Month: January 2017

Gifted and Struggling? Meet the Twice Exceptional Student, and How OT Can Help

    I work with two amazing children that could be diagnosed as “twice exceptional”.  Both boys, they have amazing intellectual gifts (one verbal, one in math) but they work with me on their handwriting and their behavior.  Neither can write a simple sentence without significant errors in letter placement or formation.  But both can…… Continue reading Gifted and Struggling? Meet the Twice Exceptional Student, and How OT Can Help

Young Children With Dysgraphia Need Better Handwriting Instruction, Not Just Technology.

The diagnosis of dysgraphia is so vague that I almost hesitate to write about it.  The reason I am dipping a toe into these messy waters?  Almost every psychologist that gives a child this diagnosis recommends abandoning handwriting in favor of tablets and speech recognition programs.  I feel strongly that this does young children a…… Continue reading Young Children With Dysgraphia Need Better Handwriting Instruction, Not Just Technology.

How Do You Teach Word Spacing?

Kindergarteners need to learn to space their words correctly.  But how exactly do you do that?  Most teachers are using the “put your index finger next to your last word as a spacer” strategy.  This isn’t a terrible idea, but many children can grasp the true spacing measure.  Here is why you should attempt to…… Continue reading How Do You Teach Word Spacing?

Improve Your Child’s Coordination, Beginning With Fun Finger Awareness Play

Children with low muscle tone, children with spasticity, and children with dyspraxia all struggle with using their hands effectively and efficiently.  Therapy can be super boring, but it doesn’t have to be!  Here are four simple and fun ways to build your child’s awareness of their fingers that will support grasp, pinch and more! Gentle…… Continue reading Improve Your Child’s Coordination, Beginning With Fun Finger Awareness Play

How Occupational Therapy Can Help Gifted Children (And Their Exhausted Parents!)

  Gifted children have abilities that make them more sensitive to their bodies, their world and the people in it.  They notice sensations, emotional states and the interplay between the physical and the non-physical world in ways that non-gifted people do not.  Exquisite sensitivity, combined with intensity and drive, often come at a price for…… Continue reading How Occupational Therapy Can Help Gifted Children (And Their Exhausted Parents!)

Why is Staying Dry at Night So Challenging For Some Children?

I have received a few questions on this subject since publishing my e-book, The Practical Guide to Toilet Training Your Child With Low Muscle Tone.  Parents are wondering how to expand daytime success through the night.  Here is what I know about getting through the night high and dry:  it is as much a physical…… Continue reading Why is Staying Dry at Night So Challenging For Some Children?

Is Your Sensitive Child Gifted As Well?

  Happy New Year!  The topic of sensitivity (in all it’s expressions) in young children isn’t new to this blog, but the correlation with giftedness hasn’t been a part of my other posts.  It is today. Sensitivity is common in gifted toddlers and preschoolers, and sensitivity is ubiquitous in young children with diagnoses such as…… Continue reading Is Your Sensitive Child Gifted As Well?

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