A movement-based approach to nervous system regulation built specifically for parents Grounded: A Nervous System Regulation Guide for Overstimulated Parents offers a root-cause approach to parental dysregulation. Written by Rachel Harrington, a certified occupational therapy assistant and primitive reflex clinical specialist, this book delivers a practical, movement-based framework for parents stuck in fight-or-flight mode. Rather than focusing on children's behavior, it turns the lens on the parent's own nervous system. Grounded walks readers through identifying sensory overload, understanding retained primitive reflexes-found in roughly 50% of adults aged 25-55 according to the Journal of Neurology-and building daily routines that support regulation before stress takes hold. The book includes illustrated exercises, sensory strategies, checklists, and workbook-style tracking pages that make complex neurological concepts accessible and actionable for everyday life. Readers will also find:
- Relatable personal stories that normalize the experience of parental overwhelm and sensory overload in daily life
- A clear explanation of how unintegrated primitive reflexes contribute to emotional dysregulation in adults
- Illustrated movement exercises designed to calm the nervous system and build long-term regulation habits
- Sensory strategy checklists and workbook-style pages for tracking progress and personalizing daily routines
- Proactive tools that empower parents to address root causes rather than simply managing surface-level stress symptoms
Grounded is written for overwhelmed parents struggling with emotional regulation, sensory overload, and burnout who want science-backed, practical tools to regain control of their energy and emotions. It also serves therapists and practitioners seeking reliable resources for the adults and families in their care.
Inhaltsverzeichnis
Introduction xiii
Chapter 1: One Sound Away from Snapping 1
November 2022 2
January 2023 3
Becoming a Therapist 5
Crawling Is as Innate as Blinking 6
Chapter 2: The Sensory System 9
Your Eight Senses 11
The Hidden Senses 14
The Familiar Senses 20
Chapter 3: Primitive Reflexes 29
Primitive Reflexes 29
Chapter 4: The Intersection of Stress and Integration 49
Finding Your ACE Score 50
Modern Motherhood 52
Primitive Reflexes in Parenthood 53
Sensory Processing in Parenthood 55
What Does True Nervous System Regulation Look Like? 60
Chapter 5: Building the Foundation 63
Executive Functioning Skills 63
Strategies for Strengthening Executive Functioning Skills 67
Self-Screening 77
Chapter 6: Daily Regulation Routine 93
Light 94
Grounding 96
Movement 98
Proprioception 99
Breathing 101
Crawling 102
Vibration 104
Deep Pressure Brushing/Dry Brushing 106
Positive Self-Talk 108
Music and Rhythm 109
Overview 111
Chapter 7: Additional Strategies to Support Nervous System Regulation 113
Habit Stacking 113
Floor Play Is the Best Play 114
Motion Sickness 115
Crossing Midline 118
Learn Something New 121
Sensory Strategies Based on Sensory Preferences 123
Chapter 8: The Toxic Burden and Its Impact on Nervous System Health 137
Removing the Yuck 139
Adding the Yum 154
A Little Less Toxic 175
Chapter 9: Testing and Integrating Your Primitive Reflexes 177
Rhythmic Movements for Primitive Reflex Integration 179
Instructions for Primitive Reflex Testing and Integration 179
Practice Makes Progress 235
Conclusion 241
Acknowledgments 245
About the Author 247
Index 249
