Supporting Play, Parenthood & Neurodiversity
These podcasts all share a common theme of improving therapy practices, making them more inclusive, effective, and sensitive to cultural and individual needs. They focus on enhancing support for neurodivergent children and advocating for underrepresented groups. Connection Over Compliance Rethinking Hand-Over-Hand Prompting with OT Dr. Diamond Rashad – Episode 70This episode discusses the practice of…
When children are overwhelmed, it’s important to think about regulation. Think of Regulation as an ability to respond to the ongoing demands of experience. So in addition to a child’s ability to process the eight senses, a child’s regulation can also be impacted by: Examples of Dysregulation Delayed Meltdowns You may see them coming, or…
Let’s talk about lessons learned! I definitely wish I knew these tips when I was a new graduate. A Very Important Reminder Until next time, Dr. Diamond
Sensory play for kids can look different in so many ways! Whether your child or teen is a sensory seeker, sensitive to trying new things, or somewhere in between, you can adapt everyday activities to make them work for you and your family! Which activity will you try before summer ends? Dr. Diamond
Autism and sensory processing difficulties overlap but are not the same. Did you know this? It is common for Autistic individuals to have sensory processing differences that impact daily tasks and activities. However, not all children (and adults) with SPD (sensory processing disorder) are autistic. So there is some overlap, but it’s not the same!…
Looking for your first occupational therapy job? You’ve gotten to the interview, but how you do know if the job is a good fit for you? Consider the whole package. Be sure to ask about salary/pay, benefits, mentorship, hours, and opportunity for growth prior to accepting a position. If there is a contract or additional…
Here’s the thing when it comes to honoring all play. Toys are designed for fun and development! And fun is subjective. Toys are meant for: LaughterJoyCreativityConnectionExploration There’s not just one way to honor play! If you’re ever stuck on where you fit into honoring all play, especially for neurodivergent children, look at these areas below….
Wait! Before we move into immediate action, or assume that it is behavior-based, can we figure the underlying reason why a kid is not engaged? Something to remember is that having a reason does not mean that it’s being used as an excuse. For example, if I don’t have my glasses on, I’m not going…
Developing feeding skills can be tricky. Check out these tips for spoon use development! There are many areas to consider when it comes to utensil use: Hand strength & fine motor skills: are they able to pick up and scoop with a spoon? Would they benefit from a wide handled spoon? Sensory Processing: Do they…
An old saying refers that “children are resilient” or that kids will bounce back. I’m not quite sure this is true, especially with pediatric disaster recovery. When it comes to adverse child experiences, there is “tolerable” stress and toxic stress. One of the key differences is having the support of a loving and present caregiver….
