#402 - What Is Sensory Integration? Understanding How the Brain Processes the World

Have you ever wondered why your child seems “fine” all day at school… and then completely falls apart at home? In this episode, we’re breaking down what’s really going on through a sensory lens. We walk through what sensory integration actually means in everyday life, how the brain receives, organizes, and responds to sensory input, and why this process can look very different from child to child. We talk about the difference between being over-responsive, under-responsive, and sensory seeking, and how each of those patterns can show up in behavior, emotions, and daily routines. You’ll also hear a clear, practical explanation of all eight sensory systems, including the three “hidden” senses (vestibular, proprioception, and interoception) that play a huge role in regulation, body awareness, and emotional responses. One of the most important takeaways from this episode is understanding how sensory input builds up throughout the day. Many kids are holding it together in structured environments like school, but by the time they get home, their nervous system is overwhelmed, which is why after-school meltdowns are so common. We also talk about how to tell the difference between sensory quirks and sensory challenges that are actually impacting daily life, why behavior is often communication, and how small, proactive strategies throughout the day can make a big difference in preventing dysregulation later on. This episode is all about helping you see your child and yourself through a new lens, so you can better understand what’s really driving behavior and how to support regulation in a more intentional way. Thanks for listening 🩷 If this episode gave you a new perspective, share it with someone who’s navigating after-school meltdowns or trying to better understand sensory processing. LINKS We’d love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form - Sensory Preferences Checklist Shop our OT Month Sale! Enter the Autism Acceptance Month Giveaway! All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram Harkla Website Harkla YouTube ​​ Harkla Instagram Harkla Digital Courses

You can listen to #402 - What Is Sensory Integration? Understanding How the Brain Processes the World online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

#402 - What Is Sensory Integration? Understanding How the Brain Processes the World is an episode from All Things Sensory by Harkla by Rachel Harrington, COTA/L, AC & Jessica Hill, COTA/L.

This episode is 00:36:24 long.

This episode was published on Apr 1, 2026.

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