he world is a huge, new and complicated, often-times overwhelming experience for all children. Parents are advised to avoid overly loud noises and places with bright, flashing lights for all children of a young age, and to introduce these experiences gradually and with caution to ensure that the child is not totally overwhelmed by the sensory overload. For some children, however, this experience of sensory overload happens in otherwise normal situations.
The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body
Help For Your ChildWith Sensory Issues
StaffSpotlight
TERI WEBSTER, OTR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
“I love working with children, as they always have a joy and innocence about them. They are ‘kids’ first and foremost, regardless of their disability. I work to make them feel at ease and willing to trust the work I can do with them. I encourage their every success. It’s so gratifying to see parents suddenly have hope for their children.”
EDUCATION/TRAINING: • B.S., Occupational Therapy – Loma Linda University, CA • Certification in Pediatric Neurodevelopment Treatment
INSIDE: DoesYourFamilyNeed HelpWithSensoryIssues? WhatSensoryIssueDoes
AREAS OF SPECIALTY
www.ptandrehab.com • Sensorimotor integration • Feeding and oral motor dysfunction • Myofascial release
• Neurological injuries • Splinting • Adaptive equipment needs
YourChildHave? Autumn Recipe
SEPTEMBER 2017 The Therapy Bulletin The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body “Does Your Family Need Help With Sensory Issues? ” Sensory Can Effect Your Whole Family. At Physical Therapy & Rehab Specialists We Can Help! The world is a huge, new and complicated, often-times overwhelming experience for all children. Parents are advised to avoid overly loud noises andplaceswithbright,flashing lightsforallchildrenofayoungage,and to introduce these experiences gradually and with caution to ensure that the child isnottotallyoverwhelmedbythesensoryoverload.Forsomechildren, however, thisexperienceofsensoryoverloadhappens inotherwisenormal situations.Chatter inacrowdedroom,abrightcolorofpaint,perhapsafew thingsgoingonatonce inabusyhouseholdbecomesenoughtocompletely overwhelm the child.
When you imagine the amount of sensory information that a child’s mind processes--inmanycontextsforthefirsttime—it isnowonderthatchildren can grow overwhelmed by the different experiences. However, for a child with sensory issues, the experience of being overwhelmed is magnified to unhealthy levels. Sensory issues can manifest in many different ways in young children, creating enhanced sensitivity to light, sound, and even to certain textures. Working with an occupational therapist can help children overcomethese issueswithsensitivity,providingchildrenwiththeopportunity tobettermentallyorganize informationandrespondtoenvironmentalfactors without anxiety or emotional reaction to these external factors. Identifying Sensory Issues All children react differently to unexpected stimuli. Many times, kids will begin to tantrum or will grow anxious as a result of any sudden change, whether it is visual, auditory or textual. For children with sensory issues, the ability to overcome this emotional disturbance is barred by an intense reaction to the sensory stimuli. This is referred to as hypersensitivity, and it can manifest in a series of ways, including: • Dislike of being touched • Fearful in crowds • Reluctant to use playground equipment or toys • Excessive worry about safety concerns, such as being bumped into by another child • Extreme response to loud noises
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• Orthopedics and Sports Medicine • Work Injury Rehabilitation • Women’s Health • Vestibular/Neuro Rehabilitation • Pediatric Rehabilitation • Sports Performance • Aquatic Therapy • Occupational Therapy
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What Sensory Issue Does Your Child Have? In some situations, children may actually be undersensitive to the world around them, a problem that becomes evident through the absence of reaction tostimuli.This isanotherformofsensory issue thatcanbe treated via occupational therapy. This is referred to as hyposensitivity. This is a concerning issueaschildrenwithhyposensitivitytotouchmayunknowingly burnthemselvesorexposethemselvestounnecessarydangerbynotrealizing theyoughttoreacttoanexternalstimuli,suchasa loudcarhornorahotstove. Long-term Consequences and Treatment If not addressed as a child, sensory issues can create life-long struggles for the individual. Children who struggle with sensory issues are typically resistant to change and have trouble focusing, which may lead to trouble in school. In addition, sensory issues often lead to difficulty developing motor skills,whichrequire interactionwithexternalstimuli,aswellas lackofsocial skills and poor self-control.
