Does your child hate handwriting?

Does your child hate handwriting? Do they start whining or having a meltdown the second they have to start homework? If you notice any of these behaviors, they may be using these tactics to avoid one of the skills most important for success in a school setting. Handwriting is one of the most difficult tasks kids tackle. For starters, it requires a solid foundation in hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, visual perceptual skills, and bilateral coordination… the list goes on!

From birth, our brains are wired to help us learn spoken languages, but our brains have to learn how to combine the skills we use for handwriting from scratch. So many skills and systems have to work together to allow us to write even a single word!  You have to simultaneously use your knowledge of language, your visual system, your vestibular system (the ability to tell where your limbs are in space), the ability to cross the midline, fine motor ability, and your sense of touch and pressure with every letter you write.

When kids have difficulty performing a task they can’t avoid, they can form bad habits to help them compensate for weaker areas of development. For example, they might have an immature pencil grip, using only four fingers. While these compensatory strategies may help them in the short term, they don’t allow for proper growth and development. Your child may also put their head down on the table while they write. This helps them keep their head still so they concentrate on their hand movements, but it can also lead to poor handwriting, inconsistent letter size, and incorrect letter placement on the page.

Think about how difficult it is to write in a straight line when your head is at a slant. Or maybe you notice them moving their head as they move their hand across the page. This is likely a sign that they’re having difficulty tracking movements with just their eyes. They need the extra input provided by moving their head and hand simultaneously to get a better sense of where their hand and, by extension their pencil, is on the page. This difficulty with tracking will reappear when they play sports, read, and even when watching movies or TV shows.

Getting a handle on handwriting!

The good news? At Theraplay LA, our OTs have training in both sensory integration and Handwriting Without Tears, an internationally recognized and award-winning program! Our expertise in sensory processing and motor development allows us to help your child address the sensory differences keeping them from writing while helping improve their handwriting abilities through multisensory approaches. We’re determined to help set your child up for success, academically and beyond.

Dr. Marielly is a Los Angeles native and Loyola Marymount University, graduate whose insatiable curiosity with the mind-body connection since childhood led her to the field of occupational therapy. She graduated from the top-ranked University of Southern California in 2011 with a Master’s Degree and completed a Doctorate with a teacher’s aid scholarship in 2012. Her areas of expertise include Sensory processing and a “SIPT” certification, Training in Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT), Cuevas Medek Exercise (CME), Handwriting without Tears, Integrated Learning Systems (ILS)., Advanced practice in swallowing assessment, evaluation, or intervention, Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy, Cranial Nerve Integration. Dr. Marielly and her team started Theraplay LA as a pediatric OT practice dedicated to providing intentional and precise levels of care to those in Los Angeles and beyond. 

Molly Huggins

Molly is a member of our creative team, mom of four water-loving babies, and a fierce advocate for CPR training and really early swim instruction.

The post Getting A Handle on Handwriting appeared first on One with the Water.

Sensory Integration: Get Those Motor Skills Moving!

Have you noticed that your child struggles to keep up with other kids? Do they have trouble navigating a new playground? Did your Mama Gut ever make you feel like they had delays learning to crawl or walk? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, they might have underlying sensory issues. At first, it might not make sense that sensory differences can impact your child’s ability to learn new skills, but every part of our body is interconnected. Sensory information is the foundation on which we build motor skills. Without our sense of touch and balance, we would struggle to navigate the world. The feedback in our feet tells you whether the floor is even, whether the ground is sturdy, and how to balance on the floor. If these senses are amplified or silenced too much, it can lead to discomfort and poor feedback from our surroundings.

Our sense of touch is also deeply linked to our sense of balance and our ability to tell where our limbs are without looking at them. If we can’t get a clear idea of our surroundings and how we’re interacting with them, it’s difficult to learn how to crawl in them, let alone walk, run, or climb. Sensory issues can also make it difficult to concentrate on the task at hand. Occupational therapy acknowledges and embraces the connection between our senses and the rest of our body to ensure your child gets the most complete and effective care possible. We don’t want to put your child through years of therapy solely working on their motor symptoms when we could target the sensory causes behind those symptoms and help them improve within months!

