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Showing posts from June, 2024

How Can Music Benefit People With Autism?

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  There are many steps you can follow to help your child reach their full potential. For example,  M-Fun Assessments  such as Speech Therapy, ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis), and Occupational Therapy 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 chi...

Your Child Needs Proprioceptive Input: Here’s Why

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  Often considered the sixth sense, proprioception is essential for body awareness and movement. By  Occupational Therapy Sensory , the sensory receptors are in the muscles and joints. These receptors send messages to the brain about body positioning and the direction and strength needed for a particular movement. For example, how to precisely stack blocks without knocking them over or pouring water from one cup to another. Development of the proprioceptive system began when your child was still in the womb. Early activities like skin-to-skin contact, tummy time, and shifting weight all help babies understand where their body is and how it moves. As children develop and participate in increasingly complex activities, feedback from their proprioceptive system is essential to their success. While all children benefit from heavy work, your child may especially make gains from activities that provide proprioceptive input if he or she: · Is constantly on the move: jumping, bumping,...