Episode 18: When Your Child Can't Sit Still with Katherine Connolly

Send us Fan MailIf you’ve ever found yourself wishing your child could just “sit still” to focus, pay attention, or learn, this conversation may change the way you think about movement.In this episode of the Exceptional Girls Podcast, I'm joined by Katherine Connolly. Katherine is a licensed clinical counselor who specializes in supporting neurodivergent children and their families. Drawing from both her professional expertise and her own lived experience as an autistic and ADHD adult, she helps families better understand how neurodivergent kids experience and interact with the world.In this conversation, Katherine explains why a child’s need for movement isn’t a behavior that needs to be fixed —it can be an important tool that helps many neurodivergent children regulate their nervous systems, sustain attention, and become available to learn.She shares practical ways families can incorporate movement into everyday life, how to navigate the challenges of raising a child who’s always on the go, and strategies for advocating for movement at school.If you've ever wondered whether trying to get your child to sit still is helping them or holding them back, my hope is that this conversation gives you a new perspective on movement and greater confidence in supporting your child's individual needs.Research Referenced in the Episode:Harvard, 2026: Movement increases cognitive performance via mood, sleep & stress reduction. https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/exercise-can-boost-your-memory-and-thinking-skillsMualem R., et al, 2018: 10 minutes of walking significantly improved problem solving abilities. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5919946/Frontiers in Pediatrics, 2022: Active lessons improve motor skills and academic performance. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pediatrics/articles/10.3389/fped.2022.841582/fullAbout Katherine Connolly:Katherine Connolly is a Neuroaffirming Somatic Clinical Counsellor (RCC, CCC), Craniosacral Therapist, and founder of gloWithin™. As a neurodivergent (ND) mom raising an ND family, Katherine has brought lived experience to support families and individuals since 2011. Her work sits at the intersection of nervous system development and Embodied Safety™, helping you raise safe, confident children. To learn more, visit: https://glowithin.ca.About the Exceptional Girls Podcast:If you know and care deeply about a girl who learns, thinks, and experiences the world differently, I invite you to journey with me as we learn how we as parents, adults, and role models can help her understand, self-advocate, accept, and love herself — just as she is. To learn more, visit www.exceptionalgirlspodcast.com.