Ep 16 // Cracking the Sensory Code: How Paddleboards, OT, and Intuition Helped One Mom Understand Her Autistic Child’s Sensory World with Jess Caraway

Hey Momma,

​​Do you ever feel like you’re constantly playing sensory detective but can’t quite decode what your child needs?

Are you navigating conflicting advice and second-guessing your parenting when your child “acts out”?

Do you wonder how to support your neurodivergent child when their needs feel totally different from the rest of the family?

In this 2-part guest episode with Jess Caraway—autism advocate, outdoor-loving mama, and founder of the If You Know One project—we sit down to unpack the powerful shift that happens when parents start seeing behavior through a sensory lens.

Jess shares the story of her daughter Aliza, a vibrant and deeply intuitive autistic child and Gestalt language processor. From paddleboarding breakthroughs to climbing door frames for proprioceptive input, Jess reflects on how their family has learned to observe with compassion, accommodate needs, and redefine “good parenting.”

Whether you're new to the sensory world or craving deeper connection with your child, this episode offers practical insights, paradigm-shifting stories, and a powerful reminder: our children aren’t broken—they’re brilliant. We just need the right lens.

💡Don’t miss the micro-shift offer mid-episode—it could change the way you see every meltdown or quirky behavior.

This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation—come back next week for more!

Resources and Links

• 🌟 The Clarity Lab – Your sensory lens starter kit (Only $9!)
• 📣 Jess Caraway on Instagram: @jess_ifyouknowone
• 🎧 Related Episodes:
  • [Ep. 3 // One Small Shift Can Change Everything]
  • [Ep. 5 // What if Meltdowns are Messages]

Part 4: Connecting with You and Next Steps

Let’s keep the conversation going!

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💛 Reminder: You are the perfect mom for your child. Keep showing up with curiosity and love—we’re in this together.