Sensory Overload

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Welcome to the semi-irreverent adventures of parenting a child with autism! We salute you. And you.

Ali & John


    • Oct 1, 2021 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 37m AVG DURATION
    • 27 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Sensory Overload

    25 - Complicated Friends

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2021 35:43


    Ali & John talk about being the "complicated friends"... the families who always seem to need extra patience, extra help, or extra understanding.

    24 - Actually Autistic [w/special guest Christina]

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2021 61:29


    [Apologies for the occasional audio issues, we were sharing microphones]Instagram recs by Christina:@autisticats@omgimatuisticaf@autienelle

    23 - Just Coastin'

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2021 23:32


    We learned a little bit about Williams Syndrome this month, thanks to listener Devra --https://williams-syndrome.org

    22 - Growin' Up

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2021 38:50


    We guested on another podcast! Check us out chewin' the parental fat with Shanna & Laura over at "Big Fat Positive!"https://bigfatpositivepodcast.com/ep-150-sensory-overload/

    21 - Yeah, Sorry, It's a Marathon

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2021 34:36


    No nice way to put it, advocating for your special needs kid is an endurance test. Ali & John tell tales of their seven (and counting) years of advocacy. And paperwork. So much paperwork.

    20 - Too Many Zooms 3D - The Final Chapter?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2021 21:33


    Our daughter is back in physical school... yay? A ray of sunshine as John & Ali give an update on what grade school looks like in a pandemic, and how our autistic child is not only surviving, but thriving.

    19 - Tips For Civilians

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2021 66:57


    Got someone in your life that doesn't know the first thing about autism, and not sure how to explain it? Well, friend, let us shoulder your burden! Give them this episode to plug in they earholes, where we try and think of everything we can that might be helpful to them, and in turn, helpful to YOU!

