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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 winter weather begins to fade and Spring appears, many parents begin to think about scheduling summer camp for their children. But if you have a child with special needs, is summer camp even an option? Happily, the answer is YES! Finding a camp that is the right fit for your child may be a bit more challenging, but many options are available. 

Choosing The Right Camp

Finding the right camp begins with deciding between day camp and an overnight camp. Yes, kids with special needs can attend (and thrive!) at an overnight camp! There are advantages to both settings; day camps are more affordable and give parents more control over personal care, meals, and sleep schedules. An overnight camp can give parents and families a much-deserved respite from the daily care and therapy schedule. Overnight camps can also help boost a child’s sense of independence. Both kinds of camps help kids make new friends, increase confidence, learn new skills, and make memories!

The next decision involves what type of camp experience would be best for your child with special needs. Would he like to pursue a new hobby or skill, such as STEM or Theatre? Are you hoping for traditional summer camp activities like swimming and singing around a campfire? Would you prefer a religious camp? Would a camp that focuses on therapeutic skills like social groups and functional movement be best? 

Now it’s time to start looking at options that best fit your choices and your child’s needs. Here are some camps in the Triangle area of North Carolina

1. YMCA Camp G.R.A.C.E. CAMP GRACE  Camp G.R.A.C.E. day camps are specifically for children with special needs. 
2. Horses for Hope TRC www.horsesforhope.org. Located in southern Wake County, Horses for Hope offers day camps and therapeutic riding for children with special needs.
3. Brooks Avenue Church of Christ http://www.specialatbrooks.org. Offers weekly day camps for children with special needs at their central Raleigh location. Staffed by trained volunteers.
4. Camp Royall, associated with the Autism Society of North Carolina https://www.autismsociety-nc.org/camp-royall/. Camp Royall is an overnight camp which offers typical camp activities to children on the Autism Spectrum. Financial Aid/scholarships are available.
5. Gigi’s Playhouse www.gigisplayhouse.org  Day programs and age-appropriate fitness, educational, and social groups for children, teens, and adults with Down Syndrome. 
6. SMILE Camp. https://smilecamp.org. STEM day camp which may be appropriate for high functioning kids who have a demonstrated interest in math and science. Very interactive and hands-on activities (so proceed with caution if your child has sensory sensitivities).
7. Pathways for People PATHWAYS  Offers a summer day program for older teens with developmental disabilities.
8. UNC Helping Kids with Hemiplegia UNC CP CAMP  UNC in Chapel Hill offers a therapeutic day camp for children with Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy.

Check out other camp choices in the Triangle at http://www.arctriangle.org/kids_connection_wake. 

If you are interested in sending your child to camp outside of North Carolina, check out the list of camps in this awesome blog: 25 CAMPS

Tips to Prepare for Camp:

• If your child has an IEP, be willing and prepared to share it with the camp. The IEP can provide a lot of insight into your child’s unique strengths and weaknesses.
• Ask all questions about the camp in advance. Drop off time is not the time to find out that your child’s needs can’t be accommodated. 
• Visit the camp ahead of time with your child. If the camp offers an open house, go if at all possible. 
• If your child has a restricted diet or food sensitivities, submit the information in writing in advance and bring a copy to check-in. 
• Most camps are able to administer medications, just be sure to bring them in their original packaging with written instructions about dosage, timing, etc.

We at All About Therapy wish you and your child a happy, healthy, and memorable summer!

The post Should I Send my Child With Special Needs to Summer Camp? 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.

I have a love-hate relationship with winter. I personally enjoy the cold weather, and yes, even snow! My kids have even inherited a love of winter from me. However, that does not mean they are compliant with wearing all the necessary winter weather gear like hats, gloves, coats, and snow boots. Sometimes I myself do not want to wear a coat or a hat! I know for many families with kids with special needs, convincing them to wear (and not lose!) the winter gear is a struggle. After years of managing this issue, I’ve got a few helpful tips to offer winter-gear-weary parents.

Many times, the reason kids with special needs don’t want to wear winter gear is sensory issues. We all know that clothing tags can be irritating, so be sure to remove tags from things like gloves, snow pants, and coats. The tags on those items can still be felt through clothing and around the wrists. Also be careful about the fabric and texture of winter clothing items. Most sensitive kids prefer fleece items over wool or cotton. A loose fleece jacket has been our go-to for our cool fall mornings. My kids prefer a fleece pullover to a more traditional sweater in the winter months.

One way to help your kids accept their winter gear is to take them shopping and let them help choose it. That way, not only can they test it out for comfort, but it gives them a sense of control and ownership over what they’ll be wearing. This takes more time than ordering online, but if successful, you’ll save time and have fewer struggles on busy mornings.

