Tag Archives: occupational therapy (OT) tools

Occupational therapy (OT) tools include equipment and materials used to support sensory integration, motor skills, coordination, and functional independence in children.

Promoting Independence Through Assistive Technology

July 30, 2024Assistive Technology, Daily Living, Therapist Resourcesadaptive utensils, assistive technology professionals (ATPs), functional skills, occupational therapy (OT) toolsGuest Blogger

National Disability Independence Day is celebrated annually on July 26, commemorating the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990. This landmark legislation has been instrumental in protecting the rights of individuals with disabilities, promoting their independence, and ensuring equal opportunities. At Therapro, we honor this historic event and recognize the importance of assistive technology in promoting independence.

The Role of Assistive Technology

Assistive technology plays a crucial role in empowering individuals with disabilities, helping them perform everyday tasks more easily and efficiently. Whether it’s through enhancing mobility, improving communication, or providing support for daily activities, these tools are vital in promoting self-reliance and independence. At Therapro, we understand the transformative power of assistive technology and are dedicated to offering a wide range of products designed to meet diverse needs.

Key Products Promoting Independence

As we celebrate National Disabilities Independence Day, we are proud to highlight several key products that promote independence:

Functionalhand: This innovative device provides a secure grip for individuals with limited hand function, allowing them to hold and manipulate objects with ease.
Eazyholds: These silicone grips attach to various utensils and tools, making it easier for individuals with limited hand strength to hold and use them.
Reachers: Designed to help individuals access items that are out of reach, reachers are invaluable for enhancing independence in daily tasks.
Dycem: This non-slip material provides stability and support, making it easier to handle objects and perform activities without slipping.
Adapted Utensils and Dishes: These specially designed utensils and dishes help individuals with limited dexterity eat more independently.
Tools for Low Vision: Products like Highlighter Strips and Reading Guide Strips are essential for individuals with low vision, helping them read and navigate their environment more effectively.

Expanding Our Assistive Technology Offerings

Recognizing the importance of assistive technology, Therapro has been actively expanding our product selection in this category. Over the past several years, we have introduced a variety of new tools and resources to better serve the needs of our customers. Our comprehensive assistive technology catalog is a testament to our ongoing efforts to provide high-quality products that promote independence and improve quality of life.

As we celebrate National Disability Independence Day, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting individuals with disabilities through innovative assistive technology. At Therapro, we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to live independently and with dignity. We are proud to offer a wide range of products that empower individuals to achieve greater autonomy and enrich their lives.

Explore our assistive technology catalog today and discover how Therapro can help you or your loved ones achieve greater independence. Together, we can continue to make a difference and promote a more inclusive world for all.

Discover Therapro’s Handy Guides

April 16, 2024Therapist Resourcesoccupational therapy (OT) tools, speech-language, therapist resourcesGuest Blogger

Searching for the perfect tools, games, or evaluations for your clients can be time-consuming and overwhelming. Therapro’s Handy Guides can help streamline the selection process. The Guides help with making informed decisions. At a glance, you can see color representations of products. These guides are user-friendly, concise, and best of all, they’re absolutely FREE! The Handy Guides cover the following categories:

Handy Guides for Fine Motor:

Therapro's Which Writing Tool or Accessory Handy Guide

Which Writing Tool or Accessory: This Guide helps you choose the right tool for your client’s needs, whether it’s for comfort, positioning, or sensory input. For example, a Spike Tactile Pencil Topper or SPIKE Tactile Pencil Gripper may be the right choice if your client would benefit from added sensory input when writing to alert and focus on the task.

Get a Grip on Grips: Explore a variety of writing utensil grips designed for comfort, finger positioning, and sensory needs. To facilitate a tripod grasp, the Start Right Pencil Grip may fit the needs of your client.

Handy Guides for Sensory:

Find Your Fidget: Discover fidgets for calming & organizing or alerting, including popular choices like Squeezies and Theraputty that offer resistance to help with focus and attention.

Choose Your Chew: Select the perfect chew for your client’s needs, categorized by age and chew strength. Chews are organized into Chews for Babies and Toddlers; and Chews in 3 chew levels (Light for mild sensory seekers, Medium for chewers who need more sensory input, and Firm for those who are strong chewers who need maximal sensory input). The benefits of selecting the appropriate chew is essential. Selecting a Firm Chew that a client can bite and chew safely is easy with choices such as the Krypto-Bite pencil topper or a Tube Zillas on a Tether.

