Ep 29 // Why Fidgets Aren’t Working (And What Actually Helps)

• Do you feel like your child is constantly on the move, and no amount of sensory toys or fidgets seem to “work”?
• Have you ever wondered why the tools that calm other kids don’t seem to help yours?
• Are you stuck in a cycle of guessing what your sensory-seeking child actually needs to feel regulated?

In this episode, lets discuss one of the most common sensory misconceptions parents face: the belief that a fidget is a one-size-fits-all solution for sensory needs. Let’s gently unpacks why some children need far more than a handheld toy to regulate — especially when their nervous system is craving deep proprioceptive input.

You’ll learn how to start decoding your child’s unique sensory signature, why movement can be a need (not a behavior), and how to build a more supportive rhythm into your day — using simple tools, sensory awareness, and compassionate curiosity.

Whether you’re navigating meltdowns, pacing in the classroom, or that “I’ve tried everything” feeling, this episode offers clarity and relief.

Resources and Links

• • Free Sensory Book List – Curated reading to support your parenting journey.
  • The Clarity Lab – A self-paced guide to understanding your child’s sensory systems + practical ways to support regulation.
  • The Sensory Blueprint – 1:1 support to co-create a personalized sensory plan for your family.
  • 📚 Related Episodes:
    • Ep 2 // It’s not bad behavior its a nervous system trying to cope

• • • Ep 20 //Fight, Flight, Freeze, or Fawn? Decoding Your Neurodivergent Child’s Stress Response

Want help decoding your child’s sensory world? Let’s collaborate! Whether you’re looking to better understand their behaviors, track daily patterns, or create a rhythm that truly supports their nervous system — you don’t have to figure it out alone.

🌱 And remember — the work you’re doing right now matters. You are the expert on your child, and your intuition is one of your greatest tools.

This episode is a permission slip to stop pushing through and start tuning in. You don’t have to earn your rest. You don’t have to do this alone. Please share this episode with a fellow mama who needs to hear this!

In today’s solo episode we dive into what self-care really means for moms raising neurodivergent children—especially when you're deep in the trenches. She shares vulnerably about her own experience of burnout, early motherhood, and the unraveling that came before realignment.

Rather than pushing through and performing wellness, Victoria guides you toward the real work: decoding your child’s sensory needs and tuning into your own. This episode explores the spin cycle of co-burnout, why traditional self-care advice often backfires, and how nervous system-first support for both you and your child is the path forward. You’ll also hear about the difference between sensory input and output (hello, praxis!), and why understanding this distinction can change your parenting game.

Here she also shares tools like the Neuro Signature quiz, the Clarity Lab, and her signature Sensory Blueprint process, all designed to help you shift from overwhelmed to empowered—without adding more to your plate. If this message hit home, I would love to hear from you. Send me a message, join the newsletter, or inquire about upcoming workshops. Most of all, know this: there is a way through, and it's not by fixing yourself—it's by honoring what you and your child actually need.

• Decode Your Child's Neuro Signature - Free Mini Course
• The Clarity Lab – Nervous system-first parenting support
• Join the Newsletter – Stories, tools, and insights not shared on the podcast
• Explore the Sensory Blueprint – A custom 6-week plan to decode your child’s sensory needs
• Related Episodes:
  • Ep 21 // Attunement Over Perfection
  • Ep 8 // My own Sensory Needs

Hey Momma,

Are you heading into IEP meetings feeling like you have to fight just to be heard—and wondering how to do it without falling apart? You’re not alone.

In this week’s episode of Sensory Savvy Mama, I’m joined by Dr. Destiny Huff—mental health therapist, late-diagnosed autistic/ADHD mom, and special education consultant. Together, we unpack what it really looks like to advocate for your child and support your own nervous system in the process.

We dive into: -How nervous system regulation changes the tone of IEP meetings

-What to look for in an advocate (and red flags to avoid)

-When advocating for your child leads to discovering your own neurodivergence

-Why the system often misses what’s happening at home—and how to speak up

-What burnout really looks like for parents in the IEP process

-How to show up with clarity and confidence, even in the face of school resistance

-The three biggest takeaways for any parent navigating school-based support

Destiny shares from both sides of the table—as a therapist, a parent, and an advocate who supports families across all 50 states. Whether you're in your first IEP meeting or your fifth, this conversation will remind you that you don’t have to do it alone.

✨ You deserve to feel empowered—not exhausted—when advocating for your child.

Resources + Next Steps 📲 Connect with Dr. Destiny Huff: Website or on IG @destinyhuff_iep_advocate 🧠 Related episode: Ep 23 // Seeing the Child, Not the Data ✨ Explore The Clarity Lab → Your DIY roadmap to decoding your child’s sensory needs 💌 Flip the Switch Newsletter → weekly calm & clarity straight to your inbox

💜 If this episode supported you, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review so more moms can find the tools they need.