Hi! We’re Claire & Lauren! Welcome to The Inspired Treehouse!

Did you know that 90% of a child's' brain will develop by age 5? From ages 0-3, more than a million neural connections are being formed per second! The neural pathways and connections formed during toddlerhood set the stage for the rest of a child’s life. This is why, during toddlerhood, it is so vital to nurture the neural pathways and connections that promote intrinsic motivation, emotional regulation, problem-solving, healthy relationships, and strong self-esteem. Investing time and energy...

Hey there! When you think of kids and their favorite toys, what is the most universal one that comes to mind? A ball, of course! Who would have thought that such a simple toy could help a child's development in so many ways? Today, we are giving you our top resources about the best types of balls, how to help your kiddos learn ball skills, and how to use a ball to strengthen core muscles! -Claire & Lauren Ball Skills for Kids FREE PRINTABLES! Here are some of our best resources on how to play...

Spring is in the air, and it’s the perfect time to refresh your activities with fun, engaging ideas for kids! We’ve gathered some of our favorite spring-themed activities to help kids build essential skills while embracing the season. Whether you’re looking for fine motor, gross motor, or sensory play ideas, we’ve got you covered. These activities are great for therapists, teachers, or parents who want to keep kids active and learning with hands-on fun. Rainbow Craft for KidsFREE Printable...

Did you grab your ticket yet? The 2025 Play Conference: The Full Spectrum of Play kicks off next week, March 17-20—and it’s 100% FREE to attend! With 16 expert-led sessions, you’ll learn powerful, neurodiversity-affirming strategies to integrate play into therapy in ways that truly support autistic kids. Some of the incredible talks include:🎙Andi Putt, M.S., CCC-SLP: Understanding Autistic Play: Redefining What It Means to Play 🎙Laura Petix, OTR/L: Being a sensory detective when it comes to...

We know that all play is okay - sensory play, cause and effect play, even play that some might perceive as "atypical". But it can be a challenge to integrate play into your work with autistic kids in a way that is purposeful and meaningful to the child and effective in our practice as therapists. ❓ How do we respect and embrace each child’s unique way of engaging with play?❓ How do we shift away from old, outdated models and move toward neurodiversity-affirming approaches?❓ How can play be...