OT Mommy posted an article on Info Spot 4 the Special Tot - Feb 5, 2012, 4:44 pm
These days it seems like there isn't enough time to do all of the reading on a variety of topics that I want to do. So, I often listen to podcasts while en route to-from work or while on an airplane. If you are wanting to know more about early childhood development, try this link from "Zero to Three...
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OT Mommy posted an article on Info Spot 4 the Special Tot - Jan 15, 2012, 12:09 am
It's always nice to stay active in sports, but for parents of children with disabilities it's not as easy as signing up just anywhere! The following link provides a long list of various links for adapted sports: disAbility Sports Training and Athletic Competition Play ball!
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OT Mommy posted an article on Info Spot 4 the Special Tot - Nov 30, 2011, 10:46 pm
It seems this year has been extra crazy and busy, which means I haven't blogged near as much as I did the previous two years...oh well, if life even slows down a bit, then I'll get back to blogging more. Ironically, I don't watch television very often or do other things that you would think should t...
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OT Mommy posted an article on Info Spot 4 the Special Tot - Oct 24, 2011, 9:42 pm
It's Halloween time! Many of us think it is fun, whereas others are not feeling the same amount of joy as the rest of us! In hopes of making the holiday more pleasant for all, I have provided a link on ideas for adapting this holiday for a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder. I also think these idea...
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OT Mommy posted an article on Info Spot 4 the Special Tot - Sep 18, 2011, 11:13 pm
I am a big fan of social stories to teach young children and/or children with special needs (any age) when there is a problem with a behavior or the child is anxious about a situation. The concept originated by Carol Gray. Although social stories are often used with children with an autism spectrum ...
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OT Mommy posted an article on Info Spot 4 the Special Tot - Aug 17, 2011, 11:58 pm
Since most children are going back to school over the next couple of weeks, I thought I'd post a link on preschool readiness. Preschool is important for many children, especially those with learning disorders or developmental disabilities. If they go to preschool, then they may perform better in kin...
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OT Mommy posted an article on Info Spot 4 the Special Tot - Jul 7, 2011, 11:47 am
It's that time of year when most everyone wants to cool off in a pool, especially if you live in the southern USA like I do...too many days where it is 100 degrees F or above! For many of us, we want our kids to feel comfortable around the water, have safety awareness, and also learn how to swim. So...
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OT Mommy posted an article on Info Spot 4 the Special Tot - Jun 20, 2011, 12:45 am
Although my son turned 3 years old earlier this month, I do not expect him to never have tantrums or meltdowns. Yet, I already noticed over the past couple of months that they occur WAY less. Here is a link on the behavior and self-control of a two year old and some strategies to use:. ZERO TO THREE...
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OT Mommy posted an article on Sense-Able Beginnings - Jun 20, 2011, 12:27 am
My son had another birthday this month. He turned the big "3". So, there isn't a toddler in the house any more; we officially have a "big boy"! Potty training and tantrums were difficult, but I predict this year will be on the upswing! I won't have any more personal up-to-date toddler stories to blo...
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OT Mommy posted an article on Info Spot 4 the Special Tot - May 26, 2011, 9:54 pm
Please spread the word about this important information regarding a recall on Simply Thick and a possible link to NEC: Simply Thick Lawsuit: Free Consultation with Attorney necrotizing enterocolitis NEC
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OT Mommy posted an article on Info Spot 4 the Special Tot - Apr 25, 2011, 2:53 pm
In honor of my family getting a puppy 2 weeks ago, I thought I'd post this link on how animals can help children with special needs: Animal Assisted Therapy for Special Needs Children When I worked at a rehab hospital for adults with neurological injuries I really enjoyed seeing the trained dogs com...
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OT Mommy posted an article on Info Spot 4 the Special Tot - Apr 6, 2011, 11:09 am
Whether it be from my friends or parents of children I work with, I get asked a lot of questions about how to help babies and young children sleep better. Here are some good ideas on the challenges of sleep: ZERO TO THREE: Sleep Challenges in Infants and Toddlers: Why It Happens, What to Do I've bee...
