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! 

On Tuesday, September 15, 2020 Therapro was happy to host another very successful and well attended webinar, S’Cool Moves, presented by Dr. Debra Em Willson.  Dr. Wilson is a reading specialist and founder of S’Cool Moves. To learn more about the S’Cool Moves program, check out the post, What is S’Cool Moves!   Webinar attendees left with some great strategies to use for both in person and virtual learning sessions, as one viewer stated:

S’cool Moves has changed the way I practice OT in school. Incorporating Deb’s movements with academics has allowed my students to be so much more engaged and motivated. Her activities can be adapted to every grade level. DF

During the webinar, Dr. Wilson covered her “Top 10 Superrmoves”; that she uses to help students “flip the learning switch”.  Some highlights included: 

1. Checking In With Myself Tool.  Dr. Wilson shared a visual to use with students to facilitate the “checking in” process and demonstrated a  great example of how to use this visual to help students get out of a “funk”.  
2. I Can Calm Myself Routine.  Dr. Wilson shared deep pressure activities  students can use for calming and shared a visual that can be individualized for each student.  
3. Core Out the Door & Minute Moves for Fine Motor. For these super moves, Dr. Wilson demonstrated how she incorporated the Minute Moves activities to a whole class setting, a great resource for therapists doing ‘push in’ services.  
4. Smiley Jumps, Arrows, & Quadrant Activities. For these super moves, Dr. Wilson demonstrated how she created a simple DIY magnetic board to facilitate using these movement activities in virtual lessons, making the learning session more interactive!

In addition to these great resources, Dr. Wilson shared some great research to support her approaches. As one viewer stated:

I will be taking all of the activities / resources /website, etc, directly to my Title One teachers tomorrow and know they will be interested and use! I have provided many suggestions, activities etc. and even though well received, are not always implemented. Now I can say this comes from a reading specialist. Teachers listen to teachers and I am thrilled as an OT to use anything that will help kids. Deb was wonderful! Generous heart and knowledgeable lady….thank you so much! BW

If you missed the webinar be sure to check out the recap here!

On Tuesday August 11th, Therapro hosted another successful webinar, Assistive Technology Tips and Tools. Our presenter, Abbie King M.S, CCC-SLP, engaged attendees with a fun activity, how Can You Use a Pool Noodle as Assistive Technology? Viewers provided some great ideas for new and different ways to use a pool noodle in the setting they are working in.  Check out some of the great ideas below!  

Using a Pool Noodle for Physical Access:

• Using on corners of desks/ edges for safety
• Sitting balance for an infant with (decreased) trunk support
• Side supports in (a wheelchair) 
• Holding utensils
• Sliced open – place on the edge of a table or wheelchair tray to create a bumper
• Place as a footrest border
• Place a bungee cord inside and wrap around chair as a foot fidget

Using a Pool Noodle as Assistive Technology for Low Vision:

• Put on edges of desks so students can tell where desks end to not push items of
• Use as a card holder
• (Raised) border to a book or slant board,
• Cut into pieces and put different letters on there to make words
• Hang beads to work on far/near focus
• Bright colors can be used on handles
• Prop ipad
• Follow the moving noodle with eyes in all planes
• Tape together to make circle, place over desired object, visual/large core board
• Stabilize cards
• I spy games looking through a pool noodle..scavenger hunts

Using a Pool Noodle fas Assistive Technology for Hearing:

• Talk through for sound
• (Playing) telephone
• Slap them together, hit balls, air wands
• Play drums with pool noodles
• Rubbing it with hands
• Speak into one end and have child listen to sounds on other end to increase auditory feedback/sensory awareness

Using a Pool Noodle as Assistive Technology for Behavioral/ Emotional Challenges:

• Sensory tool (fidget)  to squeeze, poke with golf tees, or roll small piece 
• Something to squeeze, grasp, or tap on surface
• As a reward: use it to play balloon volleyball
• Rock right/left while grasping overhead
• Take a turn talking, deep breathing

• Wrap around child to create “bubble zone” for teaching personal space and reduce anxiety from overstimulation
• Attaching to chair to kick to increase focus; hand fidget
• Get anger out using a pool noodle to hit something…or make a “feelings fort” out of pool noodles

Other Uses for A Pool Noodle:

• Theraband on chair
• Play as obstacle course
• Use for positioning
• Boundaries on a table for remote or switch controlled doodle bug or car
• Having a sword fight
• Pencil grips