For the month of February the OT department created two instructional videos about how to use a free resource called Tar Heel Gameplay that can be accessed on a computer or an iPad. Tar Heel Gameplay has a collection of free “games” in the format of You Tube videos that stop at a pre-determined length of time and can be re-started by the student. It is a great resource to build cause and effect skills that are a pre-cursor for using a communication device, independent leisure skills, and provide independent access to the environment. Videos and materials are made by other users and should be screened for appropriateness. Please contact one of the OTs if you would like any additional information on what was discussed in the videos or if you want assistance making a specific video!

Link to the website: https://tarheelgameplay.org/

ULS (Unique Learning Systems) Theme: Healthy Body, Healthy You!

Hello Families! This month’s theme is about keeping our bodies healthy. This instructional video is intended for parents/caregivers and provides information about the benefits of oral care and discusses toothbrush options for individuals with high oral sensitivity, increased muscle tone, and who are orally sensory seeking.

Oral care should be completed when an individual is upright and alert, encourage as much independence as is safe for your child.

A finger toothbrush is placed on a caregiver’s finger and is helpful for an individual who is very sensitive and resistant to any oral input, this is not recommended for someone who has a tendency to bite/clamp down hard on things or has a tendency to put unsafe items in their mouth, given its small size it is a choking hazard. https://www.amazon.com/Dr-Browns-HG010-Finger-Toothbrush/dp/B073XXCBHP/ref=psdc_3778211_t2_B004UJRKK0

A silicone toothbrush is a small and soft brush and can be easier to move around in the mouth, especially someone with increased tone and oral hypersensitivity. One with a safety guard is recommended. https://www.amazon.com/Simba-Bristle-Silicone-Toothbrush-Scrubber/dp/B00LWFX8X8?th=1

A vibrating toothbrush can be a nice option for individuals who are highly oral seeking and can provide more oral input. Having a video to watch with music while brushing one's teeth can be helpful. This helps to teach the steps of teeth brushing, provide awareness of the duration, and distract them from the task if they are uncomfortable or not willing to participate.

Build a Snowman Game (grasp/release, use of school materials, using a helper hand, finger isolation, etc): Race against me to add all of the accessories to your snowman! You can play along at home in a simulated manner- roll a die but just go along with the student one I have. If you want your results to match what you rolled then you can draw out a snow man and add the features as they match what you rolled.

Interactive reading of The Snowy Day (sensory tolerance/engagement, bilateral hand skills, active grasping): You can make fake snow (2 cups of baking soda, 1/2 cup of water-Students can assist by holding the measuring utensils, the bowl, and/or the spoon to mix the ingredients together.) at home to use with this activity, use play dough, or just follow along with the book and movements.

ULS (Unique Learning System) Theme: Explores why people immigrated in the past, explores life in early America, and how life has changed over time.

Introduction: What was life like long ago? The people did not have electricity, plumbing, cars, kitchen appliances, plastic, television, or even a furnace. Most things were made of wood, bone, leather, or ceramics/clay. Some people had limited access to metal. If one lived in rural areas, there were no stores nearby to get supplies. Also, toys were difficult to obtain. So, what did children do for fun? They had to make their own toys and games from what resources they had! Watch these videos about games and toys to get a peek into two different cultures that lived long ago in the United States.

November is Native American Heritage month. In this session, we will be focusing on the Native American culture with a game that the children played long ago. This game was common throughout tribes of the Southwest, with tribes in other parts of the continent playing a version as well.

ULS (Unique Learning System) Curriculum Theme: Explores why people immigrated in the past, explores life in early America, and how life has changed over time.

Introduction. What was life like long ago? The people did not have electricity, plumbing, cars, refrigerators, plastic, television, or even a furnace. These things were not invented yet. Most things were made of wood, bones, leather/fur, plants or ceramics/clay. Few people had access to metal. If one lived in rural areas, such as those who first traveled to the United States or west to settle new territories, supplies were more difficult to obtain as there were no stores nearby. Watch these videos to get a peek into two different cultures that lived long ago in the United States.

ACTIVITY – OREGON TRAIL MOVING WEST GAME

Supplies:

*Print out the map of the United States, the communication sheet with “past” and “now”, and the attached cards. Cut the cards out. The cards come in pairs, one of how things were done in the past and another one of current times (for most people here in the United States).

