A child melts down, and every bit of attention goes to them. This conversation turns to the adult in that moment, and to what helps when your own nervous system is the one running hot.

About This Conversation

Alex Doman, founder and CEO of Advanced Brain Technologies and creator of The Listening Program® (TLP), talks with Rachel Harrington, COTA/L, CPRCS, a pediatric occupational therapy assistant, certified TLP provider, and mom of two. Rachel’s turning point came while she was writing a crawling curriculum for the children she worked with and realized it was more for her than for them.

Rachel’s Quick Resets for When It Starts to Build

These are the strategies Rachel reaches for in the moment, in her own home:

🔹 Lean against a wall. Rachel’s reasoning: with nothing behind you, your senses have one less direction to watch.
🔹 Take one slow breath, in through your nose and out through your mouth.
🔹 Reach for something cold or chewy, like a big drink of ice water.
🔹 Sing, loudly. Rachel’s pick is 90s music, and the kids stop to figure out what she is doing.
🔹 Get down on the floor and crawl for a few minutes. The kids often get down there too.
🔹 Slow your pace. If you are wiping the counter like something is chasing you, slow the wipe.

Alex adds the early signs worth noticing before any of these are needed: changes in your breathing, muscle tension, pace, voice, or a growing sense of urgency.

Her Daily Routine: Filling the Sensory Cup Early

Most of Rachel’s approach happens hours before the hard moment. She calls it her daily regulation routine:

🔹 Time outside in the morning
🔹 Swapping bright overhead lights for red light
🔹 A workout on the floor, or getting outside to move
🔹 A 10-minute house reset, with a timer and everyone helping, so there is less visual clutter to process

She is candid that she does not always keep it up, and she tells her partner why it matters to her.

Reading Your Own Sensory Patterns

Rachel walks through how adults can recognize their own sensory preferences across the eight senses. Some people are over-responsive, bothered by competing sounds, bright lights, or the feel of clothing. Some are under-responsive, and some crave more input, like tight clothing or loud music. Most people are a mix. Once you know your own pattern, you can plan more of the input you need and less of what overwhelms you.

Also in the Replay

🔹 What primitive reflexes are, and why Rachel sees them resurface in adults after stressful or traumatic experiences
🔹 Why sudden quiet during a power outage felt like relief
🔹 How Rachel uses The Listening Program with clients and with her own son, who started at two and a half
🔹 A preview of her book, Grounded: A Nervous System Regulation Guide for Overstimulated Parents

Try The Listening Program Free

Rachel uses The Listening Program in her practice and with her own family. It is backed by more than two decades of independent peer-reviewed research.

“Before TLP, many sounds would cause her to scream and cry. Now she calmly asks what the sound is.”
Parent of Kalise, Autism

🎶 Start your free trial of The Listening Program

More From Rachel and ABT

📋 Rachel’s free sensory checklists, including her Adolescents checklist and Adults with SPD handout
📖 Order Grounded
🎓 For therapists and educators: become a Certified Provider

About the Speakers

Rachel Harrington, COTA/L, CPRCS
Pediatric occupational therapy assistant, certified primitive reflex clinical specialist, and certified provider of The Listening Program. Rachel is the founder of The Sensory Project and the owner of Sensational Brain, where she provides continuing education and practical tools for parents, therapists, and educators. She is the author of Grounded and the Crawling for Brain Development curriculum. Follow her on Instagram at @thesensoryproject208 and @sensationalbrain, and on the All Things Sensory Podcast.

Alex Doman
Founder and CEO of Advanced Brain Technologies and the creator of The Listening Program. A third-generation pioneer in brain health and neurodevelopment, he has more than 30 years of experience helping families and professionals worldwide. He is the bestselling co-author of Healing at the Speed of Sound® and a recognized leader in making neuroscience practical and accessible to everyday life. Follow him on Instagram at @alex_doman.

Questions? Reach our team at [email protected] or call
+1 801 622 5676
Follow us on Instagram at @advancedbraintechnologies.

This recorded webinar is educational and is not intended to replace individualized medical, therapeutic, or other professional guidance.