December 2012

Southpaw Favorite!

Bear Hug

Bear Hugs

Give your clients the sensation of a big bear hug with our deep pressure vest, the Bear Hug Vest.

Children with proprioceptive and tactile integration dysfunction will benefit from the sensory feedback they receive when wearing the vest. Can be used for calming to help the oversensitive child decrease hyper-responsiveness.

The vest consists of one adjustable body wrap and two adjustable shoulder straps, and is cold-water washable.
 
Details

Quick Links

Southpaw 2013 Catalog Cover
Get your catalog here


View Past Newsletters


  
 Like us on Facebook       View our videos on YouTube


Sens-Aura from Southpaw




Therapy Talk
Deanna Maciole
Making Creative Play.... Therapeutic
Deanna Macioce, MS, OTR/L

We often find that many of our children we see in the treating arena of sensory processing concerns lack imaginative and creative play skills.  In this case, as parents, therapists, teachers or anyone else that interacts with these children, we tend not to even bring it into our interactions and therapy sessions.  It is true that often times these children work best with direct, concise instructions.  However incorporating creative play can be both fun and therapeutic for these children, giving them an opportunity to connect to you.

With your standard therapy equipment, it is not hard to make a pirate hunt, a jungle adventure, or princess themed obstacle course.  Balance beams and tunnels are tree logs to walk on or crawl through, bridges to cross and underground passages.  Balance boards, bolsters, and rockers make great boats to travel down the river, and avoid the sneaking crocodile by using the trapeze swing to cross the river overhead. Rock walls and climbing ladders allow you climb the mountain or scale the castle wall in an effort to save the princess.  And do not forget the 'jewels' using beanbags or small balls to capture and toss or activities.  Weighted balls are also a great way to incorporate some heavy work to find the treasure and hide into the 'barrel' treasure chest. These are just a couple of ideas to spark your creative juices.

At Southpaw, we have taken some of the guesswork out of being creative.  Our Hot Dog and Hamburger sets are a great way to add some fun, creative play while providing proprioceptive input.  Set up an activity of having a picnic or going to ball game.  Having the child obtain the pieces not only addressed heavy work, but also works on sequencing skills.  And the best part, the finished product is a nice, yummy way to get some calming before doing more refined tasks.

Put together a garden or farm themed activity using our new Weighted Wheel Barrow. Not only does this item add some heavy work to your therapeutic activity, it also incorporates bilateral coordination, balance and spatial negotiation.  With the option of 1 or 2 front wheels, children of all sizes and skill levels can enjoy being "Old McDonald".

What child does not enjoy playing store or racing around a shopping cart.  With our Weighted Shopping Cart, available in two different heights, children of different sizes can participate in fun, therapeutic play.  Having a picture or word-based shopping list that the child has to follow works on sequencing, direction following, and independent work while getting in some heavy work, bilateral coordination and proprioceptive input.  Expanding this play into how they have to achieve the items (ie. wheelbarrow walk, crab walk, etc) and then doing some categorizing expands the therapeutic benefits of this single piece of equipment.

The Linear Glider Tent offers an ideal 'small' space with the additional vestibular input.  This tent can be made into a camping themed activity with the child going through a checklist to gather the materials for an activity to be done in the camping tent, such as finding the matching pieces to Velcro (separatable) food and then having to put it together.  Ideally used for calming, this item allows you to think outside of the box and bring imaginative play into your therapy session.

So, now is the time to get out of your rut and make therapy creative and fun again, and let the world of Southpaw help you achieve this.
More Great Products from Southpaw
Sensory Stimulation

Vibro-Acoustic Pillow

Vibro-Acoustic Pillow  

The Vibro-Acoustic Pillow was designed to be small enough to hug, can fit behind a client's back in a wheelchair or be used in bed to provide vibratory input. The pillow has a built-in connector that uses speaker wires that are easily connected to the Southpaw Stereo Rover or any stereo.    

  

 
 More Details 
Fun for Everyone! 

Activity Cube  

Activity Cube


This Activity Cube is a great addition to a school or clinic setting. It offers a small space to hang out, its three large openings provide children the ability to crawl in and out making it ideal to use as part of an obstacle course, and with the addition of the bubble bowl (sold separately), the uses are endless.
   
 

Southpaw 2013 Catalog Cover

The New Catalog is Here!
 


Our new 2013 Catalog has been mailed out.  Be sure to check your mailboxes if you are on our mailing list. If you aren't on our list yet, be sure to request your FREE copy here.