My Special Needs Network

A network to share best practices for children with special needs

Cecilia Cruse
  • Longwood, FL
  • United States
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Cecilia Cruse's Friends

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Cecilia Cruse's Discussions

With increasing class sizes, some as many as 30-40 students, are there space saver tips for room design?

Started this discussion. Last reply by Sue Wilkinson Aug 2, 2010. 1 Reply

These Study-Rite Carrels are great when spatial boundary issues are a problem for a student and/or are perfect privacy and testing concerns.   They  breakdown easily for convenient folding and…Continue

Tags: organization', design', 'classroom

 

Cecilia Cruse's Page

Latest Activity

Cecilia Cruse posted a blog post

Move Your Way to Better Speech and Language!

We have all seen babies coo and babble more when rocked, giggle and laugh when tossed and caught gently in the safety of mom or dad’s arms or show increased vocalizations when using a linear swing.  During these activities the vestibular system is engaged. This is the sensory system that gives us information on balance, movement, gravity and changing head positions.  The vestibular system and auditory system may work together to help process movement and sound as receptors for these systems are…See More
May 8
Cecilia Cruse replied to Jessica Allen's discussion Accommodations and Modifications for Students with Behavior Problems
"Hi Jessica: I just saw this post. I so apologize for the late response.  So glad to know that as a student teacher you are taking such an active role already in identifying strategies to help students with behavior issues. As an OT trained in…"
May 4
Cecilia Cruse posted a blog post

Celebrating May

For some of us around the country, this spring month is arriving more like January!...cold, rain, sleet and snow seem to be the order of the day according to the weather maps.  Regardless, we will still be celebrating May as it is Better Speech and Hearing Month!  Watch for our posts, newsletters and Facebook pages for more details. Many children with…See More
May 3
Cecilia Cruse liked Tobi Isaacs's blog post Over 40 “Must-Have” Popular Tools for Autism
May 2
Cecilia Cruse posted blog posts
Apr 29
Tobi Isaacs liked Cecilia Cruse's blog post The Essence of Occupational Therapy
Apr 18
Cecilia Cruse posted a blog post

The Essence of Occupational Therapy

Continuing our month long celebration of OT month, I came across this adorable video that does a beautiful job in explaining some of the key components of sensory integration as part of the scope of pediatric occupational therapy.  These kids just look like they are having a blast, but note all the skills that are being built into the fun.   Balance and core stability, motor planning, self-confidence, sequencing skills, building shoulder (proximal) strength and stability for handwriting.. and…See More
Apr 18
Cecilia Cruse liked Hannah Ehrli's blog post Autism Awareness in April and Everyday
Apr 16
Cecilia Cruse posted a blog post

April is OT Month!

Seems there are many things to celebrate in the month of April…including Occupational Therapy! Yes April is OT Month and as a therapist myself, it’s like having a month long birthday!  If you are a parent or caregiver with a child with special needs or a teacher that works with exceptional students, then you may be very familiar with the role an OT can play in helping to promote independence in sensory motor, cognitive, social and daily living skills development.  To learn more about the…See More
Apr 2
Cecilia Cruse posted a blog post

Just for Fun: The Magnificent Bond Between Child and Man’s Best Friend:

I know we have blogged before on the benefits of our canine companions and other animal assisted therapy, but here is a beautiful example of what can happen with children and our four legged friends. As an OT, of course I see all kinds of therapy going on here from sensory input (tactile and proprioceptive) to motor planning skills (watch how the Labrador even prompts this child to activate his hand,…See More
Mar 20
Cecilia Cruse posted a blog post

Design Ideas for Children with Autism

Continuing with our theme of sensory spaces, I recently came across a blog by Susan Moffitt at Autism Key that may also be helpful. Entitled Interior Design for Children with Autism it includes some…See More
Mar 11
Cecilia Cruse posted a blog post

Sensory Space Makeovers

Several years ago an OT colleague and I had the great (and stressful!) thrill of participating on site for an episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.  Our mission? To bring Abilitations creative ideas and solutions…See More
Feb 27
Cecilia Cruse posted a blog post

Terrific Tips for Fine Motor Skills

This week I will have the great honor to be presenting at the Virginia Association for Early Childhood Education (VAECE) Conference  on 10 Terrific Tips to Promote Fine Motor Skills.  The conference agenda is…See More
Feb 12
Cecilia Cruse posted a blog post

A Choice Makes a Difference!

