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Southpaw Hand Cycle
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This new hand-driven cycle meets the needs of those who are unable to propel a cycle with their legs. The low-to-the ground, recumbent cycle design makes it very easy to get on and off the vehicle. Pedaling, steering and brake controls are all controlled at the handlebars. The frame size is adjustable within a 4" range. The seat position and back support are also adjustable, to fit a wide range of sizes from child through adult. More Info |
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Steamroller
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Some children crave deep pressure, and the Southpaw Steamroller is a fun way to get it!
Your children will love the challenge of crawling between the "roller" and being "flattened" by the Steamroller. Other children will "hang out" for a while as the rollers provide the input they need to calm their bodies before sit down activities.
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Sensory Shaker
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Your clients will have a ball in our Sensory Shaker! It's an oversized bag made out of sturdy but breathable jersey fabric with strong handles that when filled with balls, provides tactile input as well as vestibular input . Your client sits inside and you shake him/her up, or with out movement, the sensory shaker provides a small, enclosed space.
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Southpaw Playhouse
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This versatile product will provide hours of fun for your clients, aiding in developing motor planning, gross motor and social interaction skills, as well as offering tactile stimulation & quiet space.
One of the most versitile aspects of the Playhouse is that it can be turned upside down and used as a ball pool (balls not included), or connected to multiple playhouses for an entire elevated playscape.
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Welcome to the June edition of Pawprint, Southpaw's monthly newsletter designed to share information throughout the SI community. Check out our new products we've added to our website here. You can have a copy of our catalog sent to you by submitting your address here. Make sure to visit us online at www.southpawenterprises.com.
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Survey of the Month
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Summer Programs
To go along with this month's article about summer camps, we'd like to gather some information from you about your personal experiences with programs you have participated in. We'll select one respondent and send out Southpaw gift certificates to the lucky winner. Click here to answer the questions. |
Therapist Forum
Assessing the Miles of Smiles of Summer Programming
Deanna Macioce, MS, OTR/L |
As the month of July comes to a close, we realize that soon
the kiddos will begin the school routine all over again. Already the store shelves are stacked with
the 'Back To School' sale item, the days are becoming shorter, and the calendar
is filling up with trying to do everything we planned to this summer. It is at this time that we look over the past
couple of months and evaluate how we spent our time, but more importantly how
did we spend the time of our children? Did we make sure there was enough one-on-one
time? Did they get to play outside
enough, go to the pool, and hang out with friends? And really, how effective were the summer
activities we signed them up for? Did
they provide more than a break away from home?
For our children with sensory concerns and other special needs, we
always feel the need to get them involved in many of the things that are offered,
but in reality, it comes down to the quality, not so much the quantity of the
activity.
This month, we are going to highlight a camp that takes
place in the Dayton, Ohio area, Camp Silver Lake. This camp is offered for three, one-week
sessions, with one of the weeks devoted to teen campers. Camp Silver Lake provides excellent structure
and social interactions for children with sensory processing disorder, ADHD,
Autism, Down Syndrome, Asperger's, and other challenges. The camp was founded
nearly ten years ago by occupational therapist, Joyce Peet. Joyce is an occupational therapist with over
20 years of experience and a wide range of expertise within the pediatric
population. She also is the founder and
owner of Therapy Connections, a private sensory-based clinic in Beavercreek,
Ohio. She felt that the special needs
population needed a day camp devoted to them that wasn't diagnosis specific.
So often we find a plethora of summer camps through
different organizations, but they just do not seem to be appropriate for our
children with special needs. Camp Silver
Lake believes that all children
should be given the opportunity to enjoy a day camp experience that is both
positive and fulfilling. It provides 30 hours of structured activities to meet the
individual needs of each child for movement, creativity and various sensory
experiences. In addition, the group environment fosters socialization and
friendships. Activities include swimming
with water slides and sand beach, paddle boat rides, fishing, camp fires, group
games, hay rides, and arts and crafts. These
activities are developed appropriately for children, allowing them to
participate in an environment where they can build self-confidence and
self-esteem. Campers can fully dive
into the fun rather than just go through the motions of activities that are
only appropriate for the other children.
As therapists, teachers, and aides, we need to continue to
help our families find the most positive experiences for our children. When it is all said and done, we would love
to have parents say "it is all my son talks about!" Seeing and hearing the excitement of a child
is enough indication that the experience was positive and worth it. And when a mom can say, "he talked about it
last winter and is already anticipating camp next year," we know that for a
child who cannot always get the benefit of a typical community activity, he has
found a place he enjoys and feels comfortable.
So, as the Fall approaches and we put another summer to a
close, let's really listen to our children - making sure that we are allowing
them to be kids, enjoying the fun and exciting things summer camps have to
offer. But remember, to always balance
their schedules and enjoy what they have to offer us.
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Did You Know?
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Do you have an idea for the next great thing in Sensory Integration? If so, we'd love to hear from you! Click here for more information. |
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