Everyone LOVES slime! Slime is great for sensory, especially the tactile or touch sense. Kids all over enjoy making and playing with slime. We know that following a recipe and planning the outcome helps children to develop executive function skills. What are they? read my earlier blog post if you are looking for more information […]
Halloween Noodles – Sensory Play! Halloween-themed noodles make OOEY GOOEY FUN for little fingers! This activity works in sensory, fine motor, and visual-motor skills. Searching for items within the noodles makes sensory play fun. This is a Halloween activity BUT feel free to change the color of the noodles (step 4) to ANY color. Instead […]
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 […]
Sit Still and Pay Attention! How many times have we heard this in our lives? I know my generation was expected to sit without fidgeting or moving during learning activities. If we didn’t, there was punishment or reprimand. Unfortunately, things are changing and research has shown that movement and brain breaks should be built into […]
Summer is in full force and we have tips for kids who may struggle with sensory processing. The 4th of July is here. Nothing like a holiday to bring family and friends together – this year is extra special because many virus restrictions are being lifted. Since we all feel like celebrating, I thought I’d […]
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 […]
As my children grow, my focus as a parent changes. Both of my autistic sons and husband with ADD/ADHD struggle with executive function. That’s what makes my job as ‘The Pocket Occupational Therapist‘ so fun! Not only am I an OT, but I’m also experiencing daily stresses similar to my clients. My latest focus is […]
Interoception is known as the eighth sense. What is it and how does it affect the occupation of kids? Here’s a section from an article in Frontiers of Psychology: “While interoception is a term that has gained and still is gaining popularity in the academic literature since the start of the millennium, consensus on its […]
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 […]
Changing clothes for the seasons can be difficult for children with autism and sensory processing disorder. We offer tips for families, therapists, educators and a helpful matching game that adds fun to function.