We received this update from a colleague’s friend late last week during National School Choice Week.  Tera is mom to Sam an 18 year old with Down syndrome.  In conjunction with School Choice Ohio (SCO) (a non- profit with a mission to protect and expand children’s educational options with the belief that all parents should have the opportunity to choose which school is best for their children…See More
Feb 6
Cecilia Cruse posted blog posts
Jan 25
Cecilia Cruse posted a blog post

Smart Tablets for Children Under 2?

We all know what a quantum leap assistive technology has taken in the past few years with the advent of the smart phones and tablets.   For many children with special needs, tablets like the iPad have opened doorways for communication, interaction, cognitive awareness and of course recreation with the use of various apps.  But…See More
Jan 17

Profile Information

My Role
Occupational Therapist
Place of Work
School Specialty/Abilitations
Website Address
http://www.schoolspecialty.com
This is why I am passionate about special needs.
I do what I love and I love what I do! has been my moto for many years now both as and OT and as the Education Director for School Specialty Special Needs. I presently serve as a liaison and support to our customer service and sales teams to empower them to assist with parents, therapist, teachers, students or anyone who may call or write in with product quesitons, feedback or need help in choosing the right equipment. As a pediatric OT with over 25 years experience as well as a Master's in Education, I continue to spread my mission through this liaison, as well as lecturing nationwide on sensory integration and school based practice
Skills: these are areas where I have expertise and might be able to help others.
BALANCE, BODY WORKS, COMMUNICATION, FINE MOTOR, FURNITURE, INTEGRATIVE THERAPIES, POSITIONING, RESOURCES, SENSORY SOLUTIONS, VESTIBULAR ORIENTATION, VISUAL MOTOR
Needs: these are areas where I have questions and will be looking to learn from others.
INTEGRATIVE THERAPIES, RESOURCES
The most valuable piece of advice I would offer to others regarding special needs.
Be creative! Think outside the box. Many great solutions have come from great questions just like yours!
What I hope to gain from My Special Needs Network
Networking, opporutnity to hear from other therapists, parents and teachers on what works for them and their special needs children

Cecilia Cruse's Blog

Communication is More Than Words!

Posted on May 16, 2013 at 8:00am 0 Comments

Welcome to the month of May, also known as BSHM (Better Speech and Hearing Month). With so many more children being diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum these days, along with those with sensory processing disorders and/or behavioral…

Continue

Move Your Way to Better Speech and Language!

Posted on May 8, 2013 at 8:00am 0 Comments

We have all seen babies coo and babble more when rocked, giggle and laugh when tossed and caught gently in the safety of mom or dad’s arms or show increased vocalizations when using a linear swing.  During these activities the vestibular system is engaged. This is the sensory system that gives us information on balance, movement, gravity and changing head positions.  The vestibular system and auditory system may work together to help process movement and sound as receptors for these systems…

Continue

Celebrating May

Posted on May 2, 2013 at 1:30pm 0 Comments

For some of us around the country, this spring month is arriving more like January!...cold, rain, sleet and snow seem to be the order of the day according to the weather maps.  Regardless, we will still be celebrating May as it is Better Speech and Hearing Month!  Watch for our posts, newsletters and Facebook pages for more details. 

Many children with…

Continue

An Amazing Miss America Contestant

Posted on April 24, 2013 at 8:00am 0 Comments

Somehow I missed this wonderful story from earlier this year!   I was at a hair salon the other evening and while waiting for my appointment I was perusing the usual stack of magazines when I came across this article from Glamour entitled: Meet the Most Popular Girl in America (P.S. She has Autism)  That’s right Miss Montana 2012 Alexis Wineman was diagnosed with autism at age 11. She overcame…

Continue

Comment Wall (3 comments)

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At 12:47pm on November 1, 2010, John Robinson said…
Thank you Cecelia. check out www.defny.org
I am trying to put together a group of individuals willing to speak to students across the country on overcoming physical challenges. Thank you very much for your kind words and recognition of what I'm putting together. All the best!
At 1:22pm on October 7, 2010, Gina Costanzo said…
Thanks for the warm welcome! Today I canned applesauce in between job hunting. Man, the market it tight here. Everyone has got to eat right? After school we are going skating, the arena is free on Thursdays. Sam is doing great at school and is making friends. We are hosting a halloween party that I am going to do 'nut free' since 3 of his friends are peanut allergic also. I know the parents hate sending them to parties worrying about what they will get into. He wants to be a Zombie. Oh my.

How was the MultiSensory Symposium? Interesting I bet! The photo is very cool. Take care! bye-G
At 8:29pm on July 1, 2010, Bright Solutions said…
Hi Cecilia - Thanks for joining the Special Needs Network. Please let us know if you have any suggestions for improvement as we officially launch. We look forward to your ongoing active participation.
 
 
 

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