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OT Mommy posted an article on Sense-Able Beginnings - Apr 6, 2011, 11:02 am
Playtime is SO important for all areas of development for children with special needs as well as typically developing children. Here are some tips on playing with your little one: ZERO TO THREE: Make the Most of Playtime
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OT Mommy posted an article on Sense-Able Beginnings - Mar 23, 2011, 3:42 pm
Info Spot 4 the Special Tot: Increasing the Intensity of Sensory Input
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OT Mommy posted an article on Info Spot 4 the Special Tot - Mar 23, 2011, 3:16 pm
A sensory diet is when additional sensory input is added into the child's daily activities. This might include making sure the child runs around or swings at recess as opposed to them just sitting there on a bench. It might also include a child wearing a weighted vest or backpack while on an outing....
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OT Mommy posted an article on Info Spot 4 the Special Tot - Mar 13, 2011, 12:06 am
It has been a BUSY month so far, so this is my first post of the month... the longest I've ever went without writing an entry! Oh well, Happy Spring (almost)! Lately, I've been working with quite a few children of all ages who have spastic quadriplegia; this is when both legs and arms have extreme t...
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OT Mommy posted an article on Info Spot 4 the Special Tot - Feb 21, 2011, 12:31 am
Here is a great article on what happens right before a child typically learns how to crawl and the various styles of crawlers: ZERO TO THREE: Steps Toward Crawling The only thing I would add to this article is some other types of atypical crawling: -segmented: the child crawls but it appears slow, a...
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OT Mommy posted an article on Info Spot 4 the Special Tot - Feb 13, 2011, 2:05 pm
A common suggestion that I make for toddlers with a developmental delay, particularly with language skills, is to go to daycare, preschool, or Mother's Day Out (MDO) for at least 2 days a week. I make this suggestion especially for children who don't have siblings or who are the oldest child. Childr...
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OT Mommy posted an article on Info Spot 4 the Special Tot - Feb 7, 2011, 8:59 pm
I came across an amazing website "Autism Speaks" recently. I was so impressed with how they had very detailed videos displaying what a typically developing child would look like for a particular play or language skill, and how a child with autism may look like doing the same task. Also on this site ...
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OT Mommy posted an article on Info Spot 4 the Special Tot - Jan 22, 2011, 10:40 pm
I was just fiddling around with my iPhone and downloading some applications today. My search was on a variety of pediatric diagnoses seen in OT, PT, and speech, and not too many came up, which surprises me. But once I read how much has to go into creating an app I figured out why there aren't many! ...
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OT Mommy posted an article on Info Spot 4 the Special Tot - Jan 16, 2011, 9:24 pm
My daughter and I went through all of her toys yesterday to make room for all of the toys she got for Christmas last month. I had her make various piles: one for toys to keep, one for missing pieces, another for toys to donate, and of course the trash can! Within the donate pile, I started to think ...
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OT Mommy posted an article on Info Spot 4 the Special Tot - Jan 13, 2011, 12:17 pm
An interesting study about siblings age and the incidence of autism: CTV Toronto - Sibling spacing may be tied to autism risk: study - CTV News I hope they keep finding more clues to the causes ( or possibilities) so they can work on prevention and cures for autism!
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OT Mommy posted an article on Info Spot 4 the Special Tot - Jan 5, 2011, 2:42 pm
I worked recently with a child (diagnosed with cerebral palsy) who made many gains with the Suit Therapy using the TheraSuit. Here is a link: Therapists Use New Methods For Children with Cerebral Palsy | OT Pediatrics News I've had many kids over the years try alternative therapies, and some of them...
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OT Mommy posted an article on Info Spot 4 the Special Tot - Dec 20, 2010, 10:30 am
I'm a big fan of Kindermusik! I am lucky enough to live in a bigger city where there are multiple locations that classes are conducted. Their classes are so fun, and some include learning sign language! Kindermusik Home | Toddler Preschooler Infant Children Music Classes I have had many OT (occupati...
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OT Mommy posted an article on Info Spot 4 the Special Tot - Dec 20, 2010, 10:30 am
I'm a big fan of Kindermusik! I am lucky enough to live in a bigger city where there are multiple locations that classes are conducted. Their classes are so fun, and some include learning sign language! Kindermusik Home | Toddler Preschooler Infant Children Music Classes I have had many OT (occupati...
