Episode 115:

Does Your Child Stop Using Their Words When You’re Not at Home? Understanding the Connection Between Environment, Behavior & Communication

💛 Parents often wonder: “Why can my child use their words at home sometimes… but completely fall apart in busy places?” Or: “Why do they listen in calm environments but lose it when things get chaotic?”

In today’s episode, we’re breaking down the sensory and nervous system reasons behind why children can access skills in some environments — but struggle in others.

You’ll learn why sensory overload, stress, busy environments, transitions, and emotional overwhelm can make it harder for young children to:

• Use their words
• Listen to directions
• Stay regulated
• Handle transitions
• Manage emotions
• And cope with everyday demands

We’ll also talk about:

• Why behavior changes across environments
• How stress impacts the brain and communication
• Why kids often “lose skills” during overwhelm
• The connection between sensory processing and behavior
• Why children may melt down after “holding it together”
• And practical ways parents can support regulation before behaviors escalate

If your child struggles more in loud, chaotic, stimulating, or socially demanding environments, this episode will help behavior make so much more sense.

Remember: behavior is communication — and understanding the nervous system changes everything.

✨ LINKS & RESOURCES MENTIONED

Dr. Ross Greene: https://drrossgreene.com/

Kelly Mahler (OT and Interception Expert): https://www.kelly-mahler.com/

💛 Related Episodes:

Episode 103: Birthday Party Meltdowns: What’s Behind Them and How to Support Your Child Through Them!

Episode 109: Is Church a Struggle for Your Child Every Week? Why This Happens & What You Can Try This Week!

Episode 112: Planning a Family Vacation with Young Kids? How to Prevent Meltdowns Before They Start

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Podcast -> Sensory Solutions for Parents

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DISCLAIMER

This podcast, Sensory Solutions for Parents, is intended for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, occupational therapy, or other professional advice.

The host is a licensed occupational therapist; however, the information shared in this podcast is general in nature and may not apply to your specific child or situation. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between you and Alison Foura, PhD, OTR/L. Any strategies, ideas, or suggestions shared are offered as general support for parents and caregivers and should be used at your own discretion, with consideration for your child’s individual needs and your family’s values.

Always seek the guidance of your child’s pediatrician, occupational therapist, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your child’s development, behavior, or health.

This podcast may also include personal experiences and, at times, faith-based perspectives. These are shared as part of Alison’s personal and professional lens and are not intended to replace individualized care or professional guidance.

💛 Does your child seem miserable after school every single day - even when teachers say they had a “good day”? Maybe they cry on the way home, melt down over tiny things, cling to you, lash out at siblings, or completely fall apart the second they walk through the door.

In this episode, we’re talking all about after-school restraint collapse in young children, and why kids often struggle so much during the transition home after holding it together all day long.

You’ll learn:

• What restraint collapse is and why it matters for our kids
• How sensory overload and nervous system fatigue build throughout the day
• Why children often save their biggest emotions for home
• How busy school environments impact regulation
• Why your child may seem “fine” at school but unravel at home
• And 5 practical strategies to make the transition home smoother and less overwhelming for everyone

We’ll also talk about the connection between sensory processing, emotional regulation, masking, transitions, and after-school meltdowns, all through a compassionate, sensory-informed lens.

If your child struggles after school, this episode will help all of this to make so much more sense.

#restraintcollapse #afterschoolmeltdowns #sensoryprocessing #childbehavior #emotionalregulation #occupationaltherapy #sensorykids #parentingpodcast #nervoussystemregulation

Related Resources:

https://drrossgreene.com/

NEXT STEPS:

💛 Follow the podcast for more parent-friendly conversations about sensory processing, emotional regulation, behavior, nervous systems, and development in young children.

✨ Join our free Facebook community for more sensory-informed parenting support, practical strategies, and real-life conversations around meltdowns, regulation, sensory processing, and behavior in young children.

⭐ Share + leave a review to help more families!

https://www.instagram.com/sensorysolutionsforparents/#

DISCLAIMER

This podcast, Sensory Solutions for Parents, is intended for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, occupational therapy, or other professional advice.

The host is a licensed occupational therapist; however, the information shared in this podcast is general in nature and may not apply to your specific child or situation. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between you and Alison Foura, PhD, OTR/L. Any strategies, ideas, or suggestions shared are offered as general support for parents and caregivers and should be used at your own discretion, with consideration for your child’s individual needs and your family’s values.

Always seek the guidance of your child’s pediatrician, occupational therapist, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your child’s development, behavior, or health.

This podcast may also include personal experiences and, at times, faith-based perspectives. These are shared as part of Alison’s personal and professional lens and are not intended to replace individualized care or professional guidance.

Episode 113:

Why Your Toddler Falls Apart After Daycare (And What to Do About It!)

💛 Does your child completely fall apart after daycare or preschool… even though their teachers say they had a great day?

You are not alone.

In this episode, we’re talking about something called “restraint collapse” and the emotional meltdowns, clinginess, irritability, sensory seeking, and overwhelm many toddlers and preschoolers experience after holding it together all day long.

We’ll break down:

• What restraint collapse actually is and what it looks like
• Why this is incredibly common and developmentally appropriate in many cases
• What’s happening in your child’s nervous system
• Why children often save their biggest emotions for the people they feel safest with
• How sensory processing and nervous system overload impact behavior
• Practical strategies to help your child decompress after daycare or preschool

You’ll also learn simple, realistic ways to support your child after pickup through:

• Lowering demands
• Supporting sensory needs
• Co-regulation and
• Nervous system recovery

If your child seems emotionally exhausted after school, this episode will help you understand what may really be happening underneath the behavior - with compassion, practical tools, and a nervous system lens.

Because often, kids are not giving us a hard time… They are HAVING a hard time.

Related Resources:

https://drrossgreene.com/

NEXT STEPS:

💛 Follow the podcast for more parent-friendly conversations about sensory processing, emotional regulation, behavior, nervous systems, and development in young children.

🤍 Join our supportive community of Moms looking for solutions and support at the free Facebook group Sensory Solutions for Parents.

⭐ Share + leave a review to help more families!

https://www.instagram.com/sensorysolutionsforparents/#

DISCLAIMER

This podcast, Sensory Solutions for Parents, is intended for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical, occupational therapy, or other professional advice.

The host is a licensed occupational therapist; however, the information shared in this podcast is general in nature and may not apply to your specific child or situation. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between you and Alison Foura, PhD, OTR/L. Any strategies, ideas, or suggestions shared are offered as general support for parents and caregivers and should be used at your own discretion, with consideration for your child’s individual needs and your family’s values.

Always seek the guidance of your child’s pediatrician, occupational therapist, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your child’s development, behavior, or health.

This podcast may also include personal experiences and, at times, faith-based perspectives. These are shared as part of Alison’s personal and professional lens and are not intended to replace individualized care or professional guidance.