tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25063153911461925062024-03-05T08:50:25.871-05:00OT Tools for Public SchoolsWelcome to a spot to share ideas for working with students in exceptional education in public schools.
Please describe activities you've successfully used with students to improve fine motor and self-help skills.
Creative classroom adaptations for sensory-based and ergonomic needs are sought. Technology applications, low and high tech, are appreciated.
Above all--be positive and professional in sharing your experiences and ideas. Thanks.School System Occupational Therapist in Virginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14585493671602133448noreply@blogger.comBlogger957125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2506315391146192506.post-15414215124468838842022-03-02T09:37:00.005-05:002022-03-02T09:37:54.633-05:00Home Accessibility<p>Just saw this article in one of my magazines this morning--what a beautiful home! Excited to read the full article and peruse the mom's blog.</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://thislittlemiggy.com/2022/02/better-homes-garden-home-feature/">https://thislittlemiggy.com/2022/02/better-homes-garden-home-feature/</a><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Yes, you have to have $$$$$ to create something this exquisite. But, there is always something to learn and apply.</p>School System Occupational Therapist in Virginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14585493671602133448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2506315391146192506.post-29632884424947391822022-02-21T09:39:00.002-05:002022-02-21T09:42:59.260-05:00Hopelessly Into Cute 'n Cheap Activities<p>Okay, I know I'm retired...but I'm still excited about adorable, almost-free activities to use with kids and adults!</p><p>Last Christmas Day we had two friends over for brunch, prior to going to a relative's home for a brief holiday celebration (it was a warm day here in central Virginia, with temps in the 60's--perfect open-the-windows weather). I wanted to make the brunch fun and memorable so I pre-made about 10 painted rocks and had the materials for the quicker craft on hand for us to make after we ate.</p><p>Well, it was a big hit! One of my friends is an artist by trade so her design was a little more detailed than mine and my art-apprehensive other friend. However, the non-artist friend loved hers enough to give it away to the next family she was visiting that day! Pretty cool, I'd say!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgy0fyKDk_FST4deY8u96wTKGkkBRSaE6LJL3ohYLPUk29m_GJNdv2-bFBBJryKJN8lNbYjD6MJ8tdg-w62wl3EO1Im0qevB5-RA6JRi9CXuBzFcaj0CCL62HC1crn5v56TIYeilRN_HTz1wXvCG-_UnxcCVmXi1MGWvDkowwNMnqUnNm7WiJnmlZv-pg=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgy0fyKDk_FST4deY8u96wTKGkkBRSaE6LJL3ohYLPUk29m_GJNdv2-bFBBJryKJN8lNbYjD6MJ8tdg-w62wl3EO1Im0qevB5-RA6JRi9CXuBzFcaj0CCL62HC1crn5v56TIYeilRN_HTz1wXvCG-_UnxcCVmXi1MGWvDkowwNMnqUnNm7WiJnmlZv-pg=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><p>The plain rocks are free for the taking from almost anywhere you look; my yard "grows" baby rocks every time it rains. I had lots of craft paint and brushes from over the years on hand. After brunch we took the rocks I had painted to a local park and had fun deciding the best spots for placing them, for little kids to find.</p><p>The cardstock for the pictures was from my paper stash, the 6000 glue hadn't dried up yet from last year in my cabinet (you might use an adult-wrangled glue gun in a school setting) and I did buy the pseudo-wood frames from Michaels. If I had planned more in advance I probably could have bought the frames from a thrift store for less than a dollar. I am new to rock painting but there are gobs of tutorials on the web. Here's one of my favorite sites for that: </p><p><a href="https://rockpainting101.com/christmas-gnome-painted-rocks/">https://rockpainting101.com/christmas-gnome-painted-rocks/</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtYHkGt0C1QXpkBFDCn3Ij7mNAGg9FHIiAiXlrEaQ9xnuS1bGr8YqIeVZ_6QeEgZcwyVZlz04FG3gYaSO4Ica3RViLBbpVvgnAU8ABD6S2dkXt896ZZpTxK4Ym0yMy3oiESIS8G5X_d9QMo5OgCN8HPK3ae5oWXgtmaSjiVnlxQAEYG_txsawMWbG-Wg=s640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtYHkGt0C1QXpkBFDCn3Ij7mNAGg9FHIiAiXlrEaQ9xnuS1bGr8YqIeVZ_6QeEgZcwyVZlz04FG3gYaSO4Ica3RViLBbpVvgnAU8ABD6S2dkXt896ZZpTxK4Ym0yMy3oiESIS8G5X_d9QMo5OgCN8HPK3ae5oWXgtmaSjiVnlxQAEYG_txsawMWbG-Wg=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><p>As for the pebble art tutorial, I used the easiest one I could find on YouTube. Also, I used one of my Ed Emberley books to figure out how to draw simple details to add to the critters. You can find birds and other critters on his site:</p><p><a href="http://edemberleydrawingpages.blogspot.com/">http://edemberleydrawingpages.blogspot.com/</a><br /></p><p>From an activity analysis standpoint, there are so many opportunities for fine motor and spatial relations skills to even mention. Just moving the pebbles around on the paper and thinking about how to create the basic shapes of the animals is a challenge for many folks. We talked for a long time about what the various pebbles looked like to us--faces, beaks, body shapes of critters. If you have to pause the activity for another time or keep things in place so an adult can glue the pebbles in place, just use poster tack or a ring of tape on the back of the sticks and pebbles.</p><p>Take a nature walk with your student, pick up some sticks and pebbles and enjoy your spring 'cause that means...June is coming soon!!! </p><p><br /></p>School System Occupational Therapist in Virginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14585493671602133448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2506315391146192506.post-59412955239632755102021-10-06T13:47:00.001-04:002021-10-06T13:47:30.852-04:00Octopus/Spider Fidget--Just in Time for Halloween<p>Okay, I know I'm retired but I just found this in Walmart and had to share with you OTs in the field!</p><p>Is it an octopus? Is it a spider? Well, at least it's a fidget.</p><p>It is manufactured with all the strands connected to a central hub but it's meant to be pulled apart so each strand can be used as a cable tie. The nubs along the strands are subtly bumpy and it feels great on the fingertips.</p><p>With caution I think it might be used as a fidget bracelet or pencil cloak. </p><p>$2.98 for a cluster of 10 strands. Found it in the holiday section at the store, near the other clips for hanging lights, etc.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfIi5Ngh5oY22SK3nLSIQ5xgaAsnPLTjqEoFOFv4bQDNWQL02fIfC604NEvKQpokT178givvIszYsHCGd52P7KP8nuMoQaLfeb7ejnN1CJtb4eIDj4SxkiBlCiDxGDWeB4DK2nQxLophoX/s2048/2021+Octopus+fidget.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfIi5Ngh5oY22SK3nLSIQ5xgaAsnPLTjqEoFOFv4bQDNWQL02fIfC604NEvKQpokT178givvIszYsHCGd52P7KP8nuMoQaLfeb7ejnN1CJtb4eIDj4SxkiBlCiDxGDWeB4DK2nQxLophoX/w480-h640/2021+Octopus+fidget.