April is Occupational Therapy Awareness Month! *Repost*

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!

April is Autism awareness month! *Repost*

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!