Hopping on one foot is a tricky skill to learn. A child has to first be able to balance on one foot but also be able to jump. In typical development, a child learns to stand on one foot and balance independently for up to 4 seconds by age 2 ½! Hopping forward with ease…
A Board Certified Behavior Analyst or BCBA holds a graduate level certification in behavior analysis. BCBAs are certified through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). They must adhere to the Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts. In order to become a BCBA, an individual must obtain their Master’s degree, complete supervised fieldwork, and…
Ways to Help Your Child With Memory & Recall – From a Speech Pathologist Perspective Does it sometimes feel like pulling teeth when asking your child what they did at school or what they did during a play date with a friend? Does your child have a hard time remembering a lot of things? As…
Does your child walk on their knees instead of on their feet? Here’s a rundown from a pediatric physical therapist of the ramifications, causes, and the potential treatments of knee walking. What is Knee Walking? Knee walking is a pattern of locomotion where a child “walks” on their knees in a tall kneeling position. The…
What are the benefits of Multi-Disciplinary ABA? Let’s find out! Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy works on a variety of areas with a child, from language, to feeding, to transitions, to self help skills, the list goes on and on! The speech pathologists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists that may also be on your child’s…
Holidays are great times to have your child participate in novel fine motor and sensory activities. Here are some fun Fourth of July crafts and activities to do this summer with your kids, while getting an extra bonus with some OT-themed activities! For Younger Children: Popsicle Stick Flag – great fine motor activity! Glue 7-8…
For some children, standing on one foot can be challenging – especially if they’ve struggled with motor control, coordination, or strength in the past. If your child relies on handrails for going up or down the stairs, sits down on the floor to put on their shoes, or fall or lose their balance often, then…
Stuck inside and looking for some creative ways to play with playdoh with your child? Are you looking for some fun things to do that will both keep your child’s attention as well as challenge their fine motor skills? Playdoh provides so many opportunities to develop fine motor skills, expand pretend play skills and support…
“They’re getting into everything!” As a physical therapist, one of my favorite phrases to hear from parents of toddlers is “they’re getting into everything!” Toddlers are little explorers learning to walk, climb, and navigate their environments. They are working on motor planning, or the connection between the brain and the body that allows a toddler…
Most language facilitation strategies focus on helping your child begin to talk. Parents are ultimately hoping for verbal communication first, so we do everything in our power to encourage the use of words. But, what if we told you there is more to communication than just the use of words? In fact, there are numerous…
Reflux, Constipation, and Movement – The Relationship Between Reflux, Constipation, and Gross Motor Skills Parenting… It’s a Dirty Job When registering for a baby shower, there is a reason expecting mothers register for bibs, burp cloths, and changes of clothes: spitting up is a typical part of infancy. However, there is a point when spitting…
9 Signs Your Child Is Ready for Potty Training – A Pediatric Pelvic Health Physical Therapist’s Perspective Potty Training can be a stressful, yet exciting experience for both the child and the caregiver. It is a period of time where your child is exploring a new level of independence! But, how do you know that…
Time For Tupperware Long gone are the days of using containers purely as food or toy storage. You can click them, snap them, and pop them into place. Now…you can use them for language development! Storage containers are a fantastic language facilitation tool. Studies have shown that children enjoy looking at and playing with things that adults use frequently. Below, find some ways that…
What do weighted Pencils Do? Who do they help? Does your child struggle with handwriting tasks? Is your child’s handwriting often messy and hard to read? One possible solution may be a weighted pencil. A weighted pencil can help a variety of children, including children with both motor and sensory challenges. A child with…
Does Your Child Have Weak Hip Muscles? For some reason or another, you may have been told your your child’s hip muscles are weak. Maybe you were given this information at a school assessment, or perhaps you have noticed your child having difficulty with running and jumping. Either way, it may be time to incorporate some hip…
