A child struggling with transitions can respond with undesired behaviors. In some cases, it might be clear what is triggering the behaviors but in many situations, it won’t be obvious. There are many behaviors that can be manifested due to a challenge with transitions, some of the main ones can include:

• Tantrums and meltdowns
• Crying and yelling
• Resistance
• Frustration
• Confusion
• Avoiding the situation or task at all cost

OT is able to assist in many situations, especially when a child is exhibiting behaviors outlined above when transitioning. Treatment with occupational therapy can make a dramatic difference in your child’s symptoms.  

For more information on how OT may be able to help your child, please feel free to reach out to us by calling (919) 448-6018, contact us through our web form or start a chat with us in the bottom right of the website.

We have a free report, “5 Transition Strategies to Help Avoid Meltdowns and Increase Cooperation”, that you can download here.

Transition Strategies for Children Case Study

Our pediatric occupational therapists travel to your child to provide services in their natural environment or perform services over teletherapy. In this case study, read one example of how we were able to help a child through the use of transition strategies.

A little boy (22 months old) that Courtney (an All About Therapy OT) recently worked with was going through a significant transition in his life. His mom was pregnant with his baby sister and he lacked the communication skills to adequately express his needs. This often resulted in extreme tantrums. He would arch and throw himself around the room, unable to be soothed by Mom. 

Courtney decided that the DIR Floortime approach would work best. This approach involved meeting Thomas where he was, coming to his level and doing what interested him. For the first few sessions, Courtney’s primary goal was to gain his trust. They would spend most of their time playing with magna-tiles as this was a preferred activity for Thomas. After gaining his trust, Courtney was able to begin working on creating smoother transitions. 

The following are some examples of the techniques that Courtney and his parents used to help with easing his fear of transitions:

• Provide a verbal warning before beginning the transition. For example, “In 5 minutes, we are going inside to prepare for lunch”.
• Allow him to choose between two non-preferred activities when it is time to end a preferred activity. “Thomas, it is time to be all done with magna-tiles. Would you like to paint a picture or read a book?”.
• Use a transition object. Allow Thomas to take a special toy from home in the car on the way to daycare.
• Sing a song. The cleanup song works well to transition kids away from a preferred activity.
• Be consistent. We used a variety of techniques to ease transitions, but we always used at least one technique.

Once Thomas knew what to expect during transitions, he became less fearful and more compliant. His tantrums reduced dramatically. Mom would carry over techniques and strategies on the days when Courtney was not there and then report back to Courtney during the next session on successes and failures. This was an integral part of Thomas’ therapy, and why he progressed so quickly. 

After about 5 months of treatment, the family moved away but felt confident in carrying out their new strategies on their own and did not feel as though they would need to seek out occupational therapy services once they moved.

Mom provided this feedback from her time with Courtney and All About Therapy:

“It is not an exaggeration to say that All About Therapy, specifically Courtney, changed our child’s life! I highly recommend Courtney. She is extremely passionate and knowledgeable. She went above and beyond for us several times, always answering my questions and providing tips and tricks for our specific situation. It was clear to me that our child was receiving personalized, well-thought-out therapies. It’s no surprise that our toddler made incredible strides very quickly. This meant increased calm and happiness for the whole family, but more important, our child is a happier and more confident toddler now.

On the administrative side, everyone I spoke with at All About Therapy made scheduling, billing, etc., smooth and seamless. This means a lot when you are a parent juggling multiple therapies, appointments, bills, etc.”

Could transition strategies for children help you to avoid meltdowns and increase cooperation with your child?  Click here for 5 Transition Strategies to Help Avoid Meltdowns Increase Cooperation.

Get more tips, interact with our OT’s and connect with other parents by joining our Facebook Group Here.

The post Transition Strategies for Children appeared first on All About Therapy, PLLC.

