Learning to write is usually a challenge for children with disabilities. They often struggle with decreased attention to task, decreased visual perceptual skills, decreased ability to process verbal information, etc.
While I recommend that an evaluation be completed to determine what the problem is, here are a few suggestions to help increase their ability to learn using their sensory system.
- Have the child complete the activity laying on his/her stomach (proprioceptive input)This can help improve attention to task as well.
- Roll them in a blanket and complete a task on stomach, while wrapped in the blanket.
- Use shaving cream, or finger paints for the child to write in (Be attentive if your child put things in his/her mouth)
- Write letters on paper over sand paper, or have them trace on sand paper with their finger.
- Have them create letters/numbers out of pretzel sticks.
Using as many of the child's senses can improve their ability to learn and retain the information.
These are some ideas to help you get jump started. You can combine these to increase the effectiveness.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Ways to get your child to sleep at night.
A friend posted that she was struggling with ways to get her daughter to bed at night, so I thought I would put some ideas down here. Brilliant huh? ok took me too long to think about it.
I will be relating this to the child's sensory system. If your child gets "wound up" right before going to bed then try the following:
1-Have them read or look at a book while laying on their tummy and elbows.
2-Play a game of "sleeping" taco with firm cushions for a few minutes.
3-Have your child wheelbarrow walk around the house.
4-Wrap up tightly in a blanket and rock for a few minutes
5-Use a heavier blanket.
***The key is to help them calm their sensory system by providing them with deep pressure into their joints.
***Set a routine
***This won't change overnight because there is always a behavior componant. Set your expectations and don't give in.
If your child has a hard time staying a asleep try:
1- A heavier Blanket
2- A fan in the room
Another mother reported that Melatonin helps her daughter sleep.
If you have had success in this area, please post your suggestions.
Thanks all
I will be relating this to the child's sensory system. If your child gets "wound up" right before going to bed then try the following:
1-Have them read or look at a book while laying on their tummy and elbows.
2-Play a game of "sleeping" taco with firm cushions for a few minutes.
3-Have your child wheelbarrow walk around the house.
4-Wrap up tightly in a blanket and rock for a few minutes
5-Use a heavier blanket.
***The key is to help them calm their sensory system by providing them with deep pressure into their joints.
***Set a routine
***This won't change overnight because there is always a behavior componant. Set your expectations and don't give in.
If your child has a hard time staying a asleep try:
1- A heavier Blanket
2- A fan in the room
Another mother reported that Melatonin helps her daughter sleep.
If you have had success in this area, please post your suggestions.
Thanks all
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
Behavior and Sensory Integration
Hopefully you have been able to try some of the suggestions provided.
I want to add that it is important to be aware that children who have difficulty processing sensory information have difficulty paying attention, difficulty tolerating food textures, clothing, and can also exhibit behavioral outbursts for unknown reasons, therefore it is imperative that you implement a behavioral program along with a sensory processing program.
Because a child is born with difficulty processing incoming information they react differently then one might expect in a given situation. This is what they know and it has become a negative behavior...therefore the way to change the behavior is to help the child process incoming sensory (visual, vestibular, prioprioceptive, auditory and tactile) information correctly, while also changing the behavior.
For example, John might have hyper sensative reaction to touch and as a result becomes upset and hits the person who bumped into him while standing in line at lunch. John needs to understand that this behavior is unacceptable and a consequence should be provided, however if you don't address the sensory issue the problem will continue to occur and vice versa.
As a therapist, I believe you have to set an expectation for your child and help them achieve it. Just like with any child you have to determine if they do better with positive or negative reinforcement. Positive reinforcement is always appropriate, but I am a firm believer that if you set up a rule and the rule is broken then a consequence must take place (remember to be age appropriate. Remember that consequence must have meaning to the child or it will not be effective in changing the behavior.
I have worked with many wonderful children, their families and parents who I wonder about a lot. I think a lot about their parents and know they struggled. I often found that many parents felt bad that it was more difficult for their child and as a result did to much for them.
Oh, how I understand...but I encourage you to see what they can do and push them to do more. Encourage independence by expecting them to try first and only assist as needed.
If you have any questions or would like suggestions please let me know.
I want to add that it is important to be aware that children who have difficulty processing sensory information have difficulty paying attention, difficulty tolerating food textures, clothing, and can also exhibit behavioral outbursts for unknown reasons, therefore it is imperative that you implement a behavioral program along with a sensory processing program.
Because a child is born with difficulty processing incoming information they react differently then one might expect in a given situation. This is what they know and it has become a negative behavior...therefore the way to change the behavior is to help the child process incoming sensory (visual, vestibular, prioprioceptive, auditory and tactile) information correctly, while also changing the behavior.
