Tips for Adaptive Trick-or-Treating
Trick-or-treating can be an exciting time for kids and families, but it can also be more challenging for those with disabilities or have adaptive equipment. Here are some tips and tricks to help make Halloween a fun and exciting time for everyone in your family: Halloween is all about having fun with your child, however […]
Making Breathing Exercises Fun and Effective for Kids
In our line of work as physical therapists, we often encounter young clients facing challenges related to breath control and exhalation force due to neurological conditions like cerebral palsy or autism. These conditions can make something as fundamental as breathing a complex task, which is why finding child-friendly breath exercises has become essential, especially with […]
Success Story: Meet Joshua
Everyone say hello to Joshua B!! He is our success story for Summer 2023. Here is a bitabout his journey! Joshua has been seen for all three disciplines of therapy since 2021 when he aged out ofbirth to three services. He has worked with many of our physical, occupational, as well as speechtherapists, and they […]
Greyson’s Newfound Independence
Greyson and his Occupational Therapist, Ericka, have been working on eating independently in Occupational Therapy as meal time is a very important time for families and children. It is a time for families to practice social emotional interaction skills, conversational skills, and table manners. It allows families to address fine and gross motor skills, posture […]
Success Story: Meet Alondra
We are thrilled to share the inspiring journey of a remarkable little girl, Alondra “Lo” Jimenez. Having joined our therapy program when she was just 8 months old, shortly after being discharged from the NICU, Alondra has shown extraordinary strength and resilience. Born prematurely and reliant on a tracheal ventilator (trach/vent), Alondra’s early life was […]
Summertime Fine Motor Fun Ideas
School is out, have fun playing this summer and engage your child in developmental hand skills! Summers are a time for mud pies and sand castles, for play and for fun. Participate with your child in doing these activities and help your child grow.
Different Ways of Following Directions
Verbal (spoken) directions are a part of everyday life for adults and children. Appropriate behavior, social interaction, and academic success are all dependent on the ability to understand and follow verbal directions. Following verbal directions requires strong knowledge of basic concepts and the ability to process and retain auditory information. Basic concepts are words that […]
Fun Books to Read at Home
“A Splendid friend, indeed” by Suzanne Bloom “Count the Monkeys” by Mac Barnett “Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type” by Doreen Cronin “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” by Bill Martin “Clifford Goes to Kindergarten” by Norman Bridwell “Corduroy” by Don Freeman “Go, Dog. Go” by P.D Eastman “Green Eggs and Ham” by Dr. Suess “Little Yellow […]
Developing Strong Vocabulary Skills
What is VOCABULARY The term vocabulary has a wide range of meanings – depending upon whom you ask to define it. Teachers may define vocabulary as (1) sight-word vocabulary (immediate recognition of the printed word), (2) meaning vocabulary (what students understand when reading printed words), or (3) listening vocabulary (understanding words heard in spoken language). […]
Language Expansion vs. Language Expression
Young children and children with disabilities often use simple language to express themselves. They’re learning to use more “grown-up” language which they hear from older siblings, friends, parents, and teachers. Language expansion and language extension are two ways for you to help children develop their expressive language skills. Language expansion “expands” a child’s utterance—when talking […]
Adjectives & Adverbs
The ability to use descriptive words when writing or talking is essential to clearly communicatingthoughts, feelings, and ideas. Students who struggle to use descriptive words such as adjectives and adverbs may have difficulty effectively expressing their wants, needs, and opinions. Adjectives Often called a “describing word,” adjectives modify a noun or pronoun. They add more […]
Identify the Signs – Speech & Hearing Disorders
Use the following charts to help recognize signs of speech, language, and hearing disorders and find thehelp needed to address these disorders. Signs of a Language Disorder Age Range Sign 2 – 3 months and up does not smile/interact with others 4 – 7 months does not babble (“bababa”) 7 – 12 months very few […]