Worth Repeating: How to Teach Creative Thinking to Concrete Thinkers

Posted on May 24, 2013 by Heidi

[Source:  Friendship Circle]

emcsquared

My son is the type who loves checklists, schedules, scripts, anything that will make his life predictable.

But life isn’t predictable.  Sooner or later, there will be a problem that he has to solve on his own.  Everyone must learn how to adapt.

Concrete thinking and rigid, inflexible habits are prominent features of many neurological conditions and some types of cognitive impairments.  In these cases, creativity may not come naturally – it must be taught in order to develop more flexible habits and thought patterns.

The therapeutic benefits of creative outlets such as drawing, writing, photography and storytelling are well-documented in medical literature.  Moreover, creative thinking and problem solving are necessary life skills for everyone.

Read the Rest of this Article on the Friendship Circle Blog


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Good Article on Detecting Dyslexia

Posted on May 23, 2013 by Heidi

[Source:  The Guardian UK]

dyslexia7by Sally Bouwman

The one thing my postgraduate teacher training course had simply not prepared me for was that more than a third of my first class of seven and eight year-olds might not be reading and writing with any degree of confidence.

Granted, it was a school in special measures, and many of the pupils did not have the clear structure, support or guidance at school, or, in some cases, at home, that would help progress their literacy skills. But it seemed many of these children would do anything to avoid reading out loud or putting ideas onto paper, often with inventive, distraction tactics: “Miss, I need to go to the loo, I’m going to wet myself,” “Miss my pencil keeps breaking.”

Looking back I faced a huge challenge; trying to sort the learning gaps from the learning needs. No doubt, it was the ideal breeding ground for my current interest in dyslexia and the ways we can make a difference to those pupils struggling with basic literacy skills.

Read the Rest of this Article in the Guardian


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Treadmill Training Effects on Balance

Posted on May 23, 2013 by Heidi

[Source:  Your Therapy Source]

treadmillonbalance

Recent research was completed that compared treadmill training versus overground walking effects on balance skills using a randomized controlled trial with blinded evaluator. The participants were children with cerebral palsy ages 3-12, GMFCS levels I through III. The experimental group received 30 minute treadmill training session two times per week for 7 weeks. The control group participated in overground walking, 30 minute sessions, 2 times per week, also for 7 weeks.

The results indicated the following:

  • both groups exhibited better functional balance after the protocol.
  • the experimental group had higher Berg balance scale scores and exhibited lesser mediolateral oscillation with eyes open in comparison to the control group.

The researchers concluded that treadmill training had greater effects on balance skills and  mediolateral oscillation than the overground walking.

Reference:  Grecco LA, Tomita SM, Christovão TC, Pasini H, Sampaio LM, Oliveira CS. Effect of treadmill gait training on static and functional balance in children with cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled trial. Rev Bras Fisioter. 2013 Feb;17(1):17-23.

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Worth Repeating: Let’s Give Kids Who Don’t Speak Tools to Succeed

Posted on May 23, 2013 by Heidi

bloom
Image Credit:  Bloom: Parenting Kids with Disabilities

How many words would the average, middle-class three-year-old child hear spoken to her in the course of a year?

“About 6 million,” said Pat Mirenda, an expert on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) who referenced a related study during a keynote talk at the Bloorview Research Institute’s Pursuit Awards yesterday.

Pat said we could expect a deaf child of deaf parents to watch about the same number of signs over a year.

But what about kids who can’t speak or sign and use a voice device or pictures to communicate? How often would a young child see these symbols used around them in a year?

Read the Rest of this Article on Bloom

 


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PediaStaff Therapist Placement of the Week: Meet Candace!

Posted on May 23, 2013 by Heidi

girlatbeach

Meet Candace  – a pediatric physical therapist who has just accepted a direct hire position with one of PediaStaff’s clients in a sunny beach town in California! She will work full time, with ample opportunity to work after school hours should she desire.

Candace will join a group of energetic therapists in a collaborative approach to children’s health.  She will receive a 401K with matching program, optional group health insurance, and accrued PTO hours.
Congratulations, Candace!  Enjoy, but don’t get too much sun!


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