Do What You Love Everyday With the Help of OT

This poster is a great inspirational quote for an OT room.  Occupational therapy can help you to continue to enjoy and do whatever it that you love everyday through adaptations, modifications, practice and education.

Find out more information on this high quality, full color 11″x17″ poster at http://yourtherapysource.com/posterOT1.html or check out the other inspirational posters here.

Activities and Skills that Pediatric Occupational Therapists Work on with Children

Here is the second is a new series of motivational posters.  This one obviously focuses on many of the activities and skills that occupational therapists work on with children.  You can get more information about the poster here http://yourtherapysource.com/posterOTcollage.html to purchase the high quality, full color 11″x17″ Occupational Therapy Collage poster for $5 plus $3 shipping.  Only available in the United States.

Characteristics of Food Refusal in Children with Autism

The Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics published research on whether parent report of food refusal based on the characteristics of food was greater in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) than in typically developing children. A modified food frequency questionnaire was used for parent-reported food refusal related to characteristics of food (eg, texture/consistency, temperature, brand, color, shape, taste/smell, foods mixed together, or foods touching other foods) was compared between 53 children with ASD and 58 typically developing children aged 3 to 11 years.

The results indicated the following:

1.  children with ASD were significantly more likely to refuse foods based on texture/consistency (77.4% vs 36.2%), taste/smell (49.1% vs 5.2%), mixtures (45.3% vs 25.9%), brand (15.1% vs 1.7%), and shape (11.3% vs 1.7%).

2.  no differences between groups were found for food refusal based on temperature, foods touching other foods, or color.

3.  regardless of ASD status, the percentage of foods refused of those offered was associated with parent reports of food refusal based on all characteristics examined, except temperature.

4.  in both groups, food refusal based on color was inversely associated with vegetable consumption in both groups.

The researchers recommend routine screening for food refusal among children with ASD in order to prevent dietary inadequacies that may be associated with selective eating habits.

Reference:  Hubbard, Kristie L. et al. A Comparison of Food Refusal Related to Characteristics of Food in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Typically Developing Children. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics , Volume 114 , Issue 12 , 1981 - 1987.

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Proprioceptive, Tactile and Fine Motor Painting Activity

Here is a simple activity that you can modify depending upon the skill level of the child. We chose to do a name but you could make this activity much more simple by just doing lines or random designs. It could also be done on a canvas bag to make a great tote bag gift for someone special.

Purpose of activity: Encourage fine motor skill development, upper extremity muscle strengthening and proprioceptive/tactile input.

Materials: painter's tape (low adhesion), paint and paper. Easel is optional or you could do the activity on the floor.

Activity:
Step 1: Put painter's tape (low adhesion) on a large piece of paper in a design or create a name.


Optional: If able have the child help to tear the tape to encourage fine motor skill development.


Step 2: When design is completed paint the palms of the child's hands. The child will then press hard on the picture with flat hands.




Step 3: When the paint has dried completely remove the painter's tape to reveal the design.


Looking for more sensory motor development ideas? Go to YourTherapySource.com for free activities, electronic books, monthly newsletter and more.

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.

Practice Screwing and Unscrewing Caps

Here is a simple activity box to create using recycled baby food pouches and the caps. I love this idea because some of the caps have a nice large diameter which can be a little easier to unscrew than a regular water bottle top for example. The smaller caps have ridges for gripping.

Muscle Strengthening Activity for the Hands

Check out these activities using squeeze containers from the Dollar Store. Can't beat the price - 2 for $1. Economical occupational therapy tool for sure...

Online Technology for Occupational Therapy

There is a wiki available entitled Online Technology 4 Occupational Therapy or OT 4 OT. It is a website developed by several occupational therapists from around the world. It provides basic information on Web 2.0 and more. They also have a Facebook group that you can join. If you are interested in collaborating with OT's from all around the world regarding technology you may want to check out the website.

Free Download on Teaching Life Skills

Parents, teachers and therapists who instruct teens and young adults, may want to check out Ready, Set , Fly A Parents Guide to Teaching Life Skills. This electronic book was created with foster parents in mind in particular but it is very useful for all parents and therapists. The activities are graded using different levels based on age (activities are developed for children ages 8 years old and up). The book is divided into several chapters on topics such as Daily Living Skills, Housing, Transportation & Community Resources, Money Management, Self-Care, Social Development and Work & Study Skills. The book includes many simple ideas for parents to carry out at home. Great resource and FREE!!! You can find it at Ready, Set, Fly!
A Parent’s Guide To Teaching Life Skills (published by Casey Family Programs).

Alternatives to Written Assignments

Voice Thread is a tool to talk about pictures, documents or videos. For those children who have difficulty with written assignments, why not try using voice thread. The child can record his/her voice to go along with pictures or videos. There are so many ideas of how to use Voice Thread on their website. Check it out. A basic account is free for educators.

Want to do more with recorded voice? Check out Blabberize. Take any picture and make it talk. It is also very simple and free to use. Kids get a kick out of this one. Here is a sample video of Blabberize in action.

Tele-Rehabilitation for Hemiparesis in Teens

A recent case study report of three teens with cerebral palsy (hemiplegia) and the use of remotely monitored in home video games was published in Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation January 2010. The three teens used a specially fitted sensor glove linked to a video game at home for 30 minutes a day, 5 times a week for 3 months. The video games played were specifically designed to improve hand function. After the three month training, all three teens showed improved hand function, brain activity changes on functional MRI's and 2/3 teens showed increased radial bone mineral content. Specifically, occupational therapy testing improved, finger range of motion improved and an increased ability to lift objects. All of this was tested remotely.

