20 (therapeutic) Summer Activities
20 summer fun activities for kids with and without special needs. Work on fine motor, gross motor, sensory, letters, scissors/cutting, and more with the tips in this post by The Pocket Occupational Therapist
Auditory Processing Disorder 101
Auditory processing disorders are often misdiagnosed or masked as other things. Sometimes, people think kids aren’t paying attention or are daydreaming. In fact, it can take the brain some extra time to process the information coming through the auditory system. What are some signs of auditory processing disorder or APD? Is your child easily distracted […]
Teaching Idioms
It’s Raining Cats and Dogs! Idioms or phrases that cannot be understood through their literal meaning can be rather confusing for students with language difficulties. Teaching children and students common idioms can help them navigate verbal communication with adults and peers as well as improve their writing skills. My sons had SUCH a difficult time […]
What Are Pre-Writing Skills?
What are pre-writing skills and why does my child need them? Babies are born with hands that are curled up and only reflexively grasp their caregiver’s finger. Through practice and play they quickly learn that their actions cause their toy to light up or their body to move around in space. The hands become stronger […]
Feather Beading – Pre Writing Activity
Working on handwriting is fun but it’s important to work on PRE-WRITING skills. Kids need to first learn how to build fine motor coordination. The best way to do this is through crafts and play-based activities that work the little (fine) muscles of the hands and fingers. All kids like to see the results of […]
BORED board??
Have you seen the BORED Board? We’ve been using it for years in our home and clinic. It’s a fabulous way to re-direct your child/student when he is complaining of boredom. Let’s face it, children should learn the skill of playing on their own and finding an appropriate activity to do so. Sounds easy, right? Not for […]
Developmental Milestones
Developmental Milestones for Fine Motor, Gross Motor, and Speech For children ages one through age six. Remember that each child develops at his/her own pace and the information below is for informational purposes only. You are your child’s best advocate and know your child best. Let your pediatrician know if you have concerns about your […]
Puberty in Autism & Sensory Processing Disorder
How Can I Help My Teenager with Autism or SPD To Learn About Sex, Masturbation, & Menstruation? This post comes from one of my readers. It’s a question I’m asked quite often. The sense of interoception (our body’s eighth sensory system) can be decreased in kids and teens with SPD. Interoception involves feelings, emotions, and internal […]
Sounds & Emotions – Sensory Processing Tips
Sounds and Feelings Imagine the sound of your mother’s voice. What memories/emotions does the sound of popping popcorn bring? Think of the sound of nails on a chalkboard. How about the sound of a bee buzzing near your head? Each sound evokes feelings within us. Sounds are more than just noise. Human beings make sense […]
Conversation Starters for Kids
Many of our children struggle with communication. Social anxiety, decreased awareness of body language (non-verbal communication), and trouble with pragmatic language (what we say and how we say it, tone, facial expressions) compound difficulties. How do we help children who are waiting for speech therapy or don’t qualify for targeted therapy services? The answer is […]