Connected and Capable

Alisha Grogan
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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, this podcast 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.Because your child is capable. And so are you.

  1. 2 Nov

    30. 3 Calming Tools That Often Fail Parents of Neurodivergent Kids

    You know your own dysregulation is playing a role in the chaos at home. You’ve heard it all: take time for yourself, take a deep breath, take a break. But in the second your kid melts down, the siblings start fighting again, or your kid leaps off the fireplace (yup!), you’re yelling before you even remember to breathe. You aren’t failing. You just haven’t been given the right tools. In this episode of Connected + Capable, I’m walking through the three calming tools parents hear the most. I’ll share why they often fall short on their own, and what needs to come first. I’m also sharing my own story of how my regulation fell apart when I had two kids close together. In this episode, we’ll talk about: Why “take time for yourself” helps, but can wear off by 11 AM the next morning, especially if you’re touched out, have sensory needs, or are neurodivergent yourself.Why you can’t remember to breathe in the moment, and how so many of us were taught to hit mute on our own feelings growing up.“I know to pause, but I can’t make myself.” Why taking a break can feel impossible, and why that’s neurology, not a failing on your part.What has to happen instead: catching it, shifting it, building regulation into your day, and creating a toolbox that fits YOU. Your needs matter too. No matter how big your kid’s needs are, or how dysregulated you feel, there’s a path forward, one small step at a time. Key Timestamps [04:00] Why “take time for yourself” falls short [09:00] The MOST common tool that doesn't always work in the moment [11:30] Why taking a break can be so hard (it's not you) [14:30] The missing piece to turning around your dysregulation [16:00] Building regulation into your daily routine [17:00] Creating your own regulation toolbox Resources Mentioned How to Stay Calm When Your Kid Can't: Adult Regulation Workshop Episode 7: The Secret Key Each Parent Holds to Regulating Their Kid Episode 17: 3 Steps for When You're Too Dysregulated to Help Your Kid MORE RESOURCES FOR YOU Ready for a simple plan to overcome the attention, sleep, sensory, and big emotion challenges? I'll show you how for uniquely wired kids 1-18 years old in just 2-5 minutes a day. Join me in The Connection Hive-- https://YourKidsTable.com/TCH LET'S CONNECT: Instagram: https://Instagram.com/Yourkidstable Facebook: https://Facebook.com/Yourkidstable Pinterest: https://Pinterest.com/Yourkidstable If you enjoyed this episode, we'd be so grateful if you left us a review! It's a huge help in encouraging us and letting us know what parents with uniquely wired kids need the most.

  2. 26 Aug

    29. How to Help Your ADHD Teen Succeed in School--Without Nagging!

    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 with ADHD and the shift I’ve been making as both an occupational therapist and a parent. We’re talking about how to support ADHD teens in a way that builds the skills they’ll eventually need to manage school (and life!) more independently without constant reminders, battles, or nagging. We'll get real about planners too and if ADHD "should" use them.  Plus, I’ll share what I’m doing right now to help him navigate a new school year, and why my goal isn’t to eliminate support, but to be really intentional about how and when I give it. If you’re worried about how your ADHD teen will eventually manage all of this without you, this episode will give you a different way to think about what you can start doing now. Resources mentioned in this episode Unlocking ADHD Workshop: https://yourkidstable.com/adhd 504 Playbook: https://yourkidstable.com/504-accomodations-for-adhd/   Time Stamps07:00 – When a Common ADHD Strategy Isn’t Working 12:00 – How to Talk So Your ADHD Teen Opens Up 15:00 – Support vs. Independence: Finding the Balance 22:00 – Why ADHD Teens Need Rhythm + Routine 25:00 – Preparing ADHD Teens for More Independence MORE RESOURCES FOR YOU Ready for a simple plan to overcome the attention, sleep, sensory, and big emotion challenges? I'll show you how for uniquely wired kids 1-18 years old in just 2-5 minutes a day. Join me in The Connection Hive-- https://YourKidsTable.com/TCH LET'S CONNECT: Instagram: https://Instagram.com/Yourkidstable Facebook: https://Facebook.com/Yourkidstable Pinterest: https://Pinterest.com/Yourkidstable If you enjoyed this episode, we'd be so grateful if you left us a review! It's a huge help in encouraging us and letting us know what parents with uniquely wired kids need the most.