If you’re looking for Los Angeles-based occupational therapy for sensory integration, then we can send you to the right place! At Theraplay LA we offer in-home, in-clinic, and telehealth sensory integration sessions. We know that watching your child struggle with everyday activities can be overwhelming, which is why we apply strategies specifically tailored to provide quick and lasting results. We’re here to support your child through every step towards sensory integration!

Dr. Marielly is a Los Angeles native and Loyola Marymount University, graduate whose insatiable curiosity with the mind-body connection since childhood led her to the field of occupational therapy. She graduated from the top-ranked University of Southern California in 2011 with a Master’s Degree and completed a Doctorate with a teacher’s aid scholarship in 2012. Her areas of expertise include Sensory processing and a “SIPT” certification, Training in Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT), Cuevas Medek Exercise (CME), Handwriting without Tears, Integrated Learning Systems (ILS)., Advanced practice in swallowing assessment, evaluation, or intervention, Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy, Cranial Nerve Integration. Dr. Marielly and her team started Theraplay LA as a pediatric OT practice dedicated to providing intentional and precise levels of care to those in Los Angeles and beyond. 

Molly Huggins

Molly is a member of our creative team, mom of four water-loving babies, and a fierce advocate for CPR training and really early swim instruction.

The post Sensory Integration: Part Two appeared first on One with the Water.

Her areas of expertise include

• Sensory processing and a “SIPT” certification
• Training in Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT)
• Cuevas Medek Exercise (CME)
• Handwriting without Tears
• Integrated Learning Systems (ILS).
• Advanced practice in swallowing assessment, evaluation, or intervention
• Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy
• Cranial Nerve Integration

Dr. Marielly is joining us on the blog for the next few weeks to talk more about warning signs for parents and the whole body benefits of pediatric occupational therapy. Join us as we learn more about how we can continue to improve the mind-body connection of our children through pediatric occupational therapy.

Today we are discussing sensory integration and the behavioral benefit of this therapeutic intervention.

Sensory Integration: Behavioral Benefits

Does it seem like your child is constantly throwing tantrums? Do they unravel at the end of the day? Sensory dysregulation, whether from too much or too little input, can have direct and severe impacts on your child’s mood. It can also impact your child’s behavior, appearing in the form of meltdowns and poor impulse control. Think about how hard it is to concentrate when you’re itchy or how frustrating it can be when your foot falls asleep and you can’t walk across the room. Your child could be experiencing similar feelings 24/7.

Occupational therapy is designed to help regulate your child. Sometimes, in order to make progress, we focus on treating unlikely areas. Your first impulse might have been to visit a psychiatrist or psychologist. While they may be able to help treat the behavioral symptoms your child is showing, they can’t treat the root cause of your child’s emotional outbursts. They may gain skills used to deal with their increased stress, but they’ll still find themselves coping with daily discomfort. One of the great things about sensory integration is that you’ll see behavioral changes simply by working with a therapist to get your child more in tune with their sensory profile. Once they feel more comfortable in their own skin, you’ll be amazed at how quickly that frustration melts away and their emotions begin to stabilize!

Theraplay LA

If you’re looking for Los Angeles-based occupational therapy for sensory integration, then you’re in luck. Dr. Marielly and her team started Theraplay LA as a pediatric OT practice dedicated to providing intentional and precise levels of care to those in Los Angeles and beyond. Theraplay LA  offers in-home, in-clinic, and telehealth sensory integration sessions. They know that watching your child struggle can be heartbreaking, which is why they apply strategies specifically tailored to provide quick and lasting results. They will support your child, emotionally and otherwise, through every stage of sensory integration!

Molly Huggins

Molly is a member of our creative team, mom of four water-loving babies, and a fierce advocate for CPR training and really early swim instruction.

The post Sensory Integration: Behavorial Benefits appeared first on One with the Water.

The Oct 2020 edition of Autism Parenting Magazine expounds on the benefits. “Imagine there was a way to improve your child’s concentration, mental alertness, responsiveness, and peace of mind in 30-40 minutes. The day-to-day challenges faced by autistic children like anxiety, concentration, overstimulation, and social interaction can all be improved.”

For individuals with an ASD diagnosis, the sensory experience of being immersed adds a layer of calm that can’t be duplicated anywhere else.

“In the water, everything feels calmer. It’s like all the noise, feelings, and business of the outside world just stop. The feeling of the water is interesting, and the way light moves through it can be fascinating.”

