Sensory Activities for Infants and Young Children

By: Christine Hemelians, MS OTR/L Below listed are the various activities for infants and toddlers broken down into the different sensory systems. Proprioceptive system: (the body’s ability to sense movement, action, and location in space)   Infants: Toddlers: Graded tummy time on caregiver’s chest (airplane rides) Running, jumping, hopping, skipping, climbing Lotion massage and joint […]

Springtime Mindfulness

By Erica Gliga, MOT, OTR/L Springtime is just around the corner and this blog post is all about getting outside, enjoying mindful moments with your littles in nature, and engaging different sensory systems. Nature is filled with so many wonderful sensory experiences and time spent outside can support emotional regulation, for both adults and children. […]

Growing Language through Gardening

By Madison Gwizdalski MS, CCC-SLP With Spring around the corner, we are looking for ways to get outside and help our children learn! One of our favorite ways to help our kiddos learn and practice new skills is through gardening – here’s why: The world of gardening exposes children to a whole new world of […]

What is Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)?

By Rouzan Dishoian, MS, CCC-SLP Communication is a fundamental aspect of human interaction. For some individuals, articulating their thoughts verbally may pose a challenge. This is where Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) comes into play, offering a lifeline to those facing communication challenges. What does AAC stand for? Augmentative and Alternative Communication AAC encompasses all […]

When to seek PT services

By Francesca Resurreccion PT, DPT Parenthood is a journey filled with joy, wonder, and sometimes, unexpected challenges. For some parents, the realization that their child may need additional support in the form of pediatric physical therapy services can be both daunting and confusing. However, seeking early intervention is crucial in addressing developmental concerns and ensuring […]

The Power of Imitation: How It Boosts Speech and Language Skills in Children

By Pranali Shah MS, CF SLP Imitation is a remarkable ability that plays a significant role in a child’s development. From their earliest days, children are natural mimics, imitating the sounds, gestures, and expressions of the people around them. This innate tendency to imitate is more than just cute behavior; it’s a crucial building block […]

The Connection between Autism, ADHD, and Sleep 

By Christine Hemelians, MS, OTR/L Quality sleep is important and beneficial for everyone; however, it’s especially important for babies and toddlers. Sleep plays a crucial role in the development of mental and physical health for children. It impacts alertness and attention, cognitive performance, language and vocabulary acquisition, and learning and memory (Pacheco & Vyas, 2023). […]

Tummy Time

By Erica Gliga MOT, OTR/L Tummy time is a foundational time for your infant to be on their tummy while awake.   Why is it important? While in utero, you might think about how your infant is growing in the fetal position, curled up in what is a flexed position. Tummy time helps the body […]

What is Hyperlexia? 

By Pranali Shah MS, CF SLP Definition and Characteristics: Hyperlexia is a term used to describe an intense interest in reading, often demonstrated by young children who can decode words and read at a level well beyond what is considered typical for their age. While hyperlexic children may exhibit advanced word recognition skills, their comprehension […]

Seasonal Sensory Bins

By Erica Gliga MOT, OTR/L ‘Tis the season for sensory bins. This post shares 2 different seasonal sensory bin ideas to inspire some of your own creations to incorporate into play routines during the holiday season. Generally speaking, sensory bins can support development in a variety of ways such as providing tactile, visual, auditory, and […]