  3. 17 Aug

    28. Are Big Meltdowns Causing Trauma for Kids with Autism? What we know…

    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 episode, I share my own experience, the emerging research that's starting to explore this idea, and why I think looking beyond behavior may completely change how we support autistic kids with frequent meltdowns. If your child seems to get caught in the same cycle over and over again, I hope this conversation gives you a new way to think about what's happening underneath the surface. Resources Mentioned Get a seat in the new Beyond Behavior—Thriving with Autism Workshop: on Aug 19 (replay provided): https://yourkidstable.com/autism/ Studies mentioned: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10209395/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41868251/ Key Timestamps: 2:10 my first panic attach 7:15 The connection to autism? 12:00 A new way to think about meltdowns 18:00 What the research is saying 24:15 Where do we go from here? MORE RESOURCES FOR YOU Ready for a simple plan to overcome the attention, sleep, sensory, and big emotion challenges? I'll show you how for uniquely wired kids 1-18 years old in just 2-5 minutes a day. Join me in The Connection Hive-- https://YourKidsTable.com/TCH LET'S CONNECT: Instagram: https://Instagram.com/Yourkidstable Facebook: https://Facebook.com/Yourkidstable Pinterest: https://Pinterest.com/Yourkidstable If you enjoyed this episode, we'd be so grateful if you left us a review! It's a huge help in encouraging us and letting us know what parents with uniquely wired kids need the most.

  4. 10 Aug

    27. How to decide if you should accept or treat autistic challenges?

    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 difference between something that's simply different and something that's truly impacting your child's quality of life. If you've ever worried, "Am I pushing too much... or not enough?" This episode will give you clarity and confidence moving forward. Resources Mentioned: Get a seat in the new Beyond Behavior—Thriving with Autism Workshop: on Aug 19 (replay provided): https://yourkidstable.com/autism/ Key Timestamps: 2:48 Every child is different 7:15 Starting with acceptance 12:40 One important question 17:35 A lesson from camp 22:10 Moving forward with confidence MORE RESOURCES FOR YOU Ready for a simple plan to overcome the attention, sleep, sensory, and big emotion challenges? I'll show you how for uniquely wired kids 1-18 years old in just 2-5 minutes a day. Join me in The Connection Hive-- https://YourKidsTable.com/TCH LET'S CONNECT: Instagram: https://Instagram.com/Yourkidstable Facebook: https://Facebook.com/Yourkidstable Pinterest: https://Pinterest.com/Yourkidstable If you enjoyed this episode, we'd be so grateful if you left us a review! It's a huge help in encouraging us and letting us know what parents with uniquely wired kids need the most.

  5. 3 Aug

    26. What I learned about Autism + Behavior (at Sensory Summer Camp)

    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 the behavior, the surprising sensory tool we reached for in the middle of a meltdown, and why shifting from "How do I stop this behavior?" to "What does my child need right now?" can change everything. If you've ever felt stuck in power struggles, wondered whether you're helping or making things worse, or just wished someone could explain what's really going on... this episode is for you. RESOURCES MENTIONED: Save your seat in the new Beyond Behavior–Thriving with Autism Workshop on Aug 19 (replay provided): https://yourkidstable.com/autism/ Fun and Function - Sign up for their newsletter and receive a coupon 10% here! KEY TIMESTAMPS: 3:45 What was really under this meltdown 11:15 A sensory tool that surprised me 18:05 Looking beyond "bad behavior" 23:40 What demand avoidance looked like at camp 29:20 The question every parent should ask 33:15 What's coming next in this series  MORE RESOURCES FOR YOU Ready for a simple plan to overcome the attention, sleep, sensory, and big emotion challenges? I'll show you how for uniquely wired kids 1-18 years old in just 2-5 minutes a day. Join me in The Connection Hive-- https://YourKidsTable.com/TCH LET'S CONNECT: Instagram: https://Instagram.com/Yourkidstable Facebook: https://Facebook.com/Yourkidstable Pinterest: https://Pinterest.com/Yourkidstable If you enjoyed this episode, we'd be so grateful if you left us a review! It's a huge help in encouraging us and letting us know what parents with uniquely wired kids need the most.