    18 - Retail Therapy

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2021 59:16


    For some good, dark jokes: @ComicJimBruce (big thanks to Jim for our button last week!)Who Shot Ya podcast: https://maximumfun.org/podcasts/who-shot-ya/Buy Nothing: https://buynothingproject.org/find-a-group/Tons of Occupational Therapy Tips and Toys: www.mamaot.comLaminator (Our model is old now but here is how simple and cheap it can be): https://www.target.com/p/scotch-thermal-laminator-with-2-starter-pouches-8-5-34-x-11-34/-/A-14617833#lnk=sametabMask for chewer/lickers: GATA with filter you put inhttps://www.gatapack.com/collections/masks(You can find most of these items at a variety of places online. I’m just trying to do the reduce the amount I spend at Amazon thing.)Silicone Chewable Pencil Toppershttps://www.etsy.com/listing/454979674/silicone-pencil-topper-seamless-silicone?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=Silicone+Chewable+Pencil+Toppers&ref=sr_gallery-1-1&organic_search_click=1&col=1Yoga Ball (No preference on type, just linking one for ease): https://www.target.com/s?searchTerm=yoga+ballPeanut Ballhttps://www.amazon.com/Milliard-Approximately-Exercise-Birthing-Training/dp/B00U0FSX18/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=peanut+ball&qid=1612053590&sr=8-4Trampoline – This is the one we have but there are so many options.https://www.amazon.com/Bounce-Pro-My-First-Trampoline/dp/B01J6RN8RY/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=my+first+trampoline&qid=1612053502&sr=8-3For indoor or smaller spaces, something like this one’s great, too. Just a reminder that kiddos grow fast, so you may want to invest in something that has a higher weight limit.https://www.amazon.com/Trampoline-Adjustable-Handrail-Foldable-Rebounder/dp/B084WQKRFK/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=kids+trampoline&qid=1612053544&sr=8-3Liquid Melatonin – https://www.amazon.com/Svasthya-Melatonin-Natural-Anxiety-ALCOHOL/dp/B00M8PNL56/ref=sr_1_15?dchild=1&keywords=liquid+melatonin&qid=1612053462&sr=8-15Tired Teddies Melatonin, What we used to call “Bedtime Candy” - https://www.amazon.com/Tired-Teddies-Natural-Sleep-Kids/dp/B00CMG4YNY/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=tired+teddies&qid=1612053428&sr=8-1Boo Boo Buddy ice pack - https://www.amazon.com/Boo-Buddy-Reusable-Cold-Pack/dp/B00VVYLG84/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=boo+boo+buddy&qid=1612053663&sr=8-7Do-a-dot markers, helpful for building interest in art when your kiddo is learning how to grip a smaller marker/pencil: https://www.amazon.com/Art-Markers-Rainbow-Washable-Original/dp/B00004W3Y4/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=dot+markers&qid=1612053698&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExRlhaNENSRTFNUFhWJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNTI0MTAwMk1PVlc2T0k3N0xPSCZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNzk4NDEzMks5UTQzU0U3Njg0ViZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=Noise reduction earmuffs – Dr.meterhttps://www.amazon.com/Dr-Meter-EM100-Protective-Earmuffs-Adjustable/dp/B01LWYWH43/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=noise+reduction+ear+muffs+–+dr.meter&qid=1612053757&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzQkg1MERRU1U4R0lYJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMTAwOTA5MkFLMUpRRTc2RFJKMyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMjYxNDc4MUZTTkVFNDkzVkZWViZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=Nighttime Projectors:https://www.target.com/p/smithsonian-planetarium-projector/-/A-52213640#lnk=sametabhttps://www.amazon.com/Ocean-Wave-Projector-Sound-Machine/dp/B0823G1F9S/ref=sr_1_8?crid=16W63XZMZ8GC7&dchild=1&keywords=nighttime%2Bprojector%2Bfor%2Bkids&qid=1612070201&sprefix=nighttime%2Bprojector%2Caps%2C217&sr=8-8&th=1Rainbow Projector:https://www.amazon.com/Uncle-Milton-Rainbow-My-Room/dp/B071NM2M83/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=rainbow+projector&qid=1612070271&sr=8-2Cat Nightlight:https://www.amazon.com/GoLine-Nightlights-Children-Silicone-Birthday/dp/B01DXOYCK8/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=cat+night+light+for+kids&qid=1612070240&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExSTlPRjcySTBDSVE4JmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMzAyMDY5NVpFWExBSERaWUg3JmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTEwMTY0NjgyUVo0Q0VDRzhFSktYJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==Reading: The Elephant and Piggie Books by Mo Willems – you can easily take turns readingBig Set: https://www.amazon.com/Elephant-Piggie-Complete-Collection-Book/dp/136802131X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=elephant+and+piggy+series&qid=1612053790&sr=8-1Our favorite of the series: https://www.amazon.com/Waiting-Easy-Elephant-Piggie-Book/dp/142319957X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=elephant+and+piggy+series+waiting+is+not+easy&qid=1612053819&sr=8-1Calm Down Time – Elizabeth Verdick: https://www.shopthelastbookstore.com/book/9781575423166Best Behavior Serieshttps://www.shopthelastbookstore.com/book/9781575422008Baby Signing Time: https://www.signingtime.com/category/baby-signing-time/Body Sock (Be mindful of size): https://www.amazon.com/SANHO-Premium-Sensory-Updated-Version/dp/B071HFB484/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=3RHHJ7GBNI916&dchild=1&keywords=body+sock+sensory+kids+large&qid=1612070385&sprefix=body+sock%2Caps%2C228&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzQTBBUVJXVjZUSjVaJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNTM0NTM2MVgyQ1VENFdCSkFNSCZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNDUwMTU3MTFaU1M5SkhSR0dSQiZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=Kinetic