Helping Neurodivergent Loved Ones
Navigate Air Travel
Air travel no matter the distance can be stressful and overwhelming to anyone, especially neurodivergent children and their families. Navigating crowded airports, tolerating cramped lines, and unsaid protocols when going through security, customs, and boarding. Children can notice and pick up on our emotions more easily than we think. If we are outwardly presenting our stress and frustration when traveling, there is a good chance that your child will mirror you…
One-Handed Techniques for One-Handed Users After a Distal Radius Fracture
A week ago, when I was walking my dog, I slipped and fell on ice. Immediately, I knew I broke my wrist. I fractured my distal radius. A distal radius fracture occurs when the radius bone near the wrist breaks, often due to a fall onto an outstretched hand. This injury can significantly impact a person’s ability to perform daily activities, especially when using one hand. Reflecting on my injury, I used my knowledge and skills as an occupational therapist to perform my daily activities using one hand…
Alternative Seating Options for Kids with attention Difficulties – Are They Effective or Not?
Have you ever wondered whether alternative seating options are effective for improving attention of children with attention difficulties within the classroom and/or home setting? Alternative seating options as an intervention for neurodivergent children with the goal of increasing in-seat and on-task behaviors have been questioned…
What is DIR and DIR floortime?
When your child starts receiving therapy (physcial, occupational, and/or speech and language services), either for a diagnosed disability or just overall differences in their ability, the therapy they receive is (hopefully) guided by a scientific framework and specialized techniques. These frameworks and techniques help address and support your child’s physical, developmental, speech, language, and sensory processing differences. One such framework is DIR Floortime…
Foundational Pre-Kindergarten Skills: Gross motor, fine motor, sensory, and self-regulation
Building strong foundational skills in the area of gross motor, fine motor, sensory and self regulation will help your child be independent and enable your child to focus on further developing their academic skills. Gross motor skills involve the large muscles of the body that allow us to run, jump, dance, and throw a ball…
Sensory Processing Activities During Covid-19
We’ve survived our third week of the shelter in place order! As an essential healthcare worker, I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside other healthcare professionals who are working really hard to help our patients and community stay safe and healthy. I’ve also made it possible to work from home when I…
Coping Strategies To Help Ease Stress and Anxiety in Children – Especially During Coronavirus
Stress can affect our mood by giving us a negative attitude, increased irritability, and it may make us feel anxious and depressed. Stressful times might also make us aggressive, or make us withdraw and avoid other people, which can increase anxiety and depression. The following are some somatic symptoms that we as adults and children may face…
Self-Regulation Strategies for Kids With Sensory Processing Disorder
Children with sensory processing disorder (SPD) or children who have displayed difficulties with sensory processing in the absence of a diagnosis may both demonstrate trouble with the regulation of their emotions and behaviors. Many of us may be aware that occupational therapy can play a large role in the habilitation…