Tag Archives: product spotlight

Featured therapy products highlight tools and resources that improve fine motor, sensory, language, gross motor, self-help, functional skills, and so much more. Learning about featured therapy products helps select effective solutions.

Adapted Scissors Guide: Finding the Right Fit for Every Learner

Assistive Technology, Fine Motor & Hand Skill Development, School-Based Practice, Therapist Resources, ,

When it comes to developing essential cutting skills, adapted scissors for kids can make all the difference in supporting learners with physical, cognitive, or sensory-motor challenges. Therapists, educators, and parents know that one size rarely fits all—especially when it comes to fine motor tools. At Therapro, our wide selection of adaptive scissors offers tailored options to meet diverse needs, from improving grip and control to promoting bilateral coordination. This guide compares popular adapted scissors and offers practical tips for selecting the right tool based on each child’s abilities and goals.

1. Easi-Grip Loop Scissors:

Easi-Grip Loop Scissors

Ideal for children with weak grip strength or limited dexterity, Easi-Grip Loop Scissors feature a self-opening mechanism and a continuous loop handle that automatically reopens after each cut. These are particularly effective for learners who have difficulty with standard scissor action due to conditions such as cerebral palsy or low muscle tone. Tip: Position the paper vertically to allow more shoulder stability while cutting.

2. Mounted Table Top Scissors:

For learners with severely limited hand function or the inability to grasp, Mounted Table Top Scissors can be operated with the palm, elbow, or even a fist. They stay secured to a surface and allow for one-handed use, making them an excellent choice for children recovering from surgery or those with hemiplegia. Tip: Use with a non-slip mat to ensure stability and safety during use.

Mounted Table Top Scissors

3. Dual-Controlled Training Scissors:

Dual Control Teaching Scissors

Perfect for developing scissor skills with adult support, Dual-Controlled Training Scissors allow a therapist, teacher, or parent to guide the cutting motion alongside the child. This model is ideal for beginners who need extra hand-over-hand support while learning proper finger placement and control. Tip: Use these scissors for modeling open-close sequences before transitioning to independent use.

Therapist Tips for Success:

  • Start with snipping activities using short strips of paper to build confidence.
  • Reinforce midline orientation by centering the cutting activity.
  • Combine cutting with visual-motor integration tasks to strengthen tracking and planning skills.

Selecting the right pair of adapted scissors for kids can significantly enhance a learner’s sense of independence and participation in school and home activities. Visit the Adaptive Scissors Category Page for our full selection.

By choosing the right adapted scissors and using strategic therapist-informed techniques, you empower every child to achieve cutting success—one snip at a time.

Movement and Strength for Mental Health

Motor & Movement, Therapist Resources, , ,

Each year on October 10, the world recognizes World Mental Health Day, an important reminder of the need to support emotional well-being across all ages and abilities. Research consistently shows that movement and mental health are deeply connected—physical activity not only strengthens the body but also boosts mood, reduces stress, and fosters resilience. For therapists, educators, and parents, incorporating purposeful movement and strength-building activities into daily routines can be a powerful way to promote both physical and emotional wellness.

Why Movement Matters for Mental Health

Exercise stimulates the release of endorphins, improves focus, and helps regulate emotions. For children and adults alike, structured movement activities can provide healthy coping strategies, reduce anxiety, and build confidence. In therapeutic and educational settings, using the right tools can transform simple exercises into opportunities for engagement, regulation, and growth.

Tools to Support Strength and Emotional Well-Being

Therapro offers a wide range of resources in its Strength & Fitness category designed to integrate movement into therapy and learning environments. Here are three effective tools that promote both strength and mental health:

Cozy Caterpillar™ Compression Tube

Compression Tube – This stretchy, enclosed fabric provides calming deep pressure and encourages creative movement, making it an excellent choice for self-regulation and sensory integration.

TheraBand Resistance Bands – Lightweight and versatile, these bands help build strength, endurance, and flexibility while giving clients an accessible tool for stress relief through movement.

Weighted Balls – Perfect for tossing, lifting, and core exercises, these tools add resistance that can improve both physical strength and emotional regulation.

Putting It Into Practice

Whether used in occupational or physical therapy sessions, classrooms, or at home, strength and movement-based activities can help clients of all ages build confidence, reduce stress, and foster a sense of accomplishment. By pairing intentional movement with supportive tools, therapists and caregivers can empower individuals to take meaningful steps toward better mental health.

This World Mental Health Day, let’s recognize the role of movement in emotional wellness and use therapeutic tools that support both mind and body.

Why the Tripod Grasp Matters—and How Short Pencils Help Develop It

Handwriting, , , ,

The Importance of a Functional Tripod Grasp

The tripod grasp is one of the most important foundational motor skills a child needs for effective handwriting. It involves using the thumb, index, and middle fingers to hold and control a writing utensil. This mature grasp allows for precise, controlled movements, reducing hand fatigue and enabling efficient writing over time. But for many young children, especially those with developing or delayed fine motor skills, this grasp does not come naturally.

What Is a Tripod Grasp—and Why Does It Matter?

A tripod grasp places the pencil between the thumb and index finger, resting on the middle finger. This grip allows for stability and mobility at the same time. When the grasp is inefficient—like using a whole hand or wrapping the thumb—it can lead to poor letter formation, slow writing speed, or discomfort that limits participation in schoolwork.

Occupational therapists, educators, and parents all play a role in helping children build the muscle coordination and hand strength required for this mature grasp. The earlier the intervention, the more natural the grasp becomes.

How Short Pencils Support a Tripod Grasp 

Short Pencils

One of the simplest yet most effective tools to promote a proper tripod grasp is a short pencil. At just 3.5 inches in length, these pencils are too small for a child to wrap their whole hand around. Instead, they naturally encourage the use of the fingertips, positioning the hand for success.

Here’s why short pencils work so well:

  • They limit compensatory grips. With less surface area to grasp, children are discouraged from using awkward or inefficient grips like thumb-wrapping or palmar holds.
  • They promote finger awareness and control. The smaller size brings the writing tool closer to the hand, improving proprioception and control.
  • They work with other supports. Short pencils fit most pencil grips and adaptive devices, allowing for customizable support.
  • They increase handwriting endurance. When the fingers are positioned properly, children can write longer with less fatigue.

Who Can Benefit?

Short pencils are ideal for:

  • Preschool and early elementary students learning to write
  • Children with fine motor delays or developmental coordination challenges
  • Students receiving occupational therapy services
  • Parents seeking tools for at-home skill building

Simple Tool, Big Impact

Sometimes the best therapy tools are the simplest ones. Short pencils are affordable, easy to implement across settings, and powerful in their impact. Whether used in the classroom, therapy clinic, or at home, they promote foundational grasp patterns that set children up for handwriting success.

Ready to support better handwriting from the start? Explore Therapro’s Short Pencils and discover how a small change can lead to big improvements in motor development and learning outcomes.