Renée Peters Occupational Therapist / Arbeidsterapeut

20/02/2026

When your child’s behaviour suddenly flips into “fight, flight, freeze, or fawn”… it can feel personal.
Like they’re choosing to be difficult. Like they’re ignoring you on purpose.

But what’s often happening is simpler (and far more human): their brain has sounded the alarm.

When the amygdala thinks there’s danger (real or imagined), it pulls the body into survival mode fast.
Thinking brain goes offline. The body takes over. Big reactions show up because your child is trying to feel safe.

And as a parent, understanding this process matters because it changes the question from:
“What’s wrong with my child?”
to
“What does their brain think it’s protecting them from?”

That shift helps you respond with steadier boundaries, more effective co-regulation, and a lot less shame for everyone.

If you’d like more calm, child-friendly brain science (and what to do in the moment), the Child Brain Explained Toolkit, comprising over 130 pages for £4.25. Comment BRAIN in the comments below ⬇️ or via Linktree Shop in Bio.

08/02/2026

08/02/2026

31/01/2026

Winnie Dunn’s sensory profile framework looks at the interplay between the neurological threshold and the self-regulation continuum to bring you four profiles. These profiles can be further divided into “under responsive” and “over responsive” but that information is for another day.

When a child responds much more than others in these profiles we see the following:
🫤The “bystander” may miss sensory cues, has a high threshold (takes a lot for them to notice) and passive response (may need help to interact with stimuli).
🫣The “sensor” reacts more quickly and more intensely to sensory cues, has a low threshold (high level of awareness of their environment (may need help to cope with stimuli).
🤗The “seeker” is busier and more engaged in sensory experiences, has a high threshold (manages more input than others but is difficult to satisfy) and actively pursues these experiences.
😳The “avoider” is more likely to retreat from unfamilar situations, has a low threshold (prefers activities or environments with limited sensory experiences) and may actively withdraw, be disruptive or try to control their environment.

We may also see a combination of these responses.

If you want a re-cap of the “sensory profile language” (thresholds and continuum), you can find this on my website - https://www.yourkidsot.com/blog/sensory-profile-language-thresholds-and-continuum and … would you love to have these graphics and summaries for yourself? The Sensory Profiling Guidebook is coming!

29/12/2025

21/12/2025

16/12/2025

Here’s what so many parents don’t realise their child is carrying all day — the invisible emotional labour that only shows up once they’re safely home. This one is an important read.

Full After-School Restraint Collapse Toolkit available via the link in comments below ⬇️ or via Linktree Shop in Bio.

13/12/2025

This poster is designed to be easy to understand, neuroaffirming, and supportive for all learners. It serves as an excellent visual reference for teaching, practicing, and reinforcing self regulation skills across settings.

03/12/2025

28/11/2025

This new study investigated executive function in adults with DCD. The researchers found that almost 50% of study participants with DCD also showed signs of difficulties with executive function which impacted on their overall wellbeing.

This highlights the need to also support participation in adults with DCD.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjpt.2025.101537

27/10/2025

Happy World OT day!!!

03/10/2025

Are you familiar with convergence insufficiency? There are things that might mean trouble in this are. Here is information on visual convergence: https://www.theottoolbox.com/what-is-convergence-insufficiency/