All posts by Therapro

Recap and Review of Working Memory: A Refresher!

On November 17, Therapro was excited to host yet another successful webinar on the topic of working memory. Dr.  Diane Long, creator of the game Trunks, presented the webinar Working Memory: A Refresher.  Her webinar was full of resources, research, and strategies for this very complex topic.  

Dr. Long started the night off by defining what working memory is thought to be and reviewing brain structures related to the processes associated with working memory.  She did a great job illustrating these concepts by engaging audience members in various memory tasks.  

Next, Dr. Long jumped into the research. Audience members had great things to say about the wide breath of research she covered. Not only did Dr. Long cover the theoretical research, she also reviewed research related to ADHD and working memory.

Some of the best takeaways from the night were the intervention strategies and tips that Dr. Long shared with audience members. Dr. Long covered ADHD specific strategies as well as some very useful strategies to use within a classroom setting. Audience members had great things to say about the way that Dr. Long presented these strategies as they related to developmental appropriateness.  Dr. Long ended the night by reviewing games that are available to help develop working memory, including her own game Trunks! 

Check out the recording of this webinar here.  For more information on Trunks!, check out this great video

How to Help the Over Responsive Sensory System

Over responsive sensory systems need opportunities to take breaks from sensory stimuli through the day.  The analogy of a Thanksgiving feast can be used to illustrate an over responsive sensory system.  After a large Thanksgiving meal we may get to the point where we simply can not add another bite of food to our very full bellies, doing so would just make us sick.  The over responsive sensory systems are filled to capacity with sensory stimuli and can not handle another bit of sensory information.  When the sensory system hits capacity you may see things like big reactions to small problems or ‘shut down’ types of behavior.  Just like a nap after a Thanksgiving meal does wonders to help digest and reset our full bellies, a break from sensory stimuli does wonders for the over responsive sensory systems.  Total elimination of sensory stimuli is nearly impossible but offering a space with dampened sensory stimuli, to retreat to when needed, can help with overall regulation through the day, leading to greater ability to successfully participate and attend. These spaces can often be created with minimal equipment and little space.  Check out these ideas: 

Cozy Corners: Corners are a great spot to set up a calming space; corners naturally provide barriers on two sides and are a great spot to tack a small blanket overhead to create a roof. These types of spaces are especially great for sensory systems that are easily overwhelmed by tactile input.  The walls provide a barrier from unwanted tactile sensations like the accidental bump from another child or the breeze from a fan.  

Forts.  Forts can be created by simply throwing a blanket over a table or two opposing chairs. Forts are great for sensory systems that are easily overstimulated by visual input because forts are dark and act to eliminate extraneous visual input.  

Retreat Space.  Occasionally we are lucky to find an unused space away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.  This may be an outdoor area, an accessible attic or basement space, or a nook in the corner of a porch.  These types of spaces are ideal for sensory systems who have difficulty filtering out extraneous auditory or olfactory stimuli (so important to consider as we get into the holidays and all the cooking that comes along with it).  

The availability of these spaces is often enough to help the overstimulated sensory system regroup and decompress.  However, additions to these spaces may be helpful! Some ideas include: 

  • BeanbagsBeanbags are a great way to increase deep pressure input to help organize and regulate an over stimulated sensory system.  The High Back Bean Bag Chair is a great option when more support is needed. The HowdaHUGS chair is a great option for smaller spaces or when portability is needed (take it on that trip to grandmas along with a small blanket for an instant retreat space during the holiday hustle and bustle)! 
  • Noise Cancelling Headphones.  Headphones help filter out extraneous auditory input allowing the other sensory systems a chance to regroup! 
  • Weighted Items.   Weighted items, when used appropriately, can be a great source for deep pressure input that helps to organize an over stimulated sensory system.  There are so many to choose from; weighted lap pads, weighted animals, and shoulder wraps.  
  • Oral Input.  Resistive sucking using a water bottle or through a straw,  blowing bubbles,  or using a chew all are great ways to provide organizing proprioceptive input.  

The availability of a space that limits extraneous sensory stimuli can be a welcome relief for those struggling with over responsive sensory systems.  Having access to a place that allows the sensory systems to regroup, decompress  and re-organizes can lead to greater participation in day to day activities.  These spaces can easily be created with everyday items found around the home! 

