All Blog Posts (452)

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…

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…

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…

Experience DOES matter! With the accessibility and use of social media, therapists, parents, and caregivers are better able to find out what tools have worked best for other children with autism. In turn, this research can open up ideas which can help their own children with autism.  There are…

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…

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..…

Based on a wealth of research, we know that the earlier a child receives intervention the greater and more positive the impact. Although difficult to cope with in the beginning stages, this is most true for children with autism.…

I always find it curious to have special months creating awareness. While I think it is a good idea as a reminder to everyone, I think it also promotes the idea that we only need to concentrate on specific topics at a specific time. That is why I wear an autism wristband every day; have an autism puzzle piece on the…

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…

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…

I wish I had coined the phrase Response to Intervention at the same moment it was embedding itself into the fabric of the school system. I could have retired early. However, Response to Intervention, or RTI as it is known, is a good thing. First of all from the Parent perspective, we have been doing it from day…

It’s not easy fitting in the classroom. With so many differences between children, it seems that there is no one “way” for children to fit in. For a child with a disability or difference, it may be even tougher to “fit in”. Some children need extra time, one-on-one assistance, or certain tools to help them through their school day. Some tools make children stand out, but…

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…

Children need to focus and attend in order to do many tasks during the day including worksheets, reading, writing, and test-taking. The environment plays a huge role on how well a child can attend to these tasks. Sensory spaces are great ways to help children improve their focus and attention. Sensory spaces can be…

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…

Now is the season when many school districts around the country are implementing testing procedures. Whether it's achievement tests, college prep exams or a weekly spelling quiz, all students, especially those with special needs, can benefit from some reasonable accommodations. Here are…

As teachers we know that test taking is not something you do only on Test day. It is something you prepare for every day. We work on test taking strategies with every task we attempt to do so that hopefully at test time they are intrinsic to how we approach a test.

With that said, if you have an IEP, the…

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…

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…

I remember when my five year old son came home devastated with a note from the teacher.  He asked me what “tarded” meant. After reading the note and deciphering his five year old jargon, I realized that another child had called him “retarded.” After regaining my composure I grabbed a book I had on the shelf…