When a child is struggling with attention, it can be seen through the symptoms below: 

• misplacing or forgetting items, especially items needed for an activity
• makes careless mistakes
• easily distracted by irrelevant sights and sounds 
• rarely follows instructions correctly or completely
• jumps from one uncompleted activity to the next 
• Appears not to listen when spoken to
• Has difficulty remembering things
• Has trouble staying organized and planning ahead

Signs of hyperactivity and impulsivity are:

• blurts out answers
• has difficulty waiting for their turn
• acts without thinking
• guessing, rather than taking time to solve a problem
• being overly fidgety and squirmy
• often interrupts others
• blurts out answers in class without waiting to be called on or hearing the whole question
• difficulty playing quietly or relaxing
• frequently moves around, often running or climbing inappropriately
• talks excessively
• has a quick temper or short fuse
• unable to sit still or be calm for an activity
• unable to keep powerful emotions in check, resulting in angry outbursts or temper tantrums.

OT is able to assist in many situations, especially when a child is struggling with attention,  hyperactivity and/or impulsivity.  Treatment can make a dramatic difference in your child’s symptoms.  

For more information on how OT may be able to help your child, please feel free to reach out to us by calling (919) 448-6018, contact us through our web form or start a chat with us in the bottom right of the website.

We have a free report, “10 Ways To Help Your Child Pay Attention”, that you can download here.

Attention Case Study

Our pediatric occupational therapists travel to your child to provide services in their natural environment or perform services over telethearpy.  In this case study, read one example of how we were able to help a child with attention related challenges.

Courtney (an All About Therapy OT) began working with Tyler when he was 27 months old. 

Tyler had been diagnosed with Pontocerebellar Hypoplasia (PCH), which results in atrophy, or shrinking, of parts of the brain. Tyler presented with hearing loss and delayed development across all areas. 

Mom’s goals were to address communication difficulties and work on improving developmental skills. She also wanted Tyler to improve his attention span. He attended for about 2 minutes at a time on preferred activities.

Some strategies Courtney used to increase Tyler’s attention span included:

• Offering him breaks in between activities
• Breaking his tasks into smaller tasks that could be easily completed rather than a big task that can be overwhelming
• Engaged him in activities she knew he would enjoy

Children do best when given many small tasks, instead of one big task.   Courtney worked with Tyler using various toys that had a defined end, such as a puzzle with 8 pieces. This allowed Tyler to identify how much of the task was left before he would receive a break.

As Tyler’s attention span grew, Courtney provided him with tasks that would take a longer amount of time. To Tyler, he was still only completing one task, which is what he was accustomed to,  however, because the task took more time, he was improving his attention span.  

Children often lose track of time when playing with a preferred toy. Tyler’s preferred toy was his tractor. He would push it around on the floor and he engaged with Courtney by pushing it back and forth with her.  

At the beginning of his treatment, Tyler engaged in reciprocal, or back and forth, play for 3-5 turns. Towards the end of his treatment, he was engaging in back and forth play for upwards of 20 minutes, usually with no breaks. 

Another activity that Tyler greatly improved on was a 10 piece shape sorter.  At the beginning of his treatment he could only do one shape independently, requiring moderate assistance for 5 others, and abandoning after 6 total shapes. At the end of his treatment, he was completing all 10 pieces with minimal assistance, requiring no cues for attention. He made huge strides towards increasing his attention span during his OT sessions.

Courtney worked with Tyler for 8 months before he turned 3 and started attending preschool. He would continue to receive OT services at school. Mom was happy with the progress he had made and provided this feedback:

“I highly recommend Courtney for OT! In the 8 months she worked with my son, he made amazing progress on his fine motor skills. I also noticed a huge improvement in his ability to focus on tasks, his determination to complete a task, and even increased communication (sign language). We will miss working with her!”
~Megan B.

Would improved attention and less hyperactivity be helpful for your child? Click here for: 10 Steps to Help Your Child Pay Attention

Get more tips, interact with our OT’s and connect with other parents by joining our Facebook Group Here.

