In this episode, Samantha and Lauren discuss the positive impacts of spending time in nature on mental health. They explore how outdoor activities activate the parasympathetic nervous system, decreasing cortisol levels, lowering heart rates, and improving sensory integration and attention.

Using personal anecdotes and scientific explanations, Samantha and Lauren highlight nature's ability to provide a gentle and predictable sensory input conducive to emotional and cognitive rejuvenation. They also discuss practical strategies for encouraging neurodivergent children to spend more time outdoors, emphasizing the importance of making such activities a part of daily routines.

00:00 Introduction

00:52 Today's Topic: Touching Grass for Mental Health

01:43 Personal Stories and Benefits of Nature

04:59 The Neuroscience Behind Nature's Benefits

15:37 Practical Outdoor Activities for Kids

18:40 Overcoming Barriers to Outdoor Time

19:52 Seasonal Outdoor Activities

22:04 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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In this episode, Samantha and Lauren talk about Halloween and the sensory challenges that can come with it. They discuss the sensory overload issues related to costumes, decorations, loud noises, and changes in routine.

To help parents navigate these challenges, they offer practical advice on practicing with costumes, managing trick-or-treating expectations, and choosing sensory-friendly environments.

They also emphasize the importance of understanding that children's behavior is a form of communication and suggest strategies to support children before, during, and after Halloween events to prevent sensory overload and ensure a positive experience for both parents and their kids.

00:00 Introduction

01:28 Homeschooling Decision and Mom Burnout

04:51 Halloween Sensory Overwhelm

11:57 Preparing for Halloween Night

16:56 Managing Halloween Night

18:12 Post-Halloween Tips and Reflection

20:02 Conclusion and Resources

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In this episode, Samantha and Lauren welcome Jason Heffler, author of 'Tongue Tied'. Jason shares his personal journey of growing up with a stutter and the challenges he faced, including bullying. His book is designed to help children with speech disorders gain confidence and understand that their speech does not define them.

Jason discusses the importance of representation in literature and offers valuable tips for parents to support their children, like praising the effort rather than fluency and teaching empathy and resilience.

The discussion touches on the power of acknowledgment, as Jason highlights how owning his stutter changed his life and career prospects.

He elaborates on cognitive reframing strategies and the use of music as a therapeutic tool, sharing his own experiences as a DJ and writer in the music industry.

00:00 Intro

00:41 Meet Jason Heffler: Author and Advocate

01:27 Jason's Journey with Stuttering

02:48 The Inspiration Behind 'Tongue Tied'

04:00 Supporting Children with Speech Impediments

09:58 The Power of Music in Overcoming Stuttering

12:53 Advice for Parents on Bullying and Empathy

15:18 Acknowledging and Embracing Neurodiversity

19:35 Resources and Final Thoughts

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Connect with Samantha Foote!

Website: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@everybrainisdifferent