Sandhttps://www.target.com/p/kinetic-sand-folding-sandbox/-/A-52140559#lnk=sametabTherapy Puttyhttps://www.amazon.com/CanDo-TheraPutty-Plus-Anti-Microbial-Green/dp/B006LN4JN4/ref=sr_1_28?dchild=1&keywords=therapy+putty&qid=1612054234&sr=8-28Duck Tape (So many different patterns and colors): https://www.amazon.com/Duck-Brand-241791-Printed-Mermaid/dp/B07BL45C2W/ref=sr_1_9?dchild=1&keywords=duct+tape+colors+and+patterns&pd_rd_r=a008df59-7f86-4a31-8e47-2e3814ca36c2&pd_rd_w=B8hhO&pd_rd_wg=WCO3A&pf_rd_p=9dad86ae-1554-484b-9cc0-f9673b44705e&pf_rd_r=HZ8KCYDWY2T4XD47ZYPX&qid=1612070431&sr=8-9Reading highlighter Stripshttps://www.amazon.com/Highlight-Bookmarks-Dyslexia-Children-Assistant/dp/B07QNSGBJN/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=1MEYUMDXJO2FB&dchild=1&keywords=reading+highlighter+strips+for+children&qid=1612054304&sprefix=reading+highlighter%2Caps%2C210&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUE3SVcxVVc2RjA2SjImZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA2NzI3OTczTUU2S0ZUOURHVzFQJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA5NDI1NjkxODAxRFMwUFVYWUpVJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==Expo Click Dry Erase Markers & Individual Whiteboard – the clickable ones are just a bit more fun, don’t have to track down topshttps://www.target.com/p/6pk-dry-erase-marker-click-fine-tip-multicolor-expo/-/A-78025461#lnk=sametabPretty Pretty Princesshttps://www.target.com/p/classic-pretty-pretty-princess-game/-/A-81784125#lnk=sametabZombie Kidz game:A friendly reminder to try your neighborhood store for a curbside pickup. Here’s one we love in SoCal:http://www.thegameogre.com/whatwesell.htmAnd here it is on Amazon so you can see what we’re talking about:https://www.amazon.com/Scorpion-Masque-ZOMKID-Zombie-Evolution/dp/B07M5BFVP2/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=zombie+kids&qid=1612070640&sr=8-3Tell Tale Fairy Tales – Storytelling, Imagination, Taking Turnshttps://www.amazon.com/Blue-Orange-461-Tell-Tale/dp/B0064EI1KC/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=telltale+game&qid=1612054468&sr=8-1Key Education Photo Conversation Cards for Children with Autismhttps://www.amazon.com/Key-Education-Conversation-Children-Aspergers/dp/1602681309/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Key+Education+Photo+Conversation+Cards+for+Children+with+Autism&qid=1612054493&sr=8-1Cosmic Kids Yoga (also on YouTube): https://cosmickids.comGoNoodle (also on YouTube): https://www.gonoodle.comVinyl Spot Makers to help with OT and PT goals, make obstacle courses in your house or backyardhttps://www.amazon.com/Ace-Creations-Inch-Vinyl-Markers/dp/B075N6QVKZ/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=vinyl+spot+makers&qid=1612054520&sr=8-4Spinny chair, backless. She loves pink so we got her pink. Flash Furniture Tractor Seat and Chrome Seathttps://www.amazon.com/Flash-Furniture-Vibrant-Tractor-Chrome/dp/B0082LTXOI/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=Flash%2BFurniture%2BTractor%2BSeat%2Band%2BChrome%2BSeat&qid=1612054586&sr=8-2&th=1Weighted blanket – Check the recommendation based on weight and agehttps://www.target.com/p/twin-full-frozen-2-weighted-blanket-disney-store/-/A-76550227#lnk=sametabFidgipodhttps://specialsupplies.com/fidgipod-desktop-spiky-pod?_vsrefdom=adwords&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIw5yC-vvE7gIVMAutBh07kglyEAYYASABEgIRJvD_BwEPop Toobhttps://specialsupplies.com/slinky-pop-toob?_vsrefdom=adwords&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIv_zoqvzE7gIVYgp9Ch0OigRnEAYYASABEgKMHvD_BwEHorse Hopperhttps://www.amazon.com/Hopper-Included-Inflatable-Jumping-Bouncy/dp/B007LX889E/ref=sr_1_15?dchild=1&keywords=rody+horse&qid=1612055117&sr=8-15Bean Bag Chairhttps://www.target.com/p/large-micro-suede-bean-bag-chair-acessentials/-/A-80371186?preselect=79694938#lnk=sametabMelissa and Doug Wooden Puzzleshttps://www.target.com/p/melissa-38-doug-animals-jumbo-knob-wooden-puzzles-set-fish-and-pets-6pc/-/A-51216075#lnk=sametabBumpy Seat Cushionhttps://www.amazon.com/PROMIC-Exercise-Stability-Portable-Cushions/dp/B075KBC35S/ref=sr_1_11?dchild=1&keywords=bumpy+seat&qid=1612069018&sr=8-11They Might Be Giants album “No!” - https://www.theymightbegiants.com/new-page“Bed Bed Bed” book - https://www.amazon.com/Bed-They-Might-Be-Giants/dp/0743250249/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=bed+bed+bed+they+might+be+giants+book&qid=1612069393&sr=8-1Camp Kinneret - https://www.campkinneret.comCalifornia Regional Centers: https://www.dds.ca.gov/RC/(Ask about In Home Supportive Services)Advocates and Attorneys – Some advocates are available through regional centers and other public groups but mostly, they are private pay.Insurance – Go through an insurance broker. Free for you and they can help guide you to the best plan for your family.UCLA KidsConnect (Early Childhood Partial Hospitalization Program): https://www.semel.ucla.edu/ecphpPediatric Minds: https://pediatricminds.com/?gclid=CjwKCAiApNSABhAlEiwANuR9YC3LvwmQZB_CNXO8U3qS0ArSOwhBjJDVjmtn0KF7HARdI_NnZWEIgxoCLXoQAvD_BwESpecial Olympics: https://www.specialolympics.orgTherapists: Please contact your insurance and they can let you know who is in network in your area. Most therapists are doing telehealth these days, so it’s more accessible to special needs parents than ever before.Educational Therapists: https://aetonline.orgFacebook groups – Search “Autism Parents” with your area or town or ask other special needs parents. There are plenty of non-location specific ones, too.

