Love this new idea!!!

Came across this on the web this morning. Watch this video from CBS News on this new product. This is an excellent idea to get babies and young children with disabilities moving and exploring their environment as soon as possible.


You can get more information about the ZipZac chair here. It looks like it costs around $1000.

5 Fine Motor Activities Using Rubber Bands

Just posted a new video describing 5 fun activities to encourage fine motor skills and muscle strengthening of the hand.  You can view it at YourTherapySource.com. 

Culture and Sensory Sensitivities

Have you ever considered the influence of culture on sensory sensitivities?  Does being from a different country or upbringing influence sensory preferences?  One would assume the answer is yes but definitive differences would be hard to categorize.

The American Journal of Occupational Therapy published research on a cross cultural comparison of sensory behaviors in children with autism.  The researchers compared the Short Sensory Profile responses completed by Israeli parents and United States parents of children with autism and typically developing peers.  The results indicated that "Israeli parents reported unusual responses to sensory experiences less frequently than U.S. parents for both autism spectrum disorders and typically developing children".  The United States children with autism spectrum disorders exhibited significantly greater difficulty in the Auditory Filtering and Visual/Auditory Sensitivity domains than Israeli children with autism spectrum disorders.

This study is very interesting to me.  By defining sensory behaviors based on culture we can look to different cultures to provide suggestions for other cultures.  For example, in the above study, if it was taken a step further are the researchers able to determine what Israeli parents may do differently in terms of auditory or visual domains that could help US parents?

Reference:  Kristina G. Caron,Roseann C. Schaaf,Teal W. Benevides,and Eynat Gal Cross-Cultural Comparison of Sensory Behaviors in Children With Autism Am J Occup Ther September 2012 66:e77-e80; doi:10.5014/ajot.2012.004226

Weight and Gross Motor Skills

Pediatric Physical Therapy published research on weight and gross motor skill development in young children.  Body mass index and gross motor skill level was determined for 4650 kindergarteners.  The results indicated that children with obesity exhibited decreased motor skills compared to their peers especially with respect to locomotor and balance skills.

Reference: Roberts, Dawn; Veneri, Diana; Decker, Robert; Gannotti, Mary. Weight Status and Gross Motor Skill in Kindergarten Children. Pediatric Physical Therapy. 24(4):353-360, Winter 2012. doi: 10.1097/PEP.0b013e3182680f19

CVS Caremark Grants - Deadline Oct 31st

Here is the annual reminder about the CVS Caremark grants. They are due October 31, 2012.

This grant provides support for children with disabilities.

 "CVS Caremark Community Grants Program awards funds to nonprofit organizations for the following programs:

* Programs targeting children with disabilities

* Programs focusing on health and rehabilitation services

* Public schools promoting a greater level of inclusion in student activities and extracurricular program

* Initiatives that give greater access to physical movement and play

* Organizations that provide uninsured individuals with needed care, in particular programs where the care received is of higher quality and delivered by providers who participate in accountable community health care programs" 

If you are a pediatric therapist in a school based setting or other non profit organization this is definitely worth a look. Qualifying organizations are eligible for grants of up to $5,000. Go to CVS Caremark for more information and to apply.

Sensory Preferences

Assist a child as necessary to complete this free printable worksheet to determine sensory diet activities for different situations.  You can download the blank worksheet at YourTherapySource.com.

Free Sticky Note OT/PT Reminders

Print some reminders for the next occupational or physical therapy sessions on sticky notes.  Place in a student's planner to remind teachers, parents and students when the next session is scheduled.  These are great for the start of the school year when the schedule is new.  Also, wonderful way to create independence for students who walk to therapy room by themselves.  You can download all the details at YourTherapySource.com.