PT Interventions and Developmental Coordination Disorder

Genes Affecting Communication Skills Relate to Genes for Autism

[Source: Science Daily]

Babies Exposed to Stimulation Get Brain Boost

Stuttering Linked to Reduced Blood Flow in Broca's Area

Scientists Mapping How Brain Stores Memories

[Source:  Medical X-Press]
 

Hot Job:   Early Intervention OT - Yonkers, NY

Hot Job: Early Intervention OT - Tarrytown, NY

Books About Emotions

[Source: Pre-K Pages]
 

Helping young children gain control of their emotions is a two-step process. First, they need to learn how to identify their emotions and then how to manage them through self regulation. Identifying and managing our own emotions as adults can be very difficult, but young children are still learning what emotions are and how to respond appropriately to everyday feelings like anger and sadness. As teachers and parents it is our job to help young children understand and identify their feelings, as well as communicate those feelings effectively to others.

Indoor Ice Skates: Proprioception & Vestibular Sensory Play Activity

[Source: Sugar Aunts]
 

Sometimes, you come across a play activity that provides many skill areas and is just plain old fun.  These indoor ice skates proprioception and vestibular activity is one of those.  Last year, we shared a bunch of winter sensory activities.  This is on of those movement sensory ideas (that we're just getting around to sharing this year!) Grab the calendar and all of the sensory ways to play this winter.

School Psych/SW Corner: Cool Off  (Coping Skills) Snowflake

[Source:  The Art of Social Work]
 

It is getting colder and depending on where you live, that may mean snow too. Regardless of climate and cultural background though, I have found, most children understand the concept of a snowflake and how to make one by folding and cutting shapes in paper. This provides a simple and fun way to make a coping skill reminder for kids (and grown ups) of any age!
 

1) Allow child to choose from assortment of paper colors and types, fold and cut out snowflake. Talk about how all snowflakes are different and everyone's way of calming down can be different and unique too.

Ultimate Visual Motor Challenge

[Source: Your Therapy Source]
 

Here is a FREE ultimate visual motor challenge with two difficulty levels.  Can you copy the lines and shapes exactly onto the blank grid? The color version is slightly easier than the black and white version.  The colors are easier to distinguish differences but you must match each color to the correct line and shape as well.