In addition to all of the benefits of learning to swim and having autism, you might also stop your child from being another statistic! It’s estimated that one out every 59 individuals has an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and according to a 2012 study in Pediatrics, 49% of children with ASD have a tendency to wander or bolt from safe settings. Individuals with ASD are often attracted to water yet have little to no sense of danger. Drowning is a leading cause of death in children with ASD. – (NAA – National Autism Association). Give the gift of lifesaving swim lessons this season and help your child become “One With The Water! ”

*Private and public lessons available in packages of four and eight.

Molly Huggins

Molly is a member of our creative team, mom of four water-loving babies, and a fierce advocate for CPR training and really early swim instruction.

The post Swimming and Autism: Does it really make a difference? appeared first on One with the Water.

A study published by JAMA Pediatrics in April of this year found that Autism Spectrum Disorders can be diagnosed as early as 12 months old, and when re-evaluated at age three, 84% of children diagnosed around the 14^th-month marker retained the diagnosis.

According to co-author Dr. Karen Pierce, a professor in the department of neurosciences, and co-director at the Autism Center, University of California, San Diego,

“Diagnosing autism spectrum disorders early is extremely important because the brain is really plastic during early development. If you can identify and start treating autism spectrum disorders before those connections are made, maybe more effective connections will be made. … We believe from a neuroscience perspective; kids will have better outcomes.”[2]

The immediate takeaway in all of this is that parents should raise any concerns they have with their doctor at any age. You are your child’s best advocate, and you are uniquely positioned to observe them in their natural environment for extended periods. If you aren’t sure or have concerns on where to start, consider these five questions, developed by Dr. Connie Kasari, (professor of human development and psychology in the UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information Studies and the Semel Institute of Neuroscience and Human Behavior) as a means of determining early warning signs of autism and autism spectrum disorders.

• Does the baby respond to his or her name when called by the caregiver? Neurotypical children will react to the sound of their name by turning toward the person who called out. Babies with Autism don’t typically respond and often have a selective response to sound.
• Does the young child engage in “joint attention”? Joint attention is simply when a child joins with the person engaging them to look at the same item or focus on the same activity. I.E., shifting their gaze when prompted, looking in the direction of a pointed finger, etc.
• Does the child imitate others? Babies with autism display mimicking behavior (like sounds, waving, clapping, and facial expressions) at significantly fewer rates than neurotypical children. In fact, it is critical to understand with all of these behaviors that the primary concern is the total absence or extremely low frequency of occurrence of the behavior.
• Does the child respond emotionally to others? Neurotypical babies are emotionally reactive, smiling, laughing, etc., and will usually mirror and mimic the emotions of those around them.
• Does the baby engage in pretend play? (This behavior usually develops close to the end of year two, and a child with Autism may not engage with toys at all, or they may develop obsessive relationships with one toy to the exclusion of all others, or even just with the movement of their own body.)[3]

 If any of these questions trigger a red flag, don’t be afraid to dig deeper, knowing that early intervention can create better long-term outcomes for a potentially neuro-diverse child.

Finally, if you currently have a child on the autism spectrum, then consider swim lessons as one of the early therapeutic interventions known to have measurable positive results for your child, as well as the number one tool to significantly decrease their risk of drowning. Register today to find out more!

[1] https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/136/Supplement_1/S60

[2] http://healthinfo.uclahealth.org/yourfamily/children/NewsRecent/6,745624

[3] https://www.uclahealth.org/five-early-signs-of-autism

Molly Huggins

Molly is a member of our creative team, mom of four water-loving babies, and a fierce advocate for CPR training and really early swim instruction.

The post Early Intervention for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders appeared first on One with the Water.

Swimming Therapy for Stereotypical Autistic Behavior

It’s been common knowledge for some time that aquatic therapy has a myriad of positive outcomes for children with ASD. However, in 2004, some researchers set out to determine the specific effects of swimming on motor performance in children with ASD, with the following results. After ten weeks, not only did strength and flexibility increase, so did balance, agility, and power. Also, the number of stereotypic behaviors decreased by about half. These included spinning, swinging, delayed echolalia and no reaction or delayed reaction to a stimulus within 5 seconds. (2)

An additional study done of occupational therapists reported that while reducing stereotypic behaviors was a goal always addressed only half of the time, therapist-reported decrease in stereotypic behaviors reduced across all sessions over 50% of the time. (3)

The literature, while still sparse in this specific area even now, is clear. The natural repetitive motions used in swimming and therapeutic properties of the water can mimic the repetitive and self-soothing behaviors used by children with ASD.

