Occupational Therapists (OT’s) work with individuals with Down syndrome to help them learn and gain mastery in skills they need to be independent such as self-care skills (ex. dressing, bathing, feeding), fine motor skills, gross motor skills, school performance, and leisure activities. Individuals with Down syndrome are now, more than ever, being seen accomplishing great milestones such as graduating college, participating in social and recreational activities in their commu

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic brain disorder marked by an ongoing pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development. Children diagnosed with ADHD have a harder time with school tasks and may make succeeding in school difficult. Occupational therapists can implement a few strategies to help a child who experiences this challenge. One being a weighted vest. These vests can decrease sensory modu

"But it's just a craft" might be something you think when you pick your child up from therapy or even school but there are many benefits that derive from the making of that simple turkey, snow man, or even Easter egg craft. Crafts allow children to develop in physical, emotional, social and cognitive departments. So though you may think it's just a sweet craft they are bringing home to you it is much more. Physical benefits: Enhances fine motor skills: Crafts involve the mo

Sleep is such an important part of your child’s day. Optimal sleep helps your child play and be ready to participate in daily activities at school and at home. Parents often struggle with make sure their child goes to bed at a reasonable hour every night. A bedtime routine helps both the parent and the child make the daily activity of going to sleep an enjoyable experience. Occupational therapy can help facilitate this routine and provide strategies that will promote a succes

The symptoms of cerebral palsy can have a profound impact on a child’s everyday life. Occupational therapists can increase a child’s independence, improve their ability to learn and play, enhance their self-esteem, develop a routine, and improve their quality of life. For parents/caregivers, occupational therapists can help decrease the physical demands, reduce stress, provide a sense of security, and allow them to watch their child succeed. Occupational therapy can help with

Have you ever sat down on a very uncomfortable chair? Whether it was at a nail salon, your physicians waiting room, or a restaurant? I’m sure we have all had situations where we were so distracted by how uncomfortable we were that we did not enjoy our visit at the doctor’s office or our dinner at our favorite restaurant. Picture yourself in a classroom setting, sitting down for 7-8 hours of the day feeling extremely uncomfortable “trying” to learn new material. It is very dif

When you hear April.. what do you think of? A time to celebrate Easter? Maybe it’s your birthday month? Perhaps a wedding anniversary? Or simply just 1 out of the 12 months of the year? April is a very special and important month in the therapy world. In April we celebrate both Occupational Therapy month and Autism Awareness month. It’s awesome how OT and Autism share the month of April to connect on how important the role of OT can play in the life of autism. Autism can be d

Years ago, occupational therapy was reserved for the mentally ill and the seriously injured or permanently physically disabled. Today, occupational therapists work with children and adults with a wide variety of issues, many of which are temporary or comparatively mild. Children may be referred to occupational therapy for reasons such as fine or gross motor skill impairment, developmental problems, sensory processing issues, or difficulties interacting with other children. In

Music can be a motivating and fun way to teach all children, especially those who have special needs. Studies have shown that the medium of music can provide the opportunity to learn a variety of life skills. It has been proven to help with a child's growth and development across the lifespan. Music therapy isn't just for children, however. Many studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of music therapy for adults as well. In short, people from every walk of life can enjoy

Within occupational therapy, occupations refer to the everyday activities that individuals engage in to occupy their time and bring meaning and purpose to their life. Occupations include the things people need to, have to do, and want to do within their every day life. For children play is their main occupation and it plays a vital role in their development. Through play children develop gross motor, fine motor, social, emotional regulation, and cognitive skills. Not to menti

Social skills are the skills individuals use in every day life in order to communicate and interact with other people within their environment. Such skills include both verbal and non-verbal forms of communication including speech, facial expressions, eye contact, gestures, and body language. When kids have difficulties with social skills, they may struggle with making friends, maintaining relationships with peers, communicating appropriately with adults or unfamiliar people,

So let's focus on handwriting for a bit. Most adults don't think twice about picking up a pen to write out a quick reminder or jot down a note, but handwriting is more than just picking up the pencil and writing. Handwriting is a skill that takes practice and must be developed. For kids, it is critically important to consider that these skills develop over time and typically follow a set of developmental milestones. Below are a few milestones to keep in mind when considering

For thousands of years, yoga has been promoted as a tool to improve emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual wellness. With hundreds of poses and structured routines, it has appeal for both the beginner and the expert. Why so popular? Yoga combines physical exercise, meditation, and breathing techniques into a satisfactory challenge. Research shows that adults who do yoga on a regular benefit can improve muscle and bone strength, range of motion and flexibility, joint stabi

February is National Children's Dental Health Month. For the entire month of February, dental providers, health care professionals, and teachers work to promote healthy dental practices and the benefits of good oral hygiene for kids across the country. Among the many tips and strategies for good dental health addressed include regular flossing, scheduled dental visits, and establishment of a tooth brushing routine. However, for parents of children with sensory sensitivities o

The most common question we as therapists get is, what is ocupational therapy? In honor of National OT Month, we wanted to share this description from AOTA: Occupational therapy is the only profession that helps people across the lifespan to do the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of daily activities (occupations). Occupational therapy practitioners enable people of all ages to live life to its fullest by helping them promote health, and prevent—or