Why Does My Child Fall Apart After School? The Sensory Connection With Aaron
Why might a student press incredibly hard on their pencil, bump into things, avoid sports, or completely fall apart after holding it together all day at school? In this episode of Empowering Exceptional Minds, Maayan sits down with occupational therapist Aaron DeNardo, founder of Laughing Giraffe Therapy, for a fascinating conversation about the connection between the brain, body, sensory processing, movement, and learning. Aaron explains what occupational therapists actually look for during an evaluation—including fine and gross motor skills, visual processing, sensory processing, body awareness, and functional skills. Maayan and Aaron dive into primitive reflexes, proprioception, vestibular processing, and interoception, and how these systems can influence movement, regulation, coordination, attention, and everyday functioning. The conversation includes practical examples of what these challenges can look like in the classroom—from difficulty copying from the board to pencil pressure, clumsiness, avoiding movement, and exhaustion after school. Most importantly, Maayan and Aaron discuss a message every parent and educator needs to hear: behavior is communication, and children are doing the best they can with the skills and nervous systems they have. You’ll also hear why connection and attunement matter, how play can reveal valuable information about a child, what school-based OT can address, and why homework can sometimes become counterproductive when a child is already overwhelmed. If you’re a parent, educator, therapist, or anyone supporting a neurodivergent child, this conversation offers a different way of looking at the behaviors we often misunderstand—and a reminder to get curious about what might be happening underneath. Listen, learn, and see the child behind the behavior. https://laughinggiraffetherapy.com/