Aquatic therapy for children and adults with an Autism Spectrum disorder offers a definitive decrease in stereotypical autistic behavior, along with the previously discussed benefits of increased cardiovascular health and better overall fitness levels, enhanced social skills, improved aquatic skills, and better adaptation to change.

At One with the Water, our founder, Coach Rippetoe Coach Kenneth has extensive knowledge of the principles used in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and the ethical considerations involved in working with children with autism. Additionally, Coach Rippetoe is a Level 4 Disability Swim Coach certified by the American Swimming Coaches Association.

Register today for our premium swim lessons.

*Sources:

(1) Dickie, V. A., Baranek, G. T., Schultz, B., Watson, L. R., & McComish, C. S. (2009). Parents’ reports of sensory experiences of preschool children with and without autism: A qualitative study. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 63(2), 172-181.

(2) Yilmaz, I., Yanarda, M., Birkan, B., & Bumin, G. (2004). Effects of swimming training on physical fitness and water orientation in autism. Pediatrics International, 46, 624–626.

(3) Dubois, M. (2011). Aquatic Therapy for Children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder: Occupational Therapists’ Perspectives.https://soundideas.pugetsound.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://scholar.google.com/&httpsredir=1&article=1021&context=ms_occ_therapy

Molly Huggins

Molly is a member of our creative team, mom of four water-loving babies, and a fierce advocate for CPR training and really early swim instruction.

The post The Effect of Swimming on Stereotypical Autistic Movement appeared first on One with the Water.

If you aren’t familiar with Stephanie’s Day, you should be!

Stephanie’s Day is a resource fair that provides families with children impacted by autism and other special needs ONE place to gather valuable information, enjoy fun activities and much more! (From CBS LA).

Stephanie’s Day was the brainchild of Steve Mauldin, President, and General manager of CBS2/KCAL9, after his then two-year-old daughter was diagnosed with autism. When Stephanie was diagnosed, there weren’t many resources for families of children with autism, so Steve decided to create a way to bring them all together.

“These people are really there so that families know there are different agencies all over this community that are in one place for that day, where they can find out how to make their child’s and their family’s life better.” Steve Mauldin

Initially located in Fort Lauderdale, FL in 1999, 2019 is the 20th anniversary of Stephanie’s Day, now held in Southern California, with over 50 organizations participating. From nutrition and sports training programs to job training and cutting edge therapeutic interventions, there are a wealth of resources available. (Make sure you come to see us!) Also, while Stephanie’s Day was created to help families with autism, there are plenty of resources available for special needs children of all diagnoses. Not only that, Stephanie’s Day offers a chance to network and connect with other families on the same journey.

Save the date now for Saturday, June 8, 2019, and make sure to share this with your friends!

Molly Huggins

Molly is a member of our creative team, mom of four water-loving babies, and a fierce advocate for CPR training and really early swim instruction.

The post Stephanie’s Day 2019: Save the date! appeared first on One with the Water.

For example, children who may have growth and developmental delays may take longer to get their baby teeth and may be slower to lose them. They also may take longer to get adult teeth. Children with developmental problems also have a greater chance for bite problems like crowding, a faulty bite of the teeth, and poor jaw position. (Source).

Oral Care For Children with Autism

The good news, potential oral health issues are largely avoidable – and the best medicine is always preventative. However, for parents of children with autism especially, brushing teeth can be a cause for overstimulation, meltdowns, and self-injuring. From the Autism Speaks website,

“The sensation can be uncomfortable at first, and the child may need to be desensitized. You may want to start by using the toothbrush to touch your child’s lips or just inside the mouth. You may also want to teach your child to “open wide,” so that this direction is understood. Showing your child how you brush your own teeth may also be helpful.”

