Kioko Center

  Special and general educators carry many roles, including observing child development from many different perspectives. A teacher may refer a student for a speech evaluation, cognitive testing, or a behavior assessment. While these performance areas seem distinct, teachers are often uncertain if they should refer a child for physical or occupational therapy since there is sometimes overlap between the two professions. Overview Both occupational and physical therapists are licensed professionals who graduated from an accredited program (occupational therapy is an entry-level master’s or doctorate, and physical therapy is a doctoral-level degree). In a school setting, occupational and physical therapy are added to a qualifying child’s plan to support their educational outcomes. For example, suppose a child has an abnormal gait pattern but can still navigate their classroom environment safely and efficiently. In that case, they may not qualify for school-based physical therapy. Note...

Most children benefit from proprioceptive sensory work built into their day. The proprioceptive system receptors are located in our joints and muscles and tell us about where our body is in space. The benefits of stimulating this system vary for different children but can help children feel regulated, calm, and ready to focus. Unlike the vestibular system , the proprioceptive system cannot be overloaded. The benefits of heavy work last for up to two hours after engaging. Try to build planned activities into your day to support your student or child’s participation all day long. 1. Play: Play is a creative and natural method of learning and exploring the world. Encourage running and jumping as part of play, draw a hopscotch game in chalk or offer a jump rope. Indoor and outdoor trampolines provide lots of sensory input to the lower body. If you have monkey bars nearby, try to test how long you can hang on. Create an obstacle course including several of these activities to make a memorab...

There are many steps you can follow to help your child reach their full potential. For example, therapeutic interventions such as Speech Therapy, ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis), and Occupational Therapy Treatment can help your child develop a range of new skills in a supportive and comfortable environment. However, you can also do plenty of things at home too! For example, many individuals with autism and related disorders have found that music can be an incredibly vital resource for development and enrichment. Why do we enjoy listening to music? According to various studies, we like listening to music as it “triggers the release of a chemical called dopamine in a part of the brain called the striatum.” This is why we often feel happier when listening or singing along to our favorite songs. As a result, listening to music can be instrumental in improving our mental health while reducing stress and anxiety. As such, it’s hardly surprising that listening to music is beneficial for ch...