DCD and PreTerm Low Birth Weight Babies

Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology published research comparing 132 eight year old children born at 27 weeks or less or less than 1000 grams with 154 term born children. Sixteen percent of the extremely preterm or extreme low birth weight babies had moderate developmental coordination disorder (DCD). Only five percent of the full term babies had DCD. The children with DCD had poorer academic outcomes for reading, spelling and arithmetic. Results from the Child Health Questionnaire Parent Report Form indicated that parents perceptions were not predictive of DCD. The authors recommend motor screens in this at risk population.

Reference: GEHAN et al. Developmental coordination disorder in geographic cohorts of 8-year-old children born extremely preterm or extremely low birthweight in the 1990s. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology Article first published online: 11 OCT 2010 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-8749.2010.03779.x

10 Simple Activities to Encourage Physical Activity in the Classroom

1. Secret Password: Every day establish a secret password activity such as 5 jumping jacks, stand on one foot for 5 seconds, hop three times, etc. Then establish when the student needs to use the secret password - i.e. after a drink of water, before receiving a hand out, when entering the classroom, in between subjects, etc.

2. Walking Worksheets: Tape worksheets on wall, easel and chalkboard. Students move from worksheet to worksheet and answer the different questions.

3. Opposite Hunt: Divide the class in half. Half of the class write a word on an index card. The other half writes the definition. Shuffle the cards and hand one card to each student. The students must move around the classroom and match the word with the definition. For younger students match up sight words, letter or numbers. Try math problems and solutions.

4. Pencil Jumps: For a quick movement break in between lessons have each student place a pencil on the floor. Jump over the pencil a designated number of times.

5. Race in Place: When reviewing material, have the students stand up and run in place by their desks. On the teacher’s signal, student stops running in place, listens to question and writes down the answer on paper.

6. Daily Rule: Establish a new daily rule every day that includes physical activity. I.e. walk backwards to water fountain, tip toe to the bathroom, stretch before sitting in chair. See if you can catch the students forgetting the daily rule.

7. Shredder: Cut up worksheets in quarters. Students can help scatter the worksheets around the floor face down. On the teacher’s signal, the students can crawl around the floor, find the four quarters of the worksheet, complete the worksheet and give it to teacher.

8. Push Up Line Up: When the students line up against the wall to leave the classroom, have each student face the wall and perform 10 wall push ups. After all push ups completed
the class can walk in the line.

9.Mobile Math: Divide the class in half to review math problems. The students can stand at their desks (paper and pencil on desk). Call out a math problem such as 4+5=. One
half of the class jumps 4 times and the other half jumps five times. Each student writes down answer on paper. Continue with other math problems. Vary movements.

10. Q and A Stretching: Provide students with paper at desk. Students can stand or sit. Ask a question and student writes down the answer (very large) on one sheet of paper. Each
student holds paper up, with two hands overhead to stretch. Teacher checks answers. Multiple choice questions work best.

If you would like a hand out of this page go to YourTherapySource.com.

Hand Out for SPD

Advance for PT has just published a patient hand out on sensory processing disorder. It is a brief one page hand out with information on signs and symptoms of the disorder. You can view it at Advance for PT .

Fall Activity: Kick Box Painting

Try this fun activity for children of all abilities - kick box painting. Adapt the activity as necessary by placing the box where the child can complete any active movement to knock it over.

Complex Child Magazine

Complex Child Magazine is a monthly electronic magazine written by parents of special needs children. There are a wide variety of unique topics covered throughout the different issues. Many of the stories are first hand accounts and experiences from parents which provide an excellent perspective from the parent's point of view. If you work with children with complex medical problems this is definitely worth a read. Check it out at Complex Child Magazine.

Special thanks to www.Therextras.com for telling us about this magazine.

Planning a Therapy Session

Therapists can follow in the footsteps of teachers and create lesson plans for therapy sessions. This can be especially useful for group sessions or push in therapy. When the lesson plan is written, provide a copy to the teacher or parent to inform them of your goals for the session. It is a great way to establish better communication between the special education team. Here is some information to include when creating a plan for a therapy session:

1. Goal: Establish the primary goal of the session.

2. Materials Needed: List the equipment necessary for the session.

3. IEP Goals Being Met: List the student's IEP goals that are being addressed.

4. Instruction:
a. Explain to the children what the goal is of the session
b. Write down all the steps you will take to reach the goal

5. Evaluate: How will you evaluate whether the goal was reached?
a. Formal
b. Informal
c. Rubric
d. Test

6. Closure: Wrap up the session reviewing and/or summarizing the skills that were taught.

7. Modifications: List any modifications that can adapt the lesson plan for each child if necessary.

Not only will you be prepared for the therapy session, you will be prepared for documentation and planning for the next session.

