W sitting

There are many different sitting positions that children use every day while playing but there is one sitting position in particular that some children use that should be avoided as much as possible. This sitting position is called “W sitting”. In other sitting positions children are able to develop the rotation and trunk control that everyone needs for midline crossing. Midline crossing is when you reach across your body with your arms. Midline crossing is important for fine motor skills such as writing and also are helpful in developing hand dominance. The reason that W sitting is not recommended is because it hinders the midline crossing, developing hand dominance and also can lead to future orthopedic problems. One reason that W sitting hinders midline crossing is because it keeps the child in one place, the child can play with toys in front of them but does not allow them to rotate their trunk or twist to reach for other toys that are not in front of them. This position could cause the child to not have hand dominance because they are less likely to reach across their body because they are able to pick up things on their right side with their right hand and same thing on the left side. If a child continuously sits in this “W sitting” position it might hinder them from developing mature movement patterns they will need for higher level skills. This sitting position can also cause orthopedic concerns, it can predispose children to hip dislocation, and so if concerns have been raised in the past this position should be avoided. These are reasons why you want to prevent your child from consistently sitting in the “W position”, so watch how your child sits and move them out of this W position if necessary.

Haloween Acitivties *Repost*

Holidays are a great time to encourage new ways of working on therapeutic activities in a fun manner! Here are some of our Halloween themed suggestions.....

Carving pumpkins offers a variety of fun ways to work on therapy goals. For those sensory kids, it's a great messy play experience to help dig out the insides with their hands or finger paint the outsides. For kids who are working on shape formation, they can help by drawing faces on the pumpkins with markers. If they don't turn out how they want them to, they can always wipe them off and start over again! For older kids who need to work on strength, have them help with some of the simple carving with safe tools and adult supervision.

To work on fine motor skills, have your children color fun Halloween themed pictures, finger paint, cut out new shapes, and fold paper to make spider legs. You can also work on fine motor by using pipe cleaners to wrap around suckers to make spiders or bugs.

For sensory kids who need calming activities, wrap them with Ace bandages and make them into mummies for a calming input. You can also have them work on heavy work by having them help by carrying or rolling pumpkins from one location to another.

For the sensory kids who need to work on interacting with more textures, you can present them with a variety of bowls of foods and have them guess what they might be - with their eyes open or closed. Peeled grapes could be eyeballs, spaghetti noodles could be worms, jello or wet sponges could be brains, plastic fork tines could be vampire teeth, and corn can be teeth.

To work on speech sounds focus on your target sounds. For example, if your child is working on the "k" sound, talk about things that are spooKy, pumpKins, icKy, blacK Cats, etc.

Have fun!!!

Riding the Bus *Repost*

Riding the bus can be unexpectedly overwhelming experience for your child, which could affect their day at school and/or their evening once they get home. Being on a bus offers a variety of sensory experiences that may compound into too much for one sensory-sensitive body to handle.

First, it's important to consider the new environment (even if your child has been on the bus in the past). There will be new children, possibly a new driver, people sitting in different seats than they are accustomed to, or a new bus in general. If possible, try to help your child find a buddy to sit with on the bus so that they have a familiar person to look to each time they ride. It can also be helpful to have the child have the option to consistently sit in the same seat. If you child is extremely sensitive to these routines, it may be helpful to work with the bus driver to make sure that seat will always be available. Otherwise, it would also be an opportunity to discuss with your child that the seat availability may change from day to day.

The sights, sounds, and/or a combination of these things can easily be overwhelming for a child. Visually, a lot children moving around throughout the bus in combination with the fast moving scenery passing by can be overwhelming, but may also make your child feel unwell. Bright sunshine in their eyes can also be overwhelming. Seating your child in the front of the bus to reduce the input of so much stimuli can be helpful, as well as considering wearing a hat or sunglasses. As many of you know, the volume level on a bus can be extremely loud! The bus drivers can help as much as possible to keep the volume level of your child's peers to a dull roar but other techniques may also be useful. You could try incorporating headphones (calming music would be the best), ear plugs, or even a thick stocking cap in the winter to block out some sound. Having the windows open on the bus also increases the volume level to include the noises from outside and also the sound of the wind. Remember, this doesn't bother all people, but it can be extremely bothersome to a sensitive child. Depending on the child, it could be better for them to sit in the back of the bus or in the front of the bus, depending on the above factors.

