OT is not just for your child
When one family member struggles, it impacts everyone. Occupational therapy goes beyond supporting your child’s sensory and emotional needs to include the whole family—parents, siblings, and their nervous systems. Discover how gentle, practical strategies can create a more connected, calm, and supported home environment for everyone.
Welcome (Back) to the Blog
You will not find quick fixes or one size fits all solutions here. Just real conversations and support for those navigating real life with neurodivergent kids.
Sensory Chalk Walk Obstacle Courses
People often think these chalk obstacle courses are difficult to make, however they’re so fun and you can involve your kids in making them too. We made a bunch of these on our streets for younger and older children, and even made one for an elderly neighbour across the street. It was so fun watching them through our window laugh and do them with friends.
Benefits of Yoga for Children in Occupational Therapy
Breathing alongside movements encourages children to breathe while moving (many children who are weak tend to hold their breath while doing motor tasks as they are using their diaphragm, a breathing muscle, to hold their body versus to breathe)
Baby Owned Movements
My son crawled at 9 months, sat at nearly 10 months, and walked at 16 months. According to developmental charts, his sitting and walking are considered to be within the later range of ‘normal.’ Charts indicate that babies sit at six months when placed in sitting by an adult. The baby does not own that movement of sitting by being able to move in and out of positions. Most are actually stuck in sitting and struggle to get ‘unstuck.’
Sensory Swings Pre-Made Part 3/3
I’d love to have more DIY skills or even a little workshop to build toys and equipment. But alas, I often resort to Amazon!
I’ll share some swings, trapezes and other equipment I’ve purchased from Amazon or local shops that kids really like.
Homemade Sensory Integration Swings – Part 2 / 3
Personally, I love the hammock swing after a long day and my toddler would love to nap in it. I wish I were a bit more handy and could actually sew, I’d create a lot more.
Installing Sensory Integration Swings – Part 1/ 3
Part of classical sensory integration therapy includes using suspended equipment and therapeutic swings.Although there are lots of other effective and fun ways for children to get movement input without swings, swings are an option for the home.
Breastfeeding & Sensory Processing Difficulties
I contacted a speech feeding therapist of mine whom I hugely respect at day 3! We were so fortunate to have her support as the NHS speech therapist said there’s nothing to do until M eats foods. Not only couldn’t we wait but I knew better. Please know this is so not true. It was important to strengthen and develop M’s jaws, cheeks, lips, and tongue so he could nurse and later, eat foods and talk.
Therapeutic Benefits of Babywearing
You can see how it can either help decrease sensory overload for sensitive babies or provide extra input to
babies who need more sensory information. By integrating, touch, body and movement input, we are helping develop multi-sensory processing.