Additionally, think about these tips when choosing a dentist for your child on the autism spectrum. Start with a Pediatric dentist who specializes in caring for children with special needs. Then, consider the following;

• Share with the dentist your child’s intellectual and functional abilities, including information on the best way to communicate with your child.
• Be aware that oral care may trigger violent and self-injurious behavior such as temper tantrums or head banging.
• Children with autism function best with routine. It may be helpful to allow your child to visit the office before their appointment so they can become familiar with the setting.
• Help your child visualize what the visit to the dentist will be like by providing a picture of the office, the chair, and the dentist.
• Praise and reinforce good behavior after each step of a procedure. Ignore inappropriate behavior as much as you can.
• Set up appointments when the office is not busy. Minimize the number of distractions.
• Discuss with your dental provider any concerns that you may have regarding your child’s oral health.  (Source).

The most important thing to remember is that while teaching your ASD child to brush their teeth (or doing it for them) may feel like an impossible task; it cannot be overlooked.

Remember, April is World Autism month, so stay tuned as we offer more resources for parents of children on the autism spectrum.

*Featured image by U. Leone from Pixabay

Molly Huggins

Molly is a member of our creative team, mom of four water-loving babies, and a fierce advocate for CPR training and really early swim instruction.

The post Oral Care For Children With Autism appeared first on One with the Water.

Child fMRI Study at USC!

The University of California is conducting a MIND (Motor InterPersonal Neuroimaging Developmental) Study using magnetic imaging to study the brain. They are looking for children age 8-16 years old who are:

1. Typically developing
2. Clumsy or struggling with things like handwriting or sports
3. Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder or Asperger’s
4. Diagnosed with Developmental Coordination Disorder/Dyspraxia

Be on the forefront of autism developmental research.

“The goal of this USC study is to look at brain functioning and how it relates to coordination and social skills in developing children. We hope to better understand children’s social and motor abilities using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Using this safe brain imaging technique, we can take pictures of children’s brains while they observe, think about, and do different motor tasks.”

A few key points to know:

• Airfare and hotel are not covered, but your child can earn up to $150
• Each participant will also receive pictures of his/her brain.
• This study involves 8-10 hours of participation split across 2 separate visits. Each visit will last anywhere from 4-5 hours. Evening and weekend appointments are available.
• All procedures performed during the study are safe and have no known harmful effects. They are noninvasive and painless. MRI does not involve exposure to radiation.
• Information and results of all testing, will be kept strictly confidential.

For more information, see attached flyer (LA MIND Brochure) and contact them at: Chan.usc.edu/minds ~ AZLab@usc.edu ~ (424) 888-2543.

Molly Huggins

Molly is a member of our creative team, mom of four water-loving babies, and a fierce advocate for CPR training and really early swim instruction.

The post USC Study-See Stars and Your Brain in LA appeared first on One with the Water.

More specifically, multiple studies conducted within the last 20 years provide substantial evidence of the physical and social benefits of swimming for children with ASD. Not only that, a recent study indicated that the risk of drowning for children with autism is 160x greater than the general population. That alone is a compelling argument for teaching children diagnosed with ASD the lifesaving skill of swimming.

Stephanie’s Day

To that end, we are thrilled to be partnering with Stephanie’s Day, 2018!

“Stephanie’s Day is a resource fair that provides families with children impacted by autism and other special needs ONE place to gather valuable information, enjoy fun activities and much more!” – LA TIMES

Stephanie’s Day was founded by Steve Mauldin 19 years ago in order to provide more resources to parents and families of children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. It grew from necessity when his own daughter was diagnosed with Autism around the age of two and he realized how little support was available at the time. Now there are over 50 organizations participating to support local southern California families.

Read Stephanie’s story. 

We’ll be there too, on June 9th from 1-4 at CBS studios (4200 Radford Ave, Studio City CA) with stickers, fun activities for the kids and the chance to win a free swim lesson!

Donate

If you or your child has experienced the transforming power of life-saving swim lessons, consider donating to One with the Water! What we do matters because the evidence is clear. Swimming doesn’t just have the potential to save lives, but to effect lifelong change for good.

Join us by donating to help us provide need based scholarships for high risk, high need children. When you donate to One with the Water, you impact a child’s life on every plane – mentally, physically, and emotionally. For their lifetime.

Molly Huggins

Molly is a member of our creative team, mom of four water-loving babies, and a fierce advocate for CPR training and really early swim instruction.

The post Stephanie’s Day – An Autism Resources Fair appeared first on One with the Water.