Occupational Therapy Advice

Tomorrow, I will be heading to the National AOTA conference in Orlando, Florida, and I will be meeting my friends from college, Becky and Nirav (My OT study buddies!!! ) It is such an exciting time for me as a clinician to rejuvenate and refocus. The opportunities that I have to participate in include, but is not limited to the following: workshops, short courses, poster and research presentations. The information and the energy from my colleagues help to energize me, and I am encouraged to expand my thinking and practice as a clinician. Since I benefit so much from the conferences, I present to the OT/PT department to share the exciting information and/or research with them. As for you, my fellow bloggers, I will keep you up to date on my journey, so you too will benefit from my conference.

I just recently went on the AOTA (American Occupational Therapy Association) website, and I wanted to post the podcast information about OT in Autism Intervention.

From the AOTA website. . .

AOTA is pleased to announce a new podcast series that features occupational therapists and their perspectives on consumer health topics. Helping people of all ages live life to its fullest—the goal of occupational therapy—is the fundamental purpose of this monthly series.

Each 15-minute podcast will address a different way in which occupational therapy helps people prevent—or live better after—illness, injury, or some form of disability.

Episode 7: Autism (April 2009)
Ellen Harrington-Kane, OT, MS, HSM, assistant vice president of autism and medical rehabilitation at Easter Seals, and Janie Scott, MA, OT/L, FAOTA, an occupational therapy and aging-in-place consultant and lecturer at Towson University, discuss the role of occupational therapy in autism intervention.

http://www.aota.org/Consumers/Podcasts.aspx#7

Let me know if this podcast was informative.

Trying to figure out what to do with your child?

Check out the Fisher Price website (http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=30&e=gameslanding&mcat=game_infant,game_toddler,game_preschool&site=us) that has a wide array of activities for children, birth to six years old. There are seven categories to choose from which include the following: Online Games and Activities, Print and Color Cards, Coloring Pages, E-cards, Play and Learn Activities, Crafts for Kids, and Birthday Parties.

Check it out, you and your child will have a blast??

Has anyone found any other websites that have great games??

Do you know a child that has been recently diagnosed with Autism? If you do, please read this important information. . .

When a child is diagnosed with Autism, it can be so overwhelming for families. There are so many questions that arise, and parents need answers to their questions.

Autism Speaks is the nation’s largest autism advocacy organization. They recently announced the launch of its 100 Day Kit, which is a personalized resource to assist families in getting through the critical time following an autism diagnosis. The information that is provided includes information about services and service providers in a family’s community. Also, those who register with Autism Speaks will be connected with a regional Autism Speaks Autism Response Team member for further support.

To obtain a personalized version of the 100 Day Kit, go to www.autismspeaks.org/community/family_services/100_day_kit.php. Parents of a newly diagnosed child will be asked to fill out a short survey, so the information is geared specifically to them.

Parents will receive the kit in about one week after the initial request is made. There will be follow-up with the families about four months after they receive the kit.

The kit contains general information about the diagnosis of autism and how to handle the news. There are lists of local service providers, support groups, recreational activities, sources of legal information, conferences, local autism and disability organizations and information about the local chapter of Autism Speaks. The kit also includes an action plan, which guides families through the steps they need to take, and this hopefully will ease their confusion about the situation.

So, if you know a child that has been diagnosed with Autism, PLEASE pass this helpful information to the parents. It will be a lifesaver!!!

It was asked of me to discuss toys that are appropriate for a 12-month old.  Before chosing a toy, I determine where a child is developmentally and what are the skills they will be working on in the coming months.  I want the toy to challenge  them to acquire new skills.  So for a 12-18 – month old child, he or she is becoming more and more active.  They are exploring his or her environment by crawling and attempting to walk, so “push and pull” toys are terrific toys to support your child’s gross motor skills.  Three toys that I would recommend are “Brillant Basics Stoll Along Walker”, “Little People:  Load n’ Go Wagon”, and “Laugh and Learn Walkers:  Shop and Learn Walker”, which can all be purchased from Fisher Price.  Also, your little one’s hands will becoming more coordinated, and they can use toy sorters with improved accuracy.  Their wrist is moving independently of his or her arm, and they are beginning to scribble.  I would recommend round thick, washable crayons.  Your little one will have a blast exploring his or her artistic abilities, and the “little Picasso” will be emerging!!!  Check out the Crayola 3ct. Washable TaDoodles Crayon Buddies, which I think will be tons of fun!!!   Also, your little one will begin to play with puzzles with knob.  The best deals for puzzles can be found in Marshalls, TJ Maxx, since they are very affordable.

If you need more suggestions, please let me know!!!

After the holidays, there are always after holiday sales.  Today, I was looking at the website of Pocket Full of Therapy, and there are weekly specials.  One of the specials that caught my attention was, “Holiday Bucks Back To You Gift Certificate.”  That’s my kind of gift certificate!!!!   You spend $100 get a $25.00 bucks back certificate to be used January 15-31st 2010. (Min. purchase of $75 required.) Not valid for purchase orders or previously placed orders.    Also, there is a sale on Preschool Dizzy Disc Jr.

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