Tag Archives: speech and language

Increasing Awareness of Pediatric Feeding Disorder

July 3, 2024Autism, Early Intervention, Feeding Therapyautism, feeding, Occupational Therapy, OT, speech and language, speech and language authorsGuest Blogger

Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD) presents significant challenges for children and their
families; raising awareness about PFD is crucial for early diagnosis and intervention, ensuring that children receive the appropriate care and support. This disorder can affect a child’s ability to eat and drink, impacting their nutrition, growth, and overall development. It is defined as “impaired oral intake that is not age-appropriate, associated with medical, nutritional, feeding skill, and/or psychosocial dysfunction.” Studies show that in the United States, PFD affects more than 1 in 37 children under the age of 5. The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and Feeding Matters have been at the forefront of these efforts, working collaboratively to enhance understanding and recognition of PFD.

Understanding Pediatric Feeding Disorder

Pediatric feeding disorders encompass a broad range of difficulties related to eating and
drinking. These can include medical, nutritional, feeding skill-based, and psychosocial
aspects. Common symptoms may include difficulty with sucking, chewing, or
swallowing, aversion to certain textures or foods, and disruptive mealtime behaviors.
Early identification and intervention are essential to prevent long-term consequences,
such as malnutrition, growth delays, and social-emotional issues.

The Role of AOTA in Addressing Pediatric Feeding Disorder

The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) plays a vital role in promoting
the role of occupational therapy in the assessment and treatment of Pediatric Feeding Disorder. Occupational therapists are uniquely equipped to address the complex interplay of physical, sensory, and psychosocial factors involved in feeding disorders. Through education, advocacy, and research, AOTA supports occupational therapists in providing evidence-based interventions to improve feeding outcomes for children.

Key Initiatives by AOTA:

Educational Resources: AOTA offers comprehensive resources and continuing education opportunities for occupational therapists to stay updated on the latest research and best practices in pediatric feeding.
Advocacy: AOTA advocates for policies and practices that support early identification and intervention for PFD, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration.
Research: AOTA promotes research in the field of pediatric feeding, encouraging the development of innovative assessment tools and intervention strategies.

Feeding Matters: A Leading Voice in Pediatric Feeding Disorder Advocacy

Feeding Matters is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the understanding
and treatment of pediatric feeding disorders. Founded by parents of children with PFDs
Feeding Matters aims to provide support, education, and resources to families and
professionals alike. The organization works tirelessly to create a world where children
with feeding disorders thrive.

Key Contributions by Feeding Matters:

Educational Programs: Feeding Matters offers a range of educational programs for parents, caregivers, and healthcare professionals to increase awareness and understanding of PFD.
Support Networks: The organization provides support groups and resources for families, fostering a sense of community and shared experiences.
Research and Advocacy: Feeding Matters collaborates with researchers and advocates for policy changes to improve the diagnosis and treatment of PFD. For example, they have worked effectively to develop the Feeding Matters Infant and Child Feeding Questionnaire (ICFQ) – an age-specific tool designed to identify potential feeding concerns and facilitate discussion among the child’s healthcare team. It was designed by a group of internationally esteemed contributing authors including occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, physicians, dietitians, and more.

Collaborative Efforts: AOTA and Feeding Matters

The collaboration between AOTA and Feeding Matters has been instrumental in raising
awareness and improving the diagnosis and treatment of PFD. By combining the
expertise and resources of both organizations, they have made significant strides in
addressing the challenges faced by children with feeding disorders.
Joint Initiatives:

Public Awareness Campaigns: AOTA and Feeding Matters have launched joint campaigns to educate the public and healthcare professionals about the signs and symptoms of PFD, emphasizing the importance of early intervention.
Interdisciplinary Conferences: Both organizations co-host conferences and workshops that bring together experts from various fields, including occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, nutrition, and psychology, to share knowledge and best practices.
Research Collaboration: AOTA and Feeding Matters support and fund research projects aimed at developing innovative approaches to the assessment and treatment of PFD.

The collaborative efforts of AOTA and Feeding Matters have significantly advanced the awareness, diagnosis, and treatment of pediatric feeding disorders. By promoting education, advocacy, and research, these organizations ensure that children with PFD receive the comprehensive care they need to thrive. Continued collaboration and support from the broader healthcare community are essential to furthering these efforts and improving outcomes for children and families affected by feeding disorders.

