Self-regulation and ADHD
The Centers for Disease Control statistics indicated in 2011 that roughly 11% of our school- aged kids today (that is 6.4 million students between the ages of 4-17) were reported to have a diagnosis of...
View ArticleWhat’s the Right Fidget for the Classroom?
You’ve seen the craze: Fidget Spinners. These little twirly devices have captured the hands and pockets ($) of many. They are engaging and for many a fun toy, but fidgeting is not just for fun nor...
View ArticleWhy Fidget? 5 Reasons Fidgets Benefit Kids with Special Needs
By: Robyn Colley, OTR/L Fidget cubes, spinners, and the old-fashioned stress ball. Fidgeting is gaining hype these days. Teachers are begging to keep spinners out of their classrooms. The distraction,...
View Article5 Alternatives to the Fidget Spinner
Just in case you have not heard, the Fidget Spinner is a viral phenomenon. Its popularity as a toy craze is a given, however, its application as a suitable fidget for children with special needs is a...
View ArticleBenefits of Weight and Pressure
Remember as a child climbing under a heavy blanket or several blankets and that wonderful feeling of security and comfort? In the neurological and sensory processing world, weight is a friend. And...
View Article5 Terrific Tips for Building Strong Fine Motor Skills
Great educators, therapists and parents know it takes a foundation of varied sensory activities to build strong fine motor skills. Here are a few of our favorite suggestions: Encourage Crawling...
View ArticleCelebrating Inclusion One Child at a Time
In between all of the bad news these days are a few of these jewels that give us hope and optimism: This story, about a mom with a child with special needs has gone viral on social media. It is a...
View ArticleEarly Childhood Inclusion
In 2015, the Dept. of Education (ED) teamed up with Health and Human Services Division (HHS) to release a joint policy statement on inclusion in early childhood programs. The document coincided with...
View ArticleIntegrating Fine and Gross Motor Skills
Using tools to support the core as well as the upper body and fine motor skills can greatly enhance not only the lives of those we treat, play or work with but also the scope of one’s physical therapy...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Bluebee Pals for Sight Words Instruction
Regardless of the stage in the path to reading, students can benefit from becoming familiar with, learning to spell, and using new words. Students with special needs can especially benefit from the...
View ArticleChewigem Silicone Chewelry for Mild to Moderate Chewers
Chewing is a behavior that is exhibited by many people as a way to focus and cope with sensory overload. It’s extremely common to see children and students who chew on pencils, their clothes, erasers,...
View ArticleCreating a Sensory Space for Focused Studying
Creating a space for students to truly focus without distraction is difficult, but there are tools and tips to use when trying to make a focus-oriented sensory space. Regardless of age and learning...
View ArticleInclusion & Social Emotional Learning for Students with Special Needs
By Cecilia Cruse, MS, OTR/L, Occupational Therapist and Expert on Abilitations® of School Specialty. Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is quickly becoming a cornerstone in the world of education, and the...
View ArticleCovered in Comfort Products for Children with Special Needs
The Covered in Comfort team works to create innovative products, but also makes it a priority to give back to the community. Their mission to make the world a better place for children with special...
View ArticleSensory Processing Tools for Elementary and Secondary Students
By Cecilia Cruse, MS, OTR/L, Occupational Therapist and Expert on Abilitations® of School Specialty. The Sensory Tool Bags were created with for children who have frequent meltdowns, won’t sit still,...
View ArticleSelf-Regulation Tools for Early Childhood Learners
Early Childhood students going through a school day with meltdowns, an inability to sit still during circle time, and chaotic transitions between the playground and class may benefit from what Sensory...
View ArticleSelf-Reflect and Celebrate Your Success!
By: Tracy Sharlow, 2016 National Adapted Physical Education SHAPE America® Teacher of the Year One day, my son Grant, who was a teacher assistant in an ABA classroom for which I was the APE teacher,...
View ArticleModifying Afterschool Activities for Children with Special Needs
By Cecilia Cruse, MS, OTR/L, Occupational Therapist and Expert on Abilitations® of School Specialty The After School Alliance report entitled America After 3pm shows a sweeping 10 year study that...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Top OT Tips for Improving Fine Motor Skills
Pediatric Occupational Therapists often support educators and parents in helping children with handwriting skills. Long before the student sits down at the desk to complete a writing assignment, there...
View ArticleSchool Specialty’s Abilitations at AOTA
The 2018 AOTA Annual Conference is being held in Salt Lake City, Utah from April 19-22. Not only is this the largest gathering of occupational therapy professionals in the world, but it is a great way...
View Article