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Obstacle Courses Address a Variety of Skills(Post)
My favorite pediatric occupational therapy intervention is, hands down, an obstacle course. Obstacle courses are versatile and can target various skills, including motor planning, body scheme, st
Enhancing Future Occupational Therapists’ Competencies with Southpaw Pediatric Equipment(Post)At Huntington University Arizona, we are committed to preparing the next generation of occupational therapists with the highest standard of education and practical experience. Central to our appro
Watch Out!: Promoting Functional Vision(Post)Functional praxis, motor planning and visual processing are a few primary outcomes in sensory integrative intervention within pediatric occupational therapy. The visual sensory system significan
Skillfully Scheduling Summer(Post)As many of us are looking out our windows seeing the snowflakes fall and the temperatures drop, we can only be dreaming of the summer days ahead. However, if you are a parent, now is the time to be
Starting With a Blank Canvas(Post)When I launched Forward OT PLLC, my private practice, in 2012, creating a sensory gym that was both practical and functional was a top priority. It wasn't an easy task, but the sense of accomplis
Using Creative Tools to Motor Plan(Post)When we think about child development, we often don’t put a lot of emphasis on motor planning. However, this is a key component to development. Motor planning is a person’s ability to conceive, p
The Importance of the Just-Right Challenge(Post)As occupational therapy practitioners, we often utilize the “just-right challenge” when working with our clients. There are numerous therapeutic benefits for clients when an activity is structured t
Movement Is a Building Block for Development(Post)It goes without saying there is a lot of chatter about how and what kids are doing these days. It probably is not any different from the conversations our grandparents and parents had, but in today
Sensory Approach to Treatment(Post)The not-so-secret ingredient of Occupational Therapy is presenting the client with materials that are intrinsically motivating to explore. Using a sensory approach to treatment is common when wor
Scaling Heights: Integrating Primitive Reflexes Through Rock-Climbing Activities(Post)When primitive reflexes are not properly integrated, it can negatively impact occupational performance and behavior of children. So many of my clients exhibit difficulty with handwriting—hand-eye c
Putting "Play" on the Christmas List(Post)A doctor named Stuart Brown has said, “Play leads to brain plasticity, adaptability and creativity. Nothing fires up the brain like play.” So, I ask, what are we doing as parents, teachers and ther
Food Play(Post)Mealtime is typically a social and cultural experience for many families. But if your child is a picky eater, mealtime can be hard. An occupational therapist can assess a child’s needs to determine th