As occupational therapists, we often meet families carrying stories of resilience and heartbreak. Today, I want to share a session that reminded me why innovation and empathy matter so much in our work. It’s about two siblings—Rosie and Joshua—and a new therapeutic approach I’ve been using called “Listen to Your Body.” This model is designed to help children build sensory and emotional awareness, which can become the foundation for resilience and empathy.

Every time Rosie, 9 and Joshua,7 walk into the clinic together, their energy filling the room before they even spoke. Two siblings, deeply connected yet often triggering each other in ways that left their mum very frequently feeling exhausted and hopeless. Their story is complex—Rosie, with cognitive and learning delays caused by severe neglect in her early years, and Joshua, whose neurological system was impacted less severely because he was adopted just days after birth. Both were eventually adopted by a single mother-hero who has given them love and stability, but the emotional scars remain.

Every day, their interactions are a mix of laughter and tension. They love each other, but their nervous systems often clash, leading to meltdowns and moments of dysregulation. That’s why they come to the clinic for joint OT/ASI sessions—working on sensory co-regulation, resilience, and emotional awareness.

During one session, the therapist introduced a new approach called “Listen to Your Body.” The idea was simple yet powerful: narrate every action Rosie performed during the sensory circuit, giving her words for what her body was doing and why it mattered. This wasn’t just about movement—it was about creating a bridge between her physical experience and her cognitive understanding.

Rosie started on the roller slide, then moved to the monkey bars, jumped three times on the trampoline, and landed in the ball pit on her knees. She climbed up the cube and nestled into the lycra swing, feeling the deep pressure and multidirectional movement that her body craved. As she waited for the therapist to add another swing, she smiled—a sign that she felt satisfied and safe enough to repeat the course again and again.

The therapist narrated each step:
“You’re climbing the cube—this helps your muscles get stronger and your body feel organized.”
“Jumping on the trampoline gives your joints deep pressure, which helps you feel calm.”

Rosie listened. She absorbed. Towards the end, and when Joshua started being more hyper and competitive, as it is expected, her skin flushed and her breathing grew heavy—physiological signs of upset—. The therapist gently asked what was happening. Rosie replied, “I’m upset because Joshua is here.” A simple sentence, but a huge step toward emotional awareness.

This model isn’t just about Rosie. It’s about giving both siblings tools to understand their bodies and emotions, individually and together. By building sensory and emotional awareness, we’re laying the foundation for resilience, empathy, and cognitive growth. It’s a slow process, but every session brings hope—not just for Rosie and Joshua, but for their mum, who dreams of a calmer, more connected future.

What is “Listen to Your Body”?

“Listen to Your Body” is a therapeutic model that combines sensory integration principles with real-time narration. The therapist explains what the child is doing and why it matters for their body and emotions. This approach helps children:

• Build body awareness by labeling movements and their benefits.
• Develop emotional regulation by linking physiological signs to feelings.
• Enhance cognitive understanding of sensory experiences.

It’s particularly effective for children with sensory processing challenges, attachment difficulties, or developmental delays.

Why Does It Work?

When children understand the why behind their actions, they gain a sense of control and meaning. This fosters metacognition (thinking about thinking), emotional resilience, and eventually empathy—skills that are essential for navigating relationships and life challenges.

Takeaway for Parents and Professionals

If you’re supporting a child with sensory or emotional regulation difficulties, consider integrating narration into everyday activities. Describe what they’re doing and why it helps their body. This simple strategy can make a big difference in their ability to self-regulate and express emotions.

Call to Action

Want to learn more about sensory integration and emotional regulation strategies? Subscribe to Neki Talks About OT for practical tips, real-life stories, and innovative approaches that make therapy meaningful.