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Motor Planning Activity Using Pool Noodles

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 […]

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Physical Activity Levels of Independent Ambulators with Unilateral CP

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 […]

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Best Exercise for Overweight Teens

JAMA Pediatrics published a research study on The Healthy Eating Aerobic and Resistance Training in Youth (HEARTY) that included 304 overweight teens between the ages of 14 to 18. All were given the same four weeks of diet counseling to promote healthy eating and weight loss before being randomly placed into four groups: 1) resistance […]

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Variations in Sensory Processing and Autism

[subscribe2] The Journal of Autism and Developmental Disabilities published research to determine if sensory processing varies along the autism spectrum.  Continuous EEG recordings were made to determine how fast the brains of 43 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)  were processing either a simple auditory tone, a visual image (red circle), or a tone combined with an […]

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Benefits of Tai Chi for Children

Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese type of exercise program with its roots coming from martial arts. It emphasizes a mind body connection using slow, gentle movements, meditation and deep breathing. Tai chi requires all the major muscle groups and joints to complete the slow, gentle movements. Tai chi has been shown to improve balance, […]

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Free Pumpkin Multisensory Handwriting Activity

Check out the latest freebie to encourage multisensory handwriting practice.  DOWNLOAD the multisensory handwriting Fall freebie.   Fall Multisensory Handwriting Activities includes worksheets that require movement, tracing, copying, cutting and gluing all with a Fall theme. There are 10 worksheets in double lined format (Handwriting Without Tears style) or in dotted line format (Zaner-Bloser style). […]

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Early Predictors of Autism – Self Regulation and Sleep Patterns

The Journal of Early Intervention published research on identifying early predictors prior to a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) at 4 years of age. Data was analyzed on 100 children comparing children with ASD to children with other disabilities and children who were typically developing. The results indicated the following: 1. limited unique characteristics […]