Print out the form below to get started.

Peds OT and PT Help in Mexico

Background Noise and Food Preferences

A recent study published in Food Quality and Preference looked at the effects of background noise on food preference. Forty eight adult volunteers were exposed to a variety of background white noise via headphones and different types of food simultaneously. The results indicated that the louder the white noise the less the volunteers could taste different flavors such as salty or sweet. The sense of crunchiness of a food increased with the increase in white noise. In addition, the researchers found that if the subjects enjoyed the type of music they listened to while eating they enjoyed the food more.

Makes me wonder what effects white noise and music has on children who have sensory issues with food or picky eaters?

Read more about white noise at a previous blog post: white noise and attention span

Reference: Woods et. al. Effect of background noise on food perception Food Quality and Preference doi:10.1016/j.foodqual.2010.07.003

Kids Have Not Changed Developmentally

The Gesell Institute for Human Development has performed an 18 month long study on how childhood development in 2010 relates to Gesell's observations published in 1925, 1940 and after his death by his colleagues in 1964 and 1979. Interestingly, not much has changed through all the years. Some experts are concluding that even though the educational system has increased the academic vigor of young children the age at which children reach cognitive milestones have remained stable. Ninety two examiners assessed 1287 children (3-6 years old) from 23 states using 19 tasks. The research indicated that through the years the children develop skills at the same time. For example, the fact that a child can draw a triangle at age 5 1/2 or that a 4 year old can count four pennies has not changed through the years.

This study should help educators to realize that they can slow down. Take the time to allow preschoolers and kindergartners ample amounts of free play, motor time and imaginative play.

My one question is why are more and more children being referred for occupational and physical therapy then?

To read more about this study go to Harvard Education Letter.
View Gesell Developmental Schedules.

Reference: Pappano, L. Kids Haven't Changed Kindergarten Has. Retreived from the web on 10/15/2010 at http://www.hepg.org/hel/article/479#home

Inexpensive Tactile Cues on Paper

Here are some economical ways to provide tactile cues on paper for children. By providing these cues children receive extra input to stay between the lines. They are an excellent way to adapt activities for children with visual impairments as well. Of course, raised line paper can be purchased at speciality therapy shops but here are some simple ideas:

1. Glue: Apply glue to the lines and let dry for 24 hours. Color the glue to provide an additional highlight on the line.

2. Puffy Paint: Purchase puffy paint to apply to the lines. Try making index cards with sight words or letters on them. Apply the puffy paint to add dimension.

3. Wax String (aka "Wikki Stix"): Put wax string sticks along the lines. These are great because they are reusable.

4. Cardboard Stencils: Make your own cardboard stencils. Cut out the space where you want the child to stay between the lines. For example, cut out one inch blocks to stay in between one inch height writing paper.

5. Rubber Bands: If you need an adaptation in a hurry, put a lined worksheet on a clipboard and wrap rubber bands around the board to write between the bands.

6. Embossing: Use an embossing tool or sewing wheel on the back side of paper to make raised lines on card stock paper.

7. Fun Foam: Cut out thin strips for lines or shapes of fun foam. The child can trace around the foam shapes.

8. Flour and Water: Combine flour and water to make a thin paste. Put it in a plastic bag with the corner of the bag snipped off. Pipe the flour paste onto the lines. Let dry 24 hours. You can add food coloring for visual cues.

Can anyone else add to the list?


Wax String Activities: Over 50 wax string activity pages

List Price $4.99

Find out more.

Tracking Calories Burned

If you are working with children to increase their activity levels or to reduce obesity, take the time to check out My Fitness Pal. This is a free, fun tool that calculates how many calories you burn doing many different tasks. You pick the activity, put in your weight and for how long you did the activity. It quickly calculates how many calories you burned. It includes so many different physical activities including Wii games, popular fitness programs and different types of yoga. Did you know that sitting down while ice fishing burns a few more calories than Wii bowling??? Check it out at MyFitnessPal.com.

Here is an idea ... start a contest among different classrooms or grade levels. Who can burn the most calories? The kids and teachers can keep track of all their activity and add up calories burned over a certain time period. At the end, the winning class can get a reward of bonus recess time.

Literature Review on Botox in Calf Muscles

Clinical Rehabilitation published research on the effects of botox A in the calf muscles of children with cerebral palsy. A literature review revealed that botox was effective at:

• improving calf muscle tone at 1 month and 3 months
• improving passive range of motion at 1 month and 3 months
• improving gait speed for 4 months
• improving Gross Motor Function Measure scores for 2 months.

These improvements were seen when studies were done comparing botox injections with non-sham controls.