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>School System Occupational Therapist in Virginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14585493671602133448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2506315391146192506.post-53184823459534942122021-08-01T17:17:00.000-04:002021-08-01T17:17:03.833-04:00DIY Rubrics for Lots of Things<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyaGqGZy0YO4l6aQm0cAkYkKgAZEfW8rn2etumQM67RmoIxgTpBiIovcXvpUXn4GUfWjC-Zm1MdrKvBf1XEqlVXFwAX3frLJXjf6R678feGgcFSxLgjjPrhd2J3kIu1yFTCdYz09F0kogf/s2048/Sandbridge+starfish+a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyaGqGZy0YO4l6aQm0cAkYkKgAZEfW8rn2etumQM67RmoIxgTpBiIovcXvpUXn4GUfWjC-Zm1MdrKvBf1XEqlVXFwAX3frLJXjf6R678feGgcFSxLgjjPrhd2J3kIu1yFTCdYz09F0kogf/w300-h400/Sandbridge+starfish+a.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Summertime for school-based occupational therapists can often be an opportunity to practice new skills and reflect on what's important to you--on the job and on your own time.</p><p>Of course many therapists work extra hours in the summer, perhaps in a clinic as a temp for employees on vacation or maybe we pick up extra home health clients because our schedules are more open. I enjoyed working with adults again in rehab and in their homes plus it made me appreciate how easy it was to physically manage children compared to adults! Whether working with kids or adults I aimed to create understandable home programs for families so improvement could continue, via custom exercises and activities, when I wasn't directly with the person. For my adults with feeding concerns I used to joke with them that I was going to leave an extra-large headshot of myself for them to keep on the kitchen table, so they would imagine me right there, giving them tips for better chewing and swallowing!</p><p>If you're thinking about how to concisely package a home program for the adults you see you might use a <b>rubric</b> to describe their baseline skills, desired end goal and the steps indicating progress along the way. That way the whole family can visually recall the starting point of therapy, the indicators of success and what the person is aiming toward. Exercises and activities for home that support achieving the goal can be written on the same page as the rubric or you might have the technology available to insert custom photos of the client performing the activities.</p><p>And for yourself, how about using some of your summer hours to think about how you'd like to develop in one or more skill areas? Below you will see my personal Rubric for Retirement, which I began prior to retiring in 2016. It's helpful to me in remembering what areas I had hoped to grow in and in looking at my progress. Reflecting on this rubric I see that several of the areas have greatly expanded and improved over time, even during the tough year of 2020. That has been very encouraging.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir8V26tsW0Ay3vo6mCdnn91-d-0q_3okpVeJTDW9P5t8JwA8gIgrns4vikfaS-FgAeARxVVFC_p4tvQZjgGx-5u12xMglvaiTP51-Emzf7zYvYedOOAV4vH0dTJ1G75le-czjXwxBuCh1-/s2048/Rubric+for+Retirement.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1539" data-original-width="2048" height="481" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir8V26tsW0Ay3vo6mCdnn91-d-0q_3okpVeJTDW9P5t8JwA8gIgrns4vikfaS-FgAeARxVVFC_p4tvQZjgGx-5u12xMglvaiTP51-Emzf7zYvYedOOAV4vH0dTJ1G75le-czjXwxBuCh1-/w640-h481/Rubric+for+Retirement.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Hey, it's August 1st--enjoy the rest of your summer and here's hoping the next school year will be excellent!<p></p>School System Occupational Therapist in Virginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14585493671602133448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2506315391146192506.post-68559205153206480522020-10-28T21:37:00.000-04:002020-10-28T21:39:55.788-04:00Something I Learned in OT School<p> </p><p class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">It’s
hard for me to believe but I often hear how hard it is currently to
get into OT programs; that there can be 1,000 or more applicants for
a class of 30 students. When I applied to occupational therapy
programs in five states and got on the waiting lists for two of them
I thought I was doing pretty well, considering my meager track record
in school. In 1975 OT was a fairly unknown program amongst my peers
and I had no clue what to expect when I sent off my applications.</p>
<p class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Within
the first week of the program I realized how smart my classmates were
and how competitive the classes were going to be. There was no
mandate to cut any of us to reduce class size (twenty) but the
quizzes and exams were brutal. Despite the pressure to do well I
loved what we were learning—how the body is put together and works.
It was pure delight to see how we are wonderfully made.</p>
<p class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Several
of the students lived together and studied together so I was not
surprised when Jen approached me about joining up to review notes.
She said she was having a hard time and could use a study buddy. So,
we got together several times a week and she mainly wanted me to
explain the material to her. A win-win, right?</p>
<p class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Well,
no. I thought reviewing the material with Jen would be a good
reinforcer for me and we’d both do well on the quizzes and tests.
Half true. She got A’s and I got C’s, D’s and F’s. How
could I make such poor grades when I loved the subject and studied
all the time? I went to my professor and asked.</p>
<p class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">He
told me to memorize everything. Understanding was great but I needed
to memorize. I did what he said, pulled up my grades and passed the
course with a “C.” I stopped studying with Jen, too. She wasn’t
manipulative, she just needed reassurance. Even without me she
continued to get “A’s.”</p>
<p class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">Is
there anyone in your life you’re helping who doesn’t need it?
It’s nice to be needed but can the person become independent if you
help them less, then even less, then hardly at all?</p>
<p class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8R8UsJ4KXkqLNvH05SQT-FlAgss9y0QnWN_P_h1XAFbVH-3Geg4AWjdQnZvyuGHtWCl6JCTOySLr7C_Tsu5ZMbWdoQIVVM_t3mgGBjlTIzh2pnlllbpfWUam8uDaCht4WRxJ6TzcTZAeX/s2048/1958+Karen+Mrs.+Hafemeister+St.+Matthew%2527s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1602" data-original-width="2048" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8R8UsJ4KXkqLNvH05SQT-FlAgss9y0QnWN_P_h1XAFbVH-3Geg4AWjdQnZvyuGHtWCl6JCTOySLr7C_Tsu5ZMbWdoQIVVM_t3mgGBjlTIzh2pnlllbpfWUam8uDaCht4WRxJ6TzcTZAeX/w400-h313/1958+Karen+Mrs.+Hafemeister+St.+Matthew%2527s.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of these cherubs is an OT 2B<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />The
job of parents is to push their kids out of the nest. The job of
kids is to drive parents so crazy they can push them out of the nest.