Some general ideas of activities or items to use on the bus to help keep your child in a calm state could include having a fidget available for your child. This could be a simple keychain attached to his or her backpack, a small piece of silly putty, a rubber band to fidget with around the wrist, or something similar. Headphones can be a great way of drowning out sounds and also gives the opportunity to incorporate music that can be calming for their bodies. Chewing gum (the thicker, the better) is a great calming tool. Having a great peer to interact with on the ride helps the time go faster and can also distract the child from some of the stimuli around him or her.

Once they get off the bus, they still may be feeling overwhelmed and could likely benefit from a "sensory break". This could include some quiet time by themselves, heavy work, complete the brushing program, swinging, listen to calming music, etc. These activities can also be helpful before getting onto the bus, as well!

Questions, other ideas, comments, concerns we can address??? Let us know!!!

BOOM, POP, OOOH, AWWWW

Happy 4th of July to everyone! A fun time to celebrate with family and friends. The ever-so popular...and loud, tradition of fire works is approaching us fast. While fun, and exciting for us adults, that may not be the case for your little ones.  Listed below are some tips for making this year's 4th of July an absolute BLAST!

• "It's too LOUD"  Try ear plugs or noise reducing headphones to soften the blow.  With these noise eliminating options, the child is better able to enjoy the fireworks without the anxiety of when the next "boom" is going to be.
• If crowds and lots of commotion send your kid sky rocketing along with the fireworks, think about finding a grassy spot somewhere away from the action.  Busy environments with noise, movement, smells and sounds can cause kids to become over stimulated which could create a sense of panic or disorganization. They may have a harder time sitting still, unable to listen or follow directions, or become easily upset and emotional.
• If familiar with The Wilbarger Brushing Protocol (the brushing program), 30 minutes before you go to the show would be a good time to do a once over.  It will help with avoiding the over stimulation that can often times occur at these sort of events.
• Expect a wait.  While the sun is setting, the kids are getting antsy.  Plan to bring a backpack full of activities to occupy the kids while they wait.  Coloring books, cards, toys or a fun festive snack will help take the attention off the fireworks. If the kids are the sitting type, think of fun lawn games you can play. Tag, red light green light, I spy, or animal walks are all good options.
• Maybe next year.  A lot of times the fireworks are more important to the adult than they are to the child, especially if the child is sensitive to noise and crowds. You may have to consider your child's angst and sit this one out.  As much fun as they are, we know there will always be next year :)

Speech Sounds

Included below is a speech sound acquisition chart categorized by age. Children should typically be using the sounds listed in spontaneouse words by the beginning of the designated years. If the child is not yet producing a listed sound by the middle of the year of the age that is listed (based on the child's developmental age) a speech evaluation would be recommended to evaluate if your child may benefit from speech therapy services.

If you have any questions, please comment below or contact Children's Therapy Center!

Slow Down Sparklers

Slow Down Sparklers are a great tool to help your child to calm down, as well as use a timer for taking a break from an activity or timing how long your child should participate in a task.

These sparklers are simple to make from clear plastic water bottles, glitter, and glue! To make the sparklers, choose a color glitter that your child would like. You will need one bottle of glitter glue, a matching color container of fine glitter, clear tacky glue, water, clear plastic water bottle (Smart Water bottles work great), and super glue. Start by adding the glitter glue, glitter, water (about 3/4 full) and mixing this together thoroughly by shaking the bottle. At this point, you can start adding either more water and/or more clear tacky glue. The more glue you add the slower the glitter will settle. Allow frequent trials for letting the glitter to settle before fully filling the bottle to get a good idea for the amount of time it will take. It can be great for a one minute calm down break or also great to be used as a 10 minute timer for table activities. Once you are satisfied with the amount of time it takes for the glitter to settle in the bottle, super the glue the top onto the bottle and then it's safe for your child to use.