Setting up Your Seat for Virtual Learning Success

Having just the right seating arrangement can make the difference between a successful learning experience and one that is full of distractions, position changes, and learning sessions that don’t  last as long as they should.   Two of the biggest factors to consider are the physical set up and the sensory needs. 

Physical Set Up

One of the most important considerations in addressing physical needs is the 90/90/90 rule.   When seated in a chair, feet should be resting comfortably on the floor with a 90 degree angle at the hips, knees and ankles. The work surface should be at a height  that allows the forearms to rest with the shoulders in a neutral position.  

Sensory Needs

When addressing sensory needs related to positioning it is important to consider getting enough of the right kind of sensory stimulation.  Virtual learning has provided long hours sitting at the computer or workspace for both those providing the virtual services and those receiving them.  Virtual learning spaces are often devoid of the naturally occurring sensory stimuli sensory systems need to stay alert and focused.  Classrooms, therapy rooms, and other work spaces are full of naturally occurring stimuli like  enriching conversation with our fellow therapist, the chitter chatter of classmates, naturally occurring movement breaks as we move from one part of the building to another.  Our sensory systems need stimuli to keep alert and focussed. 

Try This: 

  1. Support the feet.  When a chair is too big, legs and feet are left dangling and unsupported, decreasing postural stability needed for hand use.  Adding a foot stool or foam mat under the feet provides the needed support.  Using a  foam mat has the added bonus of additional sensory input! 
  1. Support the back: An oversized chair results in the body being in an awkward extended position with the hips and knees not being able to  flex at the desired 90 degree angles.  Placing a seat wedge or towel roll between the child’s back and the chair back will help bring the child forward enough on the chair to allow the hips to flex to 90 degrees and the knees to bend appropriately over the edge of the chair. This position will  increase overall comfort  resulting  in increased stamina for the work task.  
  1. Bring Work to Eye Level.  When the work surface is too low the natural tendency is to lean forward resulting in losing the 90 degree angle at the hips. A quick fix is to  use a slant board which brings the work higher and reduces the lean forward.  
  1. Use a Seat Cushion.  When the work surface is too high, the forearms are positioned in a way that brings the shoulders up closer to the ears decreasing over stability and comfort.  If changing the table or chair height is not an option, sitting on a folded towel, a book, or a cushion  can help but make sure the child’s feet are still securely on a firm surface like a step stool! Additionally, cushions provide needed sensory input!   Tip; use dycem to keep these positioning aids in place! 
  1. Use  Alternative Seating
    • Do you want to increase a student’s alertness and ability to focus during extended seating activities? Add movement such as the  Alert Seat or the Kore Wobble Chair!
    • Alternatively, long hours in front of a computer screen trying to filter out extraneous background sensory stimuli can lead to overstimulation.  When calming or organizing input is needed try adding a foot fidget to the chair legs, placing a portable foot fidget under the workspace, or having a foot tapper available.  Other options included weighted lap pads or shoulder wraps.  
  1. Position Changes.   Incorporating position changes through the work or school day is a great way to maintain attention and focus,
    • Standing at a counter height work space or taping work to a wall are options to allow for standing positions while working. 
    • Lay down.  Working while laying on the stomach is a great way to provide proprioceptive input through the shoulders joints (great for those needing calming and organizing input).  This position also gives students who are struggling with postural instability more support so they can focus on their work and not on staying stable!  Use yoga mats or cushions to provide comfort and a clipboard or slant board as a work surface. 
    • Get Cozy.  Another option for a position change  is a bean bag.  While not the best option for all types of tasks this is a great spot when reading or listening to an activity. The deep pressure input provides a great calming and organizing input.  

Many of us have made the sudden change from a full day in a classroom or work environment with naturally occurring, enriching sensory experiences to alternative work spaces that may not always provide the type or intensity of sensory stimulation we need to stay alert and  focused. Changing up the seating arrangement can be a great way to increase attention and focus during long days of virtual learning or teletherapy sessions.  

Allyson Locke M.S., OTR/L