Book Give-Away: The Occupational Therapist's Handbook for Inclusive School Practices!

I was super excited when I was asked to write a review of Julie Causton's new book, "The Occupational Therapist's Handbook for Inclusive School Practices." Now I'm even more excited because she has provided a copy for me to give one of my readers!

This book is a comprehensive and informative resource for all occupational therapists who work in the school system. With a focus on inclusive practices, it includes chapters on special education, collaboration, and the use of social, environmental and academic supports. As an OT with 24 years experience working in the schools, I highly recommend this guidebook to all occupational therapy students, new graduates and seasoned therapists who strive to promote the best practice of occupational therapy in educational settings.

Any reader that lives in the continental US is eligible to win a copy of this book. For a chance to win, all you have to do is sign up on the right side of this page to follow my blog AND "like" my Facebook page. I will be announcing the winner soon!  Good luck!!!

Let's Go Fishing Game!

This is a fun therapeutic activity that is simple and inexpensive to make.

You will need:

Colorful sponges
Paper clips
Magnet
Sharpie
Scissors
Empty paper towel roll
String or yarn
Tape

-Cut the sponges into various "ocean" shapes and use a Sharpie marker to add eyes, etc. The child may even want to decorate the sponges using sequins, stickers, etc.

-Place a clothespin through each sponge making a "hook"

-Tape a piece of string to one end of the paper towel roll and tie the magnet on the end of the string.

Instruct the child to use the fishing pole to "go fishing" for the various sponges. This activity is great for working on matching and identifying colors and shapes. It's also wonderful for eye-hand coordination. Add a light weight to the child's wrist to work on strengthening.  You can also address multiple step directions. For example, instruct the child to 1) put the fish on the green square 2) the octopus on the yellow square, 3) and the star on the blue square. There are lots of options for adapting this activity!  Have fun :)

Dear Readers, If you have found my blog to be helpful, please "like" my Facebook page and follow my blog...Thanks :) 

Developmental Milestones Chart

Newborn

Closes fingers around toy place in hand
Brings hands to mouth
Watches adult’s face when feeding

One to Two Months

Regards a toy in the line of her vision
Holds hands open for a 5 minute period
Shows awareness of hands
Visually follows a toy past midline
Focuses on toy for 5 seconds
Recognizes familiar person
Smiles or gurgles to a familiar person

Three to Four Months

Manipulates hands at midline
Reaches out for toy
Grasps toy crudely
Holds bottle for one minute
Laughs out loud when stimulated
Puts hand in mouth
Raises head and chest when lying on stomach

Five to Six Months

Reaches and attains toy
Bangs in play
Transfers toy hand-to-hand
Grasps tiny toy with palm and fingers

Seven to Eight Months

Shakes rattle in imitation
Grasps toy with thumb and fingers
Pokes at tiny toy with index finger
Picks up food to place in mouth
Responds to name
Shows shyness around strangers
Rolls from back to stomach and stomach to back

Nine to Ten Months
 
Grasps pellet with thumb and index finger
Holds a toy in one hand- reaches with the other
Points with index finger
Good release of objects is present
Responds to image in mirror
Responds to familiar words
Smiles selectively
Sits without support
Crawls

Eleven to Twelve Months

Removes lid from box with no assistance
Places one cube/block in a cup
Removes cover to attain hidden toy
Repeats a performance to draw laughs
Drops a toy deliberately
Brings spoon from bowl to mouth
Temporarily responds to “no” or “stop”
Walks with or without support

Thirteen to Eighteen Months

Pulls to stand
Walks with or without support
Squats down and picks up a toy
Eats with fingers
Turns pages of a board book
Drinks from a cup independently
Throws a ball underhand
Stacks 4 blocks
Removes basic clothing

Nineteen to Twenty-Four Months

Runs with stiff legs
Eats with spoon (some spillage)
Kicks a ball forward with one foot
Scribbles in circles
Jumps in place two times
Points to specifics in a book
Assists with some dressing
Stacks 6 blocks

Baby Gear Survey for Occupational and Physical Therapists

This post is for any occupational and physical therapists out there! I know some of you may have completed this survey in the past, but I'd really appreciate it if you would complete it one more time! My students and I need the information for a research project. Also, please forward the link to any OT's or PT's you know who may also be willing to help.

Thank you so much!!

https://uthsc.co1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_1Zmbzj5lTwjwxud

Make Your Own Sensory Tunnel! Therapy on a Shoestring Budget

This was a project completed by one of our Master's of Occupational Therapy students at The University of Tennessee Health Science Center and posted with permission.

Do you know a child with sensory issues that you believe would benefit from a sensory tunnel? They are wonderful for obstacle courses and a variety of other therapeutic activities. Unfortunately, sensory tunnels can be expensive, costing over $100.00 at many therapy supply stores.  But on the positive side, there are inexpensive options.

The above sensory tunnel was made by a MOT student as a project for a pediatric class at UTHSC, and guess what? It costs less than $20.00! All that you need are two inexpensive "pop-up" laundry hampers and a needle and sturdy thread or some Duct tape.  Stitch or tape the hampers together, and you're good to go! Be sure to use the tunnel during a purposeful activity. For example, have the child crawl through the tunnel to retrieve a desired item at the opposite end.  Have fun!!!!

Dear Readers, If you have found my blog to be helpful, please "like" my Facebook page and follow my blog...Thanks :)