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OT Mommy posted an article on Info Spot 4 the Special Tot - Dec 20, 2010, 10:30 am
I'm a big fan of Kindermusik! I am lucky enough to live in a bigger city where there are multiple locations that classes are conducted. Their classes are so fun, and some include learning sign language! Kindermusik Home | Toddler Preschooler Infant Children Music Classes I have had many OT (occupati...
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OT Mommy posted an article on Info Spot 4 the Special Tot - Dec 12, 2010, 9:51 pm
Tummy Time for Baby | Articles | Babies Today
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OT Mommy posted an article on Sense-Able Beginnings - Dec 12, 2010, 9:50 pm
As a pediatric occupational therapist I have a few soap boxes that I step onto frequently and one of them in particular is putting babies on their tummies as they are lying on the floor (or another firm surface) while supervised. Many parents do place their infants in this position, but some do not....
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OT Mommy posted an article on Info Spot 4 the Special Tot - Dec 12, 2010, 9:28 pm
It's that time of year already! Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, or any other holiday filled with gift giving, it is time to think about what to give your loved ones. This can be difficult when thinking of what to get a friend or relative with special needs. Here is a link filled with cons...
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OT Mommy posted an article on Info Spot 4 the Special Tot - Dec 3, 2010, 10:11 pm
I went to a conference today. I always love to learn new things, and then share the info. and resources with others. Found out today about this study on mother-infant interaction, and thouht I'd share: Mother-Infant Interaction: Achieving Synchrony : Nursing Research The smallest of interactions can...
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OT Mommy posted an article on Info Spot 4 the Special Tot - Nov 24, 2010, 9:00 pm
Both my son and daughter have food allergies and my son also has FPIES (food protein-induced entercolitis syndrome). One allergy of his that we became aware of this past week is rice. It is not usually a common food for people to be allergic to, but according to this link it is on the rise: Rice All...
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OT Mommy posted an article on Info Spot 4 the Special Tot - Nov 19, 2010, 9:56 pm
Although it might be instinct to rock and comfort a crying baby, it is often not instinct to know how to play with a baby. The link below gives some great tips on playing with babies: ZERO TO THREE: Playing with Babies One of my favorite things to play with babies is "Peek-a-Boo"...so cute to see th...
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OT Mommy posted an article on Info Spot 4 the Special Tot - Nov 16, 2010, 11:01 pm
I am the handout queen...not really, it is just a title I have given myself. I love to provide families with handouts, website links, and other resources. When parents take the time to read up on topics that are related to their child's developmental delays, it is SO much easier for me to have a mea...
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OT Mommy posted an article on Info Spot 4 the Special Tot - Nov 10, 2010, 4:07 pm
So many of us are uninformed of what actually is in the food we eat. This is the case when we eat "quick" meals at home out of a box, but it is especially the case when we eat fast food! Here is an article that hopefully will make you think twice about going through the drive-thru of a fast food res...
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OT Mommy posted an article on Info Spot 4 the Special Tot - Nov 3, 2010, 9:27 pm
Today it is cold and rainy outside. That means my kids didn't get to play outside like they typically do before and/or after supper. Now that it's November, there will be more and more days like this where we have to be entertained indoors. Here are a few ideas that I use to keep my kids involved i...
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OT Mommy posted an article on Info Spot 4 the Special Tot - Oct 24, 2010, 9:06 pm
Choosing the "just right" costume can make or break the Halloween holiday for children, especially children with sensory processing disorder (SPD) or an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Here are some suggestions on choosing a costume: How to Choose a Halloween Costume for a Child with Autism | eHow.c...
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OT Mommy posted an article on Info Spot 4 the Special Tot - Oct 19, 2010, 8:58 pm
Since October is Sensory Awareness Month, I thought that I would share an awesome resource which is a link to free downloads on sensory processing disorder (SPD): SPD free downloads Let's do all we can this month to make more people aware of the symptoms of SPD! One easy way to do that is to share h...
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OT Mommy posted an article on Info Spot 4 the Special Tot - Oct 15, 2010, 6:36 pm
Today I went to a 6 hour workshop on the topic of nutrition. The speaker presented on how important good nutrition is for exercise and muscle building. So, nutrition is on my mind! Since tomorrow is my assigned day to take snacks for my daughter's soccer team after the game, I couldn't help but anal...