The job of friends is to help each other in bad times and enjoy each
other as equals the rest of the time. The job of husbands and wives
is to love and care for one another but still promote independence
and competence in the other person.</p>
<p class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">To
develop skills in another person so they can stand on their own two
feet, without you, is to value and love them. Sometimes I need to
busy myself somewhere else while the person I love flops about in the
bottom of the boat. To give them time to figure things out, for
themselves.</p>
<p class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>School System Occupational Therapist in Virginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14585493671602133448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2506315391146192506.post-41023185347241346662020-09-15T11:56:00.003-04:002020-09-16T10:19:59.154-04:00A Tribute to My Peds Professor, Eleanor V. Wolfe<p><span style="font-size: medium;">In a very unexpected way I found out that my peds professor and friend, Ms. Wolfe, had died last November. Her friendship was a major force in my life. I hope you have a friend like her, who is a real encourager and steady example of a well-lived life.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p></p><br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">It was a modest-sized office, yet still intimidating, and each square inch was filled with the personality of its gray-haired professor. On that fall day in 1976 I had been called in for an appointment with the faculty member who would become my research adviser. I was just thankful for summer to be over because I had narrowly passed the daunting Human Anatomy and Physiology class with Dr. Jeffries. Yes, thankful, because halfway through the class I had been failing. <br /><br /><br /> <br /><br />The professor discussed my classwork and progress to date, then took a dramatic pause before remarking, “I see that you earned a ‘C’ in your A & P class.” Another pause. Ms. Wolfe looked at me straight on, then set me on the path to enlightenment, “You won’t be earning any more ‘C’ grades, will you?” <br /><br /><br /> <br /><br />She remained an inquirer throughout her life, even with people who were not her assigned pupils. One night I returned home from a meeting and my husband passed along the message that Ms. Wolfe had called. He told her I was at an “SI” study group and she asked him if he knew what “SI” meant. Like any long-suffering spouse of a pediatric occupational therapist, yes, he was very familiar with the term “Sensory Integration.” <br /><br /><br /> <br /><br />Ms. Wolfe and I kept up our snail mail correspondence for many years and, although her messages were brief, she frequently included responses to my previous notes that encouraged me to try new ideas, consider novel activities and to increase my depth of knowledge of subjects we both enjoyed. I might pen a breezy description of my sitting outside on summer evenings, watching the birds, and she would write back with the name of a suggested birding journal, one with a more objective, scientific slant than the glossy ones I might usually flip through. In a very positive way I felt like she saw me as a person who was capable of becoming a better student of life, one who would never lose the potential for learning and growth. <br /><br /><br /> <br /><br />To have her as a friend felt like you had someone who not only cared about you but a fellow traveler who was by your side, lightly supporting your elbow to encourage you to keep going, to imagine and try new adventures of all kinds. Each time I collected the mail and saw her striking block print on the envelope I knew I was in for a treat, first with her lovely watercolor sketch of a bird and then in reading her message inside. Isn’t it amazing that a person can do this by simply writing a letter to someone, that caring can be perceived by holding a small, hand-painted card and reading words that start in the heart, take form in the brain and are scribed by our hands? <br /><br /><br /> <br /><br />I’m thankful that Ms. Wolfe--my friend, Eleanor--was my mentor for life as an OT. For her part in teaching so many of us the skills we needed for the job of living.</span><p class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS0ZB4Yyi2kd0q600HeL9ydELSgMHh6z6Ckbe8KwtjrltKoQoJvdsSerScjoApVkNUK0g1nSPuVT57pznJuXJgwVGSf5JWt0s6sWxM5WsHtGD14fSsB7ZmPOb9CyJAx8dHSM6Km8ScKybD/s420/2019+Three+Bears+MCV+gift+shop+statue.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="420" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS0ZB4Yyi2kd0q600HeL9ydELSgMHh6z6Ckbe8KwtjrltKoQoJvdsSerScjoApVkNUK0g1nSPuVT57pznJuXJgwVGSf5JWt0s6sWxM5WsHtGD14fSsB7ZmPOb9CyJAx8dHSM6Km8ScKybD/w400-h400/2019+Three+Bears+MCV+gift+shop+statue.png" width="400" /></a></div><p class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Statue from campus of the Medical College of Virginia, now Virginia Commonwealth University.</p><p></p>School System Occupational Therapist in Virginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14585493671602133448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2506315391146192506.post-43055136960833296682018-06-21T18:40:00.001-04:002018-06-21T18:40:11.389-04:00What Happens to OTs When They Retire?They continue to practice team building, healthy interpersonal relationships and activities for expanding their social-emotional skills. Oh, and they get a puppy, which results in improved endurance, muscle tone and lower BMI.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://rubricforretirement.blogspot.com/2018/06/peace-in-family.html#more">Peace in the Family---Our Trip to the Outer Banks, NC</a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3yPqfHsILMahYFga1DgjWS-Zhy9OsTWTMuku47Hga4bwdfOJtRi9kI1DB8baLUaasBYLMmtBULciGVoZGA6OaYzbPdmHmjNesK26V-asedtKSkEVfFPo_-8c5g79SPx7AW706Y2SpiNa/s1600/20186Pawsy+OBX+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3yPqfHsILMahYFga1DgjWS-Zhy9OsTWTMuku47Hga4bwdfOJtRi9kI1DB8baLUaasBYLMmtBULciGVoZGA6OaYzbPdmHmjNesK26V-asedtKSkEVfFPo_-8c5g79SPx7AW706Y2SpiNa/s400/20186Pawsy+OBX+small.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High Touch--Low Tech</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />School System Occupational Therapist in Virginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14585493671602133448noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2506315391146192506.post-89765370784104960872017-06-16T16:43:00.000-04:002017-06-16T16:43:48.587-04:00The End is Near--And I'm So GladThis has been a very happy week for me because I've been looking forward to today, my final day of employment. Having graduated from OT school in '78 that makes it almost 39 years of working as an OT. Although I did work a couple of years in another field I felt like I never stopped seeing people's needs through the OT lens.<br />
<br />
Being an OT is the best job to have because it helps you so much personally. Whether you have little ones at home and you're savoring their development day by day or you have a family member who is going through a health battle, OT helps you help others.<br />
<br />
This blog will stay up for a while and some of the ideas and activities will remain relevant for OT students, practicing therapists and others looking for ways to help kids learn. I recommend that you enter a specific topic in the Search textbox in the right-hand column on the page and peruse the posts that relate to that subject. There are many posts on Autism, Fine Motor, Sensory and School--as well as other assorted subjects.<br />
<br />
Retirement equals:<br />
No more paycheck<br />
Lots more living<br />
