Play to Learn Consulting

10/07/2025

I’ve heard it countless times, “we can get your child to eat” and that phrase still remains cringe worthy. Why? Because your child shouldn’t be eating to please anyone else. They are eating for themselves!
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That’s also the reason the language used around mealtimes is invaluable. It sets the foundation for how kids approach food and gives me quite a bit of insight into how families think about food.
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Remember that feeding and eating challenges aren’t a “child issue.” They’re a struggle within family dynamics. Therapy needs to be integrative to be effective.
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What is your biggest mealtime struggle today? Let’s chat in the comments.

P.S. Even though this podcast won’t be going live, I’ll continue sharing some sound bites that are save worthy 😉
P.P.S. I’m currently working on a brand new training around ARFID (aka the Polina method) -🤞🏻it should be available end of 2025!

10/03/2025

New article feature in HuffPost!

Recent headlines about Tylenol use during pregnancy potentially increasing the risk of neurological conditions such as autism have put this community in the spotlight.

09/25/2025

“It would be so much easier if dad just chose for me!” said a 7yo who I met for the first time yesterday. Now, this conversation had nothing to do with food. And yet, it’s not like the ADHD brain completely shifts gears when it comes to decision making during mealtimes.
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This is a snippet from a conversation I had with a podcast primarily focused on parenting and ADHD. Unfortunately, they won’t be airing the episode. Now, I can take it as they didn’t agree or didn’t like what I had to say. Or, I can find pieces from it that will benefit others. I’m going with the latter! And…coincidentally (or not) I just listened to another conversation on the about ADHD habits and food shared by - of course I had to comment regarding decision fatigue and went into the clinical pieces.
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I’m always eager to speak about my insights and make those connections for families and other practitioners. Send this along to anyone who you think could benefit!
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09/24/2025

When I was little and my parents braided my hair, I’d ask for the braid to be “so tight”! And if a hair was out of place, they’d need to do it again 🤣. They didn’t know the why. Why they had to start over until something was “just right.” Why I asked for the strongest hugs after a shower. Why I had to make sure that the end result was perfect, or else I wouldn’t (well…couldn’t) move on.
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And now I know the why. It’s the reason I connect so intuitively to ND kids. It’s how I know that the behaviors we often see are the coverups for an unmet need. The need for relational safety. The need for connection. The need to be understood.
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So next time someone tells you that the goal is to extinguish a behavior, ask them, “How will what you want help my child with what they need?”
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For more info on how a relationship based approach works, head over to the 🔗 in my bio and get yourself on my newsletter!

09/08/2025

Thank you Moms Who Think for this feature on child development. Read the full article for insight into play, language, motor skills, and feeding!

If you're wondering when you should worry about milestones as a parent, we speak with two experts to talk about what you parents need to know.

08/27/2025

“It took me so long to realize that we need to go at his pace” - said a parent. Not just 1 parent. Said countless parents once they’ve truly sat with the fact that we can’t force development to happen because we, as adults, want it to.
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With the new school year, know that your neurodivergent child isn’t defined by grades or scores. They are exactly where they need to be. And, with your unwavering support (plus some expert play ideas and executive function building 😉) they’re going to keep climbing. Because brain 🧠 connections are inevitable, and most importantly, your relationship is unconditional.
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Name a strength that you see in your ND kid today 👇🏻

07/09/2025

Know a child who struggles with unpredictable events? As adults, we still do! As much as we plan for a day to start out smoothly and say and ode to the universe (mine is: “please let every child be regulated today 🤣), the unexpected is just around the corner.
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It’s through the struggle that we build resilience. And capitalize on our successes. Because the next time something surprising happens, our executive function skills go online and we can pull back, analyze, assess the situation and know the “how to.” 🤔 Maybe after we also scream out “not this again!”
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How do you remain regulated during moments of struggle? Let’s chat in the comments!

06/25/2025

Just landed a feature in Forbes explaining how executive function skills are built through play! Yes, the article asked about specific toy recommendations…but check out the reason I recommend certain options and what developmental skills they foster. Also, it’s never about the “thing” that kids play with. It’s what they come up and how they experience it!

The best toys for 3-year-olds are entertaining and developmentally appropriate. These are the top picks of 2025, handpicked by a mom of 3-year-old twins.

01/13/2025

Have you heard about the fawn response? It's a lesser-known reaction to fear, in addition to fight, flight, and freeze.
Fawning involves people-pleasing, like agreeing to everything, even when you truly want to say "no." For ND kids, it is a way to avoid conflict or seek approval when they don't feel secure enough to express their true needs. The fawn response also comes at a significant cost, such as ignoring your own beliefs and values. It chips away at your personal identity leading to a sense of responsibility for the emotional states of others. It also muddies the waters when it comes to boundaries.
Autistic and ADHD kids need to find their own "no" in order to:
- keep their autonomy
- gain self-advocacy (through self-awareness)
- value their capacity
- listen to their internal voice
- make consistent decisions
💬 Drop a 🙅‍♀️🙅‍♂️ if you’re working on building strong “no’s” in your family!

01/12/2025

Did you know that our brain's response to fear isn't limited to just fight or flight? 🧠✨
Let's explore the freeze response—this occurs when someone becomes overwhelmed by a situation that taking action seems impossible. For Autistic and ADHD kids, it can manifest as shutting down or feeling immobilized.
The freeze response isn't a conscious decision. It's a protective mechanism the brain sends to the body when it perceives no safe options. Freeze looks like compliance when, in actuality, it is draining your child's most essential resources for regulation.
Next time your ND child is "stuck," don't attempt to rationalize them out of it. Seek their perspective first.

01/10/2025

Autonomy is empowerment! 🚀 For Autistic kids, routines and play aren't just habits—they are vital pathways for integrating ideas, validating unique perspectives, and nurturing their nervous system. Let’s ditch compliance-based methods and support authentic connections.