For example, John might have hyper sensative reaction to touch and as a result becomes upset and hits the person who bumped into him while standing in line at lunch. John needs to understand that this behavior is unacceptable and a consequence should be provided, however if you don't address the sensory issue the problem will continue to occur and vice versa.
As a therapist, I believe you have to set an expectation for your child and help them achieve it. Just like with any child you have to determine if they do better with positive or negative reinforcement. Positive reinforcement is always appropriate, but I am a firm believer that if you set up a rule and the rule is broken then a consequence must take place (remember to be age appropriate. Remember that consequence must have meaning to the child or it will not be effective in changing the behavior.
I have worked with many wonderful children, their families and parents who I wonder about a lot. I think a lot about their parents and know they struggled. I often found that many parents felt bad that it was more difficult for their child and as a result did to much for them.
Oh, how I understand...but I encourage you to see what they can do and push them to do more. Encourage independence by expecting them to try first and only assist as needed.
If you have any questions or would like suggestions please let me know.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Tone and Muscle Strength
Have you ever wondered why it is so difficult for your child to build muscle strength?
It could directly be related to your child's tone. If it is abnormally high or low then increasing strength will be difficult.
To increase the ability to build strength you must provide sensory activities prior to the strengthening activity. This will help to normalize your child's tone and prepare the muscle fibers.
Low Tone: Activities that increase tone
-Irrythmical bouncing
-Jumping
-Quick swinging
-Cold
High tone: Activities that decrease tone
-Rhythmical rocking
-Warmth
-Deep pressure
For best and quickest results, it is imperative that you use a sensory technique prior to starting your strengthening activities.
Example: If your child has low tone you could start by bouncing them on a ball, quickly and irrythmical, while moving them side to side.( I will post a video, once my camera is back from the camera doctor) This will elicite righting reactions and increase tone.
Then follow with your strengthening activity, which could include wheelbarrow walking for shoulder strength, pushing/pulling objects, or using therapy items such as: 1- pop tubes 2-pop beads and 3- Theraputty. Three of my favorite things to use in therapy sessions.
If your child has high tone you want to create a warm environment in which to work. I will be posting a video, hopefully next week, that will show and describe the some of the methods described and more that require a visual to ensure correct technique is being used.
Try some of the ideas presented, and please ask questions and comment. Thank you.
It could directly be related to your child's tone. If it is abnormally high or low then increasing strength will be difficult.
To increase the ability to build strength you must provide sensory activities prior to the strengthening activity. This will help to normalize your child's tone and prepare the muscle fibers.
Low Tone: Activities that increase tone
-Irrythmical bouncing
-Jumping
-Quick swinging
-Cold
High tone: Activities that decrease tone
-Rhythmical rocking
-Warmth
-Deep pressure
For best and quickest results, it is imperative that you use a sensory technique prior to starting your strengthening activities.
Example: If your child has low tone you could start by bouncing them on a ball, quickly and irrythmical, while moving them side to side.( I will post a video, once my camera is back from the camera doctor) This will elicite righting reactions and increase tone.
Then follow with your strengthening activity, which could include wheelbarrow walking for shoulder strength, pushing/pulling objects, or using therapy items such as: 1- pop tubes 2-pop beads and 3- Theraputty. Three of my favorite things to use in therapy sessions.
If your child has high tone you want to create a warm environment in which to work. I will be posting a video, hopefully next week, that will show and describe the some of the methods described and more that require a visual to ensure correct technique is being used.
Try some of the ideas presented, and please ask questions and comment. Thank you.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Sensory Integration and Tone
Some more intro to SI is needed before I can discuss tone. Sensory Integration looks at the basic 5 senses, as well as proprioception and vestibular.
Proprioception is the ability to know where you are in space, it gives our brain the feedback that is needed for development of strength, and motor planning.
Vestibular system "contributes to our balance and our sense of spatial orientation, it is the sensory system that provides the dominant input about movement and equilibrioception" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vestibular_system)
By providing therapy treatment that focuses on using the above senses appropriately you can greatly decrease the time it takes for your child to meet goals and increase their overall strength.
Tone is a term that many have heard, expecially if your child has cerebral palsy or Down Syndrome. Muscle Tone "refers to the amount of tension or resistance to movement in a muscle" (http://about-cerebral-palsy.org/definition/muscle-tone.html)
Tone is fairly difficult to understand, but the main thing to remember is that if your child's tone is not normal or normalized then your child's ability to increase his/her strength will be difficult.
If you placed the types of tone on a scale you will find that there is normal-low tone- children usually walk later then average, normal-high tone- children usually walk earlier then average. low tone, which we see most often in children with Down Syndrome and high tone, often seen in children with Cerebral Palsy.
