Tag Archives: therapist resources

Explore curated resources for therapists, including intervention tools, educational materials, assessment supports, and treatment strategies. Designed for therapists and educators, these resources help professionals plan effective sessions, support diverse client needs, and stay current with best practices in therapeutic and educational settings.

Preparing for Holiday Sensory Overload

Sensory, , ,

The holiday season is upon us, and with that comes many associated sensory experiences (or sensory overload!). These can be pleasant, like the sound of bells ringing, the smell of cookies baking, or the sight of lights twinkling. They can also be a bit less pleasant, like the push of crowds, the honking horns of inpatient drivers stuck in holiday traffic, or the burning smell of a holiday meal mishap (oops!).  For those with difficulty processing sensory stimuli, these added sensory experiences can be overwhelming and take the pleasure out of the holiday experience. Read on for tips and tricks for preparing for holiday sensory overload.

Tent- retreat spaces are great option during times of sensory overload Retreat Spaces

Total elimination of sensory stimuli is nearly impossible, but offering a space with dampened sensory stimuli, to retreat to when needed, can help with overall regulation through the day.  These spaces can often be created with minimal equipment and little space.  For more information on retreat spaces, be sure to read our post, How to Help the Over Responsive Sensory System. On the go, items like noise-blocking headphones, sunglasses, and wide-brimmed hats can help limit extraneous stimuli.  

Tool box icon - reminder that keeping sensory tools handy can help with sensory overload Keep Your ‘(Sensory) Tools’ Handy!

When looking to calm an over responsive sensory system the top tools to keep in your ‘sensory toolbox’ are ones that have weight or resistive qualities. These features are helpful for providing deep pressure input to organize and regulate an over-stimulated sensory system. Keeping a tight fighting hat, heavy quilt or a weighted lap pad in the car can help organize the sensory systems between holiday visits. Pack some gum or a water bottle; chewing and resistive sucking are great ways to provide organizing proprioceptive input.  A simple swap like using a straw or water bottle at the holiday table can be a game changer for the over responsive sensory system! Check out Therapro’s Free Tap Into Tools for the Body Handy Guide for more ideas!

calendar icon - a reminder that schedules can help alleviate sensory overload Make A Schedule! 

Schedules give the opportunity to be proactive and to prepare for upcoming sensory experiences. This is especially useful for those with an over responsive sensory system because it allows for the needed time to access and utilize coping strategies (like packing those handy weighted lap pads!).  Schedules can also be helpful in identifying when too many over stimulated experiences are grouped together without needed “down time” in between.  Hand held electronic devices offer many ready to use scheduling options, for non screen options check out SchKIDules! 

Quiet spaces, sensory tools, and sticking to routines are useful strategies for helping an over responsive sensory system and may be the difference between a stressful and a stressless holiday! 

three Fun Decks; Therapy Bag Must Haves

Therapy Bag Must Haves- What’s In Your Therapy Bag?

Therapist Resources, , ,

by Laurie Gombash PT, M.Ed

Are you looking for activities that are portable, fun and that can help your kiddos improve their skills? In this post, pediatric physical therapist, Laurie Gombash PT, M.Ed. shares her three therapy bag  “must haves”!

Body Awareness Fun Deck

The Body Awareness Fun Deck contains 56 cards that feature OTis the OT gorilla in different poses. These cards work on body scheme, spatial awareness, and visual perceptual skills. There are 5 levels of difficulty. Laurie’s Pro Tip: Use these cards at the beginning of the school year to get an idea of how students are doing since the last time they were seen!

Upper Body and Core Strength Fun Deck

The Upper Body and Core Strength Fun Deck contains 52, double sided cards. The fronts have pictures of different upper body activities and the backs have a description of the activity. 

Upper Body and Core Strength Fun Deck
Move Your Body Fun Deck in yellow tin; a Therapy Bag Must Have

Move Your Body Fun Deck

The Move Your Body Fun Deck contains 58 cards featuring a variety of movement activities.  These cards help improve children’s strength, their balance, their coordination, and their motor planning.

The Fun Deck cards are a great option when doing push-in services. Check out these activity ideas. 

Pick, Demonstrate, & Imitate

  1. The therapist or teacher fans out a set of cards from the desired Fun Deck.
  2. Students take turns choosing a card and then placing themselves in the position depicted on the card.
  3. All of the other students imitate the student.

Choice Boards

  1. Secure a desired number of Fun Deck cards to a board (for example cardboard or a portable whiteboard).
  2. Children take turns pointing to the card to make a choice.
  3. The child who made the choice is the leader, leading other students in the movement activity.

Pro Tip: Pointing to make a choice is a great time to work on finger isolation!

The Fun Deck cards are therapy bag must-haves!  They come in a small, sturdy tin, making them very portable. They are great for push-in therapy sessions and can be used with children of all abilities. In addition, Fun Deck cards can be used across a variety of disciplines, including occupational and physical therapists! How will you use Fun Deck cards in your therapy practice?

An Overview of the Cognitive Performance Test

Assessments,

What Is the Cognitive Performance Test?

The Cognitive Performance Test (CPT) is a standardized, performance-based assessment that evaluates how cognitive impairments affect a person’s ability to complete everyday tasks. Widely used by occupational therapists, the CPT provides valuable insight into functional cognition, helping guide treatment planning and care recommendations.

Who Benefits from the Cognitive Performance Test?

The CPT is ideal for use in skilled nursing, rehabilitation, and community-based settings. It’s especially useful for evaluating individuals with:

  • Dementia or Alzheimer’s disease
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
  • Stroke or neurological conditions
  • Psychiatric disorders affecting cognition

This tool helps clinicians make informed decisions about discharge planning, level of supervision, and rehabilitation potential.

Quck Facts

Age Range: Adult/Geriatric

Test Type: Standardized & performance-based

Administration Time: 45 minutes

Publication Year: Manual revision 2018

Author: Developed by author and researcher Theresa Burns, OTR

Administration Time: Individual

Scoring: Range from intact performance (level 6 or 5) to profound disability (level 2)

Subtest

Each subtest repeatedly measures working memory and executive functions at progressively more complex levels. The specific task is less important than the way in which the client responds to gradually increasing task demands and task complexity. The seven subtests are:

Cognitive Performance Test
Cognitive Performance Test
Cognitive Performance Test
Cognitive Performance Test
  • Medbox
  • Phone
  • Travel
  • Shop
  • Wash
  • Toast
  • Dress

Scoring

Each subtask is rated with a performance level score (e.g. 6.0;5.0; 4.5 etc.). Subtest scores are then averaged, providing a total score.  Scores are based on average performance over time.

Profiles & Performance Patterns

The CPT profiles identify corresponding issues of IADL concern.  A half-level profile system is used  (5.6;5.0;4.5;4.0;3.5;3.0;2.5;1)

Burns, Thereasa (2018). Cognitive Performance Test (CPT) Revised Manual 2018 Maddak.