Therapro's Free Choose Your Chew Handy Guide

Tools for the Body Handy Guide with link to download

Tap into Tools for the Body: Explore tools designed to provide calming and organizing sensory input that have resistive features to increase proprioception and sensory input. Bouncy Bands for Chairs provide foot resistance when a student is seated in a classroom chair. Selecting tools to enhance attention and focus include materials with a vibratory component such as Senseez Touchable Vibrating Pillows or tools that challenge balance such as the Seesaw Sensory Integration Balance Board by Bouncyband®.

A Handy Guides for Adaptations:

What Can You Adapt: Learn how to enhance upper extremity activities with the versatile EazyHold universal cuff. This Guide demonstrates its versatility for use in many home, school, and community scenarios. It can be used in a variety of activities including brushing teeth, holding utensils, and using art materials.

A Handy Guide for Evaluations:

Handy Evaluation Chart: A helpful reference for deciding how best to assess your client’s needs. This Guide organizes evaluations offered by Therapro into comprehensive subcategories with age-appropriate designations.

These Handy Guides are designed to simplify your decision-making process and enhance the quality of care you provide. Each Handy Guide is packed with valuable information and practical recommendations to support your work as a therapist.

Explore them today and discover how Therapro can support you in your journey!

Guest Blogger: Filomena Connor, MSOT-Retired

Therapro’s Unforgettable Experience at AOTA 2024: A Recap

April 4, 2024Events & Conferencesconference highlights, occupational therapy (OT) toolsGuest Blogger

The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Annual Conference & Expo 2024 was an event to remember, and Therapro was proud to be at the forefront, showcasing our latest innovations and resources. From insightful discussions with renowned authors to hands-on demonstrations of must-have therapy tools, our booth was a hub of activity, drawing in attendees eager to explore the world of occupational therapy. Read on for a recap of Therapro’s experience at AOTA 2024!

Is It Sensory Or Is It Behavior? 2nd Edition

One of the highlights of the event was the presence of Carolyn Murray-Slutsky, MS, OTR, and Betty Paris, PT, esteemed authors of several pivotal publications, including “Is It Sensory Or Is It Behavior? 2nd Edition” and “Autism Interventions (2nd Edition).” Their expertise illuminated the complexities of sensory processing and behavior, sparking engaging conversations and offering valuable insights for attendees.

Creator Linda Merry, OTR, was also on hand to demonstrate the versatility and practical applications of her ingenious creation, the functionalhand. This innovative tool proved to be a game-changer, garnering attention for its effectiveness in promoting fine motor skills and hand function.

Furthermore, attendees were introduced to an exciting new addition to Therapro’s inventory: the Psymark Visual-Motor Apps. Developed by Karen Silberman and Dana Khudaverdyan, these groundbreaking digital tools revolutionize progress monitoring in visual-motor skills. With real-time data analysis and user-friendly interfaces, Psymark apps promise to streamline assessment processes and deliver precise, individualized results.

Hands-on interaction was encouraged with Therapro’s newest evaluations, such as Identi-Fi, Trails-X™, and the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales–Third Edition (PDMS-3). These assessments offer comprehensive insights into various aspects of motor development and cognitive function, empowering therapists to tailor interventions effectively.

The Peabody Developmental Motor Scales–Third Edition (PDMS-3)

Attendees also had the chance to explore games, specially designed with the therapist in mind. Attendees had the opportunity to explore games like Letter Treasure Hunt, Novenops, and Trunks, specially designed to facilitate therapeutic interventions and promote skill development in a fun and engaging manner.

Of course, no visit to our booth would be complete without experiencing the vast array of sensory tools available from Therapro. From Happy Senso to Fidgets and alternative seating options, attendees were immersed in a world of sensory exploration and discovery.

Overall, AOTA 2024 was an incredible opportunity for us to connect with fellow professionals, share knowledge, and showcase the latest tools for occupational therapy practitioners. We’re grateful for the enthusiastic response from attendees and look forward to continuing our mission of empowering therapists and improving lives through innovative solutions. Until next time!