Here is a super easy set up but challenging activity to encourage motor planning skills, coordination and body awareness. Cut up pool noodles lengthwise and lay them on the floor in different directions. Ask the child to jump from noodle to noodle keeping the pool noodle between the feet. You can view the brief video […]
Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology published research on physical activity levels measured with accelerometers for four days in 102 children with unilateral cerebral palsy (GMFCS I and II). In addition, data was collected on functional strength, 6-minute walk test (6MWT), mobility limitations (MobQues28), age, sex, Assessment of Life-Habits recreation domain, Participation and Environment Measure for […]
Research was published comparing the muscle activation and energy expenditure of different postures in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy. Energy-expenditure and muscle activity were measured during lying supine, sitting with support, sitting without support, and standing in 19 subjects with cerebral palsy (GMFCS- E&R Levels I-V). Using indirect calorimetry and surface electromyography, the […]
Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities published research on whether a difference existed in levels of task independence when three students with autism completed food preparation tasks while self-monitoring using a low-tech treatment (paper/pencil) and high-tech treatment (iPad). The results indicated: 1. both interventions decreased the need for prompting which increases independence 2. Students […]
Journal of Attention Disorders published research on kinematically characterizing the handwriting of 14 boys with ADHD-combined type and 14 typically developing boys. The boys wrote a series of four cursive letter ‘l’s using a graphics tablet and a stylus. The results indicated the following: 1. Children with ADHD-CT had more inconsistent writing size than did […]
When asked to participate in this blog hop with a recommendation for a favorite summer time activity, I knew what my answer was right away. Sidewalk chalk is my absolute favorite. Depending upon how you use it, sidewalk chalk can encourage physical activity, fine motor, gross motor and visual perceptual skills. Now of course […]
Pediatrics published research on the gender-specific independent association between muscular strength and cardiometabolic risk clustering in 1421 children. The researchers used a principal component analysis to determine the pattern of risk clustering and to derive a continuous aggregate score (MetScore) from various cardiometabolic risk factors (i.e. % body fat, blood pressure, etc), body mass index (BMI), […]
An interesting study was published in Child Development comparing the motivational levels of children willing to help adults based on how the children were asked to help. The participants included about 150, 3-6 year olds, who participated in two experiments. In one experiment, the adults talked to the children about helping then referred to helping […]
Ever wonder what else you could do with loom bands? Here are 5 suggestions that encourage fine motor skills, visual motor skills and hand strengthening (and none of them are bracelets)! Get all the directions at https://www.yourtherapysource.com/freeloombands.html [subscribe2]
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 […]