Tag Archives: classroom strategies

Classroom strategies encompass OT-informed approaches that support attention, posture, sensory needs, and motor skills to help students succeed academically and socially.

Game Adaptations for All Ages: Enhancing Therapy with Play

Fine Motor & Hand Skill Development, Games, , , , , ,
Allyson Locke, MS, OTR/L presenter for the seminar Games, Games, Games: Unique Adaptations of Games for All Ages and All Abilities.

On March 16th, therapists and teachers formed teams to learn new games and how to adapt them for those with whom they work from preschool age and up. Allyson Locke, MS, OTR/L presented the seminar Games, Games, Games: Unique Adaptations of Games for All Ages and All Abilities. She discussed how the games can be used as part of the therapy process as well as how they can be used to target educational goals.

Allyson’s expertise with adapting games comes from her extensive and diverse background in both sensory integration and school-based practice. She currently works in a Massachusetts school for children and young adults who have significant medical, mental health, and cognitive needs.

Allyson chose 5 Therapro games to discuss in her presentation, followed by hands-on game time. The games included NOVENOPS, Letter Treasure Hunt, and Obstacles. Attendees rotated every 15 minutes from one game to another. They reconvened as a group to discuss possible modifications of the games in order to meet a student’s needs. Letter Treasure Hunt, created by author and occupational therapist, Jenny Clark, has many adaptations for playing built into the game. It also includes suggestions for variations of playing the game within the game directions. The game includes a Captain’s Log for writing acquired treasures, for which a variety of pencil grips can be trialed. Allyson discussed a variety of multisensory activities for writing letters, i.e. Wikki Stix, Squiggle Writer, scented markers. Children can play in teams or individually to target cooperative and social skills. There are endless variations to try! During the game, players draw a Captain’s Orders card that features a motor activity they must perform.

Allyson provided a peek at a number of other games that will be discussed in Therapro’s first-ever webinar: Games, Games, Games: Unique Adaptations of Games for All Ages and All Abilities, Part 2. Be sure to keep an eye out for an announcement for this webinar in the Therapro’s e-newsletter (Theragram), and on the Therapro website.

All of the game adaptations presented were unique, motivating, and applicable to many environments. As therapists and educators, we are trained to develop strategies that ensure that children learn and succeed in achieving goals. Making learning fun is what motivates students of all ages!

Attendees enjoyed this interactive seminar! Here’s what they had to say:

“I liked exploring various games for different skill/age levels.” – Laurie K., Occupational Therapist

“It was fun to move around and try things.” – Rolene K., Teacher

“I enjoyed exploring the games while brainstorming & discussing how to adapt/grade each game to meet the needs of various students/clients.” – Shannon A., Occupational Therapist

“Surprised me that it would apply to my preschool class. Very good. Lots of fun.” – Anonymous, Teacher

“Great intro to available OT focused games!” – Inibral D., Occupational Therapist

Thank you, Allyson!

Filomena Connor, MS, OTR/L
March 16, 2019

Assistive Technology in Schools: Enhancing Accessibility and Learning

Assistive Technology, School-Based Practice, , ,
Assistive Technology in Schools presenter Kristi Voelkerding, BS, COTA/L, ATP, ROH

Assistive Technology in Schools was presented by Kristi Voelkerding, BS, COTA/L, ATP, ROH on a brisk February morning at Therapro headquarters with 45 attentive, engaged, interactive, vocal attendees.

Kristi has forged a distinguished career path as an AT specialist who is in demand as a speaker. She has worked for Easter Seals primarily as a consultant mainly in school-based settings since 2000. Her breath of knowledge regarding assistive technology is extensive and current. In a field where technology changes constantly, she is a wonderful resource for therapists, teachers, and families. AOTA conferred upon Kristi a Roster of Honor award in 2007 to recognize her leadership in AOTA and her innovative practices in assistive technology.

Kristi’s seminar spurred audience interaction regarding apps recommended and apps used successfully with various age groups. She discussed using technology as a “bridge” that should be introduced early in school so that students can access learning in ways that are unique to them and their needs. She initiated her talk with discussion about the broad variety of keyboards available that can match a student’s needs. She advocated that the student must find what method of keyboarding is fastest for him/her, be it one finger, one hand, two hands, or even the nose or foot. She suggested creating word lists on the computer to practice learning the geographical area on the keyboard. Kristi cautioned that layering copying (motor task) with thinking about the content of the task (cognitive task) is difficult. She recommended that a speech recognition program be used if the student has difficulty holding the thought while trying to type it. Creating a first draft on the keyboard was recommended rather than writing, and then copying it onto the computer.

Kristi noted that more schools are moving toward using the chromebook because it is more cost effective than an iPad, especially if it’s damaged and needs to be replaced. In addition, work on the chromebook is not lost if the device is damaged. A negative of using the chromebook is that a user cannot be “locked in” to a particular site. User needs must be considered when deciding which device would be best.

