Occupational Therapy
OT in the Educational Setting
OTs utilize their broad knowledge base and skills to work with teachers and parents to help children become independent and successful. A background in child development, play, anatomy and neuro-physiology and rehabilitation, combined with a strong problem solving approach help OTs to identify creative and functional solutions. OTs follow a child-centred philosophy by incorporating student interests and assets to provide natural, everyday opportunities to enhance learning and participation. OTs advocate a collaborative approach with the aim of understanding and incorporating different perspectives and needs to enhance student success. The collaborative efforts of teachers, parents and OTs make learning fun for students who can experience pride in their abilities and accomplishments both in the classroom and school yard. |
Web Resources
OT Plan - an activity idea search engine for pediatric occupational therapy activities. Match skills you want to work on, with materials you have, to a detailed occupational therapy treatment activity. OT Notes Blog - The musings of an OT about the profession, the future, school, work, and the everyday successes that keep me going to work. Suggested Pnemonics for Learning Printing Attention & Focus Classroom Set Up Devices & Tools Fine Motor Skills Gross Motor Coordination More OT Related Links OT Treatment Apps (Google Play Store)
Activity Timer Trial - this is essentially like the Time Timer, where you can watch the time disappear. You can customize the color of the timer and the length of the timer. I have the trial version of this, which only goes to 10 minutes, but I never really need to measure longer than that during a treatment anyway. My gripe with this is the same as with all Time Timers, that the kids sometimes fixate on watching the time disappear instead of whatever they are supposed to be doing. Ultrachron Lite - this is a stopwatch and timer application that works well. The free version tracks a history of 10 times if you need to time several things in a row. Balance Ball - This game is really hard. You try to balance the ball between two clowns who are blowing on it. I can't make it longer than 10 seconds, so it's really too much for the kids. Beautiful Bubbles - this is very simple and good for a little diversion if needed. Bubbles float around and you pop them. The free mode just allows you to pop the bubbles as you wish, and the challenge mode gives you points for popping the bubbles quickly and accurately. My First Tangrams Lite - Such a cute little app. It uses basic shapes and you drag them into the outline to form a creation like a butterfly or flower. Obviously there are a limited number of puzzles with the free version but it operates very well. Tangram HD - This is the app that I use when I personally want to do Tangrams. It has multiple categories of puzzles and a large number of puzzles per category. The only issue is that you have to complete one puzzle before moving onto the next. Intellectual Education - This is a game with a little Japanese penguin that lets you choose matching or memory games. It's pretty cute and appeals to the kids. Instant Heart Rate - I use this for myself, but if I worked in home health, I could see using this more in practice so that I could monitor vital signs. The app uses the camera to measure the heart rate and has been accurate for me more than 80% of the time. It offers you the option to save heart rates and a range of normal values. Memory Trainer - I love this app, and use it for myself. it allows you to do memory training exercises (games) in different categories: visualization, working memory, chunking, focus, spatial memory, and fluid intelligence. You can work up levels or choose a specific game to practice on. Relax Me - I haven't tried this out too much but it offers guided progressive muscle relaxation. Black and White cards for the baby - This app allows you to pick a variety of black and white visual stimulation cards and choose time intervals, music, and movement for them. Apparently after a recent update they've started pushing more advertisements, I hadn't had this problem but I don't leave internet on all the time. Classic Simon - exactly what you think it would be. I miss Simon. Tactical Breather - this is a great app for relaxation and a bit of biofeedback. It gives visual cues for breathing- inhale/hold/exhale/hold all for 4 seconds each. I wish that you could customize the time frame because my kids can't really hold their breath that long and another program I use wants you to do inhalation for 4 seconds and exhalation for 6 seconds. But it is a simple and effective app. Kids Preschool Puzzle Lite - Drag the pieces into the outlined slots to create the puzzle. Simple and cute. MyChain widget - This is based on the Jerry Seinfeld concept of creating of chain of days that you met a goal. The widget sits on your home screen and is labeled (briefly) for your goal. When you follow through, you touch it and it turns green and adds another number for that day. You also get a positive affirmation. Miss a day and it goes red and you start again. |