    17 - Happy New Year! ... Now We Bum You Out

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 2021 31:50


    Finding Cooper's Voice - https://www.findingcoopersvoice.com

    16 - The Picture I Love, the Video I Hate

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2020 35:48


    The Louvre:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louvre_PyramidThe Raft of the Medusa:https://www.louvre.fr/en/oeuvre-notices/raft-medusaThe Young Martyr:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Young_MartyrLuncheon of the Boating Party:https://www.phillipscollection.org/collection/boating-party

    15 - Why We Fight

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2020 14:22


    Ali & John are proud to present a couple of Sensory Overload firsts -- our first very special guest on the show, and our first completely family-friendly episode! 100% no cussies! Join us as we give thanks in our own special way.

    14 - World's Worst IEP

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2020 18:11


    Hannah Gadsby's Netflix special, "Douglas" 

    13 - [REDACTED]

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2020 30:36


    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2BAAYsqTww 

    12 - Too Many Zooms II: Back to School

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2020 62:18


    Big episode this time around folks, big enough we gots us a table of contents, like.00:00 - What up.01:19 - Mailbag - how much ABA is enough, and when does your kid get to be a kid?24:43 - We talk Back to School.1:02:04 - The funny tag.Laptop camera cover on Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/s?k=laptop+camera+cover+slide&crid=PA3AD3L0Y33U&sprefix=laptop+camera+cover%2Caps%2C218&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_19

    11 - The Autism Closet

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2020 39:35


    An unrelated (to us) article of one parent's struggle with telling the world:https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/parenting/wp/2017/05/03/i-hesitated-to-tell-people-my-son-has-autism-but-heres-why-i-changed-my-mind/