The post Improve your Child’s Attention and Decrease Hyperactivity appeared first on All About Therapy, PLLC.

Helping a child transition means more than getting to the end of the day without a tantrum. Having strategies in place promotes self-regulation and self-control. These skills are great investments toward independence. Try these five strategies for pain-free transitions:

Enter Your Child’s World

Take a moment to consider your child’s perspective. Are there situations that could cause fear, anxiety or boredom? Will it be hard to see the fun end? Be sure that you have your child’s full attention. Consider a signal such as a song or motion that will assure focus. A united effort will go a long way toward a successful day.

Establish Winning Signals

Help your youngster know what is coming. Clearly explain the time limits until a transition will take place. Use a “first, then” framework that alternates between a preferred and non-preferred activity when possible.

Visual schedules help your child use multiple cues in preparation for a transition. Try a simple timer or countdown clock that will allow your child to see and hear signals for a transition. Allow participation in operating the device and choosing at what point a final warning will be given.

Encourage Transition Objects

Many children will benefit from tactile reinforcements or comforts. These objects may be appropriate for the situation, such as a book about animals to accompany a trip to the zoo, or a favorite toy or soother to have for all situations. The child knows that when this object appears, the activity has drawn to a close.

Enjoy Positive Movement

Children love to move and interact with their environments. Create a transition that promotes movement and fun. Bring out the bubbles to step on en route to the next activity. Act like a favorite animal or tiptoe like a detective looking for clues. Order and joy can go hand-in-hand.

Enable Increasing Ownership

Periodically, talk together about your routines. Is there anything that can be improved? Does something cause frustration that can be altered? Remember that teamwork will promote enjoyment instead of dread. You may be surprised that the best transition tools of all come from your child’s imagination.

Could transition strategies for children help you to avoid meltdowns and increase cooperation with your child?  Click here for 5 Transition Strategies to Help Avoid Meltdowns and Increase Cooperation.

Get more tips, interact with our OT’s and connect with other parents by joining our Facebook Group Here.

The post Five Awesome Steps to Smooth Transitions appeared first on All About Therapy, PLLC.

When you think of theatre kids, you probably envision bubbly, outgoing types with great singing and dancing abilities. And if you are the parent of a child or teen with an intellectual disability such as Autism, you might assume that theatre involvement would not be a good fit for your kid. Surprisingly, kids with special needs can learn new skills and grow in their appreciation for the arts by participating in a theatre group.

There are two ways to get your child involved in theatre. Which you choose will depend on your child’s age and level of functioning. If your child’s school has a theatre elective and your child is eligible to attend, this is the easiest way to give theatre a try. In a school-based class, the focus is usually on producing a show. For younger kids and kids who are more severely affected, a Drama Therapy program may be the way to go. Each participant is paired with a therapist or theatre student (usually from a local university) and the exercises will be more guided to those with special challenges. 

Of my four children, two have participated in theatre groups! My oldest child, Elizabeth, who does not have special needs, helped lead the Theatre Therapy Project at Appalachian State University in 2016-17. The stated goals of the project are to help participants gain skills in communication, creativity, spatial awareness, and social awareness. The program was extremely successful, and most participants wanted to return the following year! The dramatic gains (pun intended) were detailed in an article in The Journal of Speech Pathology and Therapy. Journal Article

My third child, a 12-year-old girl with autism, participated in a general ed theatre elective at her middle school. After working with the group for nearly a full school year, she was able to play a role in the ensemble for a full-length play! She formed new friendships and grew in confidence. Though it wasn’t always easy and she was definitely required to step out of her comfort zone, she is excited to participate again next school year. 

