Ways to Motivate Children

Pediatric therapists know quite well that motivating a young child is the key sometimes to successful outcomes. If a child is not interested or motivated in a task, he will not want to practice the task. Therapists try various ways to motivate children through the use of toys and reward systems. Here are several creative ways to reward children for completing whatever goal has been set.

1. Charm bracelets - buy some cheap charms and jewelry supplies. Each time a child completes a goal add a charm to the bracelet. Order charms that relate to the goal if possible - i.e. feet charms for gait training.

2. Free play - if you have an exciting therapy room full of toys, reward the child with a certain amount of free time in the room to play with whatever toy or piece of equipment that the child wants.

3. Earn play money - purchase a variety of inexpensive prizes and create prices for each item. When the child achieves the goal, give the child a fake one dollar bill. When the child accumulates say $10, you can open your shop of prizes. The child can choose to spend all the money at one time or save up for higher priced prizes.

4. Lunch - if you work in a school setting, perhaps reward a child with a lunch date. The child gets to eat lunch in the therapy room, maybe bring a friend, and the therapist can provide dessert. Play a game together after you eat.

5. Music - reward your older clients with a download for the mp3 player or put the song on a CD.

6. Reward box - Print and create this reward box to use

7. Therapy Bingo - Print and play Therapy Bingo

8. Award Cards - Print and create these free awards for OT and PT.

Check out these motivational tools:

Positive Affirmation Posters and Cards












Awards and Certificates for Pediatric Occupational and Physical Therapists

Can't Seem Forget that Smell - Good or Bad

A recent study published in Current Biology reports on the sense of smell and memory. In the study the researchers noted that people remembered unpleasant smells the best. Associations of objects and good or bad smells made an imprint on the brain. This only occurred with smells and not sounds.

In addition, functional MRI scans were done to determine how people associated new objects with smell and sound. The amygdala and hippocampus lit up on the MRI's for associations with smell and not sound.

Now let's think about kiddos with sensory processing disorder and/or autism. Research indicates that children with autism exhibit certain sensory sensitivities one of them being smell (read more in previous post on Autism and Sensory Sensitivities). Some children have aversions to certain smells, some find certain smells calming and yet others find smells distracting. If certain associations are being made between objects and smells perhaps these can be changed for children. Perhaps probe further as to why a child has certain smell dislikes or preferences. Are there negative or positive objects or memories associated with the smells? Answers to these questions could help to formulate a plan of action regarding the smells. Any thoughts?

Reference: Reuters Study Explains How Strong Smells Conjure Strong Memories Retrieved from the web on 11/6/09 at http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSTRE5A46JQ20091105?feedType=RSS&feedName=healthNews

Fine Motor Activity Idea - Clay Imprints

Here is a simple, fun activity that encourages muscle strengthening in the hands and fingers, fine motor skill development, visual perceptual skill development, tactile and proprioceptive input. All you need is clay, small objects and a tray.

Want to take this activity outdoors? Take a nature walk and collect small, tactile natural items. Make clay imprints of different tree trunks, acorns, pine cones, rocks and more.

Transporting Children with Special Needs

Pediatrics just published a study indicating that children ages 4 to 8 years of age who use belt positioning booster seats are 45% less likely to sustain injuries in a car accident compared to children not in booster seats.

For children with special needs finding the right car seat can be difficult and expensive. There are several informative websites to help guide the decision making process on picking out the proper system in a car or on a bus. Pediatric occupational and physical therapists can help to determine what seating systems may work the best for a specific child. In addition, therapists may want to remind parents to evaluate the car seats when there is an upcoming surgical or medical procedure scheduled. Casts or new braces may restrict the use of a current car seat.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has published a document entitled Special Needs Car Safety Seats/Restraints Product Information.

To read more on this topic or to find a safety seat technician in your area, you can check out the Automotive Safety Program website section on children with special needs.

Reference: Arbogast, Kristy B., Jermakian, Jessica S., Kallan, Michael J., Durbin, Dennis R. Effectiveness of Belt Positioning Booster Seats: An Updated Assessment
Pediatrics 2009 124: 1281-1286

Severe Hemophilia and Athletics

Pediatrics published a study on school aged boys with severe hemophilia A or B who were taking prophylactic factor replacement. Clinical baseline data was collected along with sports participation. Seventy three percent participated in high impact sports and 27% participated in low impact sports. Results indicated that the frequency of injuries or joint hemorrhages did not different significantly between high and low impact sports. Sixteen percent of the boys were overweight. The authors concluded young boys who are taking prophylaxis for hemophilia can participate in athletics with adult supervision and precautions in place.

Reference: Ross, Cassie, Goldenberg, Neil A., Hund, Dana, Manco-Johnson, Marilyn J.
Athletic Participation in Severe Hemophilia: Bleeding and Joint Outcomes in Children on Prophylaxis Pediatrics 2009 124: 1267-1272

Digital Magazine from Your Therapy Source Inc November 2009

Here is our latest issue of a digital pediatric occupational and physical therapy monthly magazine. If you can not view it below you can download a pdf copy.

New Website: Autism 360

Autism360 is a new website where you can share and learn about others with autism. It is a free service that matches a profile of someone with autism with similar people with autism and what types of treatment worked for them. You can track medical treatments and outcomes on the website. Essentially, it is an area to share experiences about children with autism and to benefit from other people experiences. Autism360 can be found at Autism360.org.