The 8th Sense by DeNell Dykstra, OTS Kids Place West Student Occupational Therapist Most of us are aware of the five main senses – sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. Some of us have also heard of the two ‘hidden’ senses – proprioception and vestibular. Proprioception is the ability to sense joints and muscles. The…
Tools to Manage Your Child’s Challenging Behaviors by Kristen Henderson, M.S., OTR/L Kids Place West Pediatric Occupational Therapist Children misbehaving or testing the limits is a normal part of childhood development. Most challenging behaviors emerge between the ages of 3—6 when the child is developing a sense of autonomy. However, these behaviors can reach a…
Ask The Therapist – What is Visual Motor Integration? by Amanda Mazerall, OTR/L Kids Place Central Pediatric Occupational Therapist Visual Motor Integration, or ‘VMI,’ is a form of coordination that allows us to accurately control our hand movements based off of vision. Poor VMI skills may impact a child’s ability to write their name, catch…
How to Keep Your Wandering Child Safe by Jennifer Gile, OTR/L Kids Place West Pediatric Occupational Therapist Wandering is common in children who have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Approximately half of children with ASD will wander from a safe environment. While this is more common in children with ASD, it can affect other children as…
Try Playing on a Vertical Surfaceby Melissa Engelhardt, SOTKids Place West Student Occupational Therapist Most writing, drawing, coloring, and playing occurs on a tabletop or floor, both horizontal surfaces. While these surfaces are convenient because toys stay in place, they also encourage poor posture. Playing on horizontal surfaces can lead to poor posture from slouching,…
Understanding Visual Processing Visual processing involves making sense of what you see. This is vital for school skills such as reading, writing and math. They also impact life skills like reading signs and maps, finding objects in a busy space, and taking part in hobbies and crafts. When visual processing has not developed properly, the…
Utilizing Yoga For Therapy has Multiple Benefitsby Sarah Koppenhoefer-Little, OTR/LKP West Pediatric Occupational Therapist For those of us who practice yoga regularly, we are aware of its many benefits. But did you know that it’s good for children, too? Utilizing yoga in therapy sessions, as well as the home, has many benefits for your children,…
Holiday Gift Guide by Kids Place Occupational Therapists Looking for that perfect holiday gift for your little one? Overwhelmed by all the options out there? Here are a few choices from our team of occupational therapists and how each will support development and growth. For under 2 years of age: Shape sorters and ring stackers…
Promoting Better Sleep Habits in Children by Kyla Johnson, M.S., OTR/L KP West Pediatric Occupational Therapist Sleep has such an important impact on your child’s mental and physical development. Poor or inadequate sleep can also affect a child’s behavioral responses. Sleep, or lack thereof, can affect your child’s ability to self-regulate and make it difficult…
Costume Ideas for Kids with Sensory and Mobility Concerns By Sarah Koppenhoefer-Little, OTR/L Kids Place West Pediatric Occupational Therapist Most children love Halloween! But for parents of children with special needs, Halloween can be stressful. Will my child tolerate a costume with their sensory concerns? How can I customize a costume for my wheelchair-bound child?…
