Pediatric Dysphagia and the Role of Feeding Therapy
By Melissa Perlee, MS, OTR/L Pediatric dysphagia is a condition where children have trouble swallowing. This disorder can manifest in various ways, from mild discomfort to severe inability to swallow, and lead to nutritional deficiencies, growth delays, and respiratory issues. The complexities surrounding pediatric dysphagia necessitate a multifaceted approach to diagnosis and treatment, with feeding […]
Fostering Self-Regulation Skills in Toddlers: The Role of Occupational Therapy
By Christina Pasinato, OTR/L As toddlers grow and develop, learning to manage their emotions and behaviors is crucial. It is normal for toddlers to have difficulty with managing their emotions and behaviors which is why it is so common to see more tantrum behaviors occur. Self-regulation—the ability to control one’s emotions, thoughts, and behaviors—plays a […]
10 Fun Sensory Play Activities
10 Fun Sensory Play Activities to Support Your Child’s Therapy Progress Sensory play can be easily incorporated at home with simple activities like finger painting or playdough. These hands-on exercises make therapy more approachable, allowing your child to practice important skills outside of formal sessions. What is sensory play, and why is it important for […]
Spotting and Preventing Torticollis: Tips for Parents
By Francesca Resurreccion PT, DPT What is Torticollis? Torticollis is a condition in which an infant’s head is tilted to one side while the chin is turned toward the opposite shoulder. Oftentimes, the main culprit for Torticollis is the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM)—this muscle’s function is to bring your ear towards your shoulder to the same […]
We Love Social Games!
By: Madison Gwizdalski MS, CCC-SLP Social games are songs, rhymes, finger plays, and early social routines that adults sing and play with toddlers and young children with the primarily purpose of interacting and having fun together. You may already be familiar with many of these games, including Peek-a-boo, Patty-Cake, and the “Itsy Bitsy Spider”. We […]
Preparing for Independent Steps
By: Nicole Crisan, PT, DPT Independent mobility allows children to explore and interact with their environment. One way that a child gains this independence is by walking. Independent steps emerge between the ages of 10-15 months, but before those first steps comes a series of developmental milestones that prepare a child for independent walking. These […]
Bilingualism and Speech Delay: Understanding the Correlation
By: Pranali Shah, MS, CF-SLP In our increasingly globalized world, bilingualism has become more common and beneficial than ever. However, there is a common concern among parents and educators: does being bilingual cause speech delays in children? Let’s delve into the research and myths surrounding this topic to provide a clearer understanding. The Benefits of […]
How to Teach Your Baby to Say Mama
By: Madison Gwizdalski MS, CCC-SLP Has your baby started talking but is not yet saying your name? “Mama” or “Mommy” is often one of the first words that babies say, so it can be confusing (and even frustrating!) when they are not. Here are some tips to facilitate this skill in your child” Create a […]
Benefits of Using a Vibration Board During Therapy Sessions
By Nicole Crisan, PT, DPT A vibration board uses whole body vibration that can be set to different frequencies depending on the child’s needs and goals. It can be used as an additional tool that can be integrated during a therapy session as it provides many benefits, ranging from improving balance, motor control, coordination mobility, […]
Music and Speech Therapy
By Pranali Shah MS, CF-SLP Music can be an extremely beneficial treatment for speech therapy. Music activates all areas of the brain simultaneously. For children, music can promote language development, improve speech production, improve memory and spatial-temporal learning. According to the American Music Therapy Association: “Music therapy is an evidence-based, allied health profession that uses […]