Check out these important feeding resources that Therapro offers for your personal
library.

Gust Blogger: Filomena Connor, MSOT – Retired

Oppenheim Award Winning Games

May 14, 2024Activitieseducational games, games, learning games, Occupational Therapy, OT, speech and languageGuest Blogger

Therapro offers select Oppenheim Award-Winning games that target preschool children but can be easily adapted to engage older children and families. The Oppenheim Awards are prestigious accolades given to outstanding toys, games, and books that promote learning and creativity in children. Each product undergoes rigorous evaluation based on criteria such as its educational value, engagement level (active vs. passive play), safety, developmental appropriateness, and avoidance of stereotypes. The awards prioritize products that are entertaining but also enriching, encouraging meaningful learning experiences for children. They represent the most innovative, engaging new products of the year and are judged by child development experts, including educators and therapists, making them highly respected within the industry. In addition, parents and children from across the US are recruited to help choose the best toys of the year. Earning an award seal on a product signifies that the toy was carefully selected.

Therapro features three spinner games designed by eeBoo that are Oppenheim Award winners. They will bring hours of fun and learning to the table!

Cupcake Shaped Spinner Game: This game appeals to young children with its engaging cupcake theme. It encourages turn-taking, fine motor skills (such as spinning the spinner), and color recognition. Therapists can use this game to work on social skills, imaginative play, sequencing, following directions, and more. Children choose ingredients for making their cupcakes and win the game by completing their cupcakes.

Picnic Shaped Spinner Game: All the fun items involved in having a picnic are included in this game, including the ants! The first player to collect an item from each category wins the game. The game can be used to enhance language development by discussing picnic items and actions (e.g. “Let’s have a picnic with sandwiches and watermelon.”). Players learn to categorize, build new vocabulary, and participate in cooperative play.

Build a Robot Game: This game involves assembling parts to create different robot combinations. It employs the player in using fine motor coordination and problem-solving skills to build a robot. This game can be used to target specific goals like visual perception, sequencing, number recognition and understanding, and planning.

Teachers and parents can integrate these games into learning activities at home or in the classroom. The therapeutic value of these games for children with various developmental needs, such as those working on sensory integration, social skills, or cognitive abilities is undeniable. Creative adaptations for an individual child’s needs are possible due to the versatility of these games in addressing various developmental needs.

Discover the transformative power of play with these Oppenheim Award-winning games from eeBoo, available at Therapro. Each game is meticulously designed to foster essential skills like executive function, language development, fine motor coordination, visual perception, and problem-solving. Whether you’re a therapist, teacher, or parent, these versatile games offer endless opportunities for learning, development, and fun! Explore these games today and witness the positive impact they can have on children of all ages and abilities.

Guest Blogger: Filomena Connor, MSOT – Retired

Empowering Classroom Engagement with Assistive Technology

January 23, 2024Uncategorizedaccess, assistive technology, Occupational Therapy, OT, slp, speech and languageGuest Blogger

Unlocking the keys to classroom participation and success begins with selecting the perfect low-tech assistive technology tools. Low-tech assistive technology refers to simple, basic tools or devices that assist individuals with disabilities in performing everyday tasks. Ensuring students have the ideal support not only fosters full engagement in classroom activities but also transforms learning into an enjoyable experience. Dive into the world of low-tech assistive technology with Therapro’s expert recommendations, paving the way for enhanced participation and a more fulfilling educational journey. Read on to discover the perfect low-tech assistive technology tools that can be empowering for classroom engagement.

Low Tech Tools for Positioning

Appropriate positioning has a powerful impact on classroom engagement. There are many low-tech assistive technology tools available to support proper positioning. These positioning materials will help students adjust their posture and their visual orientation.

Slant Boards: Slant boards are available in various sizes and can accommodate different height levels when a student is seated. Most offer stabilization of paper on the board with a metal or plastic clip. Slant boards provide a number of advantages:

Encourage upright positioning
Align the wrist in slight extension
Bring writing paper and visual information closer to the eyes
Provide one hand access using the slant board clips

A Therapro favorite is the Aluminum Stackable Slant Board, which is lightweight, durable, and easily stackable. The writing angle is ideal at 20 degrees. The non-slip edge strip prevents the board from sliding when in use.

Another great option is the Better Board Slant Board, which is a lightweight, collapsible slant board made of corrugated plastic that can be transported flat and stacked easily. Plastic clamps hold paper and it has “nonslip feet.”

