Category Archives: Events & Conferences

Get comprehensive details about Therapro’s active participation in various industry events and conferences, including informative presentations, hands-on workshops, and trade shows that showcase innovative therapy products and provide valuable professional development opportunities for clinicians and educators.

Assistive Technology Solutions for Schools: Highlights from NYC AT Conference

March 25, 2025Events & Conferencesconference highlightsGuest Blogger

Therapro recently had the privilege of exhibiting at the 2025 New York City Public Schools Assistive Technology Conference in Brooklyn, NY. This event provided an excellent platform to showcase Therapro’s assistive technology solutions for schools, designed to enhance student independence and participation across various school activities.

Enhancing Grasp and Functional Use with The Functionalhand and EazyHolds

Attendees were particularly impressed by The Functionalhand and EazyHolds. These adaptive devices facilitate improved grasp for individuals with limited hand function. Demonstrations highlighted their versatility in enabling students to hold items such as paintbrushes in art class, drumsticks in music sessions, pencils during lessons, and utensils at mealtimes. Combining The Functionalhand with EazyHolds further amplifies their utility, promoting greater independence in daily school activities.

Empowering Classroom Engagement with Switch-Adapted Tools

The PowerLink 4 Control Unit captured significant attention for its ability to make virtually any electrical device switch-accessible. By accommodating up to two standard switches, educators can adapt classroom tools to meet diverse student needs, fostering inclusivity in learning environments. Additionally, our range of switch-adapted activities demonstrated effectiveness in teaching cause-and-effect relationships and enhancing peer interaction, crucial components in cognitive and social development. These tools are essential assistive technology solutions for schools looking to improve accessibility for students with disabilities.

Therapro's Booth showing the Powerlink setup for switch access

Facilitating Fine Motor Skills with Adapted Scissors

Our collection of adapted scissors was well-received, particularly the Push-Down Table Top Scissors. Designed for individuals with limited hand strength or coordination, these scissors operate with a simple downward push, allowing one-handed use and promoting autonomy in art and classroom projects. The Dual Control Teaching Scissors also garnered interest for their unique design that enables educators to guide students through the cutting process, providing a supportive learning experience.

Push down scissors assistive technology solution

Improving Handwriting with Raised Line Paper

Experiencing our Raised Line Paper firsthand allowed attendees to appreciate its subtle tactile feedback. The raised lines assist students in maintaining writing alignment and spacing, benefiting those with visual impairments or challenges in handwriting legibility. This simple yet effective tool supports the development of fine motor skills and written communication and is a valuable assistive technology solution for schools seeking to enhance student success.

Participating in the NYC Assistive Technology Conference reinforced the importance of hands-on demonstrations in understanding the impact of assistive devices. Therapro remains committed to providing educators, therapists, and parents with practical solutions that empower students to achieve greater independence and success in their educational journeys.

Celebrating Pediatric Physical Therapists

October 18, 2024Events & Conferencesphysical therapy (PT)Guest Blogger

October is National Physical Therapy Month, a time to spotlight the incredible benefits of physical therapy (PT) across all ages. This month, we want to focus on and celebrate pediatric physical therapists, their invaluable work, and the impact they have on the lives of children. With over 4,000 pediatric PT practitioners in the U.S., their expertise, commitment, and compassion shine brightly in the healthcare landscape.

Understanding Pediatric Physical Therapy

Pediatric physical therapy is a specialized practice dedicated to addressing movement disorders, developmental delays, sports injuries, and orthopedic conditions in children. Utilizing evidence-based practices, pediatric PTs focus on:

Posture and movement analysis
Functional mobility training
Balance training
Dynamic bracing
Electrical stimulation
Parent training

Pediatric PTs work in various settings, including neonatology, early intervention, schools, and both inpatient and outpatient facilities. Their primary goal is to enhance a child’s physical function, address impairments, and help them reach their fullest potential at home, in school, and within their communities. Through PT, children gain increased strength, flexibility, and independence, while preventing the progression of movement issues.