* 1 Die

*Either a marker to mark one’s progress on the trail (each player should have a different color), or different game pieces. Make any adaptation to the markers or pieces to allow the most independence while playing.

*Either switches with “past” and “present” on them or the communication board attached

Instructions:

Start each piece in the Atlantic Ocean. Each player takes a turn throwing the die. Before they may move the number that they threw, they must choose from the card pairs and answer about one of them. Have them point or look at the one that is either past or present. For example, “Which one of the two cards shows how things were done in the past?” Or, show one card and ask if this was how things were done in the past or how we do it now (communication board provided below). Use whatever method works best for your child. Then they move the number of spaces that they rolled in the die except, if they throw a 5 or 6, they must take a card from the detour pile and follow those directions.

First player to reach Oregon wins the game.

OT Therapeutic Benefits:

Sensory: Visual discrimination, tactile, visual tracking,

Fine Motor: Reaching, grasping, releasing (die, using a marker, or game piece), pointing to the communication board

Directionality/Time: Left, Right, Up, Down, Past, Present

This video provides ideas for making and using active learning materials with household items. Active learning materials can be used to facilitate play and leisure skills.

PURPOSE: To provide visual and tactile stimulation to students with visual disabilities or enhanced sensory experience for younger children or individuals with cognitive impairments. Many of our students use these light boxes in the classroom already.

Please watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gYfd7SOvSs

MATERIALS:

Plastic Box with a clear lid, about 24” x 18” x 7” (example below). Or, the size of box can depend on if your child will be seated or if they will stand while they play. The important thing is proper positioning for easy reaching and relaxed shoulders.

Clear Box

LED string of white lights: LED lights do not burn as hot as the standard holiday lights, as I mentioned in the video. I prefer the rope-type lights for safety reasons. The number of stings or bulbs one would need also depends on the area of the box. However, the light should be bright enough to illuminate the area enough. Arrange the lights so that they are evenly distributed.

Black or dark cardboard and tissue paper: This is optional. One can line the sides of the box to keep the light focused on the top. The tissue paper or even a large white plastic bag with no writing can be used on the top to diffuse the light. Secure the cardboard and tissue paper with tape.

****If you decide to use the bulb-type LED or especially the non-LED lights, I recommend leaving out the tissue paper and cardboard for fire-safety reasons.

Items for manipulating and viewing:

These beaded gel packs are fun to look at over light, teach shapes and colors, and have a cool tactile feel. However, they are rather expensive. I purchased the one in the video at Dollar Tree. Gel packs are also made for heat packs, so one may find some at a drug store.

Sensory Shapes

I made the one pictured below with hair gel, translucent and colorful bingo chips, small round beads, or anything that is colorful and will show light through it. I used a vacuum sealer for persevering/freezing food to make this one.

Colored plastic toys or lids can be used as is or cut into shapes. These are difficult to grasp, but a wine cork or cap from a bottle could be glued with a glue gun into the center for grasping. Any translucent and brightly colored toy will also work.

Finally, translucent files of different colors can be used. Put a puff paint for other paint that sticks up on it to make a pattern (parallel lines, finger maze, a spiral, letters, or any design that you want). Your child can then run his or her finger over the design for tactile fun.

Brand Poly Project Tab Folder

MOST IMPORTANTLY -- HAVE FUN!!!!

Supporting Range of Motion and Functional Use of Hands :

TAKE AWAY POINTS:

Continue with established splinting plan, if not available try placement of a towel roll or wash cloth to open hands up.

Complete gentle stretching activities while providing manual support at the joint and limb being stretched. Hold for 30-60 seconds in the end range of the stretch.

Follow your child’s lead for comfort of the movement and look for physical signs of discomfort (wincing, facial grimace, frown, pulling away, etc.).

Discontinue if it seems the stretching is causing pain.

If your child has one hand with more limited range of motion or less active use, encourage them to use it as a “helper hand” and use it to stabilize a paper while coloring with the other hand, supporting the side of a bowl while scooping, or holding one side of front-opening shirt down while zipping with the other hand.

Fully supported sitting allows an individual to give all of their energy to the fine motor or daily living task they are completing.

Here are ideas that can be done at home to work on occupational therapy skills. These activities are intended to support current goals and also would be generally beneficial for engagement. The activities may not be appropriate or safe for all students, please use discretion and supervision.