Resources for Parents
A growing library of the books, tools, downloads, and trusted resources our therapists recommend to families. Everything here reflects how we work: child-led, play-based, family-centered, and neurodiversity-affirming.
Free Tools for Parents
Two quick ways to get started at home. No signup required.
Check in on your child’s development
Not sure whether what you’re seeing is typical for their age? Answer a few questions and get a plain-English summary you can use as a starting point.
Start the screenerFind play ideas for home
Search hundreds of free activity ideas by the skill you want to build and the materials you already have. Created by Avital Shuster, our founder and clinical director.
Browse OTPlanGuides From Our Blog
Practical, parent-friendly guides written by our team.
Sensory & Regulation
Understanding Sensory Seeking vs. Sensory Avoiding Behaviors
How to read your child's nervous system and respond in ways that help, not escalate.
What Is Proprioception? Understanding Your Child's "Heavy Work" Needs
Why pushing, pulling, and climbing help kids feel grounded.
How Occupational Therapy Helps Kids with Emotional Regulation
Meltdowns aren't misbehavior. Here's what's actually happening.
The Benefits of Animal-Assisted Therapy for Sensory Regulation
How working with our animals supports calm, attention, and connection.
The Power of Visual Schedules for Kids Who Struggle with Transitions
How simple picture-based schedules reduce anxiety and make time predictable for kids who struggle with transitions.
Everyday Routines That Build Independence in Kids
How small, repeatable routines grow into confidence, self-care, and calmer days.
OT, Speech & Feeding Basics
What Is Occupational Therapy and How Can It Help My Child?
A plain-English overview for parents new to OT.
What Is Feeding Therapy and Who Needs It?
Signs feeding therapy may help, and what to expect.
The Role of Occupational Therapy in Feeding Challenges
How sensory, motor, and regulation skills shape mealtimes.
How Speech Therapy Supports Reading and Literacy
The spoken-language foundations of strong reading.
Is My Child a Late Talker? Speech Milestones by Age
Speech and language milestones by age, and when it’s worth checking in with an SLP.
Why Play Is the Foundation of Occupational Therapy
Why play is the engine of learning in OT, and what that looks like in a session.
Social, Emotional & School Skills
Helping Your Child Understand Emotions Through Language
Naming feelings is the first step to managing them.
If Your Kid Struggles with Friendships, This Can Help
What to do when your child wants connection but doesn't know how.
How to Help Kids Manage Transitions at School
Smoothing the small moments that derail the day.
How Group Therapy Builds Confidence and Connection
Why peer practice accelerates social growth.
How to Model Empathy and Perspective-Taking
Everyday language that builds emotional intelligence.
Helping Your Child Develop Patience and Turn-Taking
Practical strategies for play, mealtimes, and group settings.
Tools We Recommend
Some of the links below are Amazon affiliate links. If you buy through them, Tumble N’ Dots may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend items our therapists actually use and suggest to families.
Sensory Crash Pad
A soft, foam-filled landing zone for kids who need to crash, jump, and squish. The deep pressure helps the nervous system feel calmer and more organized, especially after school or before bed.
Cuddle Hammock Sensory Swing
A stretchy hammock-style swing that wraps your child in gentle pressure while they sway. Calming for kids who get overwhelmed or have trouble regulating during transitions.
Sensory Spinning Chair
A rounded swivel seat that lets kids spin and rock to get the vestibular input (sense of movement and balance) their bodies are asking for. A favorite for kids who need to move to focus.
Books Our Clinicians Recommend
Some of the links below are Amazon affiliate links. If you buy through them, Tumble N’ Dots may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend items our therapists actually use and suggest to families.
The Polyvagal Theory - Stephen W. Porges
The foundational science behind why kids "shut down" or "fight back" when overwhelmed. More technical, but the framework changes how you see your child's nervous system.
Sensory Integration and the Child - A. Jean Ayres
The original work that shaped modern sensory integration therapy. Written for parents, it explains how children's brains organize input from the world around them.
Sensational Kids - Lucy Jane Miller
A clear, parent-friendly guide to recognizing and supporting children with sensory processing differences. Includes profiles of different sensory styles.
Living Sensationally - Winnie Dunn
Helps you understand your own sensory style and how it interacts with your child's. Especially useful when you and your child clash over noise, touch, or activity level.
Sensory Parenting - Cheryl Fain
Practical, real-life strategies for parenting a sensory-sensitive child through daily routines like meals, transitions, and sleep.
The Whole-Brain Child - Daniel J. Siegel & Tina Payne Bryson
Twelve simple strategies for understanding your child's developing brain and responding to big emotions in ways that build resilience.
More Reading by Topic
Insurance and Paying for Therapy
Sensory Integration
- Tactile Defensiveness: Some People Are More Sensitive
- Explore The Sense Of Touch
- Discover Proprioception: A "Hidden" Sense
- The Vestibular System: Why Is It So Critical?
- What is Sensory Integration?
- Developmental Milestones
- How Sensory Processing Disorders May Affect Kids
- Signs of Sensory Motor Difficulties In Preschoolers
- Sensory Diet - List of General Activities
- What is Praxis?
- Sensory Processing Issues: What They Are, How To Identify Them And Treat Them
- Weighted Blanket
- Understanding the Difference Between ADD and ADHD: How Occupational Therapy Can Help
- The Terrible Twos: How to Deal With Your Child's Temper Tantrums
- Terrible Twos and Occupational Therapy: Navigating Toddler Development
- Visual Perception: What Do We See Through the Mind’s Eye?
Speech Therapy
Evaluations
Podcasts We Recommend
Support you can listen to on the drive or during nap time. These shows are made by other people and organizations, not by Tumble N’ Dots. We share them because they reflect how we see kids: with curiosity and respect. Each card opens the show on Apple Podcasts, and most are also on Spotify and other podcast apps.
Neurodiversity & Parenting
Uniquely Human: The Podcast
Dr. Barry Prizant and Dave Finch share autistic and neurodivergent voices alongside practical ideas for understanding and supporting your child.
Neurodiversity Podcast
Host Emily Kircher-Morris talks with leaders in psychology and education about understanding and supporting neurodivergent kids.
The Yellow Ladybugs Podcast
Autistic people share their own stories, with a focus on autistic girls, women, and gender diverse people whose experiences are often missed.
Journey With Me Through ADHD: A Podcast for Kids
Short episodes made for kids with ADHD to hear, about how their brain works and what helps. A gentle way to start a conversation at home.
AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication)
Talking With Tech AAC Podcast
Speech-language pathologists Rachel Madel and Chris Bugaj talk with AAC users, families, and specialists about supporting kids who communicate in more than one way.
AAC Access All Areas
Ali Battye and Ruth Jones offer neurodiversity-affirming, practical guidance on AAC, including what early AAC use looks like and gestalt language processing.
Have a question about your child?
Come see the clinic and meet the team, or call and we will talk it through.