Tips & Resources

Tips From Britt Collins M.S. OTR/L
  • • Tips on Finding an OT
    1. Check your local government regional center, your local school district and private practices as well.
    2. When looking for an OT, research what their background and specialties are.
    3. Ask other parents that have kids in OT who they recommend.
    4. Ask your Dr. who they recommend.
    5. Go see the facility and meet the directors to see if it will be a match for you and your child.
    6. Even if you start with an OT and it isn’t a perfect match, try someone else, don’t give up on OT all together some kids work better with different personalities.
  • • Quick Tips on if your child bites their nails...
    1. give your child other things to provide oral motor input such as
      • crunchy foods
      • chewy foods
      • drink through a straw
      • drink thick smoothies (fruit)
      • chewy tubes
    2. Some parents find Epson salt baths help decrease nail biting. Please contact your child’s doctor and ask if this is something that might be something to try for your child.
  • • How to make your child sit through dinner...
    1. have them participate in a movement activity before requiring them to sit for any length of time.
    2. wheelbarrow walk or animal crawl to the dinner table.
    3. give them big hugs and deep pressure before, during and after sitting for a period of time.
    4. give them heavy work foods to eat (i.e. crunchy or chewy foods) drink through a straw (this is calming).
    5. get the “sillies” out before dinner by playing a game and then stress the importance of sitting and completing dinner.
    6. after dinner if they still have a lot of energy, play a game that is interacting but not as physical as they will have a full stomach.
Resources
OT EQUIPMENT
People are always asking us where to get Occupational Therapy Equipment. We really love Fun and Function - they're a company founded and run by OTs and they're affordable with lots of FUN stuff. If you enter their website through our link - you get a $5. Off coupon when you check out. Make sure you enter our affiliate number to get coupon.

For more information, please visit http://funandfunction.com/jam/jrox.php?id=184
Items You Can Make Yourself
  • • Therapy Gak Recipe
    1. 1/2 cup Elmers Glue
    2. 1/3 cup warm water
    3. 1 teaspoon Borax
    4. 1/3 cup warm water
    5. food coloring if desired
    6. Zip lock baggie

      7. Mix together glue, 1/3 cup warm water and food coloring in a small bowl (glue solution) In a medium zip lock baggie mix Borax and 1/3 cup warm water (Borax solution) Pour glue solution into baggie (Borax solution), gently knead (squash) together.

      Then when it is all mixed together, you can take it out and play with it in a bowl or on a covered table.  Make sure you do not get this on your clothes.  For kids who are hesitant to touch the "goo" put plastic bags on their hands to see if that helps!
  • • Crash Pads
    1. Purchase a duvet cover.
    2. Fill with foam from local fabric store. They'll cut into cubes for you.
    3. We suggest getting coupons out of the Sunday paper - often 40 to 50% off an item. Foam can be expensive.
    4. Stuff duvet with foam. Button or sew closed.

      5. Make sure that you pack in enough foam that a child can jump and land on it without touching the ground if the foam moves. You might have to make more than one trip to the fabric store.

      NEVER LEAVE A CHILD UNATTENDED WITH FOAM CRASH PAD!
  • • Stretchy Tunnels
    1. Purchase 3 yards Lycra fabric from fabric store.
    2. Fold fabric in half (length will be 9 feet)
    3. Sew seam down the folded piece edge making tube. Fabric is slippery so will move. You can pin to hold help hold in place, but be careful to remove all pins after sewing.
    4. Perhaps go over your seam again to reinforce seam as child going through tunnel is going to stretch and pull on fabric.


      5. NEVER LEAVE A CHILD UNATTENDED WITH STRETCHY TUNNEL
  • • Bean Bags
    1. Get fabric scraps from fabric store, or get some fun fabrics in different textures and colors.
    2. Fold fabric in half and sew along three sides (if you’re making squares). You can also make circles or animal shapes, but that's a little more tricky. Put the two sides of the fabric that you will want in the end facing each other.
      ***You will sew it this way so that the seams are on the inside when you turn the bag inside out.
    3. After you have sewn the three sides and turned the fabric inside out – you can fill your bag with a variety of uncooked beans or rice - or both! You decide on the weight and feel for your child.
    4. Once the bag is full, tuck in the top and hand sew across the top.


      5. If you need better directions - check out this link at ehow
      http://www.ehow.com/how_8714_make-beanbags.html
Therapy Resources
AIT (Auditory Integration Therapy)
Over spring break, March 19th-28th, 2008 our son, had ten days of AIT (Auditory Integration Therapy). His therapist was Khymberleigh Herwill-Levin. Our family had a lovely experience. Since his therapy, our son has become more tolerant of loud noises, he’s able to concentrate better in school and he’s more comfortable in crowds, amongst the many improvements we’ve noticed.

For more information, please visit www.ait1st.com
Organizations:

TRP Wellness News

Britt Collin's has written an article for PediaStaff regarding her research on the Wii.

PediaStaff is giving away a free Wii package at the AOTA conference in April - be sure and visit Britt at their booth and enter to win.

From the Blog

Sensitive Sam written by Marla Roth-Fisch is an engaging look at how Sam feels and interprets the world. This is a great book for little kiddos trying to understand why they feel “different” and also good for older kids to grasp sensory processing issues. The author explores many sensory situations including school - which we all know is a biggie with our kiddos. Occupational Therapy is introduced and Sam and his parents learn how to help Sam feel better and more comfortable.

This is an amazing resource for any family. Parents will benefit as well. Specially if ...

Join Our Newsletter