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Advice from a retiree: Invest a little money from every paycheck, live below your means, keep reading and learning, relish feeling awkward and clueless because it means you are growing, give lots of money and skills away to others in need, figure out why you're here on the earth--if you don't know why, read the Bible for clues.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIU7kIMjJRk_NYspEFt7HMA6llQHSezbiIDN0Fq6AG_xtz5_DgX2ekbBqjz6FLZCXjwnX16I91FqmJcSVtZm1J-Z7RIZCJhvWdUQBx9f7uehAnje_WRFhHErf3raFBLNNV4iJT6k0rTDck/s1600/ECSE+field+trip+2013--Karen+S..JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIU7kIMjJRk_NYspEFt7HMA6llQHSezbiIDN0Fq6AG_xtz5_DgX2ekbBqjz6FLZCXjwnX16I91FqmJcSVtZm1J-Z7RIZCJhvWdUQBx9f7uehAnje_WRFhHErf3raFBLNNV4iJT6k0rTDck/s400/ECSE+field+trip+2013--Karen+S..JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chasing preschoolers through the maze</td></tr>
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<br />School System Occupational Therapist in Virginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14585493671602133448noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2506315391146192506.post-71705361568518220922017-06-14T10:38:00.000-04:002017-06-14T10:38:26.953-04:00Rox, 'Pots 'n RosesWell, if you want to make a retiring OT happy, just give her a party full of rocks, teapots and flowers.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbkynHwosO3kIaHPW69t9Ldg47rfgsnut2XupE04YWzm-HqENZJusykaCQkeV7TBnnhPnkIkDxVi_8BQF5TRFD4ajW-pxeNXwiWNLZ37DkxTB31rZdp-IBj2qAoR5vPpB-tlQ_JCAMHEXW/s1600/DSC00303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbkynHwosO3kIaHPW69t9Ldg47rfgsnut2XupE04YWzm-HqENZJusykaCQkeV7TBnnhPnkIkDxVi_8BQF5TRFD4ajW-pxeNXwiWNLZ37DkxTB31rZdp-IBj2qAoR5vPpB-tlQ_JCAMHEXW/s320/DSC00303.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teapot centerpieces with sweet 'n savory dainties all around.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbfLLTMKxTkH3xgaUAYoUrlx3EVPzQ6uiILHULLjr5G-mvawFeXEQ4dCdzr_cPZ5GcEzTv480U4jr9T6Xj17-DKb2eLigBgwubWFSpPXMN7rRyWSV-6-UCzaqmzYxO8mxZrxpplWJobHEx/s1600/DSC00306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbfLLTMKxTkH3xgaUAYoUrlx3EVPzQ6uiILHULLjr5G-mvawFeXEQ4dCdzr_cPZ5GcEzTv480U4jr9T6Xj17-DKb2eLigBgwubWFSpPXMN7rRyWSV-6-UCzaqmzYxO8mxZrxpplWJobHEx/s320/DSC00306.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our OT with British roots advised the planning committee on just the right brand of tea to serve.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivheOUed7VTJ4cMhOGqYjR18SMlttrzQ0pCZXsU4IXtgFMMmyPMubroIJHuzQtiYzNS1DHzhn-xDQsGT4N4DDS0_FrYo_xE6TNfXPpMzIIp8PCr8q6U7_o2eT2AYkEi6XtTe1VNyUvvYmy/s1600/DSC00311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivheOUed7VTJ4cMhOGqYjR18SMlttrzQ0pCZXsU4IXtgFMMmyPMubroIJHuzQtiYzNS1DHzhn-xDQsGT4N4DDS0_FrYo_xE6TNfXPpMzIIp8PCr8q6U7_o2eT2AYkEi6XtTe1VNyUvvYmy/s320/DSC00311.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hmmm...wonder what our presents will be??? My PT buddy and I could hardly wait to find out.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When life gives you rose petals, sprinkle them all around.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My gift--azurite with bubbly malachite. Rocks--the gift that lasts!</td></tr>
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School System Occupational Therapist in Virginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14585493671602133448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2506315391146192506.post-7684882108983858882017-06-07T14:25:00.002-04:002017-06-08T09:32:07.051-04:00A Perfect Good-bye Activity for Retiring OTsAt the end of our session yesterday with a class of middle school students with intellectual disabilities, the students and staff arranged a very nice send-off for their retiring OT.<br />
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The therapist was given a pretty water and marble-filled vase and was guided around the work table to receive a flower from each student. By the time the circuit was completed the vase was full.<br />
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Pretty special, I'd say.<br />
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School System Occupational Therapist in Virginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14585493671602133448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2506315391146192506.post-90121605003139111232017-06-07T14:19:00.002-04:002017-06-08T09:31:48.767-04:00Plant Markers--the Homemade WayWhen I peruse the gorgeous, hand-crafted plant markers at my favorite botanic garden gift shop every summer, I'm so tempted to shell out my hard-earned pennies so I can take home a beautiful decoration for the garden. If I resist temptation I eventually remember that I can create my own markers with the multitude of materials I've purchased for my work projects over the school year. Ah...now I have enough money to buy a nice coffee at the Garden Café.<br />
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For our final project this school year our class of middle school students with significant intellectual disabilities painted sun and strawberry shapes to adorn huge tongue depressors, inscribed with motivating words and designs. The blank designs were made from solid white Sculpey and baked prior to painting. Customized messages were written on the wood and the painted shapes were attached to the tongue depressors with regular wood glue.<br />
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Students used their communication boards to describe the materials needed and then indicated which paint colors they wished to use. They all turned out pretty nice, eh?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK5UHy8hcaEJ8HCtHyF4YZkvbITLb6F9pmujg_oai3Ln3YAqEYriDcrP9r6eSowBPN_qoZKzKVzaWZuCKA58jOhLThuMwlW2BCOaoylLWZxjhklfPAPXILTigONKHnd4_fRkp29U6P1v-W/s1600/SAM_4694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK5UHy8hcaEJ8HCtHyF4YZkvbITLb6F9pmujg_oai3Ln3YAqEYriDcrP9r6eSowBPN_qoZKzKVzaWZuCKA58jOhLThuMwlW2BCOaoylLWZxjhklfPAPXILTigONKHnd4_fRkp29U6P1v-W/s320/SAM_4694.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Completed markers on top of the blanks.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Use the end of a paint brush or tip of a pencil to dimple the strawberry prior to baking.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Jk3RIu4Ej_PeV8E0zpy9ekWjdPJUaeq9tD43tBPNeF-_uWZqECg7U8S26_Fk-wQi386i7L_mHq3-bkt5RMRIWf1KPLofuGRKpkiol7hF7KQsVPMd0p-NXq8u8UMUux1C4LyqZnzD3ZPa/s1600/SAM_4696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Jk3RIu4Ej_PeV8E0zpy9ekWjdPJUaeq9tD43tBPNeF-_uWZqECg7U8S26_Fk-wQi386i7L_mHq3-bkt5RMRIWf1KPLofuGRKpkiol7hF7KQsVPMd0p-NXq8u8UMUux1C4LyqZnzD3ZPa/s320/SAM_4696.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stretch yourself--use more than one color to paint your sun.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS1k7iCTPT98tzJFnSXAZxf2vRMYaCX64qN9uUsklSzDHMkEnXD0iDdO1LgmXYtUPtdM2_6Rxb0uS3Cpe8P9__0dY_su6S6t6MA63k26Bl4B6zD13weTlgS2q0WjloHNPCUOymjIFD5bym/s1600/SAM_4698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS1k7iCTPT98tzJFnSXAZxf2vRMYaCX64qN9uUsklSzDHMkEnXD0iDdO1LgmXYtUPtdM2_6Rxb0uS3Cpe8P9__0dY_su6S6t6MA63k26Bl4B6zD13weTlgS2q0WjloHNPCUOymjIFD5bym/s320/SAM_4698.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One-inch wide foam brushes work well for a smooth application. <br />
The 1/4" diameter handles are fairly easy to grasp, or can easily slide into a universal cuff.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHvetG3eQMk8MJg2bIE6Dgt_qvBoKf9avWEmD3SgOj_AQR7j6voDawaWvATnJaGtdN2p1N2acw-XjONXkKHrpvKAeZu2KoqxmY7lxeL0oGeQQqqDeNcDEfV1pLCE1NbjSX_uulnHXxV8SH/s1600/SAM_4699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHvetG3eQMk8MJg2bIE6Dgt_qvBoKf9avWEmD3SgOj_AQR7j6voDawaWvATnJaGtdN2p1N2acw-XjONXkKHrpvKAeZu2KoqxmY7lxeL0oGeQQqqDeNcDEfV1pLCE1NbjSX_uulnHXxV8SH/s320/SAM_4699.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Use a personalized phrase for inspiration.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFEHJHLLlvl_yJ8F8hqbgD47OiiL8FUXGcGHot2WI9gPCB6GF8wYvlBFoPt1_BsgjMpIYB2nngEVcrhlAX8M1IWkIVU0hVcUvJY00wussFBa4qXtnp-XOjxePX9wv7CsnTGhqHX-1-f9dS/s1600/SAM_4700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFEHJHLLlvl_yJ8F8hqbgD47OiiL8FUXGcGHot2WI9gPCB6GF8wYvlBFoPt1_BsgjMpIYB2nngEVcrhlAX8M1IWkIVU0hVcUvJY00wussFBa4qXtnp-XOjxePX9wv7CsnTGhqHX-1-f9dS/s320/SAM_4700.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you tell that this student <em>loves </em>music by Michael Jackson?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add a little tag and ribbon, then figure out a way to send them home safely in the backpacks!</td></tr>
