As information about sensory differences and strategies such as mindfulness, meditation, yoga, and breathing have become more mainstream, items that OTs have used with kids for years to improve self- regulation are readily available for purchase. Here is a list of recommended items focusing on Rhythm, Pressure, and Respiration, the key components of RESTORING activities. …
Energizing Exercise if You are Stuck at Home this Holiday Season
As the pandemic continues, many schools have made the choice to switch to distance learning either temporarily or indefinitely. Each state, each city, each district is taking their own approach to implementing precautions to minimize transmission. This holiday season, families are making the same decisions – to visit or not visit with family. To send…
Understanding dyslexia and sensory processing
Children with dyslexia often have motion-processing disorders and may have an overlapping diagnosis of Developmental Coordination Disorder. It is important to understand how the brain and body work together to support reading skill development in order to make sure that you are engaging a child with dyslexia in activities that are going to support development…
Rethinking Sensory Diets for Teens
Sensory Diets are often recommended to help students maintain optimal regulation and attention in the school setting when children are in preschool and elementary school. As children age, their interests and social awareness evolve. This also means that sometimes, what started out as a solid and supportive plan initiated at a child’s PPT meeting becomes…
Sight Word Scavenger Hunt
Supplies: Play Dough Sticky Notes Writing Utensil Set-Up Prior to Child Engagement: Adult writes 5-10 sight words on sticky notes and hides the sticky notes around the room Adult sets a ball of play-dough next to a writing utensil on a non-stick floor or table Procedure: Child looks for one sight word tag. Depending on…
Letter Bead Sight Words
Supplies Letter bead (Beads in shape of letters, NOT painted or printed on bead) Yarn to thread beads onto Towel or scarf to cover lenght of yarn White board, black board, or paper Dryer erase marker, or appropriate writing implement Procedure 1. Adult sets up sight words on yarn, tying knots appropriatly to prevent movement…
Painting with Bubbles
Supplies Bubble solution (about 1 cup) 1-2 ts each of red, yellow, and blue paint Bubble wand (we used glitter bug, but you can choose your favoirte) 3 bowls to hold bubble solution/paint Paint brushes or spoons to mix paint and bubble solution Mulitple peices of large paper (we used 17” x11”, but you…
Managing screen time in a digital world
Media is taking over our lives. As parents, we need to learn how to create balance for our family, especially if our children have sensory and learning needs.
Rainbow Foam
Supplies 1 can of shaving cream Yellow, blue, and red food coloring 1 large cookie sheet Access to a sink nearby Paper towels or hand towel Procedure Have the child fill a cookie sheet with shaving cream from left to right and top to bottom to reinforce tracking for reading and writing. With the child’s…
Surviving Snows Days as a working mom of a child with special needs
How many 6 am calls have you gotten from school so far? You know, the one that throws off your entire day if you are a working parent? The one that leaves you either frantically rescheduling your appointments for the day or calling every babysitter on your list? Yes, I am talking about a SNOW…