Benefits:

1. Learn communication strategies: kids in theatre exercises practice respectful dialogue with peers and learn how to speak in large groups. Since the dialogue is from a script, the participant can practice taking turns speaking without having to consider what to say.
2. Learn to work in groups: producing a play or performance requires kids to develop group skills, which will be helpful in other classes and areas of life. Learning these skills is facilitated by the adult instructor.
3. Learn to manage anxiety: many kids with autism experience anxiety regularly, and theatre exercises can teach coping skills, especially in unfamiliar settings.
4. Increase ability to correctly recognize facial expressions: when working through a scripted scene, participants learn the correct facial expression for a situation.
5. Increase ability to identify emotions: theatre participants will learn to express an emotion outwardly in an appropriate way.
6. Learn problem solving skills: as a participant takes on the “role” of another person, he can learn new ways to work through real life situations. Playing a role gives a new perspective on how others think and act, thereby increasing “theory of mind” in a kid with an intellectual disability.
7. Increase in happiness and life satisfaction: theatre participants reported feeling happy with their accomplishments at the conclusion of a program or class. Parents often noted a decrease in their child’s aggression.

Like all arts programs, theatre participation can change a child’s perspective on the world. We have had such a positive experience with theatre arts that I look forward to my kids participating again! I encourage you to consider a theatre program for your child with special needs. 

The post 7 Surprising Benefits of Theatre Involvement for Kids with Intellectual Disabilities appeared first on All About Therapy, PLLC.

For many American families, the Fourth of July is a fun-filled family day of outdoor activities, culminating with a fireworks display. However, for families with a child with special needs, the Fourth of July can quickly bring on sensory overload and other challenges. With a few adjustments, you can still have a successful day. Here are our tips for a fun and safe Fourth:

COOKOUTS & FAMILY GATHERINGS

• Bring your child’s food if he is on a special diet, has food allergies, or is limited in what he can eat. This is not rude and your host should completely understand. It’s best not to force unfamiliar foods on a child who has dietary limitations, as this may lead to an unnecessary reaction or meltdown.
• Set firm start and end times to your visit. This will help a child who thrives on a schedule. Don’t skip any regular nap times.
• Bring a familiar comfort item if this would help your child feel calm in a new environment. Ignore relatives who say your child is too old, or other criticism. You know your child best, so do what works best for him!

BEACH & POOL

• Be extra, extra careful around water. Many children with autism are drawn to water and cannot swim. The best safety device available is a parent or adult who closely supervises the child.
• Bring along any flotation device your child will tolerate. If he’s unable to use a standard flotation device, get a suit with built in flotation, such as this one: Flotation bathing suit
• Another safety essential for children who tend to wander, cannot speak, have serious allergies, or other issues is an ID bracelet. I recommend one that is soft and very difficult for the child to remove. You can customize it with your contact information if your child is ever separated from you. I like the Alert Me bands found here: Alert Bracelet
• Remember your sunscreen and water! A hat and sunglasses are also very helpful for kids with visual sensitivities.

FIREWORKS DISPLAYS

Everyone wants to see fireworks on the Fourth of July, right? If your family plans to see them outside, please remember that fireworks displays are an intense sensory experience. Not all children can tolerate the noise and lights, in addition to crowds. If you have a child with special needs and you aren’t sure whether fireworks displays are a good idea, consider these tips:

• If your child has sensitive hearing, I strongly recommend a pair of noise-canceling headphones or earplugs (we prefer headband style, like these: headband earplugs). You don’t have to spend $200+ to get a good, child-friendly pair. Amazon has many styles: headphones
• If you purchase headphones or earplugs, help your child practice wearing them several times before the Fourth of July.
• Try parking far back from the crowds and sit close to your car. The noise may be less intense and you can take a break inside the car if needed.
• For a child with visual sensitivities, bring a hat and sunglasses.
• If you have access to an inside location from which to see the fireworks, I strongly recommend sitting inside. This is the option that has worked best for our family. We are away from the crowds and heat, and loud sounds are muffled. 
• If attending a fireworks display in person is not a good option for your family, remember that you can see them on TV. PBS usually shows the national display from Washington, D.C. And you can control the volume!

