DC Phone: 202-544-5439 VA Phone: 703-243-4601
Fax: 202-379-1797 Email: info@skillsonthehill.com
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Hello!
Welcome to our
July 2018
Newsletter!
Summer heat is on! While everybody is heading to the beach, lake, or swimming pool, we at SOTH are having the best time with our children at Camp Friendship. Our Arlington program begins week two of this fun filled therapeutic "camp" and our DC program starts week three.
This month, we will share information regarding vision and how it influences learning, behavior, and performance. We also have some enjoyable activities that will surely captivate every child's heart this warm season.
Our app of the month is called the "Button Board". It is a very simple app that requires pinning or placement of colored buttons on a given picture. This app works on both visual and motor skills. Children are prompted to match colors, exercise finger isolation, and increase ocular motor control.
Audrey Awa is our therapist on spotlight this month. Read below about Audrey and her interests as well as some interesting facts about her.
We appreciate any feedback, comments, or suggestions from you regarding this newsletter. Send us a note!
Enjoy reading!
Sincerely,
Kristen Masci and the SOTH Staff
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Newsletter July 2018 Issue
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"How Visual Function Impacts Learning, Behavior & Activities of Daily Living"
(PART ONE)
(
Credits to Dr. Mehrnaz Green, OD, FCOVD
)
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Vision is the Dominant Sense!
*70% of all sensory information is visual
*7 of the 12 Cranial nerves help coordinate our vision
*Vision gathers more data per unit of time
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In the same way an individual can have delays in motor and speech functions, there may be delays with regard to visual function.
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Most vision problems are not detected because most people think 20/20 is equal to perfect vision.
The typical vision screening (utilizing the Snellen Eye Chart) only identifies 5% of vision problems. -
American Foundation of Visual Awareness
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How does Vision Impact Learning?
25% of children ages 5-12 have vision problems that could affect learning. -
Better Vision Institute
60% of children with learning disabilities have an undiagnosed vision problem. -
American Optometric Association.
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Ocular Sensorimotor Testing
Ocular motility, or eye movement skills, are necessary for quick and accurate shifting of the eyes to scan objects and people in a room and accurately shift from far to near. To function comfortably and safely in the world, our eyes must be able to smoothly follow a moving object, make continuous adjustments in the positions of our eyes as we move about, shift our gaze quickly and accurately from one object to another and converge our eyes to see at near.
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Starting a Conversation with your OT
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"What water sensory activities are good for my child
?
"
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Use a variety of colorful, water-safe toys, plastic bins, buckets, shovels, water sprayer, water hose, etc. You might want to use a fun backyard water slide like
slip-n-slide
to add more excitement. Just make sure you follow safety precautions. You could also use any kind of water sprayer hose attachment…
Create a giant bubble bath! Fill up your kiddie pool with water and pour a bottle of bubble bath soap. A few drops of essential oil or baby oil is optional. Remember, the more splashing or movement - the more bubbles will form. Children will definitely enjoy this.
Build a kiddie water station and let your child explore water in a different way. Make use of water, food coloring, plastic containers, buckets, water bottles etc. Pour water and/or solution and follow its motion until it reaches the end of the station. Use creativity and great imagination.
Water blob making is simple. Use a large piece of plastic sheeting (a clear thin tarp) and leave a small hole to that fits a water hose. insert the water hose in the sheeting and fill the blob with water (but not too tight). When it's full, tape the opening and let the children loose and slosh around. Be innovative and add food coloring. Another option is to turn on a sprinkler on top of the blob to create a fluffy slip and slide.
We know that play is important for children because it allows better learning and development. It also helps improve gross and fine motor skills, coordination, and attentiveness. Creative thinking, problem-solving skills, and use of senses are also enhanced. For this sensory activity, you will use water, paint brushes, and/or (foam) rollers. Find an area in your home or backyard (e.g. playhouse, fence, unpainted structure in your backyard) and let the children paint. This way, your child could make use of his or her senses while performing a meaningful task and play at the same time.
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Button Board
is a fun and educational game for preschoolers that introduces colors through creative play.
Suggested age group: 2-4 years old.
Key Educational Benefits:
- Matching and recognizing colors
- Developing hand-eye coordination
- Developing fine motor skills
- Encouraging creativity and pattern making
- Improve concentration
The game features a selection of incomplete pictures and a tray of colorful buttons. Complete a picture by dragging the colored buttons into the holes on the picture.
The game also features a free-play mode allowing the child to explore their imagination and come up with their own designs using the following colors
Red, Green, Blue, Yellow, Orange, Brown, Purple, Pink
The game includes a "child locked" option screen enabling unique customization options to create a personal learning experience for your child.
Try this FREE app by clicking
HERE
!
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THANK YOU FOR VOTING US!
Skills on the Hill won
"2018 BEST PEDIATRIC OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY PRACTICE"
(By Washington Family Magazine)
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Audrey is a sports fanatic and loves cooking. She loves being with the children in both clinic and school settings. We feel fortunate to witness her genuine talent and creativity on a daily basis. Read more and discover fun facts about Audrey...
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- If you could be any animal in the world, what animal would you be and why? I would be a bird because I would have the ability to fly and migrate to warm weather in the winter.
- Where do you want to retire? My brain can't even comprehend retirement at this point, lol
- What is your favorite sport and sports team? My favorite sport to play is soccer. I am emotionally invested in Hokie sports, the Caps (still can't believe we brought home THE Cup) and the Mavs, then tend to cheer for the home team and underdogs.
- What is your favorite food? A Filipino dish called chicken adobo with rice, followed by macaroni and cheese as a close second.
- What is your favorite restaurant? Mom and dad's house :D
- What are some activities you participate in outside of work? I play soccer 3-4x per week and love cooking.
- What is your favorite work memory? During a work holiday party, I embarrassingly misread a clue that lost the team a round and will never live enough lifetimes to stop laughing at the whole situation.
- What is a work situation you are most proud of? When a client introduced me as a "fun doctor" during a classroom visit/observation
- What is an interesting fact about you that most people don't know about you? Tyson, my hound dog, was named after Mike Tyson because he used to bite his own "too-big-for-his-head" floppy ears when he was a puppy.
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* Please arrive on time for scheduled sessions. Contact the therapist or the office ahead of time should there be any changes.
*Feel free to write a review in
YELP
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Thank you parents and families! We appreciate your support.
Sincerely,
Kristen Masci
(202) 544 5439 / (703) 243 4601
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Capitol Hill Office
405 8th St, NE
Washington, DC 20002
Arlington Office
3508 Lee Hwy
Arlington, VA 22207
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