Koi Wellness Blog

English-speaking Pediatric Occupational Therapy based in Tokyo, Japan

Supporting Families and Schools at the Intersection of Culture, Neurodiversity, and Compassion

Supporting Families and Schools at the Intersection of Culture, Neurodiversity, and Compassion

As an OT, my goal is to empower students with the skills and confidence they need to engage fully in their daily routines—whether that’s writing in class, navigating transitions, or expressing big emotions safely. But beyond the child, I also believe in equipping families and educators with the tools and context they need to advocate and support with clarity.

In multicultural, multilingual, and neurodiverse communities, support needs to be adaptable and relationship-based. There is no one-size-fits-all. That’s why my work is rooted in collaboration, not just clinical goals.

Aya PorteJuly 20, 2025Occupational Therapy, Koi Wellness, TCK

Empowering Parents With Clarity, Confidence, and Culturally Aware Guidance

Empowering Parents With Clarity, Confidence, and Culturally Aware Guidance

These one-hour virtual sessions are designed to give you clarity, compassion, and concrete strategies—without committing to long-term therapy or wading through red tape. Whether you're unsure if OT is the right path or already navigating school stress, these sessions offer a space to be heard, supported, and equipped.

Aya PorteJuly 6, 2025Occupational Therapy, Koi Wellness

Helping Kids Develop Self-Advocacy Skills in School

Helping Kids Develop Self-Advocacy Skills in School

One of the most valuable life skills we can teach our kids doesn’t come from a textbook or test—it’s the ability to speak up for themselves.

Self-advocacy is a cornerstone of independence, confidence, and emotional regulation. I’ve covered this topic at home, but it’s just as important at school. In school, self-advocacy can be the difference between a child silently struggling and a child who gets the support they need to thrive.

Aya PorteJune 15, 2025OT, Occupational Therapy, Self-advocacy, Aya Porté, School Skills, SchoolComment

Deep Breathing Techniques to Help Kids with Self-Regulation

Deep Breathing Techniques to Help Kids with Self-Regulation

As adults, we might take a few deep breaths before a big meeting, when we’re feeling overwhelmed, or to pause before reacting. But for kids, especially those with sensory sensitivities, big feelings, or difficulty focusing, learning how to use their breath can be a game-changer.

Aya PorteJune 1, 2025OT, Occupational Therapy, Koi Wellness, Self-Regulation, Sensory Processing, Breathing TechniquesComment

Creating a Sensory-Friendly Home Environment

Creating a Sensory-Friendly Home Environment

Our homes play a huge role in how children regulate their emotions and behaviors. For sensory-sensitive kids—whether they’re over-responsive, under-responsive, or sensory-seeking—small environmental shifts can lead to big changes in how safe, calm, and connected they feel.

Aya PorteMay 18, 2025OT, Occupational Therapy, Koi Wellness, Aya Porté, Sensory Processing, Sensory friendly

Teaching Children How to Communicate Their Needs Effectively

Teaching Children How to Communicate Their Needs Effectively

Many children struggle to express their needs, especially when they’re overwhelmed, unsure, or navigating multiple cultural or sensory environments. But self-advocacy isn’t something kids are just born with, it’s a skill we can teach and develop at home.

🗣️ Self-advocacy means helping your child recognize and communicate what they need, whether it’s a break, support, or space. When we teach this skill early, kids build confidence, self-regulation, and resilience.

Aya PorteMay 4, 2025OT, Occupational Therapy, Koi Wellness, Aya Porté, Self-advocacyComment

The Power of Movement: How Gross Motor Skills Support Learning

The Power of Movement: How Gross Motor Skills Support Learning

Many children are expected to sit for extended periods, whether in traditional classrooms or virtual learning spaces. But research (and experience) shows that gross motor development—the ability to control large body movements—is closely tied to attention, memory, emotional regulation, and academic success.

Aya PorteApril 13, 2025OT, Occupational Therapy, Gross Motor Skills, MovementComment

Why Handwriting Still Matters in a Digital World 🤖

Why Handwriting Still Matters in a Digital World 🤖

Handwriting is more than just forming letters on paper. It plays a crucial role in cognitive development, motor coordination, and self-expression. And for many children, especially those navigating multiple languages and cultures, mastering handwriting can be a bridge to stronger communication, confidence, and academic success.

Aya PorteMarch 30, 2025Occupational Therapy, OT, Koi, Handwriting, OT SkillsComment

🔮 Reflecting on a Year of Growth and Empowerment

🔮 Reflecting on a Year of Growth and Empowerment

This year has been filled with meaningful conversations, practical strategies, and personal reflections aimed at empowering you and your family. Let's take a moment to revisit some of the standout topics we've explored and the valuable resources available to support your child as they continue to grow in the next school year and beyond!

Aya PorteMarch 16, 2025Occupational Therapy, OT, Koi Wellness, TCK, Building ResilienceComment

Is My Child Spoiled 🍭 or Sensory-Driven? The Roots

Is My Child Spoiled 🍭 or Sensory-Driven? The Roots

A child may be labeled as spoiled when they frequently act entitled, struggle with boundaries, or have difficulty handling disappointment. This behavior often stems from being overindulged—whether through material items, attention, or inconsistent discipline—and not being held accountable for their actions.

