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Vertical Puzzles
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 […]
Occupational Therapy Month Poster
Start to get ready for OT Month coming in April. Print and hang up this sign to get started. You can download the FREE OT month sign at https://www.yourtherapysource.com/otmonth3.html or check out the signs from previous years. Need ideas to celebrate? Check out previous blog posts: 10 Things to Do to Celebrate OT Month at https://www.yourtherapysource.com/blog1/2009/04/07/10-things-to-do-to-celebrate-ot-month/ Minute It […]
Exercise Training for Wheelchair Proplusion
Clinical Rehabilitation published a research review on whether different types of exercise training programs are effective in improving wheelchair propulsion capacity. Studies were divided into four training types: interval, endurance, strength, and mixed training. The results indicated the following: 1. Twenty one studies were included representing 249 individuals with spinal-cord injury (50%), various diagnoses like spina bifida […]
Gross Motor and Fine Motor Activity Using Colored Dot Stickers
I am not sure why but I just LOVE colored dot stickers. They are cheap and versatile for all sorts of activities that combine movement with learning. Here is my latest idea using these awesome stickers: 1. Write some numbers on colored dot stickers. For this example, I wrote the numbers 1-4 twice. Draw matching […]
Gross Motor Skills in Children with Autism
The Journal of Child & Adolescent Behavior published research comparing the gross motor skill performance on 21 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and 21 age matched peers (5-10 years) using the Test of Gross Motor Development-2 (TGMD- 2). The motor performance scores on the TGMD-2 were compared. The following results were recorded: 1. For the locomotor subtest, 67% […]
5 Tips to Help Students Be Independent with Modifications
Modifications to the school environment can greatly benefit students with disabilities. School staff needs to teach students to be independent in making sure that modifications are in place in the learning environment. It is not our job to simple recommend modifications it is also our job as educators/therapists to ensure that the modifications are carried […]
Research on a Collaborative Fine Motor Program
Ingrid King, OT, has written research on a collaborative fine motor program for 5 year old children in New Zealand. A two phased mixed method design was utilized with 19 students in a 5 year old classroom (none of the students were receiving occupational therapy nor had a diagnosis). To measure changes in fine motor […]
Compare Pointing Device Use: Mouse? Track Pad? Trackball?…
Have you ever heard of Fitt’s Law? “Fitts’s Law allows to predict a time it takes a user to point at an object using a specific pointing device (such as a mouse, trackball, trackpad, or even a finger)”. At a website about Fitt’s Law – http://fww.few.vu.nl/hci/interactive/fitts/, you can collect data on how long it takes a […]
Gait Analysis and Visual Input
The Journal of Physical Therapy Science published research on the effects of the modulation of optic flow speed on gait parameters in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. Optic flow is the pattern of motion perceived at the retina, which specifies the direction of locomotion and provides vital feedback concerning an individual’s regulation of walking velocity. Gait analysis was completed […]
5 Ways for Pediatric Therapists to Snap Out of a Funk
Ever have the blues at your job? Feeling like you are stuck in a rut? Here are 5 ways to snap out of a funk as a pediatric occupational or physical therapist: 1. Remember why you chose this profession – to help others. 2. Connect with other therapists to ask for help establish a […]