Encouraging Tactile Play
by Danielle Carter, MS OTR/L Sensory play in the preschool and toddler years is such a great way for kids to explore their world, develop tolerance to touch, and learn to be messy! Our touch receptors help us do things such as feel temperature and pain, use the right...
Teletherapy- A Silver Lining
By Amy Chouinard M.A. CCC-SLP, COM® We have all been turned upside down over the last week. Every single person in the world is affected somehow by COVID-19. For me as a therapist, I cannot see clients in person. This is tough, really tough. ...
Flexible Thinking in Times of COVID-19
by Danielle Carter, MS OTR/L As the news of the Corona Virus changes almost daily in Minnesota, it has clearly altered our homes and families in ways we could not have imagined it would even a few weeks ago. We are all hopefully well versed in our...
Developing Mature Crayon Grasps in Preschoolers
by Danielle Carter, MS OTR/L As an Occupational Therapist I am often asked by preschool teachers and parents about purchasing pencil grippers to assist their 4-5 year olds who are not yet using a mature crayon grasp. While there is certainly a...
Talking Back
By Amy Chouinard, M.A. CCC-SLP, COM™ While at the grocery store yesterday, I walked by a mother who was obviously at her wits’ end. She had a crying baby in his infant carrier in the cart and a child lying on the floor in a full-on tantrum about candy. As I...
The Importance of Crossing Midline
by Danielle Carter, MS OTR/L What is crossing the midline? Pretend there is an imaginary line that divides the left and right side of the body from top (head) to bottom (feet). Crossing the midline is when we reach across this imaginary line, with arms...
Is it Sensory or is it Behavior?
by Danielle Carter, MS OTR/L All children, no matter their age will demonstrate behaviors that warrant correcting. Sometimes behavioral approaches (setting clear cut rules and expectations, allowing for natural consequences, and implementing discipline) work well. ...
Does My Child Need Occupational Therapy?
by Danielle Carter, MS OTR/L Occupational therapists (OTs) are trained to help children gain the skills needed to be successful across community environments such as home, school, daycare, and the playground. OTs help children who are showing difficulty...
Summer Fun
by Danielle Carter, MS OTR/L The summer months often take us outdoors and away from our traditional therapy home programs. There are many ways to work on Occupational Therapy goals in easy, fun, and functional ways as your child naturally explores his/her...
Special Super Heroes
by Marlene Schoenberg Ed. M, CCC-SLP I have worked with a 5 year old boy with Apraxia for 3 years. Each new sound took a long time to develop but the /k/ remained elusive. The ASHA Leader toothbrush cover (May 2018) sparked an "aha moment" for me! I found a...
My family has used Kidspeak for two years now. Amy and her whole team have been incredible! We’ve worked with several speech therapists and each therapist has been great. Amy was also very helpful and patient working with us and our insurance company to get therapy approved. I can’t say enough good things about Amy, her staff, and how she has helped my daughter.