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OT Mommy posted an article on Info Spot 4 the Special Tot - Oct 13, 2010, 10:08 pm
Many children have hemiplegia due to cerebral palsy, a stroke, or any other injury to the brain. Hemiplegia is when one side of the body has abnormal muscle tone and tightness due to a brain injury or stroke on the opposite side of the brain. In comparison, hemiparesis is when the person has muscle ...
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OT Mommy posted an article on Info Spot 4 the Special Tot - Oct 10, 2010, 11:39 pm
This week has been one of those weeks that just flew right by: doctor visits, allergy shots, soccer practice and game, birthday party for my daughter (7th), work, and all of the normal things that happen in a week! So, I was just realizing that I haven't blogged since last week. I couldn't even thin...
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OT Mommy posted an article on Info Spot 4 the Special Tot - Oct 3, 2010, 10:14 pm
I have been happily surprised lately while talking to some of the staff at daycares and Mother's Day Out (MDO) programs where I work with some children for occupational therapy services. They ACTUALLY have heard about sensory processing disorder (SPD)...yeah, it is not a foreign concept to them! At ...
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OT Mommy posted an article on Info Spot 4 the Special Tot - Oct 1, 2010, 11:29 pm
I have a lot of therapy strategies up my sleeve when it comes to pediatric feeding disorders. Some of them include fancy positioning equipment, oral-motor devices, stretches, and textured teething toys. Some of my strategies even require that I become "certified" just to use them. Yet, the most effe...
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OT Mommy posted an article on Info Spot 4 the Special Tot - Sep 29, 2010, 10:49 am
Nystagmus is when the eyes oscillate. This movement can be either side-to-side, up-down, or in a rotary motion. Nystagmus is a normal thing after a person has been spun in circles, but not when the person has just turned their head to the side or is sitting still. There are different reasons behind...
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OT Mommy posted an article on Info Spot 4 the Special Tot - Sep 24, 2010, 11:19 pm
My kids have food allergies to dairy, eggs, nuts, and some food additives (dyes, nitrates) in addition to having reactions to soy products due to food protein induced enterocolitis syndrome. This may result in diarrhea or vomiting. The "allergy" test which looks at IgE levels will show up negative f...
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OT Mommy posted an article on Info Spot 4 the Special Tot - Sep 20, 2010, 10:56 pm
I think that all toddlers can become easily frustrated from time to time. I know that my 27 month old son does! Overall, he is a laid back child. But since he began preschool three weeks ago, some new behaviors have arised. He has become more possessive of his toys while chanting "mine, mine!" and s...
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OT Mommy posted an article on Info Spot 4 the Special Tot - Sep 16, 2010, 10:14 pm
Brachial Plexus Injuries can occur at any time in life, but the risk to babies is more likely to occur in the womb or during delivery. So often they are not obvious until the baby is a couple of months old and not moving the arm equal to the other arm, and sometimes not even moving the arm at all. A...
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OT Mommy posted an article on Info Spot 4 the Special Tot - Sep 12, 2010, 11:37 am
When evaluating premature babies, I often get asked the question "Will my baby catch up?", and I found a good link that can answer that question in detail: Will My Baby Catchup? Growth and Prematurity After reading this link you know that it depends upon the situation of how quickly (and if) the bab...
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OT Mommy posted an article on Info Spot 4 the Special Tot - Sep 10, 2010, 11:45 am
I have worked in a variety of settings: school system, hospital, outpatient clinics (more than one), early intervention, and home health. I have been working in early intervention and home health over the past 6 years, because I have found it to be my "niche". Why is that you ask? Well, I believe th...
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OT Mommy posted an article on Info Spot 4 the Special Tot - Sep 8, 2010, 9:11 pm
Infant Vision: Birth to 24 Months of Age | American Optometric Association
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OT Mommy posted an article on Sense-Able Beginnings - Sep 8, 2010, 9:03 pm
Even if you don't suspect that your baby has problems with his or her vision, it is wise to take your baby to see the optometrist as soon as 6 months of age; sooner if you suspect any problems. Infant Vision: Birth to 24 Months of Age | American Optometric Association Pediatric optometrists (OD) an...
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