My most popular post, Why Low Muscle Tone Creates More Toilet Training Struggles for Toddlers (and Parents!) inspired me to write a manual to help parents with potty training. There was nothing in books or online that really helped families, just a few lines about being patient and…… Continue reading The Practical Guide to Toilet Training Your Child With Low Muscle Tone: Potty Training Help Has Arrived!
Category: occupational therapy
Should Your Child Use A Pencil Grip?
I will be asked about pencil grips every time I teach a workshop or lecture on handwriting. My popular post, The Pencil Grip That Strengthens Your Child’s Fingers As They Write. , partially explains when and why I would recommend the use of this excellent pencil grip with older kids. I have a message for preschool teachers…… Continue reading Should Your Child Use A Pencil Grip?
Bringing Home Your Preemie: What Your Therapists Would Like You To Know
Discharge day for a preemie is special, but it is just the beginning of a journey that often includes therapy at home. As an Early Intervention therapist, I thought parents could use some insights into what your team is really thinking when they begin to work with you and your baby. We know that you…… Continue reading Bringing Home Your Preemie: What Your Therapists Would Like You To Know
When Can You Start Toilet Training?
Just like walking, children cannot be toilet trained before they are physically ready. That usually happens around 18 months. But like walking, some children are physically ready a bit earlier. WAIT! Using the toilet by yourself is so much more than physical readiness. Potty training is a complex skill, with cognitive, sensory, motor and behavioral…… Continue reading When Can You Start Toilet Training?
Review: Kumon Sticker Books For Toddlers
Children love stickers. Kumon has created great sticker books for the 2’s or children performing at that level. I have the vehicle-themed book, but they have a zoo-themed book as well. I use their scissor books every week, maybe even every day with the 3’s and 4’s. I wanted to see what they came up…… Continue reading Review: Kumon Sticker Books For Toddlers
Finger Awareness and Math Skills: Recent Research, and “Where is Thumbkin?”
The Atlantic magazine ran a terrific article, Why Kids Should Use Their Fingers in Math Class, and I am still blown away with the connections they make between brain activity during finger movements and during math calculation and comprehension. Let me get out my hands and count the ways I could use this information!…… Continue reading Finger Awareness and Math Skills: Recent Research, and “Where is Thumbkin?”
The Ten Most Common Mistakes Parents Make During Toilet Training
Since writing The Practical Guide To Toilet Training Your Child With Low Muscle Tone, I have been asked for a list of missteps that happen on the way to success. Here they are: Ignoring their own readiness issues. Parents who are unaware of their own lack of readiness will not be able to be the…… Continue reading The Ten Most Common Mistakes Parents Make During Toilet Training
Waiting for Toilet Training Readiness? Create It Instead!
I just watched a therapist on YouTube tell parents how to look for toilet training readiness signs. From her limited description, you would have a better chance of finding truffles in France! The signs of readiness in special needs children can be subtle, so do not ignore moves such as going behind the…… Continue reading Waiting for Toilet Training Readiness? Create It Instead!
Why “Hand-Over-Hand” Assistance Doesn’t Work With So Many Special Needs Children
This method of teaching fine motor skills has never worked well for me in Early Intervention. In my professional experience, it has been a popular technique for many special educators. But they aren’t always getting the results they want. Very often, the scenario is as follows: I get a call from a concerned parent, telling…… Continue reading Why “Hand-Over-Hand” Assistance Doesn’t Work With So Many Special Needs Children
Teach Your Kindergartener How To Erase Like a Big Kid
Does it matter how a child erases their mistake? You are probably thinking that I ran out of topics for my blog this week. Not exactly. I was thinking about what makes my handwriting posts different than other bloggers that publish posts on early writing skills. I like to look at all the details when…… Continue reading Teach Your Kindergartener How To Erase Like a Big Kid
Can You Toilet Train a Non-Verbal Child?
