OT Newsletters

Occupational Therapy Newsletter 
April

April is National Occupational Therapy Month

Occupational therapy (OT) 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 live better with—injury, illness, or disability. Occupational therapy practitioners have a holistic perspective, in which the focus is on adapting the environment and/or task to fit the person, and the person is an integral part of the therapy team. It is an evidence-based practice deeply rooted in science.

Occupational Therapy dates back to the 1900’s as an organization for individuals looking for “Occupation Work”.   In 1914 it was named “Occupational Therapy” in response to interest in learning about the human body and the therapeutics of occupation.

Educational Model for Occupational Therapy (OT)

• An occupational therapist considers the child’s occupations of play and school.
• The therapist focuses on student needs in the educational environment.
• The focus is on adapting the task, expectations, and environment to promote success and independence in the school environment.
• Services change as the students’ needs change.
• Discontinuation will occur when the student no longer needs the expertise of OT and their needs can be met by remaining special education staff.
  

Here is a fun idea to celebrate occupational therapy month this April:

Why not have your very own Occupational Therapy Minute to Win It challenges? Here are some ideas specific to occupational therapy.

Fine Motor Challenges:

• How high can you build a tower of marshmallows and toothpicks in one minute?
• How many paper clips can you chain together in one minute?
• How many coins can you flip over from heads to tails in one minute?
• How many stacks of 10 pennies can you build in one minute?

Sensory Challenges:

• Unroll two rolls of toilet paper and wrap it around yourself in under one minute.
• How many times can you push a therapy ball through a tunnel in one minute?

Activities of Daily Living Challenges:

• How many times can you tie and untie your shoe in one minute?
• How many times can you put on and take off your coat completely in one minute?

Occupational Therapy Newsletter 
March 

Mindfulness

Mindfulness is the state of being conscious or aware of something. When we practice mindfulness we strengthen our ability to understand how our body, mind and heart feel. This increases our ability to understand ourselves better and what can trigger us to have unexpected reactions to the world around us.

Research has found that mindfulness can change the brain structure and functioning in the amygdala (emotions), hippocampus (learning and memory), and prefrontal cortex (self-regulation). Now more than ever children need to learn these skills!

Here are some ways to practice mindfulness at home:

• Deep Breathing: Use a pinwheel, bubbles, Hoberman sphere or breathing cards. Resource
• Heartbeat exercise: Jump up and down 10 times then feel your pulse on your neck with your eyes closed. How does your body feel?  
• Muscle relaxation: Start from the head down. Practice tensing the muscles in your face, shoulders, hands, and legs then relaxing each muscle. Talk about how it feels.
• Guided Imagery: Read a story and have the child lay down, close their eyes and imagine being in a calm place.  Script
• Yoga: This is a great way to get kids moving their bodies in different positions. Videos
• Nature walk: Use your five senses to observe the outside world.
• Mindfulness Glitter Jar: Use the recipe and find an old container at home. Use this visual as an example of how their thoughts settle down.  Recipe
• Positive Affirmations: Practice using “I can” or “I am” statements/mantras for positive self-esteem.
• Mindful eating: At snack time or dinner practice slowing down by closing your eyes when eating. What does the food taste like? Make it a game and guess the flavors you taste.
• Mindful Journal: Make a collage from magazines of things that bring you joy, peace, stillness. Color a picture or mandala printable for quiet time. Older kids can write about a memory and the emotions they felt.

Occupational Therapy Newsletter 
February  

What is Sensory Processing?

Do you remember learning about your five senses in school?  Did you know that you actually have eight sensory systems?  Visual, Auditory, Olfactory (smell), Gustatory (Taste), Tactile (touch), Proprioception (sensation of muscle and joints), Vestibular (movement), and the newest system Interoception (sensation of internal organs). 

