Curious if OT could help your child's struggles? Download Why Choose OT to find out!

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Homeschooling is about so much more than academics—it’s about connection, emotional regulation, and creating an environment where kids thrive. That’s why I’m excited to share powerful strategies from Marnie Love, a Connected Families coach and occupational therapist, who specializes in teaching self-regulation and reconciliation through creative approaches like pillow slugging, movement breaks, and connection over curriculum.

Sometimes, the most important lessons aren’t in a textbook but in the moments we connect and grow together. If you’ve ever struggled to balance academics with your child’s emotional needs, you’re not alone—let’s dive into how fostering connection can transform your homeschooling journey!

• Strategies to Help Children Manage Stress
• Importance of Teaching Life Skills
• Homeschooling Emphasis on Life Skills
• Equipping kids with skills for life success, even at the expense of some academic content
• ConnectedFamilies.org Resources
• Connection and Activities in Homeschooling
• Physical Activity for Emotional Regulation
• Affirmation and Encouragement
• Tailoring Activities for Homeschool Groups
• Multi-age group activities
• Addressing needs of sensitive and intense children
• Parenting Challenges in Homeschooling
• Incorporating Sensory Activities
• "Connection Over Curriculum" Concept

• Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?
• Connected Families Website
• Sensitive & Intense Kids Online Course
• Connected Families Facebook
• Connect with Connected Families on IG
• Episode 15: From Morning to Night: Incorporating Social Emotional Learning in Homeschool
• Episode 17: Neuro Affirming Homeschool Environments with Keisha Berry
  

Lynne Jackson​ has over 27 years of experience as a pediatric occupational therapist working with children with sensory processing disorder, ADHD (including her own kids!), OCD, ODD, and autism spectrum disorders. As a speaker, certified life coach, podcaster, and author, Lynne has helped thousands of parents learn to be peaceful, purposeful, and confident. In 2002, she and her husband, Jim founded Connected Families, a ministry that helps parents learn to embody God’s grace in the midst of family life.

Curious if OT could help your child's struggles? Download Why Choose OT to find out!

I'm thrilled to introduce Julia, a dynamic problem solver who has combined her background in education and fashion design to create sensory-friendly and adaptive apparel for children with tactile sensitivities. Julia's journey took her from a fashion design student at Cornell University to working in special education, where she saw firsthand the challenges faced by kids with sensory needs.

Her innovative clothing designs have no tags, flat seams, and include features like built-in sound reduction and adjustable compression, aimed at enhancing comfort and sensory regulation. Julia shares her inspiring journey, the impact of her designs in the classroom, and her vision for expanding her business to help even more families.

• Julia's Background
• Development of Sensory-friendly Clothing
• The realization of the clothing need in an autism preschool
• Producing adaptive apparel on a larger scale
• Combining sensory tools into comfortable clothing
• Innovative Features of the Clothing
• Benefits of these clothing
• Practical Applications in the Classroom
• Using compression shirts as part of a daily routine
• Initial small-scale production and trials in the classroom
• Leaving teaching to focus on expanding the business
• Future goals

• Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?
• How to Help Kids with Sensory Issues with Clothes
• Clothing Sensitivity Red Flags
• How To Handle Your Child's Sensory Issues With Clothing
• Episode 2: Decoding Behavior in homeschooling- sensory overwhelm, emotional control, perseverance
• Episode 14: Outdoor Activities to Develop Interoception in Children with Guest Caroline Santangelo
• Episode 30: Sensory Processing and Co-Regulation: Insights for Parents
• Shop Sensational You

Julia graduated from Cornell University in 2020 with a bachelor's in Fashion Design and minors in Human Development and Business. After graduating, she began teaching in special education with autistic students. She saw her students struggle with clothing and sensory regulation. She used her expertise in fashion to design a line of adaptive clothing to help them with their sensory needs and stay regulated.

At Sense-ational You, they are on a mission to increase the inclusion and academic success of autistic children through clothing that integrates sensory tools discreetly into the design for convenient regulation anywhere.

Connect with Julia here.

Curious if OT could help your child's struggles? Download Why Choose OT to find out!

If you’ve been feeling anxious about changes in administration and what that could mean for your homeschool journey, trust me—you’re not alone. I’ve got a special guest joining me today—Cheri K. Sessions from the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA). Not only is she an experienced homeschooling mom, but she’s also an advocate for educational choice. She’s sharing her own homeschooling journey, breaking down legal concerns, and giving us insights on how to access resources that can support us along the way.

Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been homeschooling for years, this episode is packed with valuable information to help you feel more confident and supported in your educational choices. So, let’s dive in and tackle those burning questions together!

• Cheri's background as a physical therapist and homeschool consultant
• Discussion on Homeschooling Choices
• The variety of homeschooling experiences
• The emotional aspect of homeschooling
• Government Administration and Public Education Concerns
• Parents' fears and concerns regarding new administration
• Legal Aspects and HSLDA Support
• Importance of HSLDA membership for legal support
• Role of HSLDA lawyers in answering legal questions
• Discussion on potential changes with the new administration
• Importance of contacting local representatives for change
• HSLDA and Homeschool Resources
• Resources available through HSLDA
• Other resources for homeschooling families
• Emphasis on the flexibility and personalization of homeschooling
• Encouragement for homeschooling families to seek community support
• Reiteration of the importance of using available resources

• Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?
• The HSLDA Website
• As a Teacher the Way Project 2025 Classifies Educators is Insulting
• Educational and Academic Freedoms
• How Trump's Polices Could Affect Special Education
• Episode 1: Unveiling the role of OT in Homeschooling
• Episode 2: Decoding Behavior in homeschooling- sensory overwhelm, emotional control, perseverance
  

Cheri Sessions (PT, DPT) has 18+ years of experience as a pediatric physical therapist, special needs advocate, educational consultant, and homeschooling mom. Cheri’s 4 amazing children were all adopted and have a variety of unique needs.

She has experience in navigating the school system, the community mental health system, and the health care system. With her unique understanding of how these systems work, she is equipped to advocate for families that also need to access these services.

Cheri enjoys traveling and has spent three years living overseas in the beautiful country of Haiti, serving the Haitian people through various medical and therapy clinics.