, 2026 00:20:47 When should we embrace a child's differences... and when is it a sign they need more support?It's one of the hardest questions parents of autistic and neurodivergent kids face.In this episode, I'm sharing a simple 3-step framework I use as an occupational therapist to help sort through that question. We'll talk about stimming, aggression, sensory challenges, participation, and how to tell the diff

26. What I learned about Autism + Behavior (at Sensory Summer Camp) Aug 3, 2026 00:32:46 This week at sensory summer camp, one moment completely changed the direction of my day... and reinforced something I think every parent of a neurodivergent child needs to hear.When a child melts down, refuses, runs away, or seems completely "noncompliant," what if we're asking the wrong question?In this episode, I'm sharing two real stories from camp that highlight what was happening underneath t

25. The Picky Eater Approved Chicken Recipe You Need to Know! Jun 22, 2026 00:27:17 What if one food could help your child feel safe enough to start expanding beyond the handful of foods they currently eat?In this final episode of our picky eating series, I'm sharing what I call a gateway food, specifically a recipe that helped my own son move from eating one specific brand of chicken nuggets to eventually eating grilled chicken, different proteins, and a much wider variety of fo

24. Five Reasons Kids Refuse to Eat Jun 15, 2026 00:28:24 In this episode, we're digging into one of the most important factors for helping extreme picky eaters: they're struggling because something deeper is getting in the way.There's 5 big reasons kids refuse to eat and it's not because of you're parenting or that they're just difficult. Learn how to identify these signs yourself and how to start looking at your child's eating through a different lens

23. How My Kid Went From Super Picky Eater to Foodie: My 5 Step Plan Jun 8, 2026 00:39:01 In this first episode of our picky eating series, I'm sharing the story of how my son went from gagging at the sight of food to becoming a kid that loves a wide variety of foods. A reality that wouldn't have happened if we had just waited for him to grow out of it. You'll hear the mistakes I see parents make over and over again (through no fault of their own), and the 5-step framework that gu

22. 7 Quick Sensory Activities to Habit Stack for Regulating Kids Jun 1, 2026 00:30:21 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 sensor

21. ADHD + Nutrition: What the Research Actually Says May 25, 2026 00:35:02 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

20. The surprising reasons kids bite and what you can do about it May 18, 2026 00:27:04 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.

19. 5 Tricks for Kids that Hate Getting Their Hair Washed May 11, 2026 00:23:37 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 sensitiv

18. Kid Stuck in Negative Thinking? Do this Today. May 4, 2026 00:26:24 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 simpl

17. 3 Steps for When Your Too Dysregulated to Help Your Kid Apr 27, 2026 00:27:41 We hear it from parents so often... how do I help my kid when I'm dysregulated myself? That's a wise question and one many are wrestling with.  In this episode I'm sharing why we often feel like we're falling short, what to do about the dysregulation you feel, and 3 simple steps you can start today! We'll also talk about why neurodivergent parents may feel more dysregulation. T

16. The Truth about Sensory Processing Disorder Apr 20, 2026 00:21:43 Sensory processing disorder is something you’ve probably heard before… maybe from a therapist, a teacher, or even your pediatrician. But here’s the tricky part—it’s not actually an official diagnosis.And that can make this whole topic feel confusing and overwhelming.In this episode, I’m breaking down what sensory processing really is, what we mean when we say “sensory processing disorder,” and why

15. How to Help Toe Walkers Walk on Their Whole Foot👣 Apr 13, 2026 00:22:58 Toe walking seems like an odd habit, and while it can become habitual there are almost always underlying reasons kids are toe walking! Getting to the bottom of what's causing your kid to tip toe all over the place is key for helping them walk on their whole foot, which is important because long term toe walking can cause physical issues.  But, I do have one thing you should no matte

14. 5 (More) Executive Functioning Skills Uniquely Wired Kids Struggle With Apr 6, 2026 00:36:16 So often we see gaps in executive functioning skills as personality traits. Or, they frustrate the heck out of us. In my own parenting journey understanding my kid was struggling with executive functioning AND wasn't just a difficult kid, changed everything.  That's why it's important to understand more of these executive functioning skills in this part 2 edition of our episodes ded

13. Stop Using Timeouts and Lecturing with Neurodivergent Kids: Do this Instead! Mar 30, 2026 00:35:34 Neurodivergent kids often struggle with following directions, listening, and self-control. What are we to do? We worry they aren't learning and want them to understand consequences. Both are very valid. In this episode learn why these popular parenting techniques we sometimes use intentionally and often out of desperation backfire with kids that have ADHD, Autism, or sensory needs. 

