Written by Jessica Hardy, BA, COTA/L As we all know, the 2020-2021 school year went a bit differently than expected! Students were suddenly learning in a new setting, with a new format, and without the supports they are familiar with at school. As many students return to school in...
Written by Kristen Barnes, OTR, MOT Did you know that more than two-thirds of all children in the United States have experienced at least one traumatic event by the time they reach the age of 16? Many people don’t associate PTSD with children, but the truth is that trauma...
Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a light-touch technique of correcting imbalances in the craniosacral system so that the body can self-correct and heal naturally. The craniosacral system is part of the central nervous system, and is comprised of the bones of the skull, the sacrum, the craniosacral fluids and the...
What is sensory processing disorder? “SPD is a neurophysiologic condition in which sensory input is poorly detected, modulated, or interpreted and/or to which atypical responses are observed. Pioneering occupational therapist and psychologist A. Jean Ayres, Ph.D., likened SPD to a neurological ‘traffic jam’ that prevents certain parts of...
What is EPR Biofeedback? The Electro-Physiological Reactivity (EPR) Biofeedback device is a noninvasive system designed for stress detection and reduction. It works by measuring a body’s biological responses to internal and external stressors and providing feedback on them, which informs the person on lifestyle changes that will improve their...
When you think of reflexes, what comes to mind? You might imagine a doctor checking reflexes by hitting your knee, causing your leg to jump up. You’re not in conscious control of that action, it’s reflexive. The same is true of blinking, or jumping when startled by a loud...
Happy National Breastfeeding Month! Breastfeeding is strongly recommended for the first 6 months of a newborn’s life and encouraged until 12 months of age. Do you know why?
We have compiled a list of widely spread myths about tongue-ties, and their corresponding facts. Myth #1: Tongue-ties will correct themselves. The lingual frenulum, or tongue-tied tongue, will stretch or tear without treatment or surgical intervention. Fact: Often ties do not stretch or tear and will cause interference when...
Why does the therapy look like play? The reason is because we want it to look like play! We want the child to look forward to coming to therapy. Children learn and retain information best when they are playing. According to the late Dr. Karyn Purvis, “it takes approximately...
A short explanation on childhood reflexes. A reflex is an automatic, instantaneous response to a stimulus. We establish many childhood reflexes in utero as our nerve pathways develop. When a baby is born, many of its movements are reflexive. For example, a touch to the baby’s cheek causes them...