Not On Our Mailing List Yet?
|
 |
Developmental Activity
of the Month
Toilet Paper Roll Windsock
|
|
Allow your child to paint or use markers to color a cardboard toilet
paper roll any color desired and let it dry. Show them how to decorate the roll using stickers, glitter, cut out shapes, etc. Punch 4-6 holes in one end with a hole
punch. Work on fine motor skills by showing the child how to thread long pieces of yarn, string or ribbon through the holes and tie them off. Punch another two holes in the top to place a loop of string so you can hang your windsock inside or out.
|
|
OUR SPONSORS
|
|
|
|
|
Dear Parenting Digest Subscriber,
We hope you have been getting out into the sunshine an enjoying the beautiful weather we have had this month.
In our April issue of Parenting Digest we have included an article written by an occupational therapist that explains the use of weighted pressure vests and which children may be candidates for use of these vests. Our craft this month is a simple windsock made from leftover household items and we also offer some thoughts on attention deficit disorder.
Don't forget to check out our BLOG as well as the latest in early intervention news on our FORUM at the Early Intervention Support web page.
Early Intervention Support is a place for families who are facing any challenge
pertaining to their child's growth and development. It is a place where you can
come to find answers and practical suggestions from licensed therapists on how
to work on a variety of issues. Whether you are a parent, grandparent or
therapist of a child with a disability, challenging behavior or other
developmental issue-childhood is short, it should be savored and enjoyed!
|
|
FEATURED ARTICLE: Weighted Pressure Vests
|
|
By Kristen Burke, OTR/L
Sensory pressure vests provide constant, even deep pressure
to children when their body is craving this important calming and organizing
proprioceptive input. A "proprioceptor" by definition is a sensory receptor, found chiefly in muscles, tendons, joints, and the
inner ear, that detects the motion or position of the body or a limb by
responding to stimuli arising within the organism. Pressure vests promote self-calming, balance, and
increased body awareness by enhancing proprioceptive feedback. Children with proprioceptive and tactile
integration dysfunction benefit from the sensory feedback they receive when
wearing the vest, because it gives the child the input their body craves. Most children love to wear them, because it feels
good.
Pressure vests can be used for calming to help the
oversensitive child decrease hyper-responsiveness. The pressure is known to help reduce the
response to stimuli. They may be effective for children who exhibit signs of
excessive energy, appear restless most of the time, engage in risky jumping,
climbing and/or crashing behaviors, have a hard time sitting still at home or
at school, have difficulty concentrating on tasks, seems frequently
disorganized, crave proprioceptive input, live for recess and frequently enjoy
bear hugs and squishing activities.
|
Thoughts on Attention Deficit Disorder
|
|
By Tara Deringor, PT
There is a
common misconception that individuals with ADD are hyperactive. The truth is -
these people live in a state of low arousal, are easily distracted, impulsive
and have a short attention span. This state of low arousal affects a person's entire life as the level of
attention required to meet the expectations of life is not sufficient. As a
result, in an attempt to try and compensate and help to focus, the body attempts
to wake up the system with self stimulating activities. This activity is what
is commonly labeled as the hyperactivity. This is different than the child who
simply has a high energy level and requires constant activity throughout the
day. Individuals with ADD also have difficulty with independent functioning,
problem solving, behavioral control, social difficulties and may have problems
with health maintenance.
Medications used to treat ADD increase alertness, decrease impulsivity and
sharpen focus. Medication alone is not the answer. Sleep, exercise, healthy
diet, stress management, counseling, structure, routine and therapy all need to
be used together to manage ADD. If you have any concerns about ADD talk to a
medical professional - seek out someone who has experience with ADD and who
will treat the whole individual. The diagnosis of ADD is a complex one and
should not be made after a two minute discussion but rather should involve
multiple assessments and evaluations.
|
|
|
"Too often we under estimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening
ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the
potential to turn a life around."
A Quote by Leo Buscaglia
From The Team At Early Intervention Support
|
|
|
