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5 Must Reads for New School Based Therapists

Are you new to the world of school based therapy?  If so, here are 5 blog posts that will help you hit the ground running.  8 Getting To Know You Activities for School Based Therapists – pick a few of these ideas to get to know your students and for your students to get to […]

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Proprioceptive Training Improves Working Memory

A pilot study published in Perceptual and Motor Skills examined whether regular classroom instruction, yoga or proprioceptive training improved working memory in individuals 18-59 years old.  The experimental group participated in proprioceptive activities along with one other factor ie locomotion or navigation.  Some of the tasks were climbing trees, walking on a balance beam, carrying […]

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Writing SMART Goals for School Based OT and PT

Are you familiar with SMART goals?  SMART is an acronym for guiding someone how to write a goal.  It stands for: S – SPECIFIC: what, why and how are you going to do it M – MEASURABLE: evidence that the goal will be achieved ie data collection A – ATTAINABLE: goal needs to be challenging […]

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10 Back to School Tips for School Based Therapists

It is that time of year again – back to school.  Here are 10 tips to help you get started on the right “foot” (for the PTs) or “write path” (for the OTs).  Get it hahahaha!  Ok, I know lame joke but I couldn’t resist.  Here we go: #1:  Get organized.  Here are a few […]

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ADHD, Fidgeting and Improved Performance

The Journal of Abnormal Psychology published research to determine if hyperactivity with ADHD is a deficit or a compensatory behavior.  The researchers compared the working memory (WM) performance and attention in boys aged 8–12 years  with ADHD (n = 29) and typically developing children (TD; n = 23).  Each child’s phonological WM and attentive behavior was evaluated during four counterbalanced WM tasks […]

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Building Block Pattern Freebie

Here are a several free printables from Building Blocks Patterns and Games.  These free sample patterns are full size, ranging from simple to more complex patterns.  The full size patterns make it easier for children to match up the blocks exactly if they need a little extra help to complete the cards.  You will need DUPLO […]

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Physical Versus Mental Practice, Motor Learning and Cerebral Palsy

The Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities published research on the effects of physical and mental practice in acquisition, retention, and transfer of a motor skill in 29 males with cerebral palsy.  The participants were assigned to three homogenous groups; physical practice (n = 10), mental practice (n = 10), and control (n = 9). The experimental groups (physical and mental […]

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Listen for The Code Movement Game

Purpose: Encourage listening skills, following motor commands, self regulation skills and left right directions. Materials: small object i.e. toy car, small doll, etc. Activity: Before you start establish what the movement pattern will be.  Try to write it down so the children can refer to it if necessary.  For example a pattern could be the […]

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WiiFit, Motor Performance and Cerebral Palsy

The Journal of Physical Therapy Science published research on the effect of training with Nintendo Wii Fit games on motor performance in 40 children with spastic cerebral palsy (6-10 years old and GMFCS Level III).  Participants were divided randomly into equal groups: experimental group that practiced with the Nintendo Wii Fit game for at least […]