First Week Back

Mostly new schools and the percentage of elementary-age students in my caseload will be higher this year than in years past.  Lots of students with autism and/or significant cognitive disabilities.  It'll be exciting!

I learned that two of "my" new schools are developing "sensory rooms" without asking for input from their OT personnel.  How to be an encouraging OT to school staff yet also one who promotes treatment integrity when utilizing sensory integration as one tool among many to help students learn to their max?  Another OT in our county works in an elementary school which has a "sensory room" in place, with teachers taking data on effectiveness and using the resources as a daily component of the class schedule.  This will be a great model to cite when talking to staff in other schools. 

Article--"Fidelity in SI Research"

AOTA Presidential Blog

Back to Work

Oh man, what a fun summer break this has been.  Daytrips with girlfriends and my family, going to lunch/brunch with friends, exploring vineyards and breweries with buddies and family.  It was probably the most fun summer I've ever had in recent memory.

Even worked outside, pickaxing the dried-up ground around the perennials, transplanting poorly growing flowers to new spots in the yard.  The dogs got more attention, walking and grooming, and the cats got held and petted much more often.  It was glorious. 

I learned to not be afraid of the 100+ degree days here in Virginia.  Keep following the shade and wear a big hat.  If you have to go to the store park far away in the shade at the edges of the parking lots.

Write lots of letters and postcards to friends, they love it and sometimes even write you back.  Give stuff away.  Think about what I can do better at school next year.  Vow to not let technology take first place in the list of priorities.

Hope everyone has a good school year--2012-2013.  We start back next Tuesday.  Eeek!

Individual Work Spaces for Students

Although it may look scary or overly-confining at first sight, this idea of using individual workspaces during portions of the school day might just help some students feel secure and "settled."

Individual Workspaces for Elementary Age Students

Sensory Seeking--Those Toes Knows

This summer I was taking part in an in-home evaluation with our post-infant program team.  The little guy was so young there wasn't too much info in his file, but there were clear indications of him avoiding touch.

After I arrived I sat down on the floor and just watched him interacting with his dad and a few of the toys scattered around the room.  Of course, he was interested in me--the newcomer--so I had his attention for a few seconds.  Rummaging in my eval bag I found little crayon nubs and started fiddling with them in my palms.  For some reason he found this intriguing and walked over to me, with his bottle firmly stationed in his mouth.  After he crouched down he began pushing on his toy trucks with his feet.  I noticed that his feet were the closest thing to me so, for some reason, I put a crayon nub between his toes, just enough to stay put for a few seconds.  Don't ask me why.

Yes, the photo is a little fuzzy.  I took it with just one hand holding the camera and pressing the shutter. 

This was the biggest icebreaker I've ever seen; he loved it.  I took back the crayon and he held out his other foot.  After this I took some hopping plastic frogs and put their little froggy legs where the crayon nubs had been.  He liked this even better.  This really goes against all the rules because I've never before started with sensitive finger or toe webspaces when I touch a child.  Probably, I never will again.

By the end of the eval I was gently pounding his palms and the soles of his feet, and he kept reaching out for more.  He sat close to me, side by side, and interacted with the eval materials and me in a very nice, reciprocal fashion.  His dad and I talked about the OT intervention that had worked best with him in the past via his infant program and how the OT had helped him understand why his son behaved as he did, and how to help him.

I'll try to remember, toes have feelings, too.

Painting With Glue, Salt and Coloring

This activity will be totally engrossing for students next fall:

Painting With Glue, Salt and Coloring

Using Their Noses

Found this great post with a reminder to incorporate the sense of smell into activities:

Use Those Smellers

Quiet Books

With the right fabric and trim these would also make excellent sensory books.

School OTs are always looking for something to do in the summertime, right???  I think these books would be very scaled down if I was the person doing the designing, cutting and sewing.  But, they are wonderful.

Make a Quiet Book