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School System Occupational Therapist in Virginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14585493671602133448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2506315391146192506.post-69147265589738982242017-06-05T13:58:00.001-04:002017-06-05T13:58:11.599-04:00Smooth(ie) Sailing into SummerOur last group of the school year had to be a delicious one. Give 'em a happy memory and they'll happily come back for more next fall, right? Well, the students <em>seemed </em>like they were going to enjoy the fruit we brought this morning for our smoothies, but no one said "Yes" to a sampling...<br />
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My speech-language pathologist buddy and I decided to try out my new, skinny baggies for creating homemade popsicles, using the leftovers from our smoothie making. Well, <em>all </em>the blended fruit ended up in the bags since no one was brave enough to sip their smoothies. Shucks.<br />
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Here are photos of our morning adventure with students in a high school program for students with autism:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimWNg9swPVV-MhWcAHeLLMk-aMkCqgRcQLIzLiceOqeiz46vD__JOTE3UpoLRwpr8PDjYp1rUwyVgR1HwTA9RiWaNLNJbgUyI6h-Xi742yAmrMvLvPMJDvRDGGjlHds5U-CcKD2erG6qKN/s1600/DSC00223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimWNg9swPVV-MhWcAHeLLMk-aMkCqgRcQLIzLiceOqeiz46vD__JOTE3UpoLRwpr8PDjYp1rUwyVgR1HwTA9RiWaNLNJbgUyI6h-Xi742yAmrMvLvPMJDvRDGGjlHds5U-CcKD2erG6qKN/s320/DSC00223.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Communication--paper and digital</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRHGECnBuUGnOyQecW-IwCsqorw6DgKKJd5umFq3OU_1ZXkkDZEZ1OYNPx_wxvLkkbPAgGN8OdkLUq87V8l05UgLJWpEcR4FAkUBUcTWI2jn_5xXhmu43Z52EKotlm0HwCS3GXC97bdy9q/s1600/DSC00224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRHGECnBuUGnOyQecW-IwCsqorw6DgKKJd5umFq3OU_1ZXkkDZEZ1OYNPx_wxvLkkbPAgGN8OdkLUq87V8l05UgLJWpEcR4FAkUBUcTWI2jn_5xXhmu43Z52EKotlm0HwCS3GXC97bdy9q/s320/DSC00224.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our sample popsicle-in-the-making. The colors varied according to the fruit blends.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_RxT1cljf54Wr_PxTZtzwyGIDO7yh9IS5V9SdqCYTuVoxkTcfQjcyuE1M-kNPU3Nx7GlWTM52B504iJtPzZcA7mDAMWa6gV-AKBr2GwfK9_z6Q1UF5x7irL0KwCxx0jxlGuNkB458bvCJ/s1600/DSC00225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_RxT1cljf54Wr_PxTZtzwyGIDO7yh9IS5V9SdqCYTuVoxkTcfQjcyuE1M-kNPU3Nx7GlWTM52B504iJtPzZcA7mDAMWa6gV-AKBr2GwfK9_z6Q1UF5x7irL0KwCxx0jxlGuNkB458bvCJ/s320/DSC00225.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A quickly fabricated, homemade funnel for filling the popsicle bags.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT4_yOIm3EHuUcL9RcGphpeP_DWDhiHKTFRn4O8IIk_bkKpXMNLROyECKgPchvU_si2-3ywl2cTmoGKIAVPev7JarOg8OY-73M9Lu0CJKyxcULhA6xDRiy05h4tOwGeCMkPSvfnoXW9mEy/s1600/DSC00226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT4_yOIm3EHuUcL9RcGphpeP_DWDhiHKTFRn4O8IIk_bkKpXMNLROyECKgPchvU_si2-3ywl2cTmoGKIAVPev7JarOg8OY-73M9Lu0CJKyxcULhA6xDRiy05h4tOwGeCMkPSvfnoXW9mEy/s320/DSC00226.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This heavily-vibrating blender is activated by pressing down on the container. <br />
You believe me when I tell you that it won't hurt you, don't you???</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZVsy5jNWcyQQIybNPQFDlVAtku6KXzWNuAynaXTsNgqri6ktgfbqKmf-D65GXMWh5vfEHRpQT3tf07EQVzANf4lTDaKvnifXZQeCzXhSmjz43i4P9Gn4UqO_RK6yCO2M7DEHwWurvweYI/s1600/DSC00228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZVsy5jNWcyQQIybNPQFDlVAtku6KXzWNuAynaXTsNgqri6ktgfbqKmf-D65GXMWh5vfEHRpQT3tf07EQVzANf4lTDaKvnifXZQeCzXhSmjz43i4P9Gn4UqO_RK6yCO2M7DEHwWurvweYI/s320/DSC00228.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pouring the blended fruit into the funnel and popsicle bag.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJPE-cuMcxuTJsdNGbpHLM7UptKf0rwS6AVzLOBnq8WDyoL8_UibwkRA3lqzaNn5liKNO1n3-gQySebZd8c7yumppAmU3HNRsqrx7KMjS1-gC4fo7VYjI5JbYvwHHSz8iQ4x9s1QL9tiAR/s1600/DSC00233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJPE-cuMcxuTJsdNGbpHLM7UptKf0rwS6AVzLOBnq8WDyoL8_UibwkRA3lqzaNn5liKNO1n3-gQySebZd8c7yumppAmU3HNRsqrx7KMjS1-gC4fo7VYjI5JbYvwHHSz8iQ4x9s1QL9tiAR/s320/DSC00233.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Students chose a combination of strawberries, dark cherries and bananas.<br />
We also added a little water to make sure it would swirl easily in the blender.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgULPES2wVW9ULsJjbwBxBoycgf08hefHl4S6vFeMF1_7rzbEs4myTNRpfdRYgP3rlmOSQ85No54qCQsVbqtj8cOTXnqmvVEMPuTsMOntP_EvFRzIoWTK7WP_VVjK7AjWTklz4cXegPQEoL/s1600/DSC00238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgULPES2wVW9ULsJjbwBxBoycgf08hefHl4S6vFeMF1_7rzbEs4myTNRpfdRYgP3rlmOSQ85No54qCQsVbqtj8cOTXnqmvVEMPuTsMOntP_EvFRzIoWTK7WP_VVjK7AjWTklz4cXegPQEoL/s320/DSC00238.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some students need lots of words on their communication boards.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAvFg-UQs_7BC3PXxIdOGxVL6hXPajAg-l9hUJV8SyIFKU9tFAVJdjm_5TNF8jpP64Xdqg1xCQNjhYpBA9EP9ZRhb0LJSVW1qv3qj1SAt0JFv6DDjO8q1F8IWSuSlAYZgB_VbxsDyFnVvu/s1600/DSC00240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAvFg-UQs_7BC3PXxIdOGxVL6hXPajAg-l9hUJV8SyIFKU9tFAVJdjm_5TNF8jpP64Xdqg1xCQNjhYpBA9EP9ZRhb0LJSVW1qv3qj1SAt0JFv6DDjO8q1F8IWSuSlAYZgB_VbxsDyFnVvu/s320/DSC00240.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorry, you can't have just a banana smoothie today.<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">The parent-teacher group at our high school has given us Walmart gift cards for the past three years, to help with the expenses associated with our groups. Some parents also give gift cards to the teachers to help with expenses for extra classroom materials. Several of my schools develop class businesses to learn pre-vocational skills, social skills and to raise funds for special projects. Gourmet dog biscuits, fancy soaps, weekly potato "bars," Friday coffee carts, cut-paper stationery, scented sugar scrubs--it's fun to see how well the students step up and improve their fine motor and "people" skills via these school-based opportunities.</span></div>
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School System Occupational Therapist in Virginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14585493671602133448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2506315391146192506.post-74615027720558803002017-06-01T14:18:00.001-04:002017-06-01T14:18:14.354-04:00On the Hunt for Rocks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh77HZ2l0azE0DDBLG9ITB7xrQlot_iGJRDEjAMg-TOrxnBuSZ72KRyA19og6Y5_KqeXUVYElXEMX2rQBxGz80roCbvxcpvL1pNURxIUNZXvgEr2wMnx8TA7_1vmkV82Ooa1ilm1lPAFI5i/s1600/On+the+Trail--6-1-2017+bright+colors.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="258" data-original-width="458" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh77HZ2l0azE0DDBLG9ITB7xrQlot_iGJRDEjAMg-TOrxnBuSZ72KRyA19og6Y5_KqeXUVYElXEMX2rQBxGz80roCbvxcpvL1pNURxIUNZXvgEr2wMnx8TA7_1vmkV82Ooa1ilm1lPAFI5i/s400/On+the+Trail--6-1-2017+bright+colors.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Well, I can't show you the faces or even a clear view of the students walking away on the trail, but it was a warm yet dry day here in Central Virginia and everyone enjoyed walking on the paved path of a local park, looking for rocks left by previous walkers and for good spots to place their own painted rocks.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdLb93Zyc8P7o91lo6E7IpDIvKudwOZZQ4h3yCiFFj8N_nAxyGVjHhXgvqlRPLb9vSl6lat7TLVkxU529vw0Mt1p2vnzrQweGrtGc4JePqEysOHJB2kHoTfPjIjoH7NJWBPbkz9TAZbAcq/s1600/DSC00150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdLb93Zyc8P7o91lo6E7IpDIvKudwOZZQ4h3yCiFFj8N_nAxyGVjHhXgvqlRPLb9vSl6lat7TLVkxU529vw0Mt1p2vnzrQweGrtGc4JePqEysOHJB2kHoTfPjIjoH7NJWBPbkz9TAZbAcq/s320/DSC00150.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was also a time to celebrate the seniors in the class, who will be walking <br />