Aya PorteMarch 2, 2025OT, Occupational Therapy, Koi Wellness, Sensory ProcessingComment

🤔Is It Sensory or Behavior? Rethinking How We Understand Our Children

🤔Is It Sensory or Behavior? Rethinking How We Understand Our Children

Is this sensory or behavior?”

It’s a question that comes up often, sometimes out of genuine curiosity and other times from a need to categorize and solve a problem:

“We see all these behaviors in our child and wonder if they’re sensory-related.”
“We need to figure out whether it’s either sensory or behavior.”

Aya PorteFebruary 16, 2025Occupational Therapy, OT, Koi WellnessComment

Recalibrate Your Goals for Growth and Renewal 🧧

Recalibrate Your Goals for Growth and Renewal 🧧

How are you doing with yours so far? If you’ve veered off course, don’t worry—starting over is not failure, it’s part of the process. Last December, I shared strategies for effective goal-setting to help you begin the new year strong. As we step into 2025, I find myself revisiting these ideas with a deeper lens of cultural connection and diversity.

Aya PorteJanuary 19, 2025Occupational Therapy, OT, Koi Wellness, TCK, Diversity, Goals, SMART Goals, GASComment

Setting Goals for the New Year: Tools for Success

Setting Goals for the New Year: Tools for Success

As the year draws to a close, many of us find ourselves reflecting on the past 12 months and setting intentions for the year ahead. Whether you’re celebrating with loved ones, relaxing on vacation, or simply catching your breath, this is the perfect time to think about what you’d like to achieve in the new year.

Aya PorteDecember 20, 2024Occupational Therapy, Goal Setting, Koi Wellness, 2025, New Year, SMART Goals, GASComment

Building Resilience in Multicultural Kids

Building Resilience in Multicultural Kids

How multicultural, multilingual, and third-culture kids (TCKs) navigate their sense of identity, belonging, and communication in a complex world is important for resilience building. We face unique challenges that can be hard to see from the outside, but with the right support, we can thrive across cultural environments.

Aya PorteOctober 31, 2024Occupational Therapy, TCK, Lessons, Building ResilienceComment

Back to School: Turning Nerves into Opportunities!

Back to School: Turning Nerves into Opportunities!

For some children, returning to school means reconnecting with familiar faces and routines that make them feel safe. But for others, it can mean stepping into a new world—new teachers, friends, and systems. It’s easy to feel like this uncertainty will lead to chaos, but it’s possible to transform this nervousness into excitement, or as some like to call it, "nerve-citement."

Aya PorteOctober 17, 2024Occupational Therapy, Koi Wellness, School, LessonsComment

Understanding Primitive Reflexes: Signs, Impact, and Next Steps

Understanding Primitive Reflexes: Signs, Impact, and Next Steps

While they are essential in the early months of life, helping babies adapt to the world around them, they are designed to fade away as your child grows and their nervous system matures. What happens when these reflexes don’t integrate as expected? When primitive reflexes persist beyond their typical developmental timeline, it can indicate that the central nervous system (CNS) hasn’t matured as it should.

Aya PorteSeptember 16, 2024Primitive Reflexes, Occupational Therapy, Koi WellnessComment

Why Primitive Reflexes Matter for Your Child’s Growth

Why Primitive Reflexes Matter for Your Child’s Growth

As parents, we watch our children grow, celebrating each milestone with joy and pride. From their first smile to their first steps, these moments mark important stages in their development. But behind these milestones is a fascinating process that often goes unnoticed: the integration of primitive reflexes.

Aya PorteSeptember 1, 2024Occupational Therapy, Koi Wellness, Primitive ReflexesComment

Flashback to 2020: Podcast Highlights, OT Insights, and Cross-Cultural Support

Flashback to 2020: Podcast Highlights, OT Insights, and Cross-Cultural Support

Over the past four years, I’ve continued my work as a bilingual OT, serving cross-cultural and multicultural communities in Tokyo and beyond. The need for heart-centered care has only grown in recent years. Our communities need care from those who have lived through similar experiences and can be empathetic without pity, focusing on empowerment and building capacity for growth.

Aya PorteAugust 14, 2024Occupational Therapy, OT, Koi Wellness, PodcastComment

The Evaluation Process & Your Child: Top OT Evaluation Questions Answered (Part 2)

The Evaluation Process & Your Child: Top OT Evaluation Questions Answered (Part 2)

Let's explore some of the most frequently asked questions and insights to help you feel more confident and prepared.

Aya PorteJuly 31, 2024Occupational Therapy, OT, Q&A

Navigating Your Child's OT Journey: Top Questions Answered (Part 1)

Navigating Your Child's OT Journey: Top Questions Answered (Part 1)

It's natural to have questions or feel unsure about what to expect during this process. You might wonder how the evaluation will benefit your child or what it means for their therapy journey. Clear communication and collaboration between parents and OT professionals are essential to address any questions or concerns and ensure the evaluation process is thorough, informative, and supportive of your child's overall well-being and progress.

Aya PorteJuly 15, 2024Occupational Therapy, OT, Q&A