Sensory processing is how your brain takes the information that comes in from the sensory systems and uses it to respond effectively to the environment. 
Students can be overly sensitive and/or under-sensitive to each type of input. They may avoid sensory input, or seek it out. An occupational therapist works with students to find a “just right” level of input and alertness for optimum learning.  An OT might provide a “sensory diet” for students.  These activities are determined to target areas where there are sensory processing differences.

10 SENSORY CLASSROOM IDEAS for ALL Students

• Routines: Establish a structured routine throughout the school day so students know what to expect.  The OT may help to provide visual schedules.
• Movement breaks: Our bodies are not designed to sit all day.  Keeping students active also helps to activate the brain.  Occupational therapists can collaborate with teachers on movement ideas for the classroom. 
• Quiet corner: Establish an area in the classroom where students can go for some quiet time.  Occupational therapy can provide tools and equipment for calming.
• Alternative seating: An occupational therapist can recommend flexible seating including, bean bags, ball chairs, sit and move cushions, and standing desks. 
• Offer choices: Everyone has sensory needs and thresholds. Think about when you are sick and you seem less able to tolerate information.  Choices can promote independence and decrease meltdowns. 
• Decrease visual clutter: Research indicates that children in highly decorated classrooms are more distracted, spend more time off-task and demonstrate smaller learning gains than when the decorations are removed. 
• Keep noise at an appropriate level: Sometimes children can be LOUD!  Students may need to be taught what appropriate noise levels are acceptable.  An OT may use a noise meter for a visual cue.
• Recess! No matter what the weather, schools need to encourage recess time. Whether it be free play time outdoors on playground equipment, using individual equipment (i.e. balls, jump ropes, etc) or indoor time on rainy, cold days, students benefit from the break for some of the following reasons: self-regulation skills, sensory motor skills, mathematical concepts (spatial awareness, counting, etc), behavior improvements and physical activity time!
• Clear and consistent expectations: All staff should make sure students are educated on what expectations are to maintain a peaceful classroom.  
• Fidgets or other sensory tools accessible to students: Occupational therapy can provide stress balls, velcro dots under the desk to rub or small manipulatives that are nice, quiet fidgets to help students focus and attend. 

Parent Information Sheet

Virtual Calming Room

Occupational Therapy Newsletter

January • Welcome to the New Year!

 

The topic this month is movement and its connection to learning.  Did you know our brain has two sides? 

The left side of our brain controls processes like reasoning, logic and language. The right side controls processes like creativity and rhythm. To maximize learning we need to get both sides of the brain working together. We can do this by using both sides of our body in actions that cross our body’s middle.

The Importance of  Movement

Movement is essential for learning. If we didn’t move, we wouldn’t need a brain. Whenever we move using both sides of the body, we activate whole brain function. Some examples of integrated movements include crawling, walking, dancing, swimming, playing instruments, yoga, and Tai Chi.

How Movement Helps

Activating both sides of the brain releases chemicals, which help with focus and attention, our ability to learn new material, and to remember important details. These chemicals also help calm overactive nervous systems and release stress.

Students need to move!

"Studies show physical activity has decreased by 75% in urban American children between the ages of 13-17" UNESCO
 

Occupational Therapy Newsletter

December

Scissors Skills

Learning to cut with scissors is a very complex task. Think of all the control required to actually open and close scissors. You may think just the wrist, hand and fingers do the job but in reality it is almost your entire body working to cut the paper. You need to have appropriate posture (back stable, feet on floor and hips in neutral). Shoulders and arms need to be stable to allow the hands to work. The muscles in the fingers need to work in isolation. The eyes need to look at what the hands are doing. The brain has to process what the hands are doing on both sides of the body (one cutting and one holding the paper). Have I left any body parts out? Alright, maybe a few but in general, it is a full body task just to get the hands and fingers to work with precision.

