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Holiday Match Up Fine Motor and Visual Memory Activity

Check out this FREE Holiday Match Up activity from the December Packet. Print and laminate the page. Using thumb, index and middle finger create small balls of clay. Flatten each ball between thumb and index finger. Place clay over each circle. Player one removes two pieces of clay. If it is a match, keep the […]

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Perceptual Reasoning, Handwriting and Autism

Neurology published research on a small study consisting of 24 adolescents, half with autism and half without autism. Using the Minnesota Handwriting Assessment Test, intelligence test and Physical and Neurological Examination for Subtle (Motor) Signs (PANESS), the researchers found that the adolescents with autism showed worse overall scores on handwriting just like younger children with autism […]

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Will My Child with Cerebral Palsy Walk?

If you are a pediatric physical therapist who works with young children you have most likely been asked by parents “will my child with cerebral palsy walk?”  Many times the response is based on evaluation results, clinical experience and research. Disability and Rehabilitation published the results of a systemic review on 1123 identified articles on prognostic […]

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Turkey Squares Craft Project

After seeing this on Turkey Squares craft on Pinterest, the original blogpost at A Spoonful of Learning and seeing it on Pediatric OT Group Facebook page, I decided to make a template for the activity (see below for free download).  You can print out four different versions of the template – black and white turkey, color turkey, […]

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Trolls Pencil Challenges – Free!

How cute are these trolls?  Since I grew up in the 80’s, perhaps I am finding them even more adorable!  This is a 5 page freebie from the Trolls Pencil Challenges packet.  Children can practice visual motor skills with this fun troll themed activity. Download the Trolls Pencil Challenges Freebie The complete Trolls Pencil Challenges […]

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Clothing Fasteners and Gross Motor Skill Development

GROSS MOTOR SKILLS AND CLOTHING FASTENERS Buttons, zippers, snaps and buckles are all clothing fasteners that require finger dexterity and fine motor skills to open and close.  Did you know that they also require gross motor skills?  In order to be able to open and close traditional clothing fasteners one must have proper stability, postural […]

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Dance Improves Function in Young People with Cerebral Palsy

The American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation published the results of a randomized controlled clinical trial on the effects of dance in the functionality and psychosocial adjustment of 26 young people with cerebral palsy (GMFCS levels II to V).  The participants were randomly chosen to complete 1 hour sessions, two times per week, for […]

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Fall Picture Pokes – Fine Motor and Visual Motor Activity

Here are 4 FREE Fall picture pokes or tracing pages.  It includes pictures of a pumpkin, leaf, acorns and an apple.  The child can either trace each picture and the word or use a thumb tack to poke out the picture.  This is great for a fine motor station in early learning classrooms.  Print the […]

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Aquatic Exercise and Sleep in Children with Autism

The Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities published research on whether participation in an aquatic exercise program improved the sleep in 8 children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).  Using an A-B-A withdrawal design for 4 weeks of each phase, the children participated in 60 min of aquatic exercise 2X/week. Data was collected via phone […]