Staying Cool in the Summer Heat

How To Stay Cool!

With temperatures already in the 90s, it is hard to find fun ways to stay cool and avoid the heat. This week’s blog is geared to help keep you and your kids cool this summer while playing outside in the hot temperatures.

 

Homemade popsicles are a great way to cool down between activities. Country living.com has 20 different homemade popsicle recipes that will keep you cool this summer and they are healthy! Being the chocolate lover that I am, my favorite recipe would have to be the fudge popsicles. All you need is chocolate almond milk and Nutella and it is delicious! Here is the link for all of the different recipes. http://www.countryliving.com/food-drinks/g830/popsicle-recipes-0709/

 

Splash pads and fountains are always fun for kids to play in. There is a splash pad right outside of Coligney beach on Hilton Head Island and one at Harold Turpin Park in Ridgeland SC. Savannah is also home to a bunch of different parks. Ellis Square and Forsyth Park are 2 parks in Savannah that have fountains for kids to play in, and parents don’t be shy there is no age limit on who can play in the fountains and splash pads!

 

Water tables are another great way for your kids to have fun and stay cool at the same time. A water table is exactly what it sounds like. It is a table that is full of water and comes with different toys, action figures, and attachments to play with. Amazon has tons of water tables and they range from $30-$70. https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_2_11?url=search-alias%3Dtoys-and-games&field-keywords=water+table+for+kids&sprefix=Water+table%2Ctoys-and-games%2C147

 

Pintrest has tons of different plans and ideas for do-it-yourself water tables. http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/10-best-diy-outdoor-water-play-tables-220227

 

Here is another website that has lots of cool and fun ideas to help you beat the heat this summer!

http://www.parents.com/fun/activities/outdoor/beat-the-heat-activities-and-treats/?slideId=32062

 

 

-Matthew D’Antonio, PT, DPT

Pediatric Physical Therapist

 

Sensory-Friendly 4th of July Celebrations

Author: Krista Flack, MS OTR/L

Sensory-Friendly 4th of July Celebrations

While many of us look forward to the parades and fireworks on the 4th of July, it can be overwhelming and stressful for children with Autism or sensory processing difficulties.  Below are some tips for making this Independence Day enjoyable for the whole family:

  • Prepare your child for the day’s events. 
    • Social stories work well to prepare your child for what they may experience and how it may make them feel, and provide scripts and reminders of sensory strategies that will be available to them. 
    • Visual schedules can add an element of routine and predictability to the day.  Seeing the day’s events and being able to refer back to it can be easier for a child to understand than being told verbally what to expect (especially if your child has language delays or deficits).  Remember, visual schedules can be as structured or as flexible as you want or as your child needs/can handle.  A dry erase board allows you to make quick changes for when things are not going as planned. 
    • Watch videos of parades and fireworks.  Start with the volume down and gradually increase it.  Talk about the crowds, the noise level, and the visual stimulation.  Make sure this conversation is positive and calm, but also communicates what can be done to reduce stimulation if needed.
  • Come armed with sensory strategies that will help your child calm down if overstimulated. 
    • Headphones or ear plugs can reduce noise.  If your child has never worn them before, try them at home in the days leading up to the event so that they are familiar.
    • Sunglasses or a billed hat can reduce visual input by dimming the light or cutting the visual field.  A small pop up tent or umbrella can provide your child with a safe space with reduced visual input and lower risk of being touched/bothered by others when he or she needs a break.
    • While crunchy snacks can be alerting, chewy snacks (or those that require a sucking motion) can be calming.  Licorice, beef jerky, and bagels are foods that require heavy chewing!
    • Heavy work can help to prevent over-stimulation, and can calm your child if they get to that point despite using the above strategies.  Passive heavy work can include things like ankle weights, a weighted blanket/backpack/lap pad, or firm hugs/squishes.  Get your child moving for more active heavy work options, like bear crawling, crab walking, swimming, and jumping. 
  • Be observant, flexible, and realistic about expectations.  Watch your child’s reactions; you know him or her best.  Even if you use all the tips above, your child may still become overwhelmed and overstimulated.  Try not to stress about it or let it ruin your day.  Watching fireworks from the car, or heading home early and playing games can still result in a fun day for all!  