across the stage to receive their diplomas next week.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWDO2HYdFG92fWdFR0PG7dE9wPBLZG4RzjzhbRLY3wj7aGgJil481l2YeOc4BMB8W14fA0QX1RAUrMGtTUR4d9PjdKs-9myav25qOjDRN1WFjjTFGYDdsMi9h1iEV0p3y01-lCkYTyBi25/s1600/DSC00159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWDO2HYdFG92fWdFR0PG7dE9wPBLZG4RzjzhbRLY3wj7aGgJil481l2YeOc4BMB8W14fA0QX1RAUrMGtTUR4d9PjdKs-9myav25qOjDRN1WFjjTFGYDdsMi9h1iEV0p3y01-lCkYTyBi25/s320/DSC00159.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A variety of painting styles.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9jtGEumthQfs_ozHXWksCol_YRRKUmfkSinO1dDTZRiv5m6tcd-ZwfEF3WqX2jB9v6At7_uHMt8cem-UFQTeV1GJzbGK-ixDnNWiXzWU0mLwiUvWjF4dGD5-EQuVtJfZDKmTqp9t1tQ1O/s1600/DSC00160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9jtGEumthQfs_ozHXWksCol_YRRKUmfkSinO1dDTZRiv5m6tcd-ZwfEF3WqX2jB9v6At7_uHMt8cem-UFQTeV1GJzbGK-ixDnNWiXzWU0mLwiUvWjF4dGD5-EQuVtJfZDKmTqp9t1tQ1O/s320/DSC00160.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The class box of rox.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMemThhio5rUosCdLBi-o5ZV4MqC4ANyC2X2b87SXc67x2tGP8-sy9qnVOJxYCOAw-g4cw-KbPkyhoPozuVW1JzO8LKYB_qhktMjvT68-E8BxAx-foXIPsERV0b-zX2qTqYezK-vznMheu/s1600/DSC00162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMemThhio5rUosCdLBi-o5ZV4MqC4ANyC2X2b87SXc67x2tGP8-sy9qnVOJxYCOAw-g4cw-KbPkyhoPozuVW1JzO8LKYB_qhktMjvT68-E8BxAx-foXIPsERV0b-zX2qTqYezK-vznMheu/s320/DSC00162.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looks like a sassy emoji on the left.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnklHkQ_TS9o0NtaMONRRK00ZgX100GS4aUSTjWgiz35Bt5JA5sEBkUl0ycWxOMAow7TkxNtw7RiM57HdPSzsaOUP9QBb_HTxwPINQthcwqJ6o-DpK_XSkUXKpuO2clBELisOEmNRGFjzy/s1600/DSC00167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnklHkQ_TS9o0NtaMONRRK00ZgX100GS4aUSTjWgiz35Bt5JA5sEBkUl0ycWxOMAow7TkxNtw7RiM57HdPSzsaOUP9QBb_HTxwPINQthcwqJ6o-DpK_XSkUXKpuO2clBELisOEmNRGFjzy/s320/DSC00167.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjih7igf-7KI74A2iTpQXJdWc9S1vbQy31T7Xgw5HSpPtWe1In52eXXuMaaBdcGsr2BRSv83c6Hm0yw8NXAE1qea49mQegUR-eswe7sBeWs-OQzRu0fItidzMX3CAWxh-QJkuNLhQ4NSBC4/s1600/DSC00171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjih7igf-7KI74A2iTpQXJdWc9S1vbQy31T7Xgw5HSpPtWe1In52eXXuMaaBdcGsr2BRSv83c6Hm0yw8NXAE1qea49mQegUR-eswe7sBeWs-OQzRu0fItidzMX3CAWxh-QJkuNLhQ4NSBC4/s320/DSC00171.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winner of the "awwww" award.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWu8Efsa1fcmbQKCuwQf9_FxaRBbtxFXnv0cV9hqSfSL_ZPMLImKG7M1JBvh_y1Xdn7lGPFbkfReKVDJ47_PgrBZjbVq4HVi3o7IIHAaguqB0iYKfKaMCgMFyEsKTsM8KzibaCLFRaFkRD/s1600/DSC00176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWu8Efsa1fcmbQKCuwQf9_FxaRBbtxFXnv0cV9hqSfSL_ZPMLImKG7M1JBvh_y1Xdn7lGPFbkfReKVDJ47_PgrBZjbVq4HVi3o7IIHAaguqB0iYKfKaMCgMFyEsKTsM8KzibaCLFRaFkRD/s320/DSC00176.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Googly eyes do add quite a bit.</td></tr>
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Hunting for rocks is a great motivator for students to <em>get outside. </em>It sets them on a "quest" and they notice the beauty of nature along the way.School System Occupational Therapist in Virginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14585493671602133448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2506315391146192506.post-13980508047323914282017-05-26T15:01:00.002-04:002017-05-26T15:01:44.329-04:00Give the Gift of OrigamiAn origami bouquet in an origami container with origami accents---perfect!<br />
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Students have to be very patient to make these precise creases and folds for the flowers, container and extra decorations. What a great way to explore spatial relations, sequencing and improve fine motor skills.<br />
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Students sold their creations at an in-school fair, which allowed them to practice social skills and money math.School System Occupational Therapist in Virginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14585493671602133448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2506315391146192506.post-65540173620838475882017-05-26T14:57:00.002-04:002017-05-26T15:04:50.188-04:00Barbie Bistro SetNeed more furniture for your Barbie house? <a href="http://barbie.mattel.com/shop">http://barbie.mattel.com/shop</a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Or maybe for your troll dolls?<br />
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This table and stool set was made by middle school students with autism, during their tech study class. No, not "keyboard" tech but the kind of tech where you make things without the aid of a 3-D printer.<br />
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If you're beyond the Barbie stage of life, consider that with the trending of fairy gardens these days these n'little pieces of furniture would be very popular as gifts or maybe as an item for sale in a hobby-business?<br />
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<br />School System Occupational Therapist in Virginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14585493671602133448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2506315391146192506.post-90904623529267074202017-05-18T15:10:00.004-04:002017-05-18T15:12:16.188-04:00ResilienceThis morning I was talking to the social worker for one of my high schools, about a situation between teens I had seen earlier in the week after school. She mentioned how the school was planning to set up a "safe zone" of sorts, for students to go to when they are feeling overwhelmed. My co-worker said the stress level among many students at the school was very high and the school wanted to develop a wellness program that includes managing stress. This particular school is very competitive, academically, and there are all kinds of pressures that students put upon themselves in addition to the standard teen trials of life.<br />
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I asked her if she thought the students came to school--this school--with good resilience. Her straightforward answer, "No."<br />
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I think of resilience as meaning, how do you deal with set-backs, with horrible things that happen to you or with just being disappointed. It probably means a whole lot more. As OTs I think we already have lots of ideas for helping students develop resilience and maybe we'll be called upon to be involved with school programs more and more. Here's some background info; well, it's really <u>a lot </u>of info!<br />
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<a href="http://youthfocus.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Resilience-in-the-Millenial-Adolescent-Maggie-Dent.pdf">Resilience-in-the-Millenial-Adolescent-Maggie-Dent.pdf</a>School System Occupational Therapist in Virginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14585493671602133448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2506315391146192506.post-69404841608119348642017-05-16T11:01:00.003-04:002017-05-16T11:01:43.984-04:00Sensory Pouch ReportThose hair gel bags we created a week or so ago <a href="http://otinpublicschools.blogspot.com/2017/05/gel-or-goo-students-want-to-know-whats.html">Sensory Pouch How-To</a> are holding up pretty well:<br />
