
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.
Re-thinking neurotypical expectations
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.
[Click here to read last week’s newsletter]
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
...
by Laura Petix —
Mar 17, 2025
advocate
big feelings
elopment
proprioception
His nervous system is screaming for more proprioception!
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.
Click here to go to part 1 of Theo's story
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.
Meet Theo
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,
Welcome to my first newsletter post of my brand new Newsletter publication: The Sensory Code.
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