Check out the links below for local events happening this 4th of July:

Beaufort/Port Royal

 

Bluffton/Hilton Head Island

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Sensory Edition

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Sensory Edition

Everybody looks forward to a family vacation, but the closer you get to the departure date, the more you feel some of the stressors that come along with what should be a relaxing vacation.  Traveling with kids in general can mean a few curve balls being thrown your way, but when you have children with special needs, those curve balls can multiply!  Below are some tips for making your trip run as smoothly as possible so you can enjoy your time away!

  • First, always check to see if the attractions you will be visiting have programs or accommodations for children with special needs.  Some parks and museums offer sensory-friendly events or areas.  Matt’s blog post this week has more details on some of the local attractions and how to find out about special accommodations they offer.  

  • Think about your daily routine – there are likely some things that make your day run smoothly that are such a part of your daily life that it would be very missed if you had to go without it, like specific snacks, a special blanket, or a swing.  Many things are easy to pack so that you don’t have to worry about finding it at your destination.  But you may not be able to pack everything that you use on a daily basis, so get creative and think about how you can replicate some of the things you can’t pack.  For example, a travel hammock could replace a swing and compacts down to a small pouch; a wiggle cushion or inflatable mattress are much smaller than a trampoline but can give similar input.   

  • Use visual schedules or social stories to prepare your child for the upcoming events and to add an element of routine/predictability.  This will reduce stress and prevent meltdowns.

 

  • If your child is sensitive to sensory input:
    • Use a billed hat, sunglasses, or a sleep mask to reduce visual input.
    • Pack ear plugs or headphones to reduce noise, or to play calming sounds at times.
    • Use a weighted blanket, lap pad, or ankle weights to provide calming deep pressure. 

  • Heavy work activities can help regulate a child's arousal level, concentration, and ability to sit still and attend to a task.
    • While driving or flying, use theraband or exercise bands for heavy work.  Try stretching the band between your arms, or tie it into a loop and stretch between your feet! 
    • Stress balls, putty, pop beads, clothes pins, and other fidgets can make good heavy work activities for fingers and hands. 
    • Chewy snacks (licorice, gum, bagel, beef jerky) and sucking through a straw are great heavy work activities for your mouth!
    • Before boarding the plane or at rest stops, try to work in some heavy work tasks.  Push/pull a suitcase or cooler, carry a backpack, do jumping jacks, pushups, or animal walks.

 

  • A note about Car Sickness: Car sickness is caused by the discord within the brain’s ability to process movement with visual input. For example, your visual system says you are moving as the landscape passes by; however, your body and the proprioceptive receptors of the brain say you are sitting still. As your sensory receptors cannot find a way to process both sides of the sensory input, your body begins to have a visceral reaction, leading to nausea.  Another example occurs as you are trying to read a book in the car; your eyes are stationary on the book while the fluid in your ear canals are moving as the car goes over bumps and the car accelerates/decelerates; your brain has difficulty in processing if you are moving or if you are stationary as the input it is receiving does not match up.

 

 

 

Author: Krista Flack, MS OTR/L

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Special Accommodations for Your Favorite Destinations!

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Special Accommodations for Your Favorite Destinations!

 

Going on a family vacation with a child with special needs can sometimes be a very daunting task. Don’t worry though, we are here to help! Krista’s blog this week has some great tips for sensory ideas when traveling with kids with special needs. Here's the link to her blog: http://www.lowcountrytherapycenter.com/our-blog/planes-trains-and-automobiles-sensory-edition . This blog is going to highlight some specific vacation destinations and the special accommodations that they off for children with special needs.

