Blog
How Do You Test for Primitive Reflexes? A Pediatric OT Explains 8 Key Reflexes
by Earl Mamaril, MS, OTR/L
When a child struggles with transitions, emotional regulation, clumsiness, or focus, it is easy to read it as behavior. A pediatric OT looks deeper — at the central nervous system. Earl Mamaril, MS, OTR/L explains what primitive reflexes are and how we test for 8 of them: Fear Paralysis, TLR, STNR, Landau, Crossed Extension, Automatic Gait, Babkin, and Rooting.
Your Child's Nervous System Is More Than 'Fight or Flight': Understanding Safety, Stress, and Healing
by Sensory Therapy Place
Your child's behavior is not always "just behavior." Often it is the nervous system trying to protect itself. Learn how the ventral vagal, sympathetic, and dorsal vagal systems shape your child's safety, stress, and ability to heal — and the simple ways you can support regulation at home.
Understanding Your Child's Sensory Profile: Winnie Dunn's 4 Quadrants Explained
by Earl Mamaril
Learn about Winnie Dunn's 4 Sensory Quadrants — Low Registration, Sensation Seeking, Sensory Sensitivity, and Sensory Avoiding — and discover OT-recommended sensory tools and strategies for each type. Includes a grandparent gift guide and booking options for in-clinic OT evaluations and virtual sessions.
Best Fidget Toys for Kids with Anxiety — A Pediatric OT's Guide
by Earl Mamaril, Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Not all fidget toys are created equal. Pediatric OT Earl Mamaril breaks down the 5 best fidget tools for kids with anxiety and ADHD — and explains the neuroscience behind why they actually work.
The Vestibular System
by Sensory Therapy Place
The vestibular system helps your child process movement, balance, head position, and gravity—and when it’s dysregulated, it can show up as clumsiness, spinning, poor focus, anxiety, or constant movement-seeking. Learn how the vestibular system impacts emotional regulation, coordination, and development, plus therapist-backed strategies to support your child.
