For most people, the ability to talk is taken for granted. Unless you have struggled with speech yourself or have a family member who has struggled with it, you don’t necessarily understand the hardship involved. When a person can’t communicate in a way others understand, there is frustration… on both ends. If a mode of communication is never…
Not only is April Occupational Therapy Month, but 2017 is occupational therapy’s 100th birthday! Today, Kid’s Creek OT Claire Whatley shares a brief history of occupational therapy, how OT is used to treat children, and some information about a little-known aspect (her favorite!) of OT. A Brief History of Occupational Therapy (OT) Many people believe…
On Tuesday, we shared with you a blog written by Kid’s Creek Therapy alum Daniel Harper, a college student who has autism, as part of National Autism Awareness Month. Today, we share some thoughts from his parents, Doug and Jane Harper, about what it was like parenting Daniel. If you missed Daniel’s post, you can…
April is National Autism Awareness Month! Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) now affects one in every 68 children in the US, and activities this month promote autism awareness, inclusion and self-determination for all. This week we welcome Daniel Harper, an “alum” of Kid’s Creek – now an adult and a college student! Daniel has Asperger’s Syndrome, a form…
As many of you probably remember, last summer I went to China with Operation Smile. In January, I had the opportunity to travel across the world again….this time to the Philippines. This time, I went with the International Children’s Surgical Foundation (ICSF), which was a much smaller group, though no less effective. Two other therapists and I spent…
Last weekend, I stopped at my local grocery store to buy some needed items for dinner. As I was checking out, I noticed a boy crying in a grocery cart. He appeared quite upset as he screamed and hit the cart with his hands. As I finished my shopping and headed home, I thought about…
I talk about milestones on a near-daily basis with my patients and their families, but I’m also watching out for early milestones with my own son who was born in August – especially since he was born prematurely. As a parent, we hear a lot about early milestones from so many sources—our pediatrician, grandparents, friends,…
While eating is second nature to most of us and our biggest concern regarding food is when/what we will eat next, it is not that straightforward for many kiddos. The act of eating involves many different components that go unnoticed by most of us – things like the surrounding environment, what the plate looks like,…
Around this time of year, I get a lot of parents who ask “what kind of gift is best for my child?” Being a occupational therapist with a passion for children, I always try to give a gift that is both educational and engaging. Here are my top four picks for gifts, based on age group:…
Cue the music: It’s the most wonderful time of the year! But for some families with special needs children, the holidays can bring anxiety and uncertainty, especially when confronted with large family gatherings either at home or away from home in new environments. Questions arise, like: How am I going to keep her busy for…