72. Neuroscience Foundations: Attunement and Attachment through a Sensory Emotional Lens

Have you ever watched a parent try to comfort a child who is completely overwhelmed — maybe during bath time, getting dressed, or when a shirt tag suddenly feels unbearable — and you can see the parent trying everything they can think of to help, but nothing seems to work? Mom or dad might feel rejected, confused, or even a little helpless. But what if what looks like behavior is actually the child’s nervous system responding to sensory input in ways that are deeply connected to emotion and relationship? What looks like “behavior” is often something much deeper. In this episode of A Sensory Emotional Lens, host AnnMarie is joined by licensed professional counselor and registered play therapist Laura Baldwin for a powerful conversation on how sensory processing and attachment are deeply intertwined. Together, they explore how children’s sensory experiences shape emotional regulation, parent-child connection, and everyday routines—and how therapists and caregivers can better understand what’s really happening beneath the surface. Through a sensory emotional lens, this episode reframes common challenges like meltdowns, avoidance, and sensory seeking as meaningful communication from the nervous system. You’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of attunement, practical ways to support regulation through play, and a renewed appreciation for the role of relationship in development.In this episode, you’ll discover:Why sensory processing challenges impact the entire family systemHow sensory experiences and emotional regulation are neurologically connectedThe role of attunement in building secure parent-child attachmentHow “behavior” can reflect a child’s overwhelmed or under-responsive nervous systemWhy play is a powerful tool for both regulation and relationship-buildingHow to support parents in becoming a “secure base” for their childThe importance of understanding both the child’s and the parent’s sensory profilesWhy repair—not perfection—is the foundation of secure attachment Join our community!@TheSensoryEmotional_OT on ⁠Instagram⁠@GreatKidsPlace on ⁠Instagram⁠ & ⁠Facebook⁠AboutAnnMarie Murphy, OTD, OT/L, PNAPOccupational Therapist, Great Kids PlaceCo-Director, Sensory-motor Emotional EngageMentAnnMarie is an OT and Assistant Professor at FDU, where she teaches mental health, neuroscience, and pediatrics. She holds a doctoral degree in occupational therapy, specializes in the evaluation and treatment of Sensory Processing Disorder, and is a fellow of Michele Parkins. Laura Baldwin, MA, LPC, ACS, RPT™, NCC, ADHD-CCSPLicensed Professional Counselor, Great Kids PlaceLaura is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Registered Play Therapist, and Approved Clinical Supervisor with over 20 years of experience supporting children with sensory, emotional, and developmental needs. She specializes in pediatric mental health, play therapy, and relationship-based interventions that improve the physical, psychological, social, and emotional well-being of children and their families.  A Tribute to Michele Parkins, MS, OTR/L, IMH-E®Founder, Great Kids Place and the Sensory-motor Emotional EngageMent Frame of ReferenceMichele dedicated her life to supporting children and families with sensory processing and social-emotional challenges. As both a professional and a parent of two sensory children, she combined expertise with deep personal understanding. Passionate about empowering families and mentoring therapists, Michele taught internationally, consulted with schools, and co-authored a chapter in the 3rd edition of Sensory Integration: Theory and Practice, the leading textbook in the field. At the time of her passing, she was writing books to help families recognize their Sensory Emotional Personality styles and discover strength and joy within them. Though gone too soon, Michele’s legacy endures in the lives she touched, the community she built, and the vision she entrusted us to carry forward.