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Some of the small items inside tend to clump together, like the tiny confetti. Other materials stay separated and are fun to move around with your fingers, like the flat marbles and beads. If you have students who like to bite into bags, this is <u>not</u> the fidget item for them!School System Occupational Therapist in Virginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14585493671602133448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2506315391146192506.post-12779740968151196592017-05-10T12:15:00.002-04:002017-05-10T12:18:37.024-04:00Flower Cards for Mother's DayToday our group of middle school students with significant cognitive disabilities made some personalized Mother's Day cards, based on ideas from this great blog post:<br />
<a href="http://mamaisdreaming.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/kids-craft-paper-scraps-greeting-cards.html">Flower Cards for Mother's Day</a><br />
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Our patient speech-language pathologist (SLP) took about 15 black & white photos of each student and chose the best one of each student. These were printed onto half a sheet of 8.5 x 11" photo paper prior to the group this morning. After drying, they were folded in half to create a card.<br />
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Students used their communication device or pointed to choose which paper color they liked for making flowers, then randomly decorated the paper with magic markers.<br />
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Even adapted scissors are a little tricky, and oftentimes downright hazardous, in the hands of these students--even with hand-over-hand guidance from adults. All the staff joined in to cut small flower shapes from the students' artwork.<br />
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Then, students chose which flowers to use for their cards and the flowers were taped around the borders of their beautiful pictures. <br />
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The inside of the cards was too slick to write or stamp a message, so we used small pieces of leftover "flower" paper to stamp a greeting and then taped it inside the cards.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"What comes next?"</td></tr>
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By using b/w photos we found that the colorful accent flowers made the students' faces really pop.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Press the flower down nice and tight.</td></tr>
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Gorgeous gifts for the families.School System Occupational Therapist in Virginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14585493671602133448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2506315391146192506.post-1513139384597865942017-05-09T12:01:00.000-04:002017-05-09T12:01:25.159-04:00Visuals for Self RegulationOne of my high school teachers for students with autism has tons of visuals all around her room, to help students identify and communicate their internal states and needs:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Teachers Pay Teachers</em> is the place to go for visuals! <br />
Bin also contains some favorite fidgets and visual toys.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZCHzX-e3Ip139nIeoFp3mq90kYc9JLcZTbHlSc1FNeqBLBj9-b_wKBq4uxTRVemWBYhTYcWw9oeZQdlVsR1Bm8EjZ5bWyfsrletIZzabouIYqV7X4g3P1EHLhS386Qujq8VQqipSDpBF/s1600/DSC00030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZCHzX-e3Ip139nIeoFp3mq90kYc9JLcZTbHlSc1FNeqBLBj9-b_wKBq4uxTRVemWBYhTYcWw9oeZQdlVsR1Bm8EjZ5bWyfsrletIZzabouIYqV7X4g3P1EHLhS386Qujq8VQqipSDpBF/s320/DSC00030.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnklYi3caJK_WWaIZWw0W8AZh5KH7o1oONyDuaVXqbTIcd8XEjqIbb97LddrZ4drxvKwAIArRSQFhvccgOgTwb-gjvM3t15UizCKksVLmJ6YEyukc3XZ3TV9LZFyn1KNnUOLp74ekkCdpO/s1600/DSC00032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnklYi3caJK_WWaIZWw0W8AZh5KH7o1oONyDuaVXqbTIcd8XEjqIbb97LddrZ4drxvKwAIArRSQFhvccgOgTwb-gjvM3t15UizCKksVLmJ6YEyukc3XZ3TV9LZFyn1KNnUOLp74ekkCdpO/s320/DSC00032.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
And, lots of cool activities and environmental aids for self regulation:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2yHLsInVEEW_RbvNPu9qrt92LvQMO9OmmHPhN5u9TASFImen_-FUpN26xrR6Dm33PdMu2u3qV009x_seAx4hr8s765YHiQKEmS_mrJpV0Ljq55cp11jMBXnDvtv7_9bTC0FG2JOOjtizk/s1600/DSC00033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2yHLsInVEEW_RbvNPu9qrt92LvQMO9OmmHPhN5u9TASFImen_-FUpN26xrR6Dm33PdMu2u3qV009x_seAx4hr8s765YHiQKEmS_mrJpV0Ljq55cp11jMBXnDvtv7_9bTC0FG2JOOjtizk/s320/DSC00033.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mulch-ish dirt--very little scent.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ZSyor15HNMcOGVJSuC45JY-qBdw22up-gLtp6T-rNEt8xljIVgcwSnRaPvNlBdTsSgOgbJy1DZ_UQa84cyX_U9FXyoHIoahWBaiLu8INByN42Ddt5nCFdJYQOmyu3qYioNzOjD-7XUcn/s1600/DSC00034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ZSyor15HNMcOGVJSuC45JY-qBdw22up-gLtp6T-rNEt8xljIVgcwSnRaPvNlBdTsSgOgbJy1DZ_UQa84cyX_U9FXyoHIoahWBaiLu8INByN42Ddt5nCFdJYQOmyu3qYioNzOjD-7XUcn/s320/DSC00034.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water table on wheels</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7aVI3QPDF9oo1pHbmu2GHYE2GhWJ_HaLiMeIRSxdUYq9owE_CJvlgU6meLR2wxpTTw7tQ7LSptJEBEhqtyR50HSxV4GTECcAzdTrUwZ6-s8VhN4Ss_FDYdPxRkqUAAoaQb2HgewPvtnl/s1600/DSC00035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7aVI3QPDF9oo1pHbmu2GHYE2GhWJ_HaLiMeIRSxdUYq9owE_CJvlgU6meLR2wxpTTw7tQ7LSptJEBEhqtyR50HSxV4GTECcAzdTrUwZ6-s8VhN4Ss_FDYdPxRkqUAAoaQb2HgewPvtnl/s320/DSC00035.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Softest sand you ever felt.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDrmRE-XWcnXTNZyTye6KNuzgKym7g7WsWG9_wnUpKs_nOhl_HNWZ5xBCK98laLXmxr6m6N4lAJP9kR5-4t6YPe1kb4bGbSX0oRp_OCyTPfL7yPKHqcjMXuyPYsdJrfuCLAfOIDyQliyFu/s1600/DSC00036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDrmRE-XWcnXTNZyTye6KNuzgKym7g7WsWG9_wnUpKs_nOhl_HNWZ5xBCK98laLXmxr6m6N4lAJP9kR5-4t6YPe1kb4bGbSX0oRp_OCyTPfL7yPKHqcjMXuyPYsdJrfuCLAfOIDyQliyFu/s320/DSC00036.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making those glaring lights more bearable.</td></tr>
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School System Occupational Therapist in Virginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14585493671602133448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2506315391146192506.post-52920721868807146292017-05-08T15:00:00.000-04:002017-05-08T15:00:06.358-04:00Handwriting for HeroesOne of the authors of this book was interviewed in <em>Wired</em> magazine, discussing handwriting. Interesting that she and co-authors have the book in its third edition:<br />
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<a href="http://www.handwritingforheroes.com/">http://www.handwritingforheroes.com/</a><br />
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School System Occupational Therapist in Virginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14585493671602133448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2506315391146192506.post-80454293677514212552017-05-08T14:12:00.002-04:002017-05-08T14:13:13.646-04:00What Do You Like About Your Teacher?A fellow OT was telling me about her daughter's wonderful school and how the school emphasized social-emotional development, throughout the grades. Recently, she asked her daughter about her teachers and what they did to help her keep moving forward, past the rough patches in her day.<br />
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Her first-grade daughter's answer: "They don't let me live in my bad day; they help me move on to my next day."<br />
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Sounds like a wise kiddo to me!<br />
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<br />School System Occupational Therapist in Virginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14585493671602133448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2506315391146192506.post-34744169848065998092017-05-08T11:09:00.002-04:002017-05-08T11:11:44.298-04:00Gel or Goo?--Students Want to Know What's in Their Sensory Bags<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEz1sgrSdiJC1hvxf_YBnfPGQrqpc8L-8wF0tU-3a1d-gRHoOKgpBZZc8CZo7XXQV2OhLITZtOi-j_MZQvarSqVDrsI5o1yQGouTtvcysRXEnHiW-pgVnFoNjGW8YLM7uJhtmMJy_7mB_F/s1600/DSC00018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEz1sgrSdiJC1hvxf_YBnfPGQrqpc8L-8wF0tU-3a1d-gRHoOKgpBZZc8CZo7XXQV2OhLITZtOi-j_MZQvarSqVDrsI5o1yQGouTtvcysRXEnHiW-pgVnFoNjGW8YLM7uJhtmMJy_7mB_F/s320/DSC00018.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ziplock bags, hair gel, food coloring, small items, duct tape and a communication board/sheet--we're all set to <br />
