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are you concerned about your child's grasp?

5/23/2020

My child isn't holding a pencil with a tripod grasp yet. Should I be worried?
This is one of THE most common questions I get as a pediatric OT working with kids in the birth-5 age range. So, let's walk through some simple grasp development, pre-requisites needed for an efficient tripod grasp, what you can do to support your kiddo in the process, and when to worry if you aren't seeing improvement.

simple play essentials, and 30 ways to use them!

5/11/2020

Not sure about you, but I don't have a gazillion dollars to spend on play materials. As a teeny tiny private OT practice, I keep things really simple and practical. Most of my therapy materials are household items that my clients also have on hand, making home programs (and telehealth) a cinch! Thought I would share with you the supplies I can't work without, and 30 activities you can do with just a short list of simple items laying around your house.

over 30 fun indoor heavy work activities for your kids

5/2/2020

Have you ever noticed your child jumping off high surfaces, running and crashing into pillows, lifting heavy objects, climbing on furniture, pulling and pushing things around, or otherwise trying to impersonate an olympic weightlifter or superhero? If so, what you’re seeing is your child seeking out deep pressure and "heavy work."

over 20 easy and fun movement activities for toddlers

4/1/2020

Need something quick, easy, and fun to do with your toddler? Here are 20 great activity ideas to provide entertainment, while building important motor skills like fine motor skills, hand eye coordination, bilateral integration, gross motor skills, core strength, and body awareness.

5 belly breath exercises for kids

3/28/2020

Let's say it is dark out, and your protective male Bouvier Des Flandres is looking out the front window and barking. Barking loudly, deeply, and won't stop. Your child becomes very nervous and stressed. She starts to have shallow breaths, her heart rate increases, she gets clammy hands. What should you do?

transforming toddler tantrums

2/27/2020

Do you know a toddler who has big feelings? As a pediatric occupational therapist, I have met quite a few. Though tantrums are often uncomfortable for everyone (the parent, the passerby, the dog) other than the child, they are a very normal part of child development. And also an opportunity to build attachment, and teach your child skills.

6 quick tips for feeding your picky eater

10/2/2019

Is your kiddo scared of broccoli? Or fearful of anything that is not white? Do you have power struggles at the dinner table? Children can become picky eaters for a variety of reasons, including typical development as they become more independent, sensory sensitivities, anatomy (like tongue-tie), neurological problems, or simply modeling their parents' fussy eating habits. Regardless of the cause, here are a few things you can do...

w-sitting: why it happens and what to do

2/13/2018

Doctors and pediatric healthcare professionals debate on how bad - or not so bad - W-sitting is for a child's anatomy and development. As a pediatric occupational therapist who specializes in teaching children how to use their bodies better, here is my take.

meet the blogger

Austen is a pediatric occupational therapist with experience in schools, early intervention, and private clinic settings. She now runs her own private practice in Portland, OR specializing in movement based learning techniques. This blog's mission is to educate and empower parents and children by sharing insights into the complexities of learning and development.

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