The Power of Clowning Around

Feds Rethink Stance On Speech Devices

[Source: Disability Scoop]

Speech may soon be federally recognized as more than just what happens in a face-to-face conversation after thousands of people with disabilities and their advocates said that communications by phone, text and email are also important.
 

About a year ago, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) made a series of moves to narrow its coverage of speech-generating devices.
 

All modern forms of communication were casualties of the process.
 

Protests from individuals with disabilities, advocates, lawmakers and device manufacturers caused the agency to open up a review of the national coverage determination

Preschoolers Get Too Little Physical Activity in Child Care

[Source:  Medical Xpress.com]
 

Preschoolers in the Seattle study spent just a half hour playing outside and were offered less than an hour each day for indoor play at child care centers, the researchers found.

Guidelines recommend at least one hour of adult-led, structured physical activity and one hour of unstructured free play time per day, according to lead author Dr. Pooja Tandon, an assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington in Seattle.

Secrets of Baby Talk: Why Mothers Say Coo While Fathers Stay Cool

[Source:  Science Daily]

Babytalk, which includes higher-pitched voices and a wider range of pitches, is sometimes known as "motherese," partly because most research on parent-child interactions has traditionally focused on the mother's role. Scientists study this common behavior because they want to understand what role such speech patterns play in children's language acquisition. But in an era of increased paternal involvement, researchers are investigating whether fathers modify their speech in the same way mothers do.
 

Researchers Find Brain Area that Integrates Speech's Rhythms

Duke and MIT scientists have discovered an area of the brain that is sensitive to the timing of speech, a crucial element of spoken language.
 

Stuttering Linked to Rhythm Perception Deficiency

[Source: Science Daily]
 

Stuttering may be more than a speech problem. For the first time, researchers have found that children who stutter have difficulty perceiving a beat in music-like rhythms, which could account for their halting speech patterns.
 

Therapy Placement of the Week:  COTA in the Woodlands of Texas!  

Congratulations to Rebeccah R., of Houston, Texas on her new position with one of PediaStaff's outpatient clinic clients in the Woodlands, TX!
 

Rebeccah will be working for a owned pediatric therapy clinic serving the needs of children with a wide variety of disabilities.  Their unparalleled passion for helping children reach their full potential has helped them to create the environment and following today that has been more than 10 years in the making.

They offer an innovative and collaborative approach that includes exciting language classrooms for both preschool and school age children.
 

She will be working full time and will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off and continuing education.

EI Occupational Therapist:  Wilmington, DE

We are searching for an occupational therapist for a full time pediatric, community-based early intervention program in the Wilmington, Delaware.  Ideally, the therapist must have one or more years' of experience.  Dynamic individuals interested in an interdisciplinary team approach are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities include:   Evaluate & treat young children with a variety of diagnoses. Provide play-based clinical occupational therapy. Provide guidance and instruction to families & caregivers for carryover of therapy.Full time positions include:  Health, dental, vision benefits, 401K,  paid time for vacation/sick/personal and 12 paid holidays.

Qualifications: Must hold a Bachelor's Degree in Occupational Therapy; a current state license (or eligible).

Hot Job: School-Based SLP - Martinsburg, WV

We are searching for a speech therapist for a school district located in the northeast panhandle of West Virginia - very close to the borders of PA and MD.  This is a contract position for the upcoming school year beginning in mid August and ending in late May/early June.  You will be working full time with children ages 4 through 19, pre-K through high school.  Caseloads will be assigned equitably (factoring in travel between schools) and based on the therapist's preference for ages.  All positions will involve at least two schools and the caseloads max out at 50 students.  Therapists are required to have their Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC). 

Hot Job: School Contract OT - Wood Dale, IL

Are you looking for a full time school position this fall?  Our client is a school system in DuPage County.  They seek an Occupational Therapist to join their team full time (5 days/wk) for the 2015-2016 school year starting August 17th.  4 days in one school district (4 schools: Early Childhood Building; a k-2 building, a 3- 5 grade building and a 6-8 grade building). At this time the majority of the case load is 50% early childhood and 50% k-5. There are three consults at the 6-8 building.

You will also have 1 day at a High School (two campuses) with the majority of the time in consultation and 4 direct service students.

Craft of the Week:  Egg Carton Caterpillar Craft

[Source:  No Time for Flashcards]
 

We love egg carton caterpillars, they are possibly the most classic of all crafts. We decided to make a fresh twist on an old favorite. Our egg carton caterpillars are a little different. No glue or paint means your child can play with their creation right away or if you are a teacher your students can pack them up and take them home that day. This is a fast craft that can fit into pretty much any schedule. So next time you are picking up eggs grab some in a plastic carton and make some egg carton 

Autism Activity of the Week: Classic Outdoor Activities for Kids With Autism 

Freebie of the Week: Verbs of Summer Printable Interactive Book  

OT Idea of the Week:  DIY Sensory Crash Mat  

Editor's Note:  Thank you to the Sensory Spectrum for recommending this post!!
 

[Source:  Kids Activity Blog via The Sensory Spectrum]
 

A sensory crash mat is a body pad that can be used like a bean bag to increase sensory input and help kids {and adults} increase proprioceptive awareness and decrease over-reaction to sensations over time.   A crash mat needs to be big enough to lay on or fall into and deep enough that no part of the body ever hits the floor.