make sensory bags. Thanks to my SLP buddy for all the work on creating the communication board. <br />
Students also used their augmentative communication devices to request items.</td></tr>
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This morning, one of our students would <u>not</u> touch the bottle of hair gel because she thought it was hair <u>goo</u>. Once we convinced her it was gel, life got a lot better and she felt comfortable enough to participate in the activity. Mind your descriptive words.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDtARx6syzuQTgedzNPOvN0CqUYit9YmvjDYnCtsfk5eem_v47xgqQ262TkRdSfm1enj02ndHXZ5CC3qt7PplCZyUL6wNGR_9u24WQGmjqDpMmzKPqkVlhRru8wl0_MaHnamZSL7rYkLn/s1600/DSC00021a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDtARx6syzuQTgedzNPOvN0CqUYit9YmvjDYnCtsfk5eem_v47xgqQ262TkRdSfm1enj02ndHXZ5CC3qt7PplCZyUL6wNGR_9u24WQGmjqDpMmzKPqkVlhRru8wl0_MaHnamZSL7rYkLn/s320/DSC00021a.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't fret about how neatly the duct tape is applied to the edges--it'll all work out in the end.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8wWs-hSff4N262uOKOrWm3eva94B3kxNXGLPW0EPYsCNeHt1UeNpWTVm-mGt5Q95d11OkIV_yewljHsi24bLnL0WFVeuXaKboCKV9DIws9SRfAcPCjAuV-vas_v8YLV9bvArCi0316jsF/s1600/DSC00014a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8wWs-hSff4N262uOKOrWm3eva94B3kxNXGLPW0EPYsCNeHt1UeNpWTVm-mGt5Q95d11OkIV_yewljHsi24bLnL0WFVeuXaKboCKV9DIws9SRfAcPCjAuV-vas_v8YLV9bvArCi0316jsF/s320/DSC00014a.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tearing the tape can be a four-handed job. Pulling the tape off the roll is a lovely activity for motor planning <br />
and pinch strength. Oh, and tolerating the smell, sound and stickiness of the tape.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0lMW_PIEIdZRtfhY-m3jcV5s-LYmLe-vCGb1c_uzKz3WDitxUqwaT_n1jzqME0bB1pJSSlAG-aX0FIZkgCE21tAQkgvRMpby7ok_my5IH_zdLJJ2GoFzc50J1qDuv9W5Z2YDUWZowXRe3/s1600/DSC00024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0lMW_PIEIdZRtfhY-m3jcV5s-LYmLe-vCGb1c_uzKz3WDitxUqwaT_n1jzqME0bB1pJSSlAG-aX0FIZkgCE21tAQkgvRMpby7ok_my5IH_zdLJJ2GoFzc50J1qDuv9W5Z2YDUWZowXRe3/s320/DSC00024.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Want some confetti in your sensory bag? You'll have to pinch very carefully to pick it up.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGkAc_Dic3sNFTJGGwg-z5Wai5T6muAxJtIU15a7KDq1DB6OMTY3UxpdcvwKkzoeZNAu56t4QFIFJXUEzY0Lpd73WMUX7_GRAbbduYYRlbIMns2l7pS6YgHyooFd1hNvwtJqgYqgmW0jy-/s1600/DSC00027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGkAc_Dic3sNFTJGGwg-z5Wai5T6muAxJtIU15a7KDq1DB6OMTY3UxpdcvwKkzoeZNAu56t4QFIFJXUEzY0Lpd73WMUX7_GRAbbduYYRlbIMns2l7pS6YgHyooFd1hNvwtJqgYqgmW0jy-/s320/DSC00027.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's a little hard to see the pretty shells and other items in the bag when you squirt a boatload of deep purple food coloring inside, but it still feels nice when you squeeze and explore the sensory bag. Be sure to add a final edge of duct tape across the zipper, so the gel doesn't all ooze out over time.<br />
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Bags like this would feel nice and soothing on a hot day. Try keeping some in the refrigerator to hold after a sweaty physical education class or walk outside the building.</td></tr>
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School System Occupational Therapist in Virginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14585493671602133448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2506315391146192506.post-1366083744253664632017-05-04T14:15:00.003-04:002017-05-04T14:15:34.257-04:00Students on a Special Eating Plan? Make Your Own Ice Pops This Summer A friend with significant food sensitivities uses a product like this to make frozen smoothie popsicles for herself and her family--I had never heard of these before!!!<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/icecandybags-com-Ice-Candy-Bags-100-Piece/dp/B007V79B6Y">https://www.amazon.com/icecandybags-com-Ice-Candy-Bags-100-Piece/dp/B007V79B6Y</a><br />
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School System Occupational Therapist in Virginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14585493671602133448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2506315391146192506.post-43301309156047450822017-05-03T11:51:00.002-04:002017-05-03T14:58:25.522-04:00Keeping Safe at SchoolHave you worked with a student and started to realize that, maybe, you might not be safe?<br />
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Maybe it's a student with autism who unexpectedly comes up behind you and puts her chin on your shoulder, then starts rubbing her face across your sleeve. She hasn't tried to bite you before and she seems calm and self regulated, but you just get this weird vibe. You don't want to startle her by standing up too quickly, but you have this feeling in your gut that you better change your position fast.<br />
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Perhaps it's a high school student who uses everything as a drumstick or a drum--the table, his fidget tool, the therapy ball, sometimes your hand. You're working side-by-side and he suddenly takes your forearm and starts using it as a drumstick against the table edge. He's "drumming" faster and with more force. Do you pull away and risk upsetting him or do you wait a few seconds longer while you attempt to redirect him?<br />
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It might be a student who won't stop touching you while you sit at a little elementary table and work on fine motor skills or self feeding. She's touching your arm, your leg and sitting closer and closer to you throughout the session. You keep nudging her chair back to its original spot and clarifying her need to ask "permission to touch other people" but now you find that she's putting her hand in your pocket--to look for those gummy bears??? Maybe not.<br />
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Many readers will be surprised at what predicaments we hyper-friendly, gushingly-compassionate OTs get ourselves into. Go ahead, sink your teeth into us, smack us, pull our clothes--we bear it all for the sake of helping a student improve their skills. No kidding. Teachers are as tolerant of this as we are.<br />
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Teachers get injured by students and we do, too. Listen to your instincts and follow them. Work with students in places where you can get help quickly. Make sure other adults have a clear line of sight to you and your student during sessions, in case any questions arise concerning an "event."<br />
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But, don't put yourself in a bubble.<br />
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School System Occupational Therapist in Virginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14585493671602133448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2506315391146192506.post-22434017226894371642017-04-07T11:01:00.002-04:002017-04-07T11:01:45.733-04:00Creating Sensory BagsJust found this wonderful blog while looking for activities to use with middle school students who have significant cognitive impairments:<br />
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<a href="https://www.goldencarers.com/sensory-pouches-for-dementia-care/4763/">Making Sensory Pouches</a><br />
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Great video for step-by-step demonstration.<br />
School System Occupational Therapist in Virginiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14585493671602133448noreply@blogger.com0