3 new videos all about slime on our YouTube!
/We have just released 3 new videos all about Slime on our YouTube channel. Special thanks to William for being the video star!
Living as My Child's Frontal Lobe: An ADHD Parent's Story
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Research shows that the frontal lobe, the part of the brain responsible for decision-making, impulse control and managing emotions, develops much slower in children with ADHD and often is actually smaller in an ADHD brain than in the brain of a neurotypical child.
Read MoreInteroception - The hidden but oh so important 8th sense
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Discover the fascinating world of interoception, our body's unique ability to understand and respond to its internal state for optimal health and comfort. Learn how this 'eighth sense' functions like a network of internal messengers, guiding children to recognize and react to hunger, thirst, temperature, and emotions. However, interpreting these signals can be challenging for some children, leading to difficulty in managing basic needs and emotions. Find out how to nurture this skill in your child, transforming them into superheroes of self-awareness and emotional regulation. For more insights and guidance on interoception and child development, explore the resources and expert advice available at TherapySPOT.
Read MoreInteroception and Sensory Processing Issues: What You Need to Know
/This is a really interesting article. Mindfulness is the practice of being aware of our thoughts, feelings and bodily sensations while not judging them. It therefore makes a lot of sense to use this practice with children who are having difficulty understanding what’s going on inside them.
Read MoreSimple Massage for Children
/Some children need that little bit of help to calm them down and keep them regulated so that they can engage, focus, learn and play. Massage can be a quick and easy way to bring children down if they are running too high. Deep pressure is calming for the brain and can help children more easily make sense of their surroundings and respond appropriately to stimuli. Try incorporating it into your child’s normal routine e.g. as part of getting them dressed, while playing with them on the floor or before bed.
Read MoreSensory Brushing Programme
/This easy technique only takes a few minutes and can be really effective for children with tactile hyper sensitivity and for those who seek extra input.
Read MoreExercises for Asymmetric Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR)
/Check out our new video on Exercises for Asymmetric Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR).
Read MoreLet's get messy!
/As much as it can be hard for parents to let their kids get messy (believe me, I watch mine through gritted teeth!), it is a really important step in terms of helping them develop well functioning sensory systems and good eating habits not to mention good fine motor skills. So cover the floors, invest in a few good bibs, change out of your best clothes and get involved!
Read MorePencil Control & Writing Part 2
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You may remember my previous post (click here) showing the progress made over 6 weeks. Here is the latest update…
Read MoreIn a Spin about Spinning?
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So, having just dealt with a huge meltdown from my 3 year old after a soft play session where she spent the majority of the time spinning on a sit-on wheel, I feel the need to warn parents about the power of spinning on the brain. Although a useful tip for all parents, it is particularly poignant for those with children who have sensory processing difficulties, as these kids respond more unusually to sensory input and often have difficulty self-regulating as a result.
Read MoreWipe clean dot to dot books
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Wipe clean dot to dot books are a great way to practise pre-writing patterns and develop pencil control without wasting paper! Buy one here http://amzn.eu/hMYF6bu
Read MoreThe silent tragedy affecting today’s children — Victoria Prooday→
/This is a great article and rings so true with me as both an OT as well as a parent. The advice is simple, not overbearing and something I wholeheartedly agree with - give kids clear boundaries and get them moving!
https://yourot.com/parenting-club/2017/5/24/what-are-we-doing-to-our-children
Read More5 Focus Exercises for ADHD Kids→
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Found a fantastic article the other day, hope you find it interesting! It's all about different exercises you can do with children with ADHD.
Read MoreGym/Yoga Ball Fun!
/A few simple exercises using a gym/yoga ball that you can do at home or school with your kids.
Find one on Amazon here - http://amzn.eu/7LtnzN4
Pencil Control & Writing
/I have been working with a little boy at school to help improve his pencil control, reduce the size of his writing and increase pencil pressure. We've been having lots of fun making play dough hedgehogs, drawing rainbows, playing finger football plus lots more. He has made such good progress in just 6 sessions.
Sensory exercises
/Sensory exercises you can easily do at home, in the car or out and about.
Sensory toys used
- Theraband - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0104FSEJO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_dp_T2_oXjDzb0JWM50R (also available from most sport shops)
- Vibrating bug - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00Q8NLNHM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_dp_T2_jWjDzb8SYA2RM
- Spaghetti ball - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000V6DANM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_dp_T2_OWjDzbWSYNGNN
- Koosh Ball - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B003S7HXO8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_dp_T2_9WjDzbT5ZVPYJ
Cowabunga!
/We try really hard at TherapySPOT to make sure that activities and programmes used in therapy are tailored to the individual child. By incorporating the child's interests into therapy, we are likely to see better results as the child is more likely to engage and keep practising.
I recently provided a sensory diet for a little boy who loves the Ninja Turtles - below are a few of the visuals that I created for some yoga exercises that he can do at school and home to help him stay calm and focused throughout the day. Cowabunga!
Kinetic (Magic) Sand!
/For those of you who have not heard of Kinetic sand it's brilliant! Perfect for messy play without all the messy bits.
Fine Motor Fun
/Today's fine motor fun - I made this picture and laminated it. Pinch off small bits of play dough (good for encouraging a tripod grip), roll into small balls between the thumb and fingers (great for dexterity and manipulative skills) and then squash onto the frog's spots with the index finger (good for finger isolation and strengthening). So simple but a great fine motor activity!
Hedgehogs and writing
/I'm working with a little boy at the moment who doesn't hold his pencil tightly enough and so puts very little pressure onto the paper when writing. Today we made a hedgehog and built a nest for it! (Pinching clothes pegs is a great way to strengthen the muscles in the fingers and hands for a tighter pencil grip, while pushing straws into play dough promotes a tripod grip while encouraging the child to place pressure through the straw) 😀✍🏻