 

  1. Carowinds in Charlotte, NC
  • Boarding Pass Program = Guests with mobility impairments or with autism spectrum disorder are able to receive a ride boarding pass with wait times. This allows guests to access the rides at specific times via the exit ramp in order to avoid crowds and waiting in the regular lines.
  • Guests with disabilities need to stop at guest services at the front gate upon arrival for details on special accommodations.
  • Here is the link to Carowinds for more information https://www.carowinds.com/plan-a-visit/guests-with-disabilities  

     2. Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, GA

  • They offer wheelchairs free of charge to guests and have a transportation system from the parking lot to the entrance.
  • The touch pool (where you can touch animals) has a special wheelchair access entry.
  • For children with visual and hearing impairments tactile elements have been added to each exhibit. They also have cell phone and Ipad tours available.
  • They have handicapped trained divers for anyone who wants to purchase the SCUBA or snorkeling package.
  • More information can be found at http://www.georgiaaquarium.org/experience/visit/plan-your-visit/accessibility  

     3. Disney World, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld in Orlando, FL

  • All 3 parks provide assistance passes for individuals with disabilities.
  • Passes can be obtained at guest relations when you enter the park.
  • The passes are different at each park, and this website helps to explain how each pass works and different tips and tricks to navigating the parks http://autismattheparks.com/index.html  

 

 

-Matthew D’Antonio, PT, DPT

Pediatric Physical Therapist

Pool Safety and Pool Exercises

Pool Safety and Pool Exercises

 

Now that school is out and it is starting to get hot outside I have been seeing more and more people using the pool. This week we will go over some pool safety tips and some fun games that you and your children can play to help develop gross motor skills.

 

According to Poolsafely.gov , drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death in children ages 1-4. It is important to follow your local pools rules and regulations that are posted around the pool area. Poolsafely.gov also outlines 6 other tips to help keep you and your children safe at the pool. 1) Always watch children when they are in or near the water, and never leave them unattended. 2) Teach your children how to swim. 3) Teach your children to stay away from drains and to never enter the pool if the drain is lose, broken, or missing the drain cover. 4) Ensure that all pools and spas that you and your family visit have compliant drain covers. 5) Install proper barriers and covers on and around your pool and spa. 6) Know how to perform CPR on both children and adults. These tips and more can be found at http://www.poolsafely.gov/

 

Becca Fitzpatrick is a PT at our Port Royal location and also one of the therapists for Lowcountry Connections. Through Lowcountry Connections, Becca has been providing aquatic therapy to a few patients and below you will find a list of exercises that she uses with her patients and that you can use at home.

  • Holding a kickboard or noodle in front of you and doing flutter or frog kicks and race. This helps strengthen the glute muscles.
  • Playing tag in the shallow end but using just their arms to move. This helps build upper body strength as well as neck strength to keep their head up.
  • Climbing in and out of the pool and have them jump over a target. Slowly increase the distance. The climbing and jumping help to strengthen the upper body, lower body, and core muscles.

 

Teach your kids how to blow bubbles under water. This will help to teach them to blow out instead of breathing in water when their lips go under the surface. You can also make the exercises harder or easier by adjusting the level of the water. The more submerged they are the more difficult the activity.

 

-Matthew D’Antonio, PT, DPT

Pediatric Physical Therapist

 

Speech Activities for Summer

Speech Activities for Summer

 Now that school is out, you might be looking for extra ways to fit in some speech practice!  Summer time means there is extra time to fit in some of those activities that can get neglected when homework and after-school activities fill up the schedule.  It can also mean experiencing new activities and outings that open the door for learning new vocabulary.  Below are just a few ideas for incorporating speech practice into everyday activities this summer!

  • Read a book!  Reading helps build vocabulary and language skills.  Check out the Beaufort County Library Summer Reading Program , where you can earn points and win prizes for reading and attending library events.  Barnes and Noble also has a Summer Reading Triathlon, where you can earn a free book just for signing up!
  • Set up playdates, join a camp, or head to a park to play with same-age children and develop and improve social skills.
  • Plan activities like gardening, baking, or a scavenger hunt to work on following directions and sequencing.  You can also find ways to incorporate new vocabulary and practice describing and categorizing objects.
  • Strengthen those mouth muscles and improve oral awareness by blowing bubbles, drinking sour lemonade, and sucking on popsicles. 
  • Participate in arts and crafts.  From color labeling to following directions, there are craft projects for all levels and interests to practice a variety of skills!
  • Go for a walk, to the zoo, to the children’s museum, or anywhere new to expand vocabulary and describing skills.
  • Check out these great calendars on the following link for quick and simple ideas to practice speech and language skills every day throughout the summer: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/FREE-Summer-Homework-Calendars-for-Language-729494 

As always, talk to your child’s speech therapist about individualized home exercise programs.  If your child does not receive speech therapy, but you have concerns about his or her speech and language development, talk to your pediatrician about making a referral, or call us to set up a quick and free screening with one of our awesome therapists!

