Kids with ADHD Must Squirm to Learn, Study Says

Strategies for Building Foundation for Empathy and Tolerance

[Source: Science Daily]  

 When a child feels valued, he sees values in others. When he realizes he has his own thoughts and emotions, he understands that others do, too. When his ideas and feelings are respected, he learns to respect them in others.

Sandy Hook Victim Inspires Emotional Learning Legislation

[Source: Education News.org]  

 Three words were written on the kitchen chalkboard by 6-year-old Jesse Lewis just a few days before he died in the Sandy Hook tragedy. Those three words, nurturing, healing, and love, have become the inspiration for a foundation in his name, the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Foundation.

The focus of the organization is programs and curriculum for children, teachers, and parents that encourage peaceful and positive interactiono, writes the staff of the Connecticut Post.
 

This week, new federal legislation was introduced in honor of Jesse which will fund training for teachers in the areas of social and emotional learning.
 

"If the shooter, in our case, had access to this type of learning before the tragedy at Sandy Hook, it might not have happened," said Scarlett Lewis, Jesse's mother and founder of the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Foundation.

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Research: Analyses of Sensory Integration Therapy

[Source: Your Therapy Source]
 

The Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities published a meta-analysis on the use of sensory integration with individuals who have or at risk for a developmental or learning disability or delay. The outcomes from 30 studies on sensory integration therapy were reviewed and analyzed.

The results were the following:

1. Studies that compared sensory integration therapy to no treatment yielded a statistically significant but small effect

Autism- Epilepsy Connection Explored in Four Studies

[Source: Science Daily]
 

Epilepsy affects nearly 30 percent of all people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a neurobehavioral condition marked by impaired social and language development. Conversely, many patients with epilepsy display ASD-like behavior. Recent studies suggest that epileptic seizures impair the neural pathways needed for socialization, but the details of this process remain unclear.
 

Exploring the ADHD-Autism Link 

[Source: Science Daily]

For the better part of the last decade, a growing body of research has been revealing more and more similarities between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism.
 

PediaStaff Placement of the Week:  School-Based PT, Portland, OR  

Congratulations to Victoria S., on her new position with one of PediaStaff's school based clients in Portland, Oregon.
 

She will be working with children ages birth to 5 in home, daycare, and preschool settings in the Greater Portland area. This is a full time (35 hours/week) position. 
 

Great Job, Victoria!!

Hot Job Location of the Week: Alaska is for SLPs!

More Hot Jobs:  Peds Home Health OTs Throughout Houston 

We have THREE Houston clients looking for pediatric home health OTs in Houston!

Client #1:

Come and work for a wonderful established HH agency in the Houston area!  Immediate need for an Occupational Therapist to cover a 3 month maternity leave north of Houston.  This position is full time from now until at least the end of May with the opportunity to go full time when the maternity leave has been completed.  Duties include supervision of COTA's and evaluations.  32 children on the supervision caseload which are located in Spring, Conroe, The Woodlands, Kingwood and the

Gross Motor Activity of the Week: Activity Balloon Bat

[Source:  Your Therapy Source]
 

Here is a very simple make and take that include fine motor skills, gross motor skills and eye hand coordination skills.
 

You will need a paper plate, paint stirrer or large craft stick, markers and a balloon for each child.

Ask the children to think of physical activities that they can complete on their own at home ie swinging, jump rope, hopscotch, dance, shoot hoops, etc.  Go around the table and ask each child for their ideas.  With each suggestion, the children write down the idea on his/her own plate.  When done attach the paint stirrer to the back

OT Activities of the Week: 30 Toddler Fine Motor Activities

[Source:  Hands on as We Grow]
 

These fine motor activities for toddlers include threading, poking, pinching, tracing and focusing on hand and eye coordination! And they're all easy enough for toddlers in the 1-3 year old range to do! Have fun!
 

Here is the list of activities!

1. Pom Pom Drop
2. Pipe Cleaners and a Colander
3. Beginner Tracing with Objects
4. Thread a Fruit Loop Necklaces

SLP Activity of the Week: SMACK! A Game for Just About Anything!

[Source:  Speechie Freebies and Crazy Speech World]
 

This is a hands on, get out of your chair, smacking good time!  The bugs of course.  And if you are against violence against insects, then we can call the smack a high five!  Wanna hear more and get your hands on your own bugs?

Therapy Product Review: Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty  

[Source:  Toys are Tools]

 I don't know why I have never purchased putty until this year. Maybe it's because I have so many choices already in terms of amorphous substances... Nah... that can't be why... I love variety! 

After thinking long and hard about it, I have to say that it might be because it is associated with plastic eggs.  I don't know about you but after many Easter egg hunts I have come to realize that rarely does anything desirable ever come out of plastic eggs. I usually have to throw the contents away when the kids go to sleep.  

 Read the Rest of this Review on our Blog