As the school year progresses, it can be hard to motivate children to participate in therapy sessions or to complete in class or home exercise suggestions. Here are 5 ways to use positive reinforcement during therapy sessions: 1. Therapy Tickets: Earn tickets for following rules, completing exercises, etc. Place your tickets in a cup and […]
Autism Research recently published research examining whether sensory differences can be used to classify subgroups of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The Short Sensory Profile was completed on 228 children with ASD ages 2-10 years old. The results indicated the following: 1. four distinct sensory subtypes were identified – (a) sensory adaptive (b) taste smell […]
I love when an app comes along that is different than every other app. Drawnimal is a new type of app although simple. It is currently free today (3/28/14). Basically, you put paper down underneath your iPad, draw the simple images it shows you on real paper (see picture above tail and mouse ears). Then […]
Here is a freebie from the Finish the Picture Spring edition. You can download it at https://www.yourtherapysource.com/holidayspringfreebie.html
Combine fine motor and gross motor skills with this free printable to try some “spinning” exercises. To get the details and download the printable go to https://www.yourtherapysource.com/freespinningtop.html
Recently, a small research study was completed with 6 elementary students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who participated in a modified single-case design investigation. There was a four-day baseline phase followed by 13 days of an intervention phase that included structured physical activity based on the individual students’ needs, then a reversal phase for four […]
Self regulated strategy development (SRSD) is an instructional model to teach writing strategies to students. SRSD has been researched and shown to result in significant and meaningful improvements in writing knowledge, writing quality, writing approach, self-regulation skills, and motivation. School based occupational therapists may focus on the actual skill of handwriting and also the […]
Here are three different ideas using the same materials to encourage fine motor skills. To find out how to make the activities go to Your Therapy Source at https://www.yourtherapysource.com/freeflowers
Have you heard of gesture recognition? It is the ability for the iPad camera to interact with your actions. There are a few, fun gesture recognition apps but I will start with my favorite one for today – Ball Strike. Free for lite version $0.99 for full version https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ballstrike/id541879968 This app is super fun. Using […]
Here is a simple way to make vertical puzzles. By hanging up the puzzles on the wall or in an upright position you encourage an increase in upper extremity active range of motion, wrist extension and can sneak in some gross motor skills (ie squatting and reaching up high). Find an old poster or use […]