Koi Wellness with Aya Porté
Join empowered parents and caretakers of children and teens, confidently practicing my proven strategies for ease and enjoyment at home, school, and beyond. The Koi Wellness newsletter provides tools to achieve confidence and self-reliance for your children, so they can finally feel the relief that comes from being understood.
🧺 Carrying What Works Forward
Hello Reader, The start of a new year often brings a mix of emotions—hope, curiosity, hesitation, and sometimes quiet fatigue. New routines, new expectations, new environments. Even when change is welcome, it asks us to pay attention to what’s working—and what isn’t. This past year, I was reminded of that in an unexpected way while traveling to Germany for the first time. Everywhere we stayed, shared beds were made the same way: two people, two comforters.No tug-of-war.No negotiating...
2️⃣5️⃣ Closing the Year with Intention
Hey Reader! As the year winds down, many of us feel the same tug—gratitude and fatigue, side by side. There’s pressure to finish strong, yet a quiet part of us just wants to pause and breathe. Before setting new goals, take a moment to look back. What worked? What surprised you? What small victories are worth celebrating? Reflection …is about honoring growth and letting rest become part of progress. In therapy and in life, I often return to the “Big Rocks” idea: if you fill your jar with sand...
ABA vs. OT: Working Together—and When Each Makes the Difference
Hey Reader! If you’ve ever heard phrases like “We need an ABA plan” or “Let’s bring in OT” and wondered what those really mean for your child—you’re not alone. Both ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) and OT (Occupational Therapy) support children with developmental or behavioral challenges. But while their tools may look similar, their lenses are different. The Lense ✩ ABA focuses on behavior—using data and reinforcement to understand what’s happening and why.✩ OT, on the other hand, looks at...
Let’s Be a Full Team: From Opposite Sides to Shared Support
Hey Reader! Have you ever found yourself on opposite sides of the same goal? A teacher wants more focus, a parent wants less pressure, a therapist wants measurable progress—and everyone is working hard, yet somehow, it feels like you’re not quite on the same side. The truth is: we all want the same thing. For the child to thrive. When we start seeing each other as teammates instead of separate roles, everything shifts. The parent brings comfort and deep knowing. The teacher brings structure...
Struggling to Help Your Child Focus? Try This Simple Strategy 🧠
Hello Reader, Ever told your child to “sit still and focus,” only to watch them fidget even more?You’re not alone, and you’re not doing anything wrong. One thing I know for sure: movement supports learning—especially for kids navigating multiple cultures, languages, or sensory systems. In my latest blog post, I share how Brain Gym®, a series of simple movement-based exercises, helps improve focus, memory, and emotional regulation. These aren’t workouts—they’re short, playful tools like: 🧠...
Is Your Child Struggling with Handwriting? ✏️
Hey Reader, Handwriting challenges often show up quietly—your child avoids writing, complains of hand fatigue, or struggles to keep their letters legible. For many neurodivergent, multilingual, or third-culture kids, handwriting can feel like a constant frustration. But, most handwriting issues aren’t about effort, they’re about unmet motor or sensory needs. In my latest blog post, I share what I look for as an OT and what you can do at home, including: Strengthening hands through play (yes,...
When Life Slows You Down Mid-Trip 🩼
Hi Reader, One awkward step mid-trip, and suddenly—I couldn’t walk. Yes, me. Aya here—pediatric OT, third-culture kid, and founder of Koi Wellness. This summer, a surprise injury left me navigating life in an air cast, unable to bear weight or access my usual tools and routines. Crutches? Painful and clumsy in a city without curb cuts.Showers? Modified to sponge baths.Hair washing? Skipped.Independence? Paused, but never gone. I leaned into the same principles I offer to families every...
Thinking About a Weighted Blanket for Your Child? Read This First.
Hi Reader! It started with a question from my sister: “What type of weighted blanket do you recommend?” As a pediatric OT and sister, I get this question often—from families navigating bedtime battles, sensory overwhelm, or simply looking for tools to help their child feel more settled. So… are weighted blankets worth it? The short answer: It depends. Size guide from Bearaby showing how weighted blankets are designed to fit the body, not the bed. The image displays a 10 lb, 40 x 64 inch...
When Children Struggle, Parents Need Support Too 💛
Hello Reader! As a pediatric OT, one truth continues to guide my work:Children thrive when the adults around them feel supported. Whether I’m in a Tokyo classroom, a Zoom consultation, or a family’s living room, my focus is the same—empowering parents, caregivers, and educators with the tools they need to support children across cultures, languages, and learning profiles. Read the Blog Post Build confidence and self-regulation in children Create inclusive learning environments that honor...
Feeling Stuck? Let’s Talk—Support for Parents 🧑🧑🧒
Hello Reader! Are you worried about your child’s sensory challenges, fine motor delays, or school struggles—but unsure where to start? You’re not alone. Whether you’re parenting in your home country or navigating life abroad, it can be hard to know what’s “normal,” what’s urgent, and what to do next—especially when local resources don’t align with your needs. As a pediatric occupational therapist supporting families across cultures, I’ve seen this time and again: Parents want to help their...
Join empowered parents and caretakers of children and teens, confidently practicing my proven strategies for ease and enjoyment at home, school, and beyond. The Koi Wellness newsletter provides tools to achieve confidence and self-reliance for your children, so they can finally feel the relief that comes from being understood.