Author: Krista Flack, MS OTR/L

Summer Activities That Help Develop Gross Motor Skills

Summer activities that help develop gross motor skills

 

Gross motor skills are body movements such as walking, running, jumping, throwing, etc. In order to develop gross motor skills we must be able to coordinate our large muscle groups (arms, legs, and core) to work together. Practice and repetition are the best ways to develop and fine tune gross motor skills. In this week’s blog I am going to give you some fun outdoor activities to help develop your child’s gross motor skills.

 

Jumping

  • Jumping forward = Have your child practice jumping forward by placing hula hoops on the ground and having them jump from hoop to hoop
  • Jumping down = Take your child to the park and work on jumping down from surfaces of various heights. Start small and work your way up to higher surfaces
  • Jumping up = Have your child practice jumping up over obstacles with some pool noodles. Place a noodle on the ground and have them jump over it, and add noodles on top to make it harder.

Balance

  • Walking balance = Build a balance beam with your child and practice walking different ways such as forward and backward.
  • Single Leg Balance = Have your child practice balancing on 1 foot while doing an activity like a water balloon or egg toss.

Running

  • Agility = Play red light green light outside and have something fun at the finish line like a snack or toy.
  • Endurance = Have you and your child create a track with sidewalk chalk and pretend to be race cars. Make a set number of laps and start running.

 

These are just several ideas to help with gross motor skill development. Whether you are working on a specific activity or just playing, being outside can help develop lots of different skills. Below are some links with lots of outdoor activities, so get outside and play!

 

http://handsonaswegrow.com/get-the-kids-moving-activities/

 

http://www.horizoneducationcenters.org/blog/bid/155489/More-Summer-Activities-that-Build-Gross-Motor-Skills

 

http://www.stillplayingschool.com/2015/01/active-fun-games-indoor-kids-gross-motor.html

 

-Matthew D’Antonio, PT, DPT

Pediatric Physical Therapist

Scoliosis Awareness Month Interview with Stacie, DPT, PT

Interview with Stacie Schaidle, DPT, PT about June is Scoliosis Awareness Month

 

Welcome, Stacie!  Thank you for doing this interview.  First of all, what brought you to Lowcountry Therapy Center?

I wanted to do pediatrics, and after school I liked the location and I started talking to Jessi and liked the company and decided it was a good match for me.

June is Scoliosis Awareness Month, so I wanted to ask you a little bit about scoliosis.  First of all, what is scoliosis?

Scoliosis is a curvature in the spine, the majority of the time it happens in the thoracic lumbar region which is the lower part of the spine, but it can also occur in the upper thoracic and cervical regions.  Typically you’ll see what most people look at straight from behind is a lateral curvature of the spine, but it actually has a rotational component, too, meaning that the vertebrae are twisted, and typically parents don’t recognize that because it’s not as visual as the lateral curvature. 

How does scoliosis affect function in everyday life?

What happens with scoliosis is you get a tightness of the core muscles on one side, leading to weakness on the other side. And so a lot of times, kids will have decreased core strength, which can lead to asymmetrical movement patterns and decreased function on whichever side happens to be weak. And so you’ll see a lot of delays in coordination skills and it also can lead to pain with higher movements with athletes or active kids.

How is scoliosis normally diagnosed?  Do you need x-rays?

Checkups with pediatricians is the most common way it’s diagnosed.  All pediatricians should be doing the forward bend test with kids to check for that.  Some kids get checked in schools, too, but it’s not as typical anymore as it used to be.  Kids get checked during sports physical exams, too.  You do need x-rays to determine if it’s more than a 10 degree curve - you won’t get a diagnosis until its 10 degrees, and the only way to measure the specific degrees is via x-rays.

Can scoliosis be fixed?