It is possible for children to exhibit both signs of hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity.Thisgenerallymanifests intheformofanextremeresponse to a change in environment, such as going into a noisy store or a theater, and the tendency to flee from stimulation by abandoning environments that cause sensory anxiety in favor of a familiar, calming space.
While autism spectrum disorder is associated with sensory issues, there are many non-autism related instances of this concern. Working with an occupationaltherapistcanhelpachildovercomesensory-inducedanxieties and help a child create a healthier relationship with external stimuli.
SOURCES https://www.brainbalancecenters.com/blog/2015/03/sensory-integration-exercises-reduce-sensory-sensitivity/ https://childmind.org/article/treating-sensory-processing-issues/ https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/child-learning-disabilities/sensory-processing-issues/understanding-sensory-processing-issues http://nspt4kids.com/therapy/what-is-the-difference-between-occupational-and-physical-therapy-for-children-north-shore-pediatric-therapy/
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Is Your Child’s Back Pack Going to Cause Injury?
Finding a Safe Pack Despite their potential problems, backpacks are great when used properly. Before you buy one, though, consider a backpack’s construction.
Using Backpacks Wisely
To help kids prevent injury when using a backpack: • Lighten the load. No matter how well-designed the backpack, less weight is alwaysbetter.Use thebathroomscale tocheck thatapack isn’tover10% to15% of your child’s body weight (for example, the backpack of a child who weighs 80 pounds shouldn’t weigh more than 8 to 12 pounds). • Use and pick up the backpack properly. Make sure kids use both shoulder straps. Bags that are slung over the shoulder or across the chest — or that only have one strap — aren’t as effective at distributing the weight as bags with two wide shoulder straps, and therefore may strain muscles. Also tighten the straps enough for the backpack to fit closely to the body. The pack should rest evenly in the middle of the back and not sag down to the buttocks. You may need to adjust your kids’ backpacks and/or reduce how much they carry if they : • Struggle to get the backpack on or off • Have back pain • Lean forward to carry the backpack If your child has back pain or numbness or weakness in the arms or legs, talk to your doctor or a physical therapist.
Look for the following to choose the right backpack: • Lightweight pack: get one that doesn’t add a lot of weight to your child’s load; for example, leather packs look cool, but they weigh more than canvas backpacks • Two wide, padded shoulder straps: straps that are too narrow can dig into shoulders • Padded back: it not only provides increased comfort, but also protects kids from being poked by sharp objects or edges (pencils, rulers, notebooks, etc.) inside the pack
• Waist belt: this helps to distribute the weight more evenly across the body • Multiple compartments: to help distribute the weight throughout the pack Although packs on wheels (which look like small, overhead luggage bags) may be good options for students who have to lug around really heavy loads, they’re very hard to pull up stairs and to roll through snow. Check with the school before buyinga rollingpack;manydon’tallow thembecause theycanbea trippinghazard in the hallways.
Who do you know that needs our help? Refer a Friend Do You Have Friends or Family Unable to Do The Following? 9 Move without pain 9 Bend and move freely
Patient Success Spotlight
9 Balance confidently and securely 9 Sit for long periods comfortably 9 Walk for long distances 9 Live an active and healthy lifestyle CALL TODAY! FREE WORKSHOP
Autumn Recipe “Teri has been working with our four year old son for just over a year now, and what gains we have seen this past year! He has increased speech and communication skills, improved dexterity and fine motor skills, developed better body awareness, and increased attention to task. He wears his glasses every day, all day, which did not happen until he started therapy. Teri has a wonderful rapport with our son and he surely enjoys going to see “Ms. Teri” every week.” M.P. “Teri has a wonderful rapport with our son and he surely enjoys going to see “Ms. Teri” every week .“
September 28th • 12:30-1:30 555 Wackerly Rd, Midland Lower Level Conference Room If you need help for your child with sensory issues, we can help. Come to our Free Workshop it could help you best course of action for your child and your family. “Oh! that makes Sense” Understanding your child’s sensory system.
INGREDIENTS • 1 (64 fluid ounce) bottle apple cider • 3 cinnamon sticks • 1 teaspoon whole allspice • 1 teaspoon whole cloves • 1/3 cup brown sugar Easy Hot Apple Cider
DIRECTIONS In a slow cooker, combine apple cider and cinnamon sticks. Wrap allspice and cloves in a small piece of cheesecloth, and add to pot. Stir in brown sugar. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat, and keep warm.
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