September 2011 Blog Posts (17)

Did you know that this generation of kids is less likely to crawl than any generation in the history of toddlers? That is, if you live in the U.S. or the U.K. We have embraced the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) "Back To Sleep" program which trains new Moms to place their babies on their backs to minimize suffocation risk. Gratefully, there has been a decrease in SIDS. We've just forgotten the second part of the message..."Tummy Time for PLAY." Why care… Continue

As you can tell by previous blogs, we're on a roll this week about walking and whether earlier is better. As an OT I'm often asked by parents if they should use a baby walker for their child. There's a great article from the…

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My first child walked very early, and I thought she was so advanced. I thought it was a great sign of her gross-motor skills. Boy was I wrong. It was apparent that she actually had weaker gross motor skills and could have used the extra time crawling on the floor to better develop her muscles. Now, my youngest child is 1 year and 3 weeks old. He stands up and takes 1 step before he falls. He is not yet walking, but he is on his way. His three older siblings were all walking…

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I'm a speech therapist and all I know about walking early is that my kids didn't and I was grateful. I knew exactly where they were for the first 15 months of their lives. However, I had a resource I knew could shed light on this, my chiropractor Dr. Jake Lyhne (see…

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Oh, I bet you can remember this one! A long staircase with all of its carpeted beauty...and you on

your bottom...sliding down....bumpity-bumpity, bumpity-bump! And why do generations and generations of kids crave this input? What's the sensory value? And where can kids get more of this valuable input?…

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Did anyone else catch the special last week on school bullying?  I had no idea that it was so prevalent and persistent even in the best of schools.  Now with the misuse of social media sites cyberbullying reverberates far beyond the schoolyard. Click here for the trailer for this important documentary.

 

 

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My 5 year old has a lot of trouble differentiating between "b" and "d" and although he is only in Kindergarten, he is getting them easily confused. This is a very common issue with children of his age and reinforcement and practice are key components in teaching these letters for reading or writing. Beyond practice, I wanted a better way to help him realize the difference between the two…

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As an Adapted P.E. Specialist for over 25 years, I have observed children with disabilities, sensory impairment issues, students with coordination issues struggle with ball skills.  I have searched many equipment catalogs looking for a weighted ball which would allow students to engage in ball skills and stay on task.  I could not find a ball that would meet the need for independent skill development, so I created a ball which Sportime now is making, "Developmental Ball".   I had my husband…

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T...I...M...E...is on your side, yes it is!  It is, at least, when you have some reliable short cuts that allow you to find the best sensory solutions for your kids. As a traveling (itinerant) occupational therapist, I learned there are a lot of struggling students. My caseload was such that I felt I was an advocate for my students. My job was to find out what the student needed, and which adult was most invested in that child's success. Sometimes it was a teacher, a… Continue

Ok, so I was writing a blog on all kinds of tips for therapy time savers and time management when I came across this brilliant two-minute clip from entrepreneurial guru Stever Robbins. Check it out, then rethink YOUR Time for today. Sure, we all have some daily must do's but after that (or even before!) what will you plan to do differently? Let us know!…

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Do you ever find yourself pressed for time in all areas of your life trying to squeeze everything into the very last second of the day? Well, you're not alone. With the lightning speed of technology and the ease with which to communicate with almost anyone anywhere in the world, it's no wonder we find ourselves looking to save time whenever we can. It should help to know that research has shown busy people…

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I’m learning to let go. It’s not easy, but I’m trying.

 

After the birth of my first child, I became a classic ‘control freak.’ It didn’t happen over night. It was an insidious creeping, an unwitting need to be in control of SOMETHING that eventually began to take control of me. 

 

I suspect this phenomenon often happens to smart, capable, professional women who find themselves home with diapers to change and meals to provide, instead of meetings to…

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Some schools are really shakin' up the school year! My friend (who is a speech pathologist), and I are excited about what her elementary school is doing this year. The school's morning telecast, using the talented and deserving fifth graders, has added a new action…

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My family enjoyed a great Labor Day weekend which included a community event for the Friendship Circle of Cleveland. Our family attended "MyWalk4Friends" which was a 3k walk for the Frienship Circle of Cleveland along with the opening of the new building. We joined hundreds of walkers which included parents, children with and without disabilities, teachers, teens and friends. This organization is close to my heart because… Continue

We always carry magnet dinosaurs in our backpack. It's a great time filler when we are at the doctors office. And I found the best hand fidget at Cracker Barrel. It's called a small Jacobs ladder. It's multi colored and each rung can be twisted and manipulated in a different direction. My son loves it!!!! Best part... it was only $1.25

Kelli

I was embarrassed. I hadn't seen my grandson in six weeks and found out that his physician had recommended physical therapy for back problems. My grandson is such a nice, likeable boy and a good student. (I am being totally unbiased here, too!) Both of his parents work, and I asked them what the physician and physical therapist said. My grandson had been having back pain, neck pain and headaches. They were not sure what the cause was and felt a short course of physical therapy would… Continue

I travel a good bit with my job so am a frequent flyer with the airlines. Typically the in flight magazines have a feature where they interview some movie star, CEO or savvy world traveler to ask them what they always carry in a flight bag. In the spirit of this theme (minus the celebrity status!) I have put together my favorite list of items that have been a part of my OT bag for many years...as an itinerant school therapist, a private home based practitioner and even during my days… Continue