We at All About Therapy wish you and your family a happy Fourth!

Get more tips, interact with our OT’s and connect with other parents by joining our Facebook Group Here.

* Disclaimer: Neither All About Therapy, LLC nor Jeanne Moore endorse products featured in this article. Links to products are provided as examples only. We receive no compensation from any companies or brands featured.

The post Tips & Tricks for a Fun Fourth of July appeared first on All About Therapy, PLLC.

Ready or not, it’s coming: the annual switch to Daylight Savings Time. Unless you live in Hawaii (lucky you) or most parts of Arizona, you will be moving your clocks ahead 1 hour on Sunday in March. Remember, this is the time of year we move our clocks forward, hence the term “Spring Ahead.” If you aren’t a fan of the time change and you are dreading the difficulties associated with changing your child’s sleep schedule, take heart. There are a few time-tested tips that will help lessen the stress!

Light Exposure

Our circadian rhythms, also referred to as our “body clocks,” are regulated by exposure to light and darkness. Some ways to speed up the adjustment to DST are:

1 – Get your kids (and yourself) outside early in the day and often throughout the day. Exposure to natural morning light is one of the strongest ways to influence our circadian rhythms. 

2 – Begin to darken your home by pulling drapes and blinds closed a bit earlier in the evening. As we are exposed to more darkness, our natural melatonin production begins. 

3 – If you haven’t already, now’s the time to invest in room-darkening or blackout blinds or curtains for your child’s room. Check out the selection here.

Incremental Changes

The #1, absolutely TOP tip from professionals and experienced parents is:

1 – Make sleep schedule changes in 10-15 minute increments! Attempting 1 hour adjustments is too hard on young children and their parents. There are 2 ways to make this happen:

a. Start moving bedtimes and nap times back 10-15 minutes at least a week before the official beginning of DST. Add 10-15 more minutes every couple of days. This method is especially helpful for those with strict morning schedules and firm start times for work and school.

b. Start moving bedtimes and nap times back 10-15 minutes beginning on the day DST begins. So if your child normally goes to bed at 8:00 pm, you will actually put him to bed at 8:45 pm on the first night of DST. In a few days, you will move bedtime to 8:30 pm., etc.

Other Helpful Tips

1 – Plan ahead for the first week of DST. Minimize non-essential appointments, especially in the morning hours. 

2 –  Exercise, exercise, exercise! Exercise will increase serotonin and endorphin levels, which are helpful in regulating sleep and mood. When possible, take your kids outside to exercise! Physically tired children are much more likely to sleep well. The only exception is: don’t exercise right before bed time! 

3 – Strive for a calm, quiet, and dim environment for up to an hour before bedtime. Eliminate screens during this time and try a bedtime routine of a warm bath and reading. 

Special Considerations for Kids with Special Needs

Many kids on the Autism Spectrum, or with other special needs, already have sleep difficulties. Time changes throw a wrench into an already rough situation. While there’s no miracle solution, here are a couple of ideas for parents to consider:

1 – Talk with your child’s pediatrician about using melatonin supplements. There are many OTC varieties in either gummy or tablet form. Be aware that melatonin supplements come in strengths ranging from 1 milligram to over 10, so it’s important to discuss with your child’s doctor which strength is right for him.

2 – Ask your child’s Occupational Therapist for help with bedtime or sleep struggles. Often the professionals who know your child can offer great tips!

3 – For kids with severe sleep challenges, consider getting an evaluation from a professional sleep consultant. Check here: www.internationalsleep.org to find one in your area.

As a parent, expect some difficulty during any time change. The adjustment typically takes a week or so, but some kids need as long as 2-3 weeks to adjust. In between extra cups of coffee (for parents), take heart that Spring and warmer weather is just around the corner!

Get more tips, interact with our OT’s and connect with other parents by joining our Facebook Group Here.

The post Secrets to “Spring Ahead” Success! appeared first on All About Therapy, PLLC.