When we talk about sensory integration issues, we’re really talking about regulation—how a child’s nervous system responds to the world around them, and how supported they feel moving through their day.
In this conversation, Tara Phillips from Autism Little Learners sits down with her friend and collaborator, Sarah Habib from The Calm Caterpillar, to talk about their brand-new book and the deeper why behind it: helping educators and families understand regulation, mindfulness, and sensory support through a neuro-affirming lens.
A Big Announcement: A Book Is Born
Tara: Hey everyone! I’m here with my friend and colleague, Sarah Habib from The Calm Caterpillar—and we have some exciting news. You’re hearing it here first. We wrote a book together.
Sarah: We did! Here it is—ta-da!
Tara: I still can’t believe it’s real. We had a goal to release this at the beginning of 2026, and somehow… we actually did it. The book is officially out and it’s called Mindfulness Guide for Neurodivergent Learners.
Sarah: Saying that out loud feels amazing. You know when you set a goal and actually follow through? That’s what this feels like. And this book is truly something special—it’s 90 pages, full color, action-oriented, and designed to be implemented right away at home or in the classroom.
Why We Needed More Than Mini Guides
Tara: Take us back to the moment this idea really started. Because I think you literally messaged me one day and said, “Do you want to write a book?”
Sarah: That sounds about right. We already had our neurodivergent mindfulness bundle, which included mini guides and tools like Bloomie and Flutter. But educators kept telling me they needed more. They wanted something practical, something they could see and feel and truly understand.
A lot of people hear big terms around regulation and behavior, but they don’t always know what that actually looks like day to day. This book breaks that down. It helps adults decode behavior to understand regulation—and that’s huge when we’re talking about sensory integration issues.
Regulation Is the Foundation
Tara: Regulation really is the foundation for everything. If a child is dysregulated—especially throughout the day—it’s harder to connect, harder to follow routines, and incredibly difficult to learn new skills.
Sarah: And that goes for adults too. We can’t teach new skills when a child is dysregulated, and we can’t teach effectively when we are dysregulated either. That’s one of the biggest takeaways we hope people get from this book.
This is where mindfulness defined in a practical way really matters—not as a buzzword, but as something you practice when the nervous system is calm, so it’s available later when things get hard.
A Neuro-Affirming, Not Compliance-Based Approach
Tara: Something that mattered deeply to both of us was making sure this book was neuro-affirming, not compliance-based. This is a gentler, child-centered approach rooted in what autistic and neurodivergent voices have shared.
We wanted something that wasn’t a textbook—something you could hand to a paraprofessional, a grandparent, or a childcare provider and say, “This is the approach we’re using.”
Sarah: Yes. This is not about forcing compliance. It’s about meeting kids where they are. I really hope this book helps advance that conversation—especially as we move into 2026.
Why Visuals Matter (So Much)
Tara: One of the biggest surprises for me was how powerful it felt seeing this book in print. I’m a visual learner myself, so including real classroom photos was incredibly important.
There are visuals like the “Feel I Need” chart—simple, accessible tools that show, this is doable. And throughout the book, you’ll find QR codes where you can download resources for free.
Sarah: We also included things like hand tracing activities, hand breathing posters, sensory bin planners, and scripts educators can actually use. This book is meant to be plug-and-play—not theoretical.
Real-Life Examples That Actually Work
Tara: One of my favorite parts is that the examples are real. There’s a story about a student who struggled with transitions—dropping to the ground during transitions from the playground to the bus.
Using simple video modeling with a favorite character changed everything. No fancy editing. Just a phone, a character, and trust. And it worked.
Sarah: We highlight those moments so when you come back to the book, you don’t have to reread everything. The key takeaways are there to help you implement strategies quickly and confidently.
Deep Interests Are Not Rewards
Tara: For speech therapists especially, this book reinforces something so important: deep interests aren’t rewards. They’re tools for connection.
We’re not saying, “Do this first and then you earn Paw Patrol.” We’re saying, bring Paw Patrol into the learning. That’s the difference between compliance and connection.
Sarah: And that applies everywhere—even in calm corners. A calm corner is never a punitive space. If we expect kids to use it, we need to use it too. Modeling matters.
Tools That Feel Like Toys (and Why That Matters)
Sarah: Tools like Bloomie and Flutter are effective because they feel playful and inviting. Bloomie teaches flower-and-candle breathing in a hands-on way. Flutter provides deep pressure input that helps kids—and adults—regulate.
They work because kids want to use them. That’s intentional.
Tara: I’ve seen this firsthand. I’ve used these tools in classrooms and even while teaching at Beaches Resort. Kids respond because it feels safe and supportive.
What We Hope Changes After Reading This
Tara: My biggest hope is that educators and parents rethink compliance-based systems—especially around regulation. Token boards and “earn it” systems often add pressure instead of reducing it.
Sarah: And for me, it’s modeling and consistency. These strategies don’t work overnight. They take repetition, trust, and time. But when adults commit to the process, the payoff is real.
Regulation Takes Time—and That’s Okay
Tara: Some supports are slow burns. I’ve heard so many people say, “I tried it twice and it didn’t work.” But real change can take weeks—or longer.
Sarah: Even neurotypical brains can require hundreds or thousands of repetitions to learn something new. With sensory integration issues, we have to release the idea of quick fixes and commit to the long game.
One Word to Describe the Book
Tara: Incredible.
Sarah: Inspiring. Because I truly believe this book will inspire real change—in classrooms and in homes.
Tara: Regulation is the foundation. And this is a place to start.
Where to Find Sarah
You can find Sarah at thecalmcaterpillar.com and on Instagram @thecalmcaterpillar, where you can also explore the tools and resources mentioned in this guide.
Grab your copy of the Mindfulness Guide here!
Listen to the podcast: Episode 157
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