07 May 2021 When it comes to giving a toy we have a lot of questions: Will it be beneficial to my kids? Will it promote positive values? Will it improve their learning and developmental ability? Depending on their age some toys are more adapted to their growth. The skills that a toy can teach are infinite and […]
When shopping for toys for your little one, it’s important to keep gross motor skill development in mind. Gross motor skills require whole-body movement and involve the large, core-stabilizing muscles of the body to perform everyday functions, such as walking, running, and sitting upright. Gross motor skills include hand-eye coordination skills such as ball skills […]
The 2023 holiday season is already upon us! As an Occupational Therapist (OT) working in both clinical and community settings, a big part of my job is meeting with parents to help them learn how to play with their children in a way that furthers their development by building foundational learning and motor skills. Parents […]
Halloween is a fun-filled time of year universally loved by kids across America. The costumes, candy, and late-night shenanigans allow kids to create happy and fun-filled memories – but it’s not necessarily like that for everyone. The eerie lights of Jack-o-Lanterns, spooky sounds of haunted houses, itchy costumes, and hard-to-breathe-in plastic masks can be hard […]
Celebrating NICU Awareness Month September is NICU Awareness Month. It’s a time to honor families and health professionals who are part of the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), where premature babies (born before 37 weeks of pregnancy) or sick newborns are cared for. Many of the babies we see for services had a NICU stay. […]
When it comes to summer vacation, many parents need help keeping their kids occupied, entertained, and structured. Finding a balance between letting them enjoy their 3-month break while ensuring they don’t completely spend it on the couch is sometimes easier said than done. If your child has sensory processing differences, such as autism, finding activities […]
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and anxiety symptoms can look very similar and are difficult for even the most seasoned professionals to differentiate. Moreover, there is evidence to suggest that if you are diagnosed with ADHD, you may be at a higher risk of also exhibiting anxiety symptoms. Both can have a profound impact on […]
When you think about children with motor disabilities, what comes to mind? Do you imagine a child in a wheelchair who is unable to walk or move around on their own? You are not alone if this is your image of a child with motor disabilities. However, the development of DMI therapy is disrupting this […]
Hypotonia, also known as floppy infant syndrome or floppy baby syndrome, is a condition characterized by low muscle tone and muscle strength. Although it’s the most commonly occurring condition that impacts an infant’s motor skills, it’s not completely understood. Seeing your baby struggle to sit upright on their own can be distressing for any parent. […]
Being a parent extends beyond simply giving birth or fathering a child. It includes protecting, providing for, and teaching kids how to successfully grow into independent individuals. A large part of guiding your children is instilling the right values and behaviors that will help them make the right decisions in life. Many parents struggle with […]
Social work is a crucial but demanding job, so social workers have to be passionate about what they do and genuinely care about the children and people they help. School social workers are often the last line of defense for problematic students between an average, successful education and placement in at-risk programs. Social workers are […]
A school can be a challenging place for students on the autism spectrum – as it is with many young children. However, classrooms are hard for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in unique ways. Students on the spectrum spend a lot of energy coping with a classroom environment that is distressing for them, makes […]
