Hope everyone's school year is going well. I'm feeling a teensy bit stressed from having my caseload increase 40% over last year. We need 1-2 full-time occupational therapists, right now.
If you're an experienced occupational therapist or a new grad who is willing to work hard and enjoy the benefit of an experienced OT mentor, please apply at:
http://mychesterfieldschools.com/apply-at-ccps/
Once we get more staff I hope to write more posts...
Update--one of our favorite former OTs came back to work with us in November! The happiness level of our staff rose a million percent! We're fully staffed now. (But please keep us in mind for the future...)
Welcome 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.
Monday, September 29, 2014
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Shoe Tying with Snap Laces
This teen has great perseverance--watch her tie her shoes, independently!
Shoe Tying Using Snap Laces
Shoe Tying Using Snap Laces
Monday, September 15, 2014
impact52.org blog and the benefits of volunteering
I am the recycled reading material recipient for my good PT buddy at work. Tonight I read in an old Better Homes and Gardens about this organization: http://impact52.org/
It's an attractive blog, visually, with it's plain text and b/w photos. What's in it is even more interesting--the adventures of a middle-class family volunteering with a huge variety of service organizations. Made me think about disconnected pre-teens and full-fledged teens who become somewhat human again while camping or hiking in the mountains, after their initial withdrawal from the grid. Volunteering with folks less fortunate than ourselves is definitely off the grid.
Maybe some of our students and their families might try out selected service organizations. The interesting feature of this blog is that the family works with many different organizations over time--it's engaging and the landscape is always changing. Maybe some of our students in the schools might become interested in a particular opportunity and want to stick with it.
I think it's likely that each of us would increase skills of all types by volunteering on a consistent basis. Taking the time to volunteer exhausts me; yet, I can feel my brain synapses sparking as a result.
It's an attractive blog, visually, with it's plain text and b/w photos. What's in it is even more interesting--the adventures of a middle-class family volunteering with a huge variety of service organizations. Made me think about disconnected pre-teens and full-fledged teens who become somewhat human again while camping or hiking in the mountains, after their initial withdrawal from the grid. Volunteering with folks less fortunate than ourselves is definitely off the grid.
Maybe some of our students and their families might try out selected service organizations. The interesting feature of this blog is that the family works with many different organizations over time--it's engaging and the landscape is always changing. Maybe some of our students in the schools might become interested in a particular opportunity and want to stick with it.
I think it's likely that each of us would increase skills of all types by volunteering on a consistent basis. Taking the time to volunteer exhausts me; yet, I can feel my brain synapses sparking as a result.
Sunday, September 14, 2014
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Therapist to Therapist Activity Exchange--Teen With Rett Syndrome
Susan Custer, MS, OTR/L, shares her activity ideas with me when I begin working with a teen with Rett Syndrome. The activity ideas are very customized to this student, since Susan has worked with her for years.
Video--Working with a teen with Rett Syndrome--Therapist to therapist exchange
Please share your activity ideas with me!
Video--Working with a teen with Rett Syndrome--Therapist to therapist exchange
Please share your activity ideas with me!
Friday, September 5, 2014
Keeping It All Together
Organizing my supplies was a little tricky last year. Some of my schools had a safe spot for me to keep frequently-used items but everything mostly ended up hanging out in the trunk of my car. Family and friends would often ask, "What's that--a frog in the car?" or "What's rolling around back there?"
Rather than trying to keep a list of my stash this year I'm planning to keep a visual inventory, by type of activity. Here's my visual, tactile, olfactory, deep pressure "inventory" so far:
Rather than trying to keep a list of my stash this year I'm planning to keep a visual inventory, by type of activity. Here's my visual, tactile, olfactory, deep pressure "inventory" so far:
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