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’ – the podcast where we explore the world of sensory enrichment and environmental enrichment to treat neurological conditions.
Through insightful discussions, interviews with experienced experts in a variety of fields, from nutrition to psychology, and inspiring stories of resilience, we uncover the secrets to success in raising a child with complex needs. Discover practical strategies, sensory enrichment protocols, and evidence-based practices that can transform lives one episode at a time.
Vandana Atara Aura, a certified medical Reiki master, shares how energy healing can regulate the nervous system, why neurodivergent individuals often have heightened intuitive abilities, and how gentle touch can help those who struggle with sensory overwhelm.
These are areas close to Vandana’s heart, as she has seen firsthand how energy healing has helped her neurodivergent son find calm and balance.
Claudie Pomares, co-founder of Mendability, brings in the neuroscience perspective, explaining how soft touch releases serotonin and fosters brain plasticity.
She shares practical sensory enrichment strategies, including how to use scent in a way that helps de-escalate meltdowns and promote relaxation.
Episode Highlights
08:03 – What does it mean for a chakra to be “open” or “blocked”? Vandana explains how energy imbalances show up in neurodivergent individuals.
15:40 – Are neurodivergent people naturally more intuitive? Vandana shares her perspective on why people on the spectrum often have heightened telepathic abilities.
19:33 – Reiki for self-regulation: Why it works so well for people who struggle to calm themselves down.
27:35 – A powerful story: How Reiki helped bullied neurodivergent teens regain confidence and reclaim their personal power.
29:43 – The surprising way smell can trigger dopamine and how parents can use olfactory enrichment at home.
30:55 – Essential oils vs. food flavoring for scent therapy—what works best and why Mendability takes a different approach.
35:26 – A simple way to introduce scents without overwhelming sensory-sensitive kids.
39:40 – How brain plasticity plays a role in sensory healing, and why personalized therapy plans matter.
42:40 – Claudie explains how soft touch directly impacts the brain, triggering serotonin release and fostering relaxation.
51:43 – The most rewarding part of Vandana’s work: Teaching neurodivergent kids Reiki and watching them thrive.
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