  6. 22 Jun

    25. The Picky Eater Approved Chicken Recipe You Need to Know!

    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 foods. But this episode isn't really about chicken nuggets, although you'll learn exactly how to make them, because they are amazing effective and super tasty. The big takeaway is about understanding why certain foods feel safer to picky eaters, the simple characteristics that make kids more likely to try something new, and how to build bridges from foods your child already eats to foods they've never touched before. I'll also share why progress often looks very different than parents expect and how to spot the small wins that are actually moving your child forward. RESOURCES MENTIONED Get a seat in the free picky eating workshop Picky Eater Approved Chicken Nugget Recipe KEY TIMESTAMPS 2:55 What progress really looks like 4:49 The gateway food 6:38 Three things picky eaters need 9:22 Building a bridge to new foods 17:21 Giving kids the right choices 24:47 When it doesn't work right away MORE RESOURCES FOR YOU Ready for a simple plan to overcome the attention, sleep, sensory, and big emotion challenges? I'll show you how for uniquely wired kids 1-18 years old in just 2-5 minutes a day. Join me in The Connection Hive-- https://YourKidsTable.com/TCH LET'S CONNECT: Instagram: https://Instagram.com/Yourkidstable Facebook: https://Facebook.com/Yourkidstable Pinterest: https://Pinterest.com/Yourkidstable If you enjoyed this episode, we'd be so grateful if you left us a review! It's a huge help in encouraging us and letting us know what parents with uniquely wired kids need the most.

  7. 15 Jun

    24. Five Reasons Kids Refuse to Eat

    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 and why identifying the "why" behind picky eating can completely change your next steps. If you've ever felt frustrated, confused, or wondered why nothing seems to be working, this episode will help you connect some important dots and give you a clearer path forward. RESOURCES MENTIONED Get a seat in the free picky eating workshop Constipation strategies article KEY TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Welcome and picky eating mission 02:03 Previous episode and workshop recap 09:57 Oral motor skill struggles 11:53 The snowball picky eating 15:50 Physical causes to check 20:35 Anxiety behind food refusal 24:53 Next steps for families 27:34 Gateway food next episode teaser MORE RESOURCES FOR YOU Ready for a simple plan to overcome the attention, sleep, sensory, and big emotion challenges? I'll show you how for uniquely wired kids 1-18 years old in just 2-5 minutes a day. Join me in The Connection Hive-- https://YourKidsTable.com/TCH LET'S CONNECT: Instagram: https://Instagram.com/Yourkidstable Facebook: https://Facebook.com/Yourkidstable Pinterest: https://Pinterest.com/Yourkidstable If you enjoyed this episode, we'd be so grateful if you left us a review! It's a huge help in encouraging us and letting us know what parents with uniquely wired kids need the most.

  8. 8 Jun

    23. How My Kid Went From Super Picky Eater to Foodie: My 5 Step Plan

    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 guided us from surviving mealtimes to actually enjoying them. If you've ever wondered what's really behind picky eating, or how to help your kid's eating improve, this episode is for you!  RESOURCES MENTIONED: Free Picky Eating Workshop KEY TIMESTAMPS: 4:31 The child who changed my career 8:24 When my own son stopped eating 14:42 Step 1: The biggest mindset shift 16:38 Step 2: Why routines matter 18:30 Step 3: What's underneath picky eating 20:09 Steps 4 & 5: Building progress that lasts MORE RESOURCES FOR YOU Ready for a simple plan to overcome the attention, sleep, sensory, and big emotion challenges? I'll show you how for uniquely wired kids 1-18 years old in just 2-5 minutes a day. Join me in The Connection Hive-- https://YourKidsTable.com/TCH LET'S CONNECT: Instagram: https://Instagram.com/Yourkidstable Facebook: https://Facebook.com/Yourkidstable Pinterest: https://Pinterest.com/Yourkidstable If you enjoyed this episode, we'd be so grateful if you left us a review! It's a huge help in encouraging us and letting us know what parents with uniquely wired kids need the most.

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About

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, this podcast 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.Because your child is capable. And so are you.

Information

  • Creator
    Alisha Grogan
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    31
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Your Kid's Table All Rights Reserved.
  • Show Website
    Connected and Capable

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