Reference: Golomb MR, McDonald BC, Warden SJ, Yonkman J, Saykin AJ, Shirley B, Huber M, Rabin B, AbdelBaky M, Nwosu ME, Barkat-Masih M, Burdea GC. In-home virtual reality videogame telerehabilitation in adolescents with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Volume 91, Issue 1, Pages 1-8.e1 (January 2010)

National Handwriting Day is January 23rd

National Handwriting Day is January 23rd each year. This date honors John Hancock who is well known for his signature on the Declaration of Independence. Here are some suggested ideas to celebrate the day with your children or students.

1. Bake a cake to celebrate John Hancock's birthday. Following a recipe, measuring, mixing and stirring incorporates motor planning, sequencing, fine motor skills, muscle strengthening and bilateral coordination. Ice the cake and purchase the store bought gel icings. The children can write their signatures on the icing to decorate the cake.

2. Practice writing your signature on one piece of paper using various mediums such as crayons, pencil, colored pencil, pens, markers and watercolors.

3. Hand write a thank you note or letter to a loved one.

4. Find a pen pal and exchange letters.

5. Pick a topic from the Scholastic Story Starter (or any story starter) and write a story.

Need more ideas to practice handwriting? Check out our Valentine's Handwriting Activities or Winter Handwriting Activities.

Assistive Technology Comes Out On Top

The current issue of the American Journal of Occupational Therapy reports on a small study done in a Virginia school district on the benefits of assistive technology. Thirteen students were followed regarding the benefits of assistive technology in reaching IEP goals compared to 9 other interventions including related services, tutoring, curriculum changes and more. According to the Student Performance Profile Measure, assistive technology was a better intervention strategy for IEP goal improvement than the other interventions.

Reference: Anne H. Watson-PhD, OT/L, Max Ito-OTR/L, Roger O. Smith-PhD, OT, FAOTA, Lori T. Anderson-EdD, OTR/L, FAOTA Research Scholars Initiative-- Effect of Assistive Technology in a Public School Setting January/February 2010 Volume 64 / Number 1

UK Recommends 3 Year Old Boys to Write More

New government advice in the United Kingdom recommends that boys as young as three years old need to write and draw more. This is an attempt to close the gender gap between boys and girls when it comes to writing.

This is absurd in my opinion. I predict that instead of improved penmanship the boys will show an increase in hyperactivity, lack of attention span and poor penmanship. To put a writing utensil in a child's hand at age three and expect them to write is a mistake to begin with, girls or boys. Children need to acquire the fine motor skills necessary to write by playing with small items, eating small food and to weight bearing through the upper extremities. In addition, to encourage young children to stay seated for long periods of time and do guided work is not beneficial to overall motor development for boys and girls.

I am preaching to the choir on this topic, but I feel better now that I said it out loud. Sorry United Kingdom government, but you may want to check your facts. British occupational therapist's better make room on their caseloads - you may be getting an influx on new clients. Anyone care to comment?

Reference: Irvine, Chris Three-year-old boys should be made to write more to stop gender gap Telegraph.co.uk Retrieved from the web on 12/29/09 at www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/6902910/Three-year-old-boys-should-be-made-to-write-more-to-stop-gender-gap.html.

Financial Aid for Occupational Therapists

Here is an informative post that was suggested to share - it is a large collection of fellowships and scholarships for people who want to study occupational therapy. The post can be found at http://blog.onlinecollegeguru.com/health-care/financial-aid-for-occupational-therapists/

Environmental Changes to Physical Spaces in Schools

A researcher from NJIT, Architect B. Lynn Hutchings, offers suggestions for schools to make changes to the physical lay out of buildings to accommodate for students with disabilities. Some of her suggestions are:

1. Inter-disperse related services such as speech, occupational and physical therapy throughout the school

2. Auditoriums should have ramped aisles and stages.

3. Use color coded hallways and easy to read signs.

4. Create rules for hallway traffic - i.e. stay to right

5. Book cases and materials at accessible heights for all.

6. Have storage areas for large equipment such as standing frames or gait trainers.

These are all great suggestions and some may be on your wish list. What other simple suggestions can you recommend that work in your school buildings to improve accessibility?

Reference: Improving Schools for Disabled Students is NJIT Researcher's Mission. Retrieved from the web on 10/22/09 at http://www.physorg.com/wire-news/17512808/improving-schools-for-disabled-students-is-njit-researchers-miss.html.

Adapted Musical Instruments

I have recently come across several interesting websites regarding adapting musical instruments. School based occupational and physical therapists are frequently adapting tools in the classroom. Here are several websites for suggested adaptations:

One Handed Woodwind Instruments

A Day's Work - This is a commercial website of items for sale. Although you can get some great ideas from the pictures of how you could adapt some instruments yourself.

Adaptive Music Wiki

Choosing a Musical Instrument

Curious to know how many of you get involved in the music room?

Proprioceptive, Tactile and Fine Motor Painting Activity

Here is a simple activity that you can modify depending upon the skill level of the child. We chose to do a name but you could make this activity much more simple by just doing lines or random designs. It could also be done on a canvas bag to make a great tote bag gift for someone special.

Purpose of activity: Encourage fine motor skill development, upper extremity muscle strengthening and proprioceptive/tactile input.

Materials: painter's tape (low adhesion), paint and paper. Easel is optional or you could do the activity on the floor.

Activity:
Step 1: Put painter's tape (low adhesion) on a large piece of paper in a design or create a name.


Optional: If able have the child help to tear the tape to encourage fine motor skill development.


Step 2: When design is completed paint the palms of the child's hands. The child will then press hard on the picture with flat hands.




Step 3: When the paint has dried completely remove the painter's tape to reveal the design.


Looking for more sensory motor development ideas? Go to YourTherapySource.com for free activities, electronic books, monthly newsletter and more.