Reference: Yun Hyung Koog, Byung-II Min Effects of botulinum toxin A on calf muscles in children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review Clin Rehabil August 2010 vol. 24 no. 8 685-700

Button Fine Motor Projects

If you need to work on fine motor, visual motor or button practice why not try some of these activity ideas?





Dressing Skills:

Step by step visual directions to teach children how to dress

List price: $4.99

S&H: Free

Find out more.

Learning Styles and Sensory Processing Disorder

In the school setting, teachers discuss various learning styles of students. There are three main types of learning styles:

1. Auditory learner - learns best by using sense of hearing
2. Visual Learner - learns best by sense of vision
3. Kinesthetic/ Tactile Learner - learns best by doing or touching

More teachers are now accommodating students and presenting new material in various ways to help all students learn more efficiently. Teachers can offer choices regarding different ways to complete assignments that allow students the freedom to utilize their own learning styles. When determining a students learning style, a teacher looks at the students strengths. How do they learn best - auditory input, visual input or tactile input?

Is is starting to sound familiar? When determining if a student has sensory processing disorder, pediatric therapists look at auditory, visual and kinesthetic input and output. When an pediatric therapist evaluates a student for sensory processing disorder typically weaknesses are determined. For example, "this student is a sensory seeker constantly looking for movement opportunities". Pediatric therapists can also look at students in a different manner with regards to learning styles and offer suggestions to the teachers in a language that they can fully understand. Therefore in addition to offering treatment strategies to address the students core sensory issues try:

1. offering recommendations on how to present academic material to the sensory seeking student for that student may be an excellent kinestethic/ tactile learner

2. providing the teacher with a list of methods or activities that may make it easier for the student to learn a new concept.

3. following up on recommendations - did the student perform better on as assignment when there was a kinesthetic approach to the task?

4. offering suggestions with a universal design approach to teaching to benefit all students in the classroom.

Modifications and Interventions for School :

Reproducible reporting forms with hundreds of suggested interventions

Download: $16.95

Find out more.

White Noise and Attention Span

Behavioral and Brain Functions, an open source journal, recently published research on the effects of white noise on 51 school aged children. The results indicated that playing white noise during school helped to significantly improve the attention spans of normally inattentive students. On the other hand, the students who were normally attentive showed a significant decline in memory abilities as the white noise was turned up. The researchers recommend that cognitive performance can be improved in inattentive children with the use of background white noise.

You can view the complete article at Behavioral and Brain Functions

Reference: Goran B. W. Soderlund, Sverker Sikstrom, Jan M. Loftesnes, Edmund J. Sonuga-Barke The effects of background white noise on memory performance in inattentive school children Behavioral and Brain Functions 2010, 6:55 (29 September 2010)

Memory and Physical Fitness in Children

A recent study in Brain Research studied forty-nine, 9 and 10 year old children. MRI measurements were taken comparing the brains of fit and unfit children. The results indicated increased volume of the hippocampus by 12% in the fit children. In addition, the fit children performed better on relational memory (the ability to remember and integrate various types of information).

Reference:
Yates, Diana. Child's Brain Development is Linked to Physical Fitness. Retrieved from the web on 10/5/2010 at http://news.illinois.edu/news/10/0915_brain_development_and_fitness_art_kramer.html

October 2010 Digital Magazine for Pediatric Therapy

If you have any trouble viewing magazine go to www.YourTherapySource.com/magazine to download the issue.

Open publication - Free publishing - More autism

Communicating with Parents

Parents are an integral part of the special education team. They know the most about their children strengths, weaknesses and personal preferences. Therapists and other school staff need to include parents in all decision making for children. Here are some tips on improving your communication with parents:

1. Always start off a conversation stressing a child's strengths. No one wants to hear only negative comments.

2. Be very specific about your concerns for their child without using any medical terminology.

3. Do not be judgemental. If the child is the firstborn in a family, parents may not always recognize delays in the child's development.

4. Be patient. You may be the first person to tell the parents that their child may need some extra help. Give them time to digest the information and schedule a time to talk again.

5. Allow plenty of time for questions. Make sure you have the time to address any questions the parent may have. Do not run off to your next scheduled appointment with unanswered questions.

6. Listen! Make sure you listen to the parent's comment or concerns. They usually have the best insight into their own child.

To read more on communication, check out the article Let's Talk: How To Communicate Effectively with the Special Educaiton Team.

Would love to hear from parents with any of their own tips on how to improve communication. Please comment.

Physical Therapy Month 2010

October 2010 is Physical Therapy Month. The APTA is promoting physical therapists to encourage families to combat obesity with physical activity this month. They have produced a hand out entitled "Smart Moves for Families". It can be viewed below or downloaded from the APTA website. Print it out and send home with children at your school.

If you would like more ideas to celebrate Physical Therapy Month read our post from last year on PT Month.