Dycem: A positioning tool many occupational therapists love for its versatility is non-slip plastic called Dycem. It has innumerable creative uses in the classroom. It can be cut from a roll to the size needed to stabilize items on a desk surface, adapt handles, and be placed on a chair seat to prevent the student from slipping and sliding.

Blue Dycem a Non-slip plastic that solves a variety of stabilizing and grasping problems

Low Tech Tools for Reading

When it comes to reading, low-tech assistive technology tools can help students with key performance areas specific to reading including:

Tracking printed words
Focusing on a part of the page
Highlighting any written words
Magnifying words
Reading hands-free

Check out some of Therapro’s favorite low tech assistive technology tools for students with low vision or who have difficulty with the visual components of reading:

Highlighter Strips: A favorite tool is the brightly colored reading guide strips, called Highlighter Strips that are reusable bright yellow plastic strips that brighten any written word on a page. They measure 1.5” in height but come in a variety of lengths. They aid the student with visual processing difficulty or the student with who is needs help with focus and attention.

Ultradome: The Ultradome make reading small print a breeze. The Ultradome provides powerful 4x power direct magnification and is made of solid acrylic that glides across any surface. It is available in 3 sizes from 2 to 3 inches in diameter.

Low Tech Tools for Writing

Tools that facilitate writing are abundant! They serve many purposes such as:

Hand and finger positioning for a writing utensil in the hand
Spacing, sizing, and alignment of letters
Weighting writing utensils
Creating handwriting lines

Check out these handy handwriting helpers that support legible handwriting:

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

LegiLiners: LegiLiners are an innovative collection of tools that are both unique and practical. Using a variety of rolling ink stamps, they create handwriting lines to improve consistent letter size and placement on any writing surface. Create dashed lines with spaces, dotted stacked lines, number line, and much more! They are available in a Starter Kit that contains 5 of the stamps to get you started. Fourteen individual LegiLiners are available as well.

Star Spacer is a clever handwriting tool made of see-through plastic which acts as a guide to help the child understand spacing, sizing, and alignment of letters and words to promote more legible handwriting

Star Spacer: The Star Spacer is a plastic, see-through guide used to help students understand spacing, sizing, and alignment of letters. The results are immediate for more legible handwriting

Low Tech Tools for Math

Tools to make learning mathematics fun and practical utilize:

Hands-on learning
Sensory learning using tactile, kinesthetic, and visual cues
Interactive strategies

Therapro is your go to resource for products that support hands on mathematics teaching and learning, check out some of these clever tools:

Multi Textured Tactile Ruler: The Desk Buddy Multi Textured Tactile Ruler resembles an actual ruler, but has the added benefits of a textured surface, being flexible, and being chewable. A great option for students who benefit from extra sensory input during learning activities.

Flexitables: The Flexitable is a simple tool for teaching math concepts. It makes learning addition and subtraction an enjoyable and tactile experience. The soft, flexible, 7.75 inch plastic square grid with horizontal and vertical channels fold to reveal answers to addition/subtraction problem. Flexitables are also available for division, multiplication, and fractions.

For More Information on Assistive Technology:

Low-Tech Assistive Devices- A Handbook for the School Setting: Low tech assistive technology tools facilitate learning and participation in the classroom. A classic resource book that therapists are passionate about is Low-Tech Assistive Devices: A Handbook for the School Setting, by Lynn Stoller, OTR/L. It is chock full of step-by-step directions and illustrations for fabrication of low tech tools. Chapters include tools used throughout the school setting (i.e. positioning, mobility, time management and organizational tools) and tools specific to curriculum area (i.e. reading, writing, math, music).

Assistive Technology Handy Guide: Therapro occupational therapist, Allyson Locke, MS, OTR/L, has created a functional guide to selecting the perfect assistive technology device for your students called Assistive Technology Handy Guide. It examines low tech AT tools in academic areas covered in this discussion, as well as other areas of classroom function including:

Tools for Crafts and Games
Tools for Activities of Daily Living
Tools for Self Care
Tools for Independent Living

Low tech assistive technology can be a game changer for engaging students in the learning process and are vital in helping all learners access classroom learning experiences. Up your A-Tech game now with assistive technology tools from Therapro!

Guest Blogger: Filomena Connor, MSOT, Retired