Parents of non-verbal children often delay toilet training, assuming that these kids need more communication skills to be successful. I disagree. I think children and their parents need other skills more. Here are my thoughts about what really matters for these kids: Their parents need excellent observation skills. A child that cannot easily communicate their…… Continue reading Can You Toilet Train a Non-Verbal Child?
Want Pincer Grasp Before Her First Birthday? Bet You’ll Be Surprised At What Moves (Hint) Build Hand Control!
The image of a baby popping cereal into her mouth and grinning is commercial genius. But what if your child is still raking them with a fist at 8 months? Is that late or just right? Is there a way to promote early grasp without offering a baby something tiny that she can choke on?…… Continue reading Want Pincer Grasp Before Her First Birthday? Bet You’ll Be Surprised At What Moves (Hint) Build Hand Control!
Toilet Training Has It’s Costs: Don’t Be Shocked
In speaking with families about their worries in anticipation of toilet training, one of the issues that rarely comes up are it’s costs. Sure, everyone laughs about the vacation they will take when they no longer buy diapers or pull-ups. Those huge boxes from Costco don’t come cheap. But there are costs during the…… Continue reading Toilet Training Has It’s Costs: Don’t Be Shocked
Which Crayons Promote Mature Writing Grasp?
It is back-to-school time here in the U.S. Stores are pushing clothes, backpacks, shoes and school supplies. Time for teachers to set up their classrooms and get excited about a new school year. When I see the amazing variety of crayons on display at Target or Walmart, it reminds me to speak to the families…… Continue reading Which Crayons Promote Mature Writing Grasp?
Frustrating Homework? Adapt Children’s Worksheets For Success
The new school year is beginning here on the east coast, and kids will be getting new workbooks and worksheets for homework. Over the years, I have seen a staggering variety of mass-produced assignments that could only be designed by adults who spend very little time with young children, and none with kids that have…… Continue reading Frustrating Homework? Adapt Children’s Worksheets For Success
Why Do Some Kids With ASD and SPD Refuse Toilet Training?
Toilet training is one of the few self-care skills that fall primarily on special needs parents. Speech therapists, feeding therapists, occupational therapists and ABA instructors all do assessments and create plans. Hints on toilet training from your therapy team are often very helpful, but “the boots on the ground” are yours as a parent. You…… Continue reading Why Do Some Kids With ASD and SPD Refuse Toilet Training?
Low Tone and Constipation: Why This Issue Delays Toilet Training Progress
Kids with low tone and sensory processing disorders are not the only children who struggle with constipation, but it is more common for them. The reasons are many: low abdominal and oral tone, less use of available musculature because they use compensatory sitting and standing (the schlump, the lean, the swayback) patterns, and even food…… Continue reading Low Tone and Constipation: Why This Issue Delays Toilet Training Progress
Low Tone and Toilet Training: How Your Child’s Therapists Can Help You
Over the years as an occupational therapist, I have been giving parents hints here and there. Writing my e-book this fall, and preparing an e-course (coming soon) to support families makes me realize that some clients did not ask me very many questions while they were toilet training their child. So….Are there aspects of therapy…… Continue reading Low Tone and Toilet Training: How Your Child’s Therapists Can Help You
Vestibular Fun For Infants With Motor Delays
Picture this: a dad swings his 6 month-old upside down, and she giggles and smiles from ear to ear. What doesn’t daddy know? He is stimulating her developing balance system and teaching her to love movement while they play. When babies have motor delays, whether due to prematurity, illness, or a brain injury such as…… Continue reading Vestibular Fun For Infants With Motor Delays
Low Tone and Toilet Training: Parents And Children Need To Work Together
This one is simple to explain, but not so easy to achieve with some kids. Children whose interactional pattern is defiance or whining are going to be much harder to train, regardless of whether or not they have significant issues with low muscle tone. In fact, I would rather coach a very physically unstable but…… Continue reading Low Tone and Toilet Training: Parents And Children Need To Work Together