Here are 10 activities to help develop pre-scissors skills to get the body ready for cutting:

1. Activities that require upper extremity weight bearing - crawling over and under objects, animal walks and walking on hands.
2. Activities that encourage upper extremity muscle strengthening - monkey bars, rock climbing walls and tug of war.
3. Paper activities: Tear paper into small pieces and scrunch tissue paper into small balls.
4. Lacing card activities
5. Playing with clay/playdoh - creating small balls, pull clay apart and use rolling pins. 
6. Use a hole punch or paper punches 
7. Use tweezers or tongs from the bathroom and kitchen to pick up small objects like cotton balls or dried macaroni.
8. String beads, straws, or macaroni.  Use a pipe cleaner, then string to increase task demand.
9. Complete puzzles
10. Use clothes pins to pick up cotton balls to help strengthen the small muscles of the hands.

Occupational Therapy Newsletter 
November

 

As 2020 comes to an end and you start your holiday shopping remember to add books, games and developmental toys to their wish list!

Fun Gift Ideas for Your Child

The following is a list of games and activities that you can find at most toy stores that are not only fun, but also work on motor development!

Games to Develop Hand-Eye Coordination, Motor Planning, and Visual Spatial Skills:

• Clue Jr.
• Charades for Kids
• Go Fish
• Hungry Hungry Hippos
• Mr. Potato Head
• Memory Games
• Operation
• Oreo matching
• Yahtzee Jr.
• Perfection
• Connect Four
• Etch-a-Sketch
• Spot it!
• Feed the Woozle
• Monkey around game

Toys for Fine Motor Development and Writing:

• Clikits
• Dressing Dolls
• Felt kids
• Art Supplies (pip squeak markers by crayola, stencils, )
• Duplos/Legos
• Playdoh/Silly Putty
• Aquadoodle
• Playmobil
• Balloon Lagoon
• Lite Bright
• Tidlywinks
• Hi Ho Cherry-O
• Finger Puppets
• The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel
• Cootie

Toys for Sensory Motor Development and Coordination:

• Play tents
• Peek-a-ball Playland
• Bed Tents
• Mini Trampoline
• Rocking Horse or Chair
• Whistles and Kazoos
• Sleds
• Hullabaloo
• Moon Sand

Recipe to make at home: Have your child help in the kitchen!

Taste safe kinetic sand

1 cup baking soda
½ cup sugar
½ cup corn starch
1 tbsp cream of tartar
4 tbsp of water, separated
Food coloring
Medium bowl
Whisk

Instructions:

Pour the baking soda, sugar, corn starch and cream of tartar into a bowl. Mix well.
Add 2 drops of food coloring to 4 tbsp of water
Add 2 tbsp of water/food coloring mixture to the mixture and mix using a whisk.
Add the remaining 2 tbsp of water/food coloring mixture and you should have a fluffy snow like texture
 
The key is to slowly add in the water/food coloring mixture 2 tbsp at a time.

Single user variation:

Measure the following into a quart size Ziploc bag:
1/4 C baking soda (or 4 Tbsp)
2 Tbsp sugar
2 Tbsp cornstarch
3/4 tsp cream of tartar

Have students (or adults) seal the bag and gently mix the ingredients.

In small cups, give each student 1 Tbsp water and let them choose colors of food coloring. About three drops is plenty.

Open the bag and pour a tiny bit of water in. Seal the bag and mix until everything is the same color. Repeat the process three to four times until all the liquid is mixed in.

Enjoy your kinetic sand!
 

Occupational Therapy Newsletter 
October

 

Happy Fall! 

You know that your body needs to warm up before doing physical activities. Writing and cutting are also physical activities, so you need to warm up for them as well.  Following are games that can be used to develop your upper extremity muscles in preparation for using scissors, markers and other writing tools. 

Make it Fun and Fresh

The following Hand Games are great warm ups to use before writing in the classroom. Do each 10-15 times. 

