Monday, December 15, 2014

The Therapists' Guide to Holiday Gift Shopping

Its that time of year already and let me guess, you're stumped on what to get your child this year? Let us help! We have collaborated a list of our favorite and most educational toys this season to keep your child on track for success.

Our Speech Therapists are talking about...

Infants/Toddlers: 

  • Cause and effect toys (i.e. you put something in/push something and there is an effect: i.e. lights/sounds)
  • Ring stacker
  • Pig with coins
  • Ball popper
  • Soft touch book
  • Shape sorter
  • Toy phone
  • Mr. Potato Head
  • Baby doll
  • Food/Kitchen accessories
  • Playdoh and cookie cutters




Books: 

  • Brown Bear
  • Dr. Seuss
  • There was an Old Lady Who...
  • Very Hungry Catepillar

School Age:

  • I-Spy Books
  • Red Rover game
  • Short books
  • Highlights Magazine subscription
  • Dress up clothes

Pre-Teen: 

  • Taboo
  • Apples to Apples
  • Rory's Story cubes
  • Quia Language lab (online)
  • Cookbook (beginner) 

Our Physical Therapists are jumping about...


Baby/Infant: 

  • Linking rings 
  • Car seat positioner: Snuggin Go
  • Bumbo seat
  • Cause and Effect toys: Star stacker rings with music and pop up toys
  • Push toys (~10 months)
  • Ball poppers

Young Child: 

  • Tricycle and protective equipment: helmet and guards
  • Playground balls
  • Ride-on toys
  • Game: Silly Pins
  • Jungle gym: Backyard set
  • Balance beam

School Age: 

  • Bike and protective equipment: helmet and guards
  • Skip-It
  • Hula hoops
  • Jump ropes
  • Twister 
  • HullaBaloo
  • Hyper Dash
  • Trampoline: with protective sides

Adolescent: 

  • Bike and helmet
  • Trampoline with protective sides
  • Skates: roller skates, roller blades, and protective gear
  • Skate board with protective gear 

Our Occupational Therapists are stoked about...

Baby/Infant:



  • Teething links
  • Finger puppets
  • Jingle bells for wrists and ankles
  • Activity cubes
  • Tobbles
  • Busy ball drop
  • Ring stacker
  • Baby play cube
Toddlers: 
  • Shape sorter
  • Wok 'N Roll
  • Puzzles with knobs
  • Snap lock beads
  • Mr. Potato Head
Preschool- School Age: 
  • Puzzles
  • Pretend play sets
  • Lacing beads
  • Hungry Monkey Motor Skills
  • Play Doh


For the ultimate guide to gifts for all our sensory kiddos we found this amazing blog that sums it all up! 

http://mamaot.com/2013/11/29/ultimate-gift-list-for-sensory-seekers/


Have a safe and happy holiday season! 

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Vietnam: Behind the scenes with Beth

This past October I had the opportunity to head overseas, once again, for the Spoon Foundation, except this time to Vietnam. The orphanage I had the pleasure of spending time in was located in Binh, about an hour outside of Ho Chi Minh.

The purpose of this specific trip was to gather information of what these orphanages need so that the Spoon Foundation can prepare for training next time I return in June. I wanted to find out how the cultural beliefs of Vietnam impact how they treat and view children with disabilities. I spent my days interviewing staff members and observing children eating. The professionals at Spoon Foundation will take the information I gathered and customize the training to best meet the cultural needs of the trainees. I wasn't able to sit and take notes all day, but I was able to snap a few photos of some of the children I worked with. 

Due to lack of resources and knowledge, therapy is not readily accessible for all the kids who need it in this orphanage. Only 1 in 40 special needs children are able to receive therapy. A powerful way to assist children in receiving therapy is sponsoring a child. To cover one child's therapy it is about $10 US dollars a week. I have agreed to sponsor a child for a year and am asking the Fiesta Family in joining me to help. Our wonderful young boy, Thong, is 9 year old and he always has such a great smile on his adorable face.