Here is a sample activity idea from our electronic book, Motor Magic: Turn Fine Motor Skills into Gross Motor Skills. This is a fun, outdoor activity that encourages fine motor skills, eye hand coordination, motor planning, gross motor skills and balance. The electronic book has 25 activity ideas incorporating fine and gross motor skills and is available at www.YourTherapySource.com/motormagic.
Here is a four year old boy working on bilateral coordination, eye foot coordination and motor planning skills. He has velcro attached to his feet. We are using a velcro ball from velcro catch game. Try this is standing for older children to really challenge their balance (SUPERVISE CLOSELY).
New research published in the Journal of Pediatrics reports that 16 children (ages 6-11 years old) with developmental disabilities had decreased anxiety during dental visits when a sensory adapted environment was used. The study compared developmentally disabled children to typical peers. During the first dental visit, no environmental adaptations were used. During the second dental visit, each group experienced a sensory adapted environment of
1. color lamp
2. examiner wore LED headlamp aiming light directly at patient’s mouth
3. soothing music
4. wearing a heavy vest to give feeling of a hug
5. vibration in the dental chair.
During the second visit, anxiety levels were decreased in all children. The children with developmental disabilities experienced a more significant decrease in anxiety.
These are very simple adaptations to try during a dental visit. Keep in mind, that each child reacts differently to certain sensory stimuli. For example, one child may like the vibration and one child may find it to be noxious. A trained occupational therapist could offer further suggestions on an individual basis for children with developmental disabilities.
Reference: Michele Shapiro OT, MSca, b, , , Harold D. Sgan-Cohen DMD, MPHc, Shula Parush OT, PhDb and Raphael N. Melmed MD, FRCPd Influence of Adapted Environment on the Anxiety of Medically Treated Children with Developmental Disability The Journal of Pediatrics
Volume 154, Issue 4, April 2009, Pages 546-550
BMC Pediatriccs has published an interesting study on hyperbaric treatment for children with autism. According to the authors of this study, this is the first randomized, double blind controlled trial using hyperbaric oxygen in children with autism. The study had 62 children with autism ages 2-7 years old. The treatment group consisted of 33 children who received hyperbaric oxygen at 1.3 atmosphere (atm) and 24% oxygen. The control group was 29 children who received slightly pressurized room air and 21% oxygen (room air oxygen rate). Both groups received treatments 2x/day for 60 minutes for 5 days/week over 4 weeks. This totalled 40 sessions. The results indicated significant improvements for the treatment group (1.3 atm with 24% oxygen) compared to the control group in the following areas:
1. Overall functioning, receptive language, social interaction and eye contact on the Physician scored Clinical Global Impression Scale
2. Overall functioning, receptive language and eye contact on the Parent scored Clinical Global Impression Scale
3. Total score, irritability, stereotypy, hyperactivity and speech on the Autism Behavior Checklist (larger differences seen in irritability)
4. Sensory/ cognitive awareness on the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC).
Additional results indicated that children over the age of 5 and children with lower autism severity exhibited greater improvements from the hyperbaric oxygen treatments. This study did not follow the long term benefits of the treatments.
For pediatric therapists, this information provides updated information on the potential benefits of hyperbaric oxygen for children with autism. The significant improvements in sensory/ cognitive awareness is promising. Although, the ATEC section on sensory/ cognitive awareness is very general. Some of the sensory/ cognitive components listed on the test are: danger awareness, initiation of activity, exploration of environment, curiosity, dressing self, does drawing/ art, plays appropriately and more.
In addition, the health section on the ATEC also includes some sensory items such as sound sensitivities, food habits, hyperactive, decreased pain awareness and more. There was no difference seen on the health section of the ATEC.
To view the full study go to BMC Pediatrics.
Reference: Hyperbaric treatment for children with autism: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial Daniel A Rossignol , Lanier W Rossignol , Scott Smith , Cindy Schneider , Sally Logerquist , Anju Usman , Jim Neubrander , Eric M Madren , Gregg Hintz , Barry Grushkin and Elizabeth A Mumper BMC Pediatrics 2009, 9:21doi:10.1186/1471-2431-9-21
Here is a fun activity that encourages upper extremity muscle strengthening, proprioceptive input and tactile input.
What more sensory motor activities? Check out 50 Sensory Motor Activities for Kids!.
Here is a new way to use a sensory toy. This is a spiky ball that can go on a child’s head so there is a hole in it. Stuff the inside with a cloth napkin or dish towel. Mark one counting stick (or coffee stirrer) with a piece of masking tape on it. The child puts all the sticks in the spiky ball. After all the sticks are in, the adult or another child, pulls out one stick at a time. How many sticks do you have to pull out before you reached the marked one? If more than one player, the winner is the first one to find the marked stick. This activity encourages fine motor skills, bilateral coordination and tactile input. Want more activities like this? Go to www.YourTherapySource.com.
And I thought therapists carried a lot of stuff! Check this out. Where can I get one of these?