12. 4 Ways to Improve ADHD Symptoms (That No One Talks About!) Mar 23, 2026 00:31:43 Most parents are told that ADHD treatment begins and ends with medication, which can be helpful for some kids. But there’s so much more to the story. (Grab a spot in the free Executive Functioning Week for parents below).In this episode we talk about four powerful — and often overlooked — ways to improve ADHD symptoms in kids.You’ll learn why ADHD is actually more than just poor attention, so much

11. Vestibular Sensitivities: The Overlooked Issue Affecting Reading, Balance, and Anxiety Mar 16, 2026 00:36:14 If your child avoids swings, hates being tipped back to wash their hair, or panics when their feet leave the ground… there may be more going on than simple fear.In this episode, I’m diving into vestibular sensitivities — one of the most overlooked sensory challenges that can quietly affect everything from balance and coordination to reading, attention, and anxiety.You’ll learn what the vestibular

10. How to Avoid After School Meltdowns (Restraint Collapse!) Mar 9, 2026 00:27:50 After-school meltdowns are so common there’s actually a name for it: after-school restraint collapse.If your child comes home and completely falls apart — big emotions, aggression, withdrawal, nonstop chaos — you are not alone.Yes, masking all day is part of the story. But it’s not the whole story.In this episode, I walk you through two other big reasons uniquely wired kids struggle during that af

9. Why Screens Feel Regulating (But Might Not Be) Mar 2, 2026 00:25:21 Some say screen time is “regulating”… and honestly, it can look that way. In this episode, we slow the conversation down—no shame, no judgment—and unpack why screens can feel like the only thing that works when your child is overwhelmed. But we also zoom out and ask the bigger question: is that calm actually regulation… or is something else happening? I’ll share a personal story that changed how I

8. 10 Sensory Red Flags that are Easy to Miss Feb 23, 2026 00:29:44 Have you ever watched your child do something that just makes you pause… but you can’t quite explain what's going on, but you know something deeper is behind it? in this episode, I’m talking about things kids with sensory needs do that are easy mistake s quirks, phases, or personality.This isn’t about labeling your child or diagnosing anything. It’s about helping you see your kid through a ne

7. The Secret Key Each Parent Holds to Regulating Their Kid Feb 16, 2026 00:32:35 What if the most powerful tool for reducing meltdowns isn’t a strategy, a script, or a consequence — but something you already carry with you?In this episode, Alisha breaks down the often-misunderstood role of co-regulation and why it works in every setting, at every age, and at every intensity level. She explains why common “in-the-moment” techniques fail when a child is dysregulated, and what ac

6. The Huge Iceberg Hiding Under Your Kid's Biggest Struggle Feb 9, 2026 00:29:40 The struggles are kids have can be hard, dysregulating, and cause lots of worry. Understandably so! What's the best way to tackle them? How can we help them make lasting change? In this episode I'm diving into what really works and how to know which way to turn whether your kid is struggling with anxiety, bad handwriting, aggressive behaviors--or anything in between. It's the question we

5. 5 executive functioning skills that uniquely wired kids struggle with Feb 2, 2026 00:31:44 What if some of the hardest moments with your child aren’t about behavior, motivation, or personality at all?In this episode, I share executive functioning as the next critical piece of the puzzle, and why so many uniquely wired kids struggle in ways that are easy to misinterpret.  You’ll hear why executive functioning is far bigger than attention alone, 4 more EF skills, and they quietl

4. Emotional Regulation 101: What to Do About Meltdowns, Hitting, & Roller Coaster Emotions Jan 26, 2026 00:27:20 What if your child’s big emotions aren’t random… and they’re not a behavior problem either?In this episode, Alisha dives into Emotional Regulation 101—and unpacks why some kids flip from calm to overwhelmed in seconds, why meltdowns can feel so sudden, and the hidden brain shift that changes everything about how we respond.You’ll hear a perspective most parents never get about what’s really happen

3. If Your Kid Has Sensory "Issues," You Need to Hear This. Jan 19, 2026 00:29:21 If your child can’t sit still at dinner, refuses certain clothes, melts down in busy places, or seems either constantly on the move or totally checked out, you are not alone — and this is not a behavior problem.In this episode I’m breaking down what sensory needs really are, why sensory processing is one of the most powerful systems in the brain, and how it shapes your child’s emotions, attention,

2. Retained Primitive Reflex: What Every Parent of A Uniquely Wired Kid Needs To Know Jan 12, 2026 00:19:36 Retained primitive reflexes are often overlooked—or completely missing—from the conversation when it comes to kids with sensory needs, attention challenges, anxiety, coordination difficulties, and diagnoses like ADHD or autism.In this episode, I’m breaking down what retained primitive reflexes actually are, why they matter far beyond infancy, and how they can impact your child’s sensory processing

1. The 4 Hidden Causes Behind Sensory Needs, ADHD, & Big Emotions Jan 5, 2026 00:24:28 Your child is running nonstop, melting down during transitions, overwhelmed at birthday parties, struggling with focus, emotions, sleep, or eating—and your told they are bad, too sensitive, or they need discipline. In this first episode of the Connected + Capable podcast, I’m breaking down the four hidden areas that are often pulling the strings beneath the surface for uniquely wired kids—kids wit

Welcome Dec 14, 2025 00:02:09 Welcome to The Connected and Capable Podcast—a supportive space for parents raising kids with sensory needs, big emotions, and behavioral challenges. If your child is highly sensitive, struggles with focus, self-control, aggression, picky eating, or simply seems overwhelmed by the world, you are not alone.In this podcast, we talk about the real worries that keep parents up at night: Will they grow

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