Welcome to ‘The Happy Sensory Corner in Special Ed’ – the podcast where we explore the world of sensory enrichment and environmental enrichment in special education.
We interview experienced special education directors to learn from their successes (and from some of their failures too!) in solving the challenges of teaching students with special needs.
In each episode, we also share practical strategies, sensory enrichment protocols, and evidence-based practices that address specific areas, such as behavior regulation, self-awareness, social skills, learning abstract concepts, hyperactivity, etc.
Reducing Restraints
This is the topic for this quarter: If you have ideas, stories, or this is a big problem in your district we would like to interview you.
See available times for recording an episode
If you want to save yourself for other topics next quarter, we will be exploring developing social skills from the inside out.
Welcome to ‘The Happy Sensory Corner in Special Ed’ – the podcast where we explore the world of sensory enrichment and environmental enrichment in special education.
Through insightful discussions, interviews with experienced special education directors, and inspiring stories of resilience, we uncover the secrets to success in special education. Discover practical strategies, sensory enrichment protocols, and evidence-based practices that can transform the lives of special education students and educators.
We sit down with Tracy Slepcevic, Air Force Veteran, bestselling author of Warrior Mom, and Certified Integrative Health Coach. Tracy shares her powerful journey of helping her son with autism thrive through integrative health approaches. From healing diets to removing environmental toxins, Tracy offers practical advice for parents, teachers, and health professionals looking to improve the quality of life for children with special needs.
To connect with Tracy, you can visit her website: warriormom.org, or check out her Autism Health Summit at autismhealth.com.
Episode Highlights:
[2:22] Tracy shares her initial motivation for exploring integrative health—her son’s autism diagnosis.
[3:45] The gut-brain connection and its impact on autism: how diet plays a crucial role in reducing inflammation.
[5:05] Tracy discusses how removing gluten, dairy, and soy from her son’s diet improved his behavior and speech.
[7:38] Why environmental toxins matter: How removing chemicals from your home can improve your child’s health.
[10:49] Practical tips for getting picky eaters to take essential supplements like omega-3s.
[20:29] The role of physical exercise: how martial arts and outdoor play helped her son develop better social skills.
[41:08] The importance of setting a clear intention: how Tracy’s mindset helped her stay resilient during her son’s healing journey.
[35:45] Tracy’s favorite detox routine—epsom salt baths with essential oils to help children relax and improve sleep quality.
[44:55] Tracy’s Autism Health Summit: A gathering of experts and parents to share strategies for improving the lives of children with autism.
Some of the most popular protocols and strategies from the podcast
Letter on the Back
Protocol for attention span, mental visualization, tactile processing, crucial for learning abstract concepts like math.
Check out Charles Bertram’s episode or book a call.
We would be happy to teach it to you.
Mr. Pokey
Game for Self-awareness and Visualization.
Aids in understanding and retention of abstract concepts like mathematics and language.
Check out Shelley Halverson’s episode or book a call.
We would be happy to teach it to you.
Art and Stickers
Game for calm, self-control and speech development.
Check out Lorren Lucas’s episode or book a call.
We would be happy to teach it to you.
Gentle Claw
10 seconds for calm and attention and induce an elevated state of neuroplasticity.
Check out Anthony Caporaso’s episode or book a call.
We would be happy to teach it to you.
Art – Copy with Colored Paper
Reproducing art as a pretext to boost dopamine and Serotonin and for more joy in learning.
Check out Justin Bradford’s episode or book a call.
We would be happy to teach it to you.
Squeeze 2 different objects
Bridging the 2 sides of the brain for faster cognitive processing.
Check out Heather O’Connor’s episode or book a call.
We would be happy to teach it to you.
Board Walk, Holding a Spoon
Game to help with hyperactivity.
Check out Fran English’s episode or book a call.
We would be happy to teach it to you.
Very useful techniques for kids with autism