Abnormal tone is a sign of inappropriate sensory integration. Therefore, Sensory integration techniques are important to use in the course of treatment. I have found that using "The Sensory Profile" (an Occupational Therapy Test)helps to provide an overall picture of what area your child is having difficulty processing, and what is the most important "sensory diet" for your child to be more successful.
Proprioception is the ability to know where you are in space, it gives our brain the feedback that is needed for development of strength, and motor planning.
Vestibular system "contributes to our balance and our sense of spatial orientation, it is the sensory system that provides the dominant input about movement and equilibrioception" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vestibular_system)
By providing therapy treatment that focuses on using the above senses appropriately you can greatly decrease the time it takes for your child to meet goals and increase their overall strength.
Tone is a term that many have heard, expecially if your child has cerebral palsy or Down Syndrome. Muscle Tone "refers to the amount of tension or resistance to movement in a muscle" (http://about-cerebral-palsy.org/definition/muscle-tone.html)
Tone is fairly difficult to understand, but the main thing to remember is that if your child's tone is not normal or normalized then your child's ability to increase his/her strength will be difficult.
If you placed the types of tone on a scale you will find that there is normal-low tone- children usually walk later then average, normal-high tone- children usually walk earlier then average. low tone, which we see most often in children with Down Syndrome and high tone, often seen in children with Cerebral Palsy.
Abnormal tone is a sign of inappropriate sensory integration. Therefore, Sensory integration techniques are important to use in the course of treatment. I have found that using "The Sensory Profile" (an Occupational Therapy Test)helps to provide an overall picture of what area your child is having difficulty processing, and what is the most important "sensory diet" for your child to be more successful.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Sensory Integration Intro
My first post is going to focus on what I feel affects the most children with disabilities, and that is the ability to process incoming sensory information appropriately. In all my years I haven't seen a child that hasn't had a problem that was related to sensory integration...so here we go!
I will be giving you an overview on the topic, along with book and web site recommendations. I will also be discussing tone and it's relation to SI. Later I will discuss a very important topic that many parents are unaware of, and that is muscle strength and how it is affected by tone.
Sensory Integration "is the method and manner of sensation detection and transmission through the central nervous system" (Ayres, 2005). This includes sensory modulation and sensory discrimination.
You can think of it like a computer, when you type in the information, the computer processes the information, and you get a response. Do we always get the reponse desired, NO. If we don't give the computer enough information, or the correct information then we don't get the correct output. Or if there is a "bug" in the computer system, you might be putting the correct info in but the bug isn't allowing it to process correctly and the output is incorrect.
If a child with SI dysfunction isn't getting the right amount of input, or too much input, or their ability to process is decreased then you will see an "abnormal" response. These reponses can be in the form of behavioral outburst, difficulty falling asleep, refusing to eat or wear certain textures, shutting-down, poor social/play skills, etc.
It's a good possibility that if your child has a disability then SI dysfunction is affecting their development in some way.
I also would like to point out that it is my belief that there are children out there with behavioral problems that are a direct result of undiagnosed SI dysfunction. If you know someone who could fall into this category as you learn more, please refer them to this site. I will be setting up an email address for questions.
Reference:
Ayres, A.J.:Sensory Integration and the Child: Understanding Hidden Sensory Challenges.Los Angeles, 2005, [5].
I will be giving you an overview on the topic, along with book and web site recommendations. I will also be discussing tone and it's relation to SI. Later I will discuss a very important topic that many parents are unaware of, and that is muscle strength and how it is affected by tone.
Sensory Integration "is the method and manner of sensation detection and transmission through the central nervous system" (Ayres, 2005). This includes sensory modulation and sensory discrimination.
You can think of it like a computer, when you type in the information, the computer processes the information, and you get a response. Do we always get the reponse desired, NO. If we don't give the computer enough information, or the correct information then we don't get the correct output. Or if there is a "bug" in the computer system, you might be putting the correct info in but the bug isn't allowing it to process correctly and the output is incorrect.
If a child with SI dysfunction isn't getting the right amount of input, or too much input, or their ability to process is decreased then you will see an "abnormal" response. These reponses can be in the form of behavioral outburst, difficulty falling asleep, refusing to eat or wear certain textures, shutting-down, poor social/play skills, etc.
It's a good possibility that if your child has a disability then SI dysfunction is affecting their development in some way.
I also would like to point out that it is my belief that there are children out there with behavioral problems that are a direct result of undiagnosed SI dysfunction. If you know someone who could fall into this category as you learn more, please refer them to this site. I will be setting up an email address for questions.
Reference:
Ayres, A.J.:Sensory Integration and the Child: Understanding Hidden Sensory Challenges.Los Angeles, 2005, [5].
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