These sparklers are a great calming tool as children love to watch the glitter swirling around inside the bottle. Because of the sparkle and movement it helps them focus visually and can help them to stay seated for the amount of time it takes for the glitter to settle. The sparklers are also a great tool to let a child know how long he or she has left to complete an activity or when he or she will have to be done. By setting the sparkler somewhere they can see it, it allows them the independence to look toward the glitter as being halfway or fully settled to know how much time is left!

Let us know if you have any other great ideas for Slow Down Sparklers!

Mission Impossible

For those rainy days this summer, here is a great activity for you to try at home with your kids! It is easy to make, all you need is a hallway, tape and yarn or ribbon! Then just tape the yarn from one wall to the other in different heights and angles. Tell your kids they need to get through the "mission impossible maze" without touching the yarn! You can make this activity harder or easier by how close you put the yarn to other yarn pieces, how long you make the maze or how high or low to the ground you put the yarn. This activity will work on coodination through the kids having to organize their body movements so that they do not touch the yarn with their legs, arms or body. This activity will also work on their visual skills, because they need to be able to determine where they are able to move through the maze in order to not hit the yarn and it will also work on their bilateral integration because they need to be able to use both sides of their body in a coordinated manner during the activity. Here are some pictures of one of our therpists and a child completing the mission impossible maze! 

Planting Flowers For Sensory Fun!

Planting flowers and vegetables is a great sensory play experience for your child! It encourages your child to work through the dirt by using their hands (or even their feet!), both wet and dry, to experience a variety of textures through a functional play activity. This can help these kids who are seeking out sensory play activities, as well as those who are more hesitant to get messy. By having your child participate in an activity that has an outcome they can see, this often motivates them to continue to participate in the task!

They can also work on problem solving and following multiple step directions of how to dig up the dirt, put it in the pot, add the seeds, cover up the seeds, and then water what they have planted. Have your child push or pull the planting items in a wagon or wheelbarrow to incorporate a "heavy work" activity into the task as well. This is great to keep your child's engine running "just right". After they are done with the planting, they can use a hose to clean off their hands and/or feet for an even greater sensory play experience! Have them water their plant daily and monitor the growth of their plant!

April is Autism awareness month!

April is Autism awareness month! New studies report that 1 in every 88 children are now diagnosed on the autism spectrum in the United States. Autism is characterized by difficulties in social interaction and communication. Children on the spectrum can also have difficulties with motor coordination, sensory sensitivities and can also have physical health issues including poor sleeping patterns or gastrointestinal issues.

There are lots of different and fun ways to go out into the community and be a part of autism awareness month! Get in touch with your local Autism Speaks chapter! Go to a "sensory friendly film" put on by AMC theaters and the Autism society. The movie auditorium provides a more comfortable experience for those with sensory difficulties and their families by having the lights on and the sound down. The movie theater also allows families to bring in their own casein and gluten free snacks for their children.

For more ideas go to the Autism Society webpage http://www.autism-society.org/get-involved/state-resources/minnesota.html to find more local events in your area!

April is occupational therapy awareness month!

April is Occupational Therapy month! There are many people who do not know what occupational therapy is or what we do in the profession. This month is a great start to helping those around us understand how important occupational therapy is for many people of all ages! Occupational therapy’s goal is to help others in a holistic way, meaning looking at the whole picture of whom a person is, including their physical, psychological, emotional and social aspects. OT works to help others function in their everyday life and achieve their goals. Specifically, looking at how occupational therapy helps in a pediatric setting is very different from looking at what they do in other settings. In a pediatric setting, like this out-patient clinic or in the schools, occupational therapy can help kids in many ways. This includes working on cognitive skills such as memory (remembering how to make shapes and letters) and sequencing. OT helps with both gross and fine motor skills. Gross motor skills that OT works on could include both coordination and balance. Fine motor skills include hand strength, control of arms, wrists and hands and finger dexterity which helps with handwriting skills. OT also works with kids on self care skills including getting dressed, feeding and hygiene tasks such as washing hands or brushing teeth. Social skills are also a part of what OT works on with kids including playing with peers and listening/following directions. Sensory differences are something else that OT can incorporate into their sessions to help children function in everyday life. These are all different areas an OT can work on with children to help them succeed in their everyday lives! Go out and spread the word on how OT has helped your child!