Apps are available for all age groups. iTrace is an iPad app for teaching handwriting, spelling, and letter identification. It may be a great place to start with a preschool student. Kristi advocated for using a stylus vs. using a finger for handwriting work, and in this app the student uses a stylus. For students who are moving from high school to college, there is “transition technology” available that promotes the shift from using adult support to depending on technology instead. For older students, she discussed using the Livescribe, a smart pen that facilitates note taking by recording everything you hear, write, and draw. The smartpen records audio and links it to what the student writes. Another note taking app for use with an iPad is Nebo MyScript, which lets you write, draw, quickly edit and structure notes, and convert them into digital text, using a stylus.

Kristi provided a number of resources for PCWindows Programs, Chromebooks/Chrome apps/add-ons/extensions, and Websites/Web-based apps. The resources have grown exponentially in the past few years and continue to swell. We are grateful to Kristi for sharing her expertise and experience navigating this area of practice.

Take a look at some attendees’ positive responses to Kristi’s seminar:

“Kristi was informative & knowledgeable regarding the materials presented. Lots of material I can use on Monday at school.” – Alyson P., Occupational Therapist

“Very informative and interactive. Well presented.” – Jillian N., Occupational Therapist

“Lots of useful info.” – Marisol P., Teacher/Parent

“Very knowledgeable speaker. Very receptive to gearing her talk to audience needs. Lots of info presented.” – Anonymous, Occupational Therapist

“Learned abut some new, exciting, & cutting edge technology.” – Sharon T., Occupational Therapist

Thank you, Kristi!

Filomena Connor, MS, OTR/L
February 23, 2018

I Can Work! Paving the Path for Vocational Success

Events & Conferences, Life Skills and Transition Planning, , ,

At the Fall “Kick-Off” Saturday Seminar Series presentation on August 25th at Therapro, Angela Mahoney, M.Ed. generated an electric environment infused with her passion for helping students and young adults develop the foundation for “career readiness” skills. Angie is an educator and is the author/creator of I Can Work!. Her seminar, I Can Work! Paving the Path for Vocational Success, drew an audience of occupational therapists, parents, and educators, who participated in active dialog with Angie and each other throughout the seminar.

Angie is an ardent educator who continuously strives to modify, expand, and develop I Can Work! Currently she works as a special education middle school case manager in Danbury, Connecticut. For the past 17 years she has worked with students of all ages in a variety of settings, including a private school where she worked with over seventy-five middle school and high school-aged students on a weekly basis, running an inclusion-based elementary program for students with autism, as well as co-teaching core academic classes as part of a team comprised of fellow middle school educators.

Angie stated her goal as an educator is to “help kids find success.” Throughout her seminar, she provided life skills ideas and pre-vocational activities within a structured framework that is applicable to learners of varied abilities. In order to build career skills, Angie discussed the importance of students learning “Vocational Soft Skills” and “Vocational Hard Skills.” Vocational soft skills are interpersonal skills: language skills, social skills, teamwork, communication skills, time management, and more. Angie reported that research indicates that being able to communicate effectively is the most in-demand soft skill. Learning to use soft vocational skills effectively in a pre-vocational environment helps build confidence for when the student is in an actual work environment. For example, learning to maintain a positive attitude and work well with others will be important skills to develop in any chosen career.

“Vocational Hard Skills” are abilities that can be taught and have three characteristics: can be mastered quickly, can be quantified, and can be built over time. The I Can Work! curriculum consists of 5 modules that focus on career readiness: Job Readiness, Clerical, Retail, Food Service, and Grocery. For each module, related vocabulary is taught, tasks are practiced, and visual supports are provided. In addition to exploring career interests, data collection takes place to track learning and success. Opportunities are provided for students to share and reflect on their jobs. Angie advocated the importance for students to have opportunities at home to reinforce pre-vocational skills learned at school with activities like sorting and folding laundry, filing by letter or word, etc.

After hearing the attendees passionately express the need and importance of a solid pre-vocational program for students, it makes good sense that I Can Work! could fulfill this demand. Angie convincingly demonstrated that this curriculum could provide a strong pre-vocational foundation for all, beginning in elementary school and continuing beyond high school years.

Here are some of the many positive comments from seminar attendees:

“This topic is so needed. I would like to ask my school to pay for Angela to come and speak to my district. Also, since she is a sped teacher, my sped teachers can relate!” – Karen B., Occupational Therapist

“Presented in a manner which is easy to follow and incorporate into the school. Data collection sheets are very helpful.” – Pam M., Occupational Therapist

“I would recommend this seminar to increase awareness in schools and SEPACS, maybe local programs.” Aly M. – Teacher, Parent, ABA

“This seminar “honed in” on the need for an available program for pre-vocational and vocational skills beginning from upper elementary through adult.” – Sue R., Occupational Therapist

Thank you, Angie!

Filomena Connor, MS, OTR/L
August 25, 2018