About Secret to Happy

Kristin Robison, MOT, OTR/L

At Secret to Happy, we believe that all behavior is communication and when we understand the “why” behind behavior, we can respond with more effective, supportive solutions.

Whether you are:

A parent trying to support your child at home, in school, or socially
An educator navigating behavior, learning, and classroom challenges
Or a caregiver wanting to better understand a struggling child

…you are in the right place.

As an occupational therapist with 26 years of experience, I’ve learned that the core principles behind behavior are remarkably consistent. Children may struggle for different reasons such as executive functioning challenges, sensory processing differences, emotional regulation difficulties, anxiety, overwhelm, or communication barriers, but the needs underneath those behaviors are often universal.

At Secret to Happy, the focus is on understanding how the brain and nervous system work, because meaningful strategies start there.

Small changes can make a powerful difference:

Using visuals to support understanding
Allowing extra processing time
Simplifying language
Creating supportive environments
Recognizing sensory and regulation needs before behavior escalates

When we better understand what a child’s brain and body need, interactions become calmer, communication improves, and success becomes more achievable for everyone involved.

This website was created to provide practical, easy-to-understand support for both parents and educators.

You’ll find:

Helpful visuals and regulation tools
Video explanations and strategies
Real-life examples and perspectives
Opportunities to connect and engage with an occupational therapist

My goal is to help adults see behavior differently; not as something to “fix,” but as important information that can guide us toward connection, support, and meaningful change.

Welcome to Secret to Happy. I’m so glad you’re here.