    10 - Social Stories Confidential

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2020 35:57


    Lotsa notes this time around --An example of a very simple social story:https://www.sensationalkids.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Handwashing-Social-Story.pdfThe "nighttime routine change" social story we reference in-episode:https://drive.google.com/open?id=1mc1zEONWqhFiSi86CuNssq_TM3nzqqmVThe "We're Going to Disneyland!" social story we reference:https://drive.google.com/open?id=1xpNK11ut6ceNdv4M4oVNTCRhmAylGJV_The type of laminator we use:https://www.scotchbrand.com/3M/en_US/scotch-brand/products/catalog/~/Scotch-Thermal-Laminator-9-TL901/?N=4335+3294529207+3294601130&rt=rudSocial Stories apps:Boardmakerhttps://goboardmaker.com/pages/boardmaker-online?gclid=CjwKCAjwq832BRA5EiwACvCWseGcSMtR0MXvgMmwatYRd6BBgN0tnHdBC9_4bPFGNCS5irCj7sVgbRoCQ8MQAvD_BwEStoryMaker:http://www.handholdadaptive.com/StoryMaker.htmliPrompts:https://www.neurodevelop.com/iPrompts Ladies and gentlemen, Carol Gray, the inventor of the social story:https://carolgraysocialstories.com Don't forget to search Etsy and Teachers Pay Teachers for social stories!https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Browse/Search:social%20stories

    09 - Quarantine Tales: Too Many Zooms

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2020 26:39


    Lockdown continues in the Covid-19 world, as Ali & John contend with the new normal - lots of school Zoom meetings. Like, a LOT of Zoom meetings.

    08 - The Year of No Sleep: An Ali & John Mystery™

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2020 59:42


    Julia on Sesame Street:https://autism.sesamestreet.org/video/meet-julia/The Julia Controversy:https://slate.com/human-interest/2019/08/sesame-street-autism-speaks-controversy-julia.html

    SPECIAL 01 - (Locked) Down With(out) the Sickness

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2020 24:09


    Your new bestie:https://zoom.usFree stories for kids:https://stories.audible.com/start-listen Patrick Stewart reads Shakespeare sonnets:https://www.facebook.com/patrickstewart/ Mo Willems Lunchtime Doodles:http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL14hRqd0PELGbKihHuTqx_pbvCLqGbOkFStories From Space:https://storytimefromspace.com

    07 - It's Not Me, It's You

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2020 52:36


    UCLA Early Childhood Partial Hospitalization Program (ECPHP) - https://www.semel.ucla.edu/cap/service/general/early-childhood-partial-hospitalization-program-ecphp 

    06 - Gettin’ Schooled

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2020 53:17


    Some IEP resources:https://www.parentcenterhub.org/iep-overview/https://www.autism-society.org/living-with-autism/academic-success/individualized-education-plan-iep/And here's some throws you probably never expected in the show notes of an autism podcast:www.shudder.comhttps://joebobbriggs.comhttps://www.hbo.com/the-outsider

    05 - Get Yer Own

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 2020 35:53


    So, you've gotten all the therapies your kid needs, now it's your turn! Ali & John talk about their own walks down Therapy Lane, and beseech you to get therapists of your own, before the house burns to the ground. Happy New Year!

    04 - Seasons Beatings

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2019 37:25


    Ali & John's Special Holiday Extravaganza! Thrill to the tales of Christmases (and Halloweens, and Thanksgivings) past, present and future, told to ye as was writ in the scrolls! Also, we read some Facebook posts.

    03 - The Da Vinci Code of Autism

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2019 31:53


    Ali & John give you the fastest possible breakdown of the four pillars of autism therapies - ABA, OT, PT & Speech - and make a trip to Galaxy's Edge!

    01 - $#@% Holland

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2019 19:58


    Instagram: @sensoryoverloadpodTwitter: @overloadpodFacebook: www.facebook.com/sensoryoverloadpod/https://www.aane.org/welcome-to-holland/"Welcome to Holland" © 1987 by Emily Perl Kingsley

    02 - The Super Secret Origin of Sensory Overload

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2019 25:35


    Instagram: @sensoryoverloadpodTwitter: @overloadpodFacebook: www.facebook.com/sensoryoverloadpod/ 

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