
The Sensory Code by The OT Butterfly
Learn how to decode behavior using a nervous system lens and how to incorporate sensory strategies into your daily life by these real life case study examples.
"Something's wrong with me"
Welcome to part 2 of Wesley’s story. You can go back to part 1 here, but as a quick reminder, Wesley’s family is seeking support for his dysregulation at school, leading to some peer conflicts and interfering with his participation in other classroom activities.Â
❇️Click here to catch up on othe...
by Laura Petix —
May 05, 2025
aggression
classroom
cozy corner
recess
self regulation
transitions
Wesley: A Bright, Sensitive First Grader Navigating a New School Environment
Meet Wesley
Wesley is a curious, highly intelligent first grader who recently transitioned to a Waldorf school, which was perfect because he thrives in environments rich with movement, creativity, and hands-on learning. Academically, Wesley is ahead of his peers, quickly grasping new concepts an...
by Laura Petix —
Apr 28, 2025
aggression
classroom
giftedness
Decisions, decisions, decisions.
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Welcome to the finale of Chelsea's story. We’re tying it up today as we focus on a challenge that comes up for many anxious, sensory-overwhelmed kids: decision-paralysis or indecisiveness.Â
Click here to catch up on Chelsea's storyÂ
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You know that feeling when you’re so hungry and you get the...
Apr 21, 2025
anxiety
decisions
executive functioning
proactive regulation
transitions
Your child is NOT in control of their meltdowns
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Welcome to part 3 of Chelsea’s story. If you want to catch up, click here to read part 2 and click here to read part 1.
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By now, it's clear that Chelsea is a very insightful kid who feels conflicted by her desire to participate in some things and her anxiety over the dysregulating experience ...
Apr 14, 2025
aggressive
emotional regulation
fight or flight
meltdowns
Re-thinking neurotypical expectations
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Welcome back to Chelsea’s story. Last week I introduced you to a 5-year-old with some social anxieties and emotional dysregulation leading to meltdowns and challenges transitioning between activities in her day.Â
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[Click here to read last week’s newsletter]Â
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Today’s focus is on understandin...
Apr 07, 2025
classroom behavior
nervous system budget
neurotypical
sensory overwhelm
sensory sensitive
social anxiety
Chelsea: A self-aware, sensitive kindergartener with FOMO and big feelings
Meet Chelsea
Meet my friend Chelsea, a 5-year-old who cares deeply about her family and friends, wants to join in on all the fun, yet is often held back or misjudged because of her social anxiety, sensory overload and emotional dysregulation.Â
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In the parent intake form, Chelsea’s parents said,...
Mar 31, 2025
emotional regulation
meltdowns
social anxiety
It's not a complaint, it's a clue.
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Remember last week when we learned that Theo was able to apologize to his teacher after eloping and then ask for a hug as a co-regulation strategy? Today I want to share something he said that led his mom and I to a huge revelation.
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If you’re reading this out of order, catch up on parts ...
by Laura Petix —
Mar 24, 2025
parasympathetic
stimming
sympathetic
What's happening at recess?
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We’re on part 3 of Theo’s story and today I want to share our plan for supporting Theo’s elopement behaviors at school. Stay till the end because I want to share something Theo said that gives me so much confidence in his ability to learn self regulation skills sooner rather than later.Â
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by Laura Petix —
Mar 17, 2025
advocate
big feelings
elopment
proprioception
His nervous system is screaming for more proprioception!
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Last week I introduced you to Theo, an Autistic 4 year old boy who needed support with handling self-injurious stimming behaviors, elopement, understanding body awareness and personal space cues, and emotional dysregulation.Â
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 Click here to go to part 1 of Theo's story
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Let’s continue learn...
by Laura Petix —
Mar 10, 2025
big feelings
heavy work
interoception
perfectionism
proprioception
Theo: the 4 year old Autistic boy who loves to stim and give tight hugs.
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Meet Theo
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Theo is a 4-year-old diagnosed with autism who loves to hug, squeeze and spin, but also needs support to manage elopement behaviors at school, and stimming behaviors such as chest pounding and finger biting. His parents have worked tirelessly to find the right supports, transitioni...
by Laura Petix —
Mar 03, 2025
elopement
eloping
heavy work
proprioception
seeker
stimming
vestibular
Introducing: The Sensory Code
Hello my amazing butterfly besties,Â
Welcome to my first newsletter post of my brand new Newsletter publication:Â The Sensory Code.
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Idk if you've noticed, but social media has been a literal dumpster fire in the last month. Who are we kidding... even life outside social media has felt extremely...
by Laura Petix —
Feb 10, 2025
announcement
the ot butterfly
welcome
The Sensory Code by The OT Butterfly