It can be corrected to a degree.  Physical therapy wise, we look at managing it.  We cannot necessarily correct that curve. We’re not going to decrease the degrees on the x-rays.  We can manage it to where it’s not going to worsen.  We’re trying to maintain it through strengthening and stretching to keep that curve from progressing.  Bracing is an option, they usually do that at 20-25 degrees and up, depending on your maturity level, as in if your bones are still growing or if you’re done growing. Some studies have shown that bracing can take away about 5 degrees at most, correction-wise. So if you’re at a 25 degree curve, bracing may bring you back to a 20 degree curve. They have shown studies that bracing with physical therapy is the most effective for reducing that curve.  Surgery is an option, typically not until 45 degrees, and they typically want the child to be skeletally mature to do it.  After surgery, there’s more following that needs to be done because they put rods into their back and fuse some of their vertebrae. Once that happens you’ll notice the vertebrae above and below where the rods are placed will get way too much motion so that can lead to more problems down the road with pain or discomfort with positioning. You have to be careful that they build that core strength to prevent that from happening. 

What is the difference between structural and functional scoliosis?

Structural is when there is an actual change in the structure without movement.  When you look at them they’re always going to have that offset.  Functional you’ll only notice come out during movement patterns, so when they bend forward or start to do trunk rotation activities, you’ll notice they have scoliosis, but in standing they’re fine.  Typically it’s due to low tone kids that don’t have core strength to maintain that posture.

Are they treated differently?

Yes, they would be.  Structural is a lot harder to change once it’s already to the point.  Surgery or bracing is often needed.  For functional, we do stretching, strengthening and muscle training (when to activate certain muscles and postural awareness).   We do a lot of stretching initially to start to lengthen the muscles on the shortened side.  And then after you start to see that muscle lengthen you can start strengthening, now that you have them in a more optimal position to try to maintain their posture in better alignment.  A lot of it is core strengthening. 

Why does it need to be addressed early; what long term impact will you see from letting it go unaddressed?

If it’s not addressed early, you will see it continue to progress and worsen until they’re done growing - that curvature can get worse.  So typically once they’re diagnosed with scoliosis they are followed every 6  months or a year depending on their age and if they still have growth plates, and they will keep doing x-rays to make sure it’s not progressing, and do the bracing or surgery if need be.  Once they’re done growing, it comes back to whether or not they are going to have pain because of changes in their movement patterns and asymmetries.

Is there anything else you think is important to share?

Scoliosis is idiopathic, which means they’re not certain on the cause of it.  They have linked some of it to genetics.  So if there is a family history of it, it might be worthwhile to inform your pediatrician and have them monitor it closely.  If an athlete is complaining of back pain, and they’re still growing, it’s always a good option to check that and make sure it isn’t due to scoliosis.

Author: Krista Flack, MS OTR/L

Interview with Sarah Hanson on Dysphagia Awareness Month!

Interview with Sarah Hanson on Dysphagia:

 

Matt: What brought you to the Bluffton area and to LTC?

 

Sarah: After I graduated from graduate school at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, I signed on with a national company and they got me hooked up with a school in Ridgeland. After that I worked with Jessi at a previous location and when she opened LTC she offered me a position and I followed her.  

 

Matt: So as you know June is dysphagia awareness month. Can you tell us a little bit about what dysphagia is?

 

Sarah: Dysphagia consists of feeding and swallowing disorders and can include difficulty with any step in the feeding process. There are 4 different phases in the feeding process that can be affected by dysphagia and your speech and language pathologist can help determine which one is affected. The first stage is the oral preparation phase and this is the phase that we see the most affected by dysphagia at Lowcountry Therapy Center. Then there is the oral transit phase which is when the food is moved back through the oral cavity. The third phase is the pharyngeal phase which is the initiation of the swallow and moving the bolus through the pharynx. The final phase is the esophageal phase which is moving the bolus through the esophagus and down into the stomach.

 

Matt: How can dysphagia affect children?

 

Sarah: The main effect that dysphagia has on children is that it prevents them from getting the proper nutrition that they need. If they have pain, choking, problem with textures, or manipulating the bolus in their mouth, they are not going to be getting the proper nutrition that they need for proper growth and brain development.

 

Matt: What are some of the signs of dysphagia that parents should look for at home?

 

Sarah: Refusal to eat is a huge sign. Coughing, choking, gagging, and throwing up during meals whether it is with liquid or with food are other signs that parents should watch for. Being a picky eater after the parents have tried everything and the child still refuses certain foods or textures could also be a sign of dysphagia.