Importance of Early Intervention

Monitoring a child’s physical development and the value of early intervention cannot be overstated. Early detection and treatment can prevent more serious issues down the line, leading to benefits such as improved mobility, enhanced motor skills, and better overall health.

Role of Family and Caregivers

Family members and caregivers, including educators, play a critical role in a child’s therapeutic journey. By collaborating with pediatric PTs, they can help integrate therapy gains into everyday activities. For instance, a therapist may recommend that a child practice moving from sitting to standing through an activity like picking up toys from the floor while squatting, then standing to place them in a toybox, promoting both skill development and play.

Passion of Pediatric Physical Therapists

Pediatric PTs are uniquely trained to engage with children through play-based and enjoyable activities. Resources like pediatricapta.org offer insight into the specialized training and techniques employed by these professionals. They incorporate age-appropriate and motivating activities—think balance pods, obstacle courses, yoga, and more—to ensure therapy is both effective and fun.

Two Yellow Balance Pods used by physical therapists for balance activities

Liquid Floor Tiles used by pediatric psychical therapist for obstacle courses and balance activities

Transformative Success Stories

The impact of pediatric physical therapy is profound. Take, for example, a 3-year-old referred for PT due to postural instability and low muscle tone. After six months of focused therapy on core stability and strength, the child demonstrated remarkable progress, experiencing less fatigue in the classroom and successfully participating in an obstacle course with peers. Such transformations illustrate the power of dedicated PT intervention.

Final Thoughts

National Physical Therapy Month provides a fantastic opportunity to recognize the essential contributions of pediatric physical therapists to children’s growth and development. By sharing knowledge, resources, and inspiring success stories, we can encourage parents and caregivers to advocate for their children’s health.

At Therapro, we proudly honor the dedicated professionals in pediatric physical therapy who work tirelessly to help children develop the mobility skills they need to reach their full potential. Let’s celebrate their hard work and the positive changes they bring to countless lives!

Guest Blogger: Filomena Connor, MSOT Retired

Exploring Halifax: 2024 CAOT Conference Highlights

May 28, 2024Events & Conferencesconference highlightsAllyson Locke, M.S., OTR/L

The 2024 Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia was an incredible journey for the Therapro team with many highlights to share. Departing from our Framingham, MA warehouse, the Therapro team embarked on a scenic road trip through New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, culminating in a dynamic event filled with innovation and collaboration.

At the conference, our booth buzzed with activity as we presented the latest in occupational therapy tools and resources. Attendees explored hands-on demonstrations of assistive technology devices and sensory items, experiencing firsthand the benefits these tools offer.

Standout products included the Functionalhand and Eazyholds, which together facilitate fine motor tasks for individuals with limited grip strength. These tools garnered significant interest for their ability to enhance functional independence

EazyHold Universal Cuff — The Functionalhand

Sensory items also stole the spotlight, with the Wiggle Wobble Chair Feet captivating attendees as they experienced firsthand the benefits of dynamic seating options. Fidgets, weighted items, and resources like the Sensory Connection Program and The Polyvagal Path to Joyful Learning were met with enthusiasm, highlighting the growing importance of sensory interventions in therapy.

black chair with Wiggle Wobble Chair Feet attache

For school-based therapists, Therapro offered a wide array of resources to support fine motor development, including various pencil grips, raised line paper, and slant boards. The Fine Motor Olympics, a collection of engaging activities designed to promote fine motor skills, garnered significant interest and excitement among attendees.

LegiLiner Double Solid Line 3/8' tall, Pen Style Rolling Ink Stamp — LegiLiners

Raised Line Paper Assortment — LegiLiners

Evaluations such as Here’s How I Write and the COMPs provided valuable insights into assessment tools that can inform intervention strategies and promote optimal outcomes for clients.

The CAOT 2024 Conference Highlights reflect a successful event filled with learning, networking, and inspiration. We are grateful for the opportunity to connect with dedicated therapists and remain committed to supporting the occupational therapy community.