Password Protected To view this protected post, enter the password below: Password: Submit The post Protected: Exploring the Mindful Fidgets®: A Review from a Pediatric OT and Mom appeared first on Miss Jaime, O.T ..read more

Keyboarding and proficient touch typing is an essential skill for the 21st century. It’s not believed that it will completely make handwriting obsolete, however, we would be living in a cave if we didn’t acknowledge how important keyboarding and typing skills are to a student’s every learning. Learning to use a keyboard and to type isn’t easy! It is a false assumption that children with handwriting difficulties will learn to type easily. It will certainly help these children in the long run, however, it is important to remember that children with motor and planning difficulties (e.g., bilate ..read more

My husband, Dan, and I have birthdays a few days apart in December. This year, they overlapped with the Children & Youth conference in NOLA (New Orleans, Louisiana) so why not combine the trip with birthday fun and the conference?! Not to mention, I presented at the pre-conference, presented a poster, and had my first-ever exhibitor booth at an AOTA conference! I had more than a few pounds of booth materials in tow, so he came in very handy! Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) I attended an awesome session presented by Deanna Bourgeois, OTD, OTR/L & Gina Benavente, DHSc, MPH, OTR ..read more

The holiday season is a time of joy, laughter, and celebration. But for parents of children with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), it can also be a season of stress, anxiety, and uncertainty. The bright lights, loud music, and crowded gatherings that define this festive time of year can overwhelm a child with SPD, making it difficult for them to fully participate and enjoy the festivities. By the time you are done reading this, you’ll be armed with the tools and confidence to navigate the holidays with ease, making it a truly enjoyable time for both you and your child with SPD. What is Sen ..read more

Hey there! I’ve grown accustomed to seeing terrible handwriting in all the classrooms since COVID. The other day I went to do a consult in a general ed first-grade classroom expecting “the usual.” But this classroom was different. The work samples in the hallway were neat, with good spacing and letter formations. In the classroom, I observed the children all started working at their desks with their Chromebooks. It was obvious that they were used to the activity. It was a YouTube Channel called: “Art for Kids” …and the children were all drawing holiday pictures. I couldn’t believe how goo ..read more

Sensory vests are increasingly being used in schools as a tool to support students with sensory processing difficulties. These vests, weighted, compression, or a combination of the two, come in various designs, provide deep pressure stimulation to the body, which can have a calming and focusing effect for some children. Not all school districts allow for use of weighted vests, so be sure to do your homework and know your school’s stance on this topic While anecdotal evidence suggests compression vests, as well as weighted vests and lap pads, can be helpful for some students, research on ..read more

In February 2024, I finally checked off a bucket list dream to (1) have a research article published, and (2) provide an evidence-based source to support the advocacy torch I’ve been carrying for years. Together, my colleagues, Serena Zeidler OTD, OTR/L, and Kim Wiggins, OTR/L, and I achieved that dream. After months of work, the article was published in Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools, & Early Intervention (JOTSEI). If you know one thing about me, it’s probably that I am a huge advocate for school-based occupational therapy practitioners. We do not receive equal treatment in t ..read more

As spring unfolds, many of you might notice your little ones bouncing with renewed energy—literally! Jumping and hopping are fantastic ways for children to develop important gross motor skills, and this week on the blog, I wanted to delve into the exciting world of jumping milestones. Why is Jumping Important? Jumping isn’t just about silly fun (although there’s plenty of that too!). It helps children develop: Balance: Getting those little feet off the ground and landing safely requires great coordination! Muscle Strength: Jumping strengthens leg muscles, which are crucial for future act ..read more

It’s been warm and sunny here in Orlando. I arrived Wednesday evening and went right to the Community of Practice and Special Interest Section Reception. It was a huge networking event where all the different COPS and SIS groups met up with each other in real life (as opposed to Zoom). It was so great to see some of the other State School Leader COP members I meet with monthly, including Jan Hollenbeck, Joyce Rioux, Moira Bushnell, Michelle Grahamm, and Vaishnavi Tallury. These women are all so inspiring and it was my honor to network with them. Although I’m not a member of the school mental ..read more

Becoming an Assistive Technology provider is a great way to amp up your resume, round out your skill set, and make yourself more marketable. In many states, an OT does not need any special certification, classes, or certificates to be considered an Assistive Technology provider. If you are considering changing roles but are hesitant to spend the time and money for a “certificate,” review your state education department policies. The Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) certification is the gold standard for ATP certification. You can learn more ..read more