Speaking of those busy mornings, we’ve all had times where we’ve gotten out the door late because our child refused to put on her winter gear. Here are 3 ideas for easing that process:

• Set your alarm earlier and build extra time into your schedule to allow for putting on the winter gear. Being rushed leads to increased stress (and a potential meltdown) for both you and your child.
• If your child uses a visual schedule in the morning, add a section for putting on winter gear at the proper time.
• Make a game of putting on everything…first one with everything on wins a prize! (something small, like a sticker)

Wearing gloves is a common issue for kids with special needs. Mittens are a much easier solution! If you have trouble finding mittens in larger sizes, try looking for ski mittens or asking a crafty friend to knit a pair. In a pinch, you can use tube socks over the hands, which has the added benefit of being harder to remove if rolled over the arms. 

Look for snow boots that zip instead of slip-ons or ones with laces. The zippers make putting on and taking off super-easy. Usually, they can accommodate leg or foot braces if left unzipped.

Try hoods instead of hats. Hoods are less restrictive, yet still warm and protective. An added bonus is that since it’s attached to the coat, it’s one less item to keep track of.

For extra-sensitive kids or people who require wheelchairs, consider a warm, hooded poncho in lieu of a coat. 

For special challenges, like diaper access for kids who aren’t potty trained, search online for “adaptive clothing.” 

And lastly, if your school-aged child refuses to wear their winter gear, bring the items to school anyway or pack them in their backpack. Hopefully, they will be more willing later on.

Always feel free to ask your Occupational Therapist for help with any specific challenges with your child with special needs. I hope you and your child enjoy your next snowball fight!

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.

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

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Since we are moving our clocks back by one hour, we get to enjoy one extra hour of sleep, right? (Are you laughing yet?) Chances are, if you are a parent of young ones, you won’t have an easy, dream-filled transition back to Standard Time. 

Remember that a time change doesn’t only throw off your child’s bedtime and wake-up time; it throws off his entire day. The time he does each and every thing on his daily schedule will feel different. For our kids with special needs, this can cause a lot of extra anxiety and upset. 

Here are some tips to help your family cope with the standard time change:

1. My #1 tip is to make the change in 15 minute increments wherever possible. I realize that if your kids are school-age, going to school 45 minutes early or late won’t work. But for the things you can control, like dinner time and bed time, try making the change 15 minutes at a time. It’s a lot easier to convince your child to stay in bed for 15 more minutes rather than an hour. A few days later, add 15 more minutes. The goal is do everything at the “new” time by the end of two weeks.
2. Stick to your AM and PM routines as closely as possible. This is especially helpful for children on the Autism Spectrum. Most children thrive on a routine. Do the same things in the same order, just with the adjustment in time.
3. Clear the calendar. This is not the time to be busy wagging your kids around to a million appointments, parties, and playdates. For about 2 weeks, try to take it easy and have plenty of free time at home. This will reduce stress.
4. Eat well. Stick to your normal eating routine and serve really healthy and satisfying foods. Hunger and sugar crashes are only going to make you and your kids MORE cranky and less able to cope.
5. Get outside as much as possible. Being outside at dawn and dusk can really help our natural body clocks adjust. Get plenty of exposure to natural light during the day. Exercise outside with your kids!
6. Invest in light-blocking shades in your children’s bedrooms. Use them year-round. The darkness in the morning can help children stay asleep longer.
7. Remember your positive reinforcement strategies during this transition time. Praise and reward the good behaviors!
8. Do not give children caffeine to help with wakefulness or sleep-inducing medications at bedtime. These can be dangerous when not given under a doctor’s care.
9. If your little one won’t sleep through the night, make a plan with your spouse or partner. Agree in advance on who takes which shifts. For example, my spouse agrees to be on call from 8 pm to 1 AM and I’ll go to bed early. Then after 1 AM, its my turn to get up if we have any early risers. This way we both get an uninterrupted stretch of sleep.
10. Explain the details of the time change to a child who is able to understand. Let them know that it will get dark sooner, bed time will feel later, etc. A great way to do this is with a social story. You can create your own social stories at either: www.touchautism.com or www.connectability.ca. Add details from your child’s specific schedule.
11. Lighten up on the rules, temporarily. A little extra grace and patience can go a long way during a trying time. Sometimes an extra cartoon is just what’s needed.

You are not suffering alone! Almost all parents report having difficulty helping their kids adjust to the time change. Reach out to your Occupational Therapist or other professional if you are still struggling after 2 weeks. Hopefully, with a little love and understanding, everyone will be happy and healthy after the transition!

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

The post Family Friendly Tips for the Transition to Standard Time appeared first on All About Therapy, PLLC.