• Mickey Mouse Ears-place fists next to ears; open fingers and then squeeze closed. 
• Finger Opposition-hold fingers next to ears; have student touch thumb to each finger and back again. 
• Desk Push Ups-from a standing position, place hands flat on desks with thumb and pointer tips facing each other (create triangle); bend elbows and touch nose into triangle. These can also be done seated in chair by pushing up holding onto seat of chair and extend arms to lift bottom without using legs. 
• Door Knob Turns-arms in front of you, elbows slightly bent, four fingers next to each other, thumbs out, turn both hands toward thumbs at wrist, turn and return to mid position (not towards little finger) 
• Butterflies-hold arms straight in front of body, make an X with thumbs, palms facing out, make small circles right, then to the left. 
• Windshield wiper/Scissor Cuts-place arms above head; cross straight arms in air with right arm on top and then with left arm on top. Then do the same as above with straight arms down in front of body and palms up. 

Hand & Grip Strength 

Help students develop hand muscles and grip strength 

• Stapling paper activities, 
• Punching holes using hand held punch
• Open and close jars 
• Finding beads in theraputty 
• Use of clothespins or tongs, using index finger and thumb to work on pincer grasp. 

This is a picture of the Dynamic Tripod Grasp. 

It is the best way to hold a pencil because your hand gets less tired and your movements are more precise. Your building Occupational Therapist will be happy to discuss pencil grips that may assist a child in developing a mature grasp pattern. 

Writing Tips in the Classroom/Home

• To facilitate tripod grasp (mature), have the student hold a small object (i.e. pom pom) with their ring and little finger against their palm while using tips of thumb and index to pinch pencil and have the pencil resting on side of middle finger, to hold it correctly.
• Teach students to hold the pencil about an inch from the tip; a rubber band, colorful tape or permanent marker dots can serve as a reminder. 
• Use of vertical surfaces, such as an easel, 3-ring binder or standing at the whiteboard can facilitate development of correct wrist position and prevent hooking with left-handed students. 
• Lay on stomach on the floor for writing for a different plane to work in, as well as increased shoulder stability and postural control. 
• Use shorter pencils or crayons to encourage tripod grasp. 

Occupational Therapy Newsletter 
September 

 

Welcome to the NEW School Year! 

This is a great time in the school year to focus on positioning for optimal learning and maintaining a safe learning environment. Providing kids with proper classroom ergonomic conditions and knowledge will promote healthy lifestyle habits. 
What is Classroom Ergonomics? 

Ergonomics is the science of designing the task, the equipment and workstation to fit the student in order to prevent overuse and disability and promote productivity. 

Seat student in proper fitting desk and chair. The optimal sitting posture includes the ankle, knee and hip at 90 degree angles, the trunk slightly forward and the forearms resting on the desktop. The desktop should be 1-2 inches above the elbows when the arms are at the student’s side. Feet should be resting on the floor. The same guidelines apply when using a ball chair.   You can bring work up on a slanted surface using a 3 inch ring binder. 

Provide proper positioning at a computer workstation. Adjust the height of the monitor. The student’s head should be in a neutral position and eyes should be at the same height as the top of the monitor. When typing, keep wrists straight, trunk upright and forearms parallel to the floor. Most importantly take micro-breaks often. 
http://ergonomictrends.com/ergonomic-sitting-posture-for-children/
 

Micro-Break Stretches:

Perform 5 minute stretch breaks every 30 minutes to release tension.  Set a timer on the iPad to help remember!

• Shoulder shrugs- Bring shoulders up to ears, hold and relax. 
• Neck Rolls- Bring chin to chest, roll to left shoulder, then to right. 
• Side bends- Stand up, bring both arms straight above head. Bend to left. hold for 5 seconds and repeat to the right.
• Forward Bend / Hamstring Stretch- Bend forward at waist with knees slightly bent, arms and head hang down, hold for 5 seconds, slowly roll back up.
• Wrist Extensions- arms out in front, palms down, pull fingers toward you with opposite hand.