 

Matt: Can dysphagia affect a child’s speech development?

 

Sarah: Absolutely, especially with oral dysphagia. It means that the muscles are not working appropriately, and if they are not working appropriately to eat chances are they might not be working appropriately to talk and can cause problems such as articulation errors. The other way it can significantly affect speech is that if they are not getting the right nutrition then they cannot thrive to their full potential.

 

Matt: What are the primary goals of feeding therapy?

 

Sarah: According to The American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA), the main goal of feeding therapy is to safely support adequate nutrition and hydration. Also to determine optimum feeding methods and techniques that maximizes swallowing safety. There is a big time collaboration with families. The parents are heavily involved in the session to help give them proper training that they would need at home. We also want to develop the most age appropriate eating skills in a normal setting, and to decrease pulmonary complications such as congestion and aspiration. We also want to prevent future feeding issues with positive feeding oral experiences such as learning thru play.

 

Matt: Can other therapies help with dysphagia?

 

Sarah: Yes. Often times I like to involve occupational therapy especially if the child is refusing to eat. If the child is refusing to eat it might be due to a texture aversion, and this can lead to dysphagia. If the child is avoiding certain textures then the mouth is not doing what it is supposed to be doing and so we are not developing our chewing skills. If the texture aversion does not go away, then we do not have the muscle and motor plan to chew certain foods. I have also used physical therapy before in my sessions as well. If the child does not have the core stability or if they have poor positioning the child might not eat. I have seen changes in a child’s eating habits with proper positioning and core strength.

 

Matt: What should a family do if they have concerns that their child might have dysphagia?

 

Sarah: Absolutely speak with your pediatrician, and they can steer you in the right direction. They can send you to speech therapy or order some tests such as a modified barium swallow study. This is when they take a video x-ray of the swallow to rule out aspiration. Once that is ruled out speech therapy can work on the oral motor component. If there is aspiration then there needs to be a diet change such as different textures or different chewing techniques.

 

Here are some links to learn more about dysphagia http://www.asha.org/Practice-Portal/Clinical-Topics/Pediatric-Dysphagia/

 

http://www.asha.org/PRPSpecificTopic.aspx?folderid=8589934965&section=Treatment

 

-Matthew D’Antonio, PT, DPT

Pediatric Physical Therapist

Welcome, Summer!

Welcome, Summer!

Now that school is out, I’m sure many parents are already hearing, “I’m bored!”  Below are some ideas for staying busy this summer, while also working on some important developmental skills:

 

  • “Sneak” reading into your routine by completing recipes, science experiments, and games that have written instructions.
  • Make your own “play-doh” – there are hundreds of recipes out there, including some that are edible and scented using herbs, spices, Kool-Aid/Jell-O powder, and other ingredients.  Incorporating scents and flavors adds another sensory experience and can have a calming or alerting effect of your child. 
  • Fill balloons with different textures (water, air, beans, rice, beads, sand, marbles, hair gel, etc.) for a great tactile experience.
  • Make calming or visually stimulating sensory bottles.  Mix water and glitter glue, fill with magnetic objects and use a magnet wand from the outside to move them around, or fill with water beads.  Get creative!
  • Play I-Spy!  Gives clues of color, size, shape, or function to compliment your child’s strengths or address the areas you’re working on.
  • Play Pictionary or Hangman using sidewalk chalk or window markers for some variety.
  • Create a scavenger hunt, and get as creative as you want.  Give rhyming clues, or puzzles to solve, or search for things of various colors, shapes, or categories.
  • Work on following directions and other executive functioning skills by playing games like “Mother, May I?,” “Red Light, Green Light,” and “Simon Says.”  Incorporate whatever your child is working on in therapy to your directions.  For example, include jumps, hops, skips, or jumping jacks for gross motor skills, saying words/sounds or answering questions for speech/language skills, or even writing letters or drawing shapes for visual motor integration skills.

 

Follow us on Pinterest to see more ideas we like!  We’ve pinned posts that have recipes and instructions for tons of different sensory bottles, sensory doughs, and other activities and games. 

Author: Krista Flack, MS OTR/L 

 

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