OT PT AT and Me

Tools, tricks, tips and fun ways to improve function

December 2024

Welcome to the OT PT AT and Me December newsletter.

We are frequently asked for recommendations and sources for sensory supports, adapted toys, communication devices and motor development items that are fun but also support developmental and sensory needs. So here are a few items to consider. All items can be purchased through typical sources such as Amazon. Focus on developmentally appropriate items that are safe, fun and support the student's learning needs. Enjoy!

Meet the Caney Creek and Conroe feeder zone OT PT therapy teams

Caney Creek

Meet our Caney Creek feeder zone OT PT therapists!

(left to right)

Jenny Lee has been a CISD school PT for 16 years. She states that she loves "her kids" and everyone she works with.

Betty Uribe (OT) has been with CISD for 1 1/2 years. Prior to that, her specialty was rehabilitation and geriatrics. Betty states that she loves "working with the team. We have so much fun!"

Taffta Thornburg (OT) has been with CISD 2 years. She loves seeing how much the staff love their students.

(not pictured) Maria Keith (COTA) has been a CISD Occupational Therapy Assistant for 22 years. She works with students in three feeder zones. Maria enjoys working with all the students, staff and therapists. "Our team is amazing! We are like family".

Conroe

(rear - left to right)

Kristen Tegel (COTA) has been with the district for 2 years. Kristen states she "loves watching the kids grow".

Cindy Knapp (OT) has been with CISD for 16 years. I enjoy working with our department staff. She enjoys going to different schools and being part of a collaborative team.

Hanna Freeman (OT) joined our OT team this August. Prior to coming to CISD, she practiced in a private OT clinic. She enjoys working in such a supportive work environment. She loves working with students and staff so students can meet their goals.

Denise Crabtree (PT) has been a PT with CISD for 25 years. She feels that being a PT in the school system is the best instructional opportunity for students. She enjoys seeing students make progress and meet goals.

(front row - left to right)

Maylah Villamiel (OT) has been a CISD OT for 8 years. Prior to that, she was a teacher at Moorhead. She enjoys collaborating with other therapists, seeing student growth and working with teachers and students.

Lisa Gonzelez (PT) This is Lisa's 18th year with CISD. She adds "I like directly working with the students, problem solving in regards to their physical needs/access and staying with them as they move up to the next school since I cover the feeder pattern".

Carrie Long (OT) has been with the OT team for 10 years. She enjoys working with students and collaborating with teachers to help students make progress.

What toys or communication supports would be helpful for my student?

Therapists are often asked what items would be best for student use. It varies from student to student but in general, most students enjoy items with sensory input, motor movement as well as communication support. Here are a few categories and items that most teachers request and report are helpful and liked by their students. All items can be found on Amazon. Of course with all items, consider safety and student sensitivities above all else.

Weighted items

Weighted items are available as vests, belts, blankets and stuffed weighted animals. Weighted item should not be over 5% of the student's body weight. Weight should not be placed directly on a child's chest. Weighted items are beneficial to improve attention and calm while the student is completing table top activities. They should not be used during P.E., recess, motor lab or during other times of increased physical activity. Items should be worn/used for 20-30 minutes and then removed to decrease the chance of satiation.

Chewies / Oral fidgets

Chewies and oral fidgets are a great way to provide oral input and may improve attention, limit chewing on fingers or clothing and improve jaw and mouth muscles for improved eating skills. Avoid items that are too small for safe use. Frequently, items are placed on a lanyard so the chewie is readily available and more sanitary. If the student has a very strong bite, make sure you are selecting a chewie that is designed for increased bite pressure. Chewies may be designed as Chewelry, pencil toppers, and hand held chews. It is best to select an item that is socially appropriate if possible.

Fidgets

Fidgets come in all shapes, sizes, colors and textures. There is a fidget for all sensory needs. Fidgets can be relaxing and can also build hand strength and coordination. Fidgets vary in resistance. Always monitor safety and use if the student tends to put the fidget in the mouth.

Calm corner

Consider a tent, Egg chair (some have a pull down hood) or similar item that can be a quiet retreat space. It is best to filter light and sound. Make sure and add something soft to sit or lay on as indicated.

Sensory - pressure

Body socks are made of a washable, stretchy material that allows the student to push against the fabric thus receiving deep pressure, heavy work and proprioceptive input. Body socks come in many different sizes. The fabric is lightweight and is easy to carry anywhere.

Vestibular - Rockers

Video rockers come in so many different sizes, widths and styles. Rocking provides vestibular input. Many find this input relaxing and improves concentration.

Crash pads

Crash pads come in a variety of fabrics and textures. They are filled with soft foam. Crash pads offer a safer landing spot for rough activities that provide deep sensory input.

Apps for handwriting

Here are a few apps that are great to support writing automaticity.

Letter School - free

Writing Wizard - $4.99

Wet Dry Try (part of Learning Without Tears) - $3.99

Ready to Print - $14.99

Scissors and Markers

Loop scissors come in a variety of sizes. The advantage to loop scissors is that after you squeeze the scissor closed, the spring re-opens the scissor teaching the squeeze - release sequence.

Retractable crayons, also known as twistable crayons, provide a smooth coloring surface, limit breakage, mechanical sharpening and no paper peels to clean up.

Adapted toys

Battery operated toys can be adapted using a battery interrupter. This allows a switch input to activate and turn the toy on rather than the typical on/off switch. Adapted switch toys are readily available in a wide range of toys including cause and effect, sensory experience and communication. Switch interfaces are available to allow a switch to function as a computer mouse. There are also switch interfaces that can be paired with an iPad to work with various apps.

Bubble Machine

There are a wide variety of bubble machines that are switch activated. They are a great tool for inclusion play.

Fan

May students enjoy a fan as a sensory tool.

Train

There are many different types of vehicle toys that are adapted to run via switch activation.

Bluey

Dancing Bluey begins dancing after the switch is activated. There are also other dancing toys such as Elmo.

Switch interface

A switch interface allows a computer and some iPad activities to be run via a switch.

Battery interrupter

Battery adaptors allow most toys with an on/off switch to be operated by a capability switch. Simply place the interrupter between the battery and the spring within the battery compartment, and connect the interrupter to a capability switch. Once switch is pressed, the interrupter will connect the batteries and the toy will perform the functions as if the toy has been turned on.

Communication

Apps

Consider a communication app such as Go Talk Now. It is easy to program, allows video links to be integrated into a communication board and can be completed via a scene in addition to traditional communication pages.

Devices

Simple devices such as Big Mac, Go Talk 4 - 32 cells or similar devices are great for communication. A board may be topic related or it may be various vocabulary all on a one page communication board. A device such as a Go Talk 9+ can be pre-programmed with page voice output with multiple pages so all it is necessary is to slide the page in.

Communication books

Picture communication can be made from pictures of family members, favorite items and reinforcements. It can be made in a three ring binder or photo album. Students can pull the picture to request or identify an item or person. The student then gives the picture to a staff member, peer or other adult to convey that they want to pictured item.

Have questions or need training?

Contact OT PT and AT at 936-709-1517 or dlat@conroeisd.net

Assistive Technology: Tools, tricks and tips to improve function.