North Shore Pediatric Therapy

3 Uses for a Body Sock in Pediatric Occupational Therapy

Dana Pais — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 11:16:41 +0000

A body sock is a therapeutic modality used in many occupational therapy (OT) sessions to address a variety of skills. The thin, Lycra material covers the child’s body, except for the head, in a similar way to a sleeping bag. The Lycra material provides deep proprioceptive input to assist with self-regulation. This tool can help [...]

Nutrition Implications of Pediatric Congenital Heart Defects

Stephanie Wells — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 15:42:48 +0000

Congenital heart defects in the pediatric population are a serious condition. Many defects require surgical intervention to correct or improve the problem. Often, there are nutrition-related implications associated with heart defects. Here is more information about how nutrition may be affected to help you understand this aspect of your child’s health. The Link between Nutrition [...]

Fun, Free Father’s Day Activities

LibbyGalin — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 11:40:41 +0000

With Father’s Day right around the corner, it’s time to think about how the kids can celebrate that great guy in their lives: Dad. For those of you looking to honor Dad without breaking the bank, consider these fun, free and meaningful activities that kids and dads can do together this Father’s Day. Fun, Free [...]

The Social-Emotional Side of Children with Learning Disorders

Amy Wolok — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 11:53:56 +0000

It is well known that kids with learning disabilities face academic challenges. Academics are often the focus of interventions with these children, but it is important to also pay attention to the impact on their social-emotional development. Read on for ways to make sure this critical aspect of your child’s development is not overlooked. Tips [...]

What to do When Your Kid is Too Loud!

Gretchen Olson — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 15:35:31 +0000

All parents have experienced the desire for their child to speak in an ‘indoor voice’ when an ‘outdoor voice’ seems to be all their child wants to use. Modulating voice is an important skill for kids to learn. Read on for possible reasons your child may use a voice that is too loud and for [...]

4 Ways to Better Handwriting before Pencil Hits Paper

Deanna Gotkowski — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 10:51:44 +0000

Your child’s handwriting skills will affect his performance in school, beginning as early as preschool. How your child holds his pencil, sits in his chair, and attends to the task of handwriting can affect your child’s ability to feel successful in completing a handwriting task. 4 ways you can promote your child’s handwriting skills before [...]

Does Your Child Need Feeding Therapy?

Stephanie Wells — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 15:03:15 +0000

There are a variety of reasons why a child may need feeding therapy. To many of us, it would seem like eating should be a basic instinct. However, eating is one of the most complex activities we do, especially for the developing, young child. Eating involves several processes in the body, including sensory, oral-motor, muscular, [...]

Educational Graduate Gifts At Each Age

LibbyGalin — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 12:02:40 +0000

It’s that time of year! Children are graduating and proud parents are celebrating this milestone. Read on for special gift suggestions for graduates of all ages that also have educational value. Educational and Fun Gifts for Your Grad By Age: Kindergarten Graduation Gifts: Special Books: Classic, hard-cover books will be fun to read in the [...]

ADHD and Learning: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder’s Impact on Learning

Dr. Greg Stasi — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 13:39:32 +0000

Many children with a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder exhibit significant concerns with regard to their academic achievement. Research has demonstrated that a lot of children with the diagnosis also have a co-existing diagnosis of a learning disability. However, even children without a separate learning disability diagnosis are also at risk for struggling with [...]

7 Signs Your Child Is Ready to Potty Train

Katie Sadowski — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 12:29:12 +0000

Potty training is not always an easy or quick process. There are several skills that need to be taught and practiced. Parents need to keep in mind that every child is different and there is no magic age that a child is ready to start learning to use the potty. Even though there is not [...]

Bed Time Strategies for Children with Sensory Processing Disorder

Sara Probasco — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 12:31:13 +0000

Bed time can be a difficult time for any child. It can be even more of a struggle for a child with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). Throughout the day, all children engage in various activities that excite them, including interacting with peers, playing on the playground and fighting with siblings. It can be a challenge [...]

5 Healthy Summer Habits for Your Family

Stephanie Wells — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 12:00:49 +0000

Summer is a perfect time to focus on getting healthy, especially for kids. Read this list for healthy ideas for your family that take little effort and can make a big difference. 5 Tips for a Healthy Family This Summer: Buy healthy food that’s in season. During the summer, there are plenty of healthy foods [...]

3 Tips to Encourage Your Baby to Sit Independently

Leida Van Oss — Fri, 31 May 2013 12:33:02 +0000

Sitting independently is a wonderful and fun new milestone for every baby. It is the first time your little one is upright and able to look around. In the sitting position, babies have both hands free to play with toys. Although there is a healthy range of ages for a child to achieve the milestone [...]

Summer Interventions for a Better Report Card

Deborah Michael — Thu, 30 May 2013 11:53:49 +0000

With the end of the school year quickly approaching, parents are often left to wonder about what to do during the summer to ensure that the transition to the next school year goes smoothly. One key piece of information in determining summer plans is the content presented in your child’s final report card. It is vital [...]

Navigating Early Speech & Language Milestones: What to Expect Between Ages 2 and 3

Deanna Swallow — Wed, 29 May 2013 15:03:17 +0000

Parents often wonder if their child’s skills are developing typically. Between gross motor skills, fine motor skills, speech-language skills, social-emotional functioning, and overall growth, there is a lot of information to track! In fact, it might feel overwhelming. It is important for parents to remember that every child develops at his or her own rate, [...]

The Impact of Nutrition on ADHD

Stephanie Wells — Tue, 28 May 2013 20:10:43 +0000

For families dealing with ADHD, nutrition concerns or questions may arise. Although there is not clear evidence for diet modifications that can treat the cause of ADHD, there are nutritional guidelines that can affect symptoms and accompanying behaviors. The Following are Some Nutritional Considerations for Children with ADHD: Meal Patterning: There is a reason why [...]

Activities to Promote Visual Memory

Lauren Weichman — Mon, 27 May 2013 16:15:18 +0000

Visual memory, a component of visual processing, can be broken down into two parts: long-term and short-term. Long-term visual memory refers to the ability to remember something seen in the past. Short-term visual memory refers to the ability to recall something that is seen very recently. Visual memory plays a key role in the in [...]

What is Prader-Willi Syndrome

Dr. Greg Stasi — Fri, 24 May 2013 17:17:07 +0000

Prader-Willi Syndrome is a congenital disorder that is caused by a missing gene on part of chromosome 15. These children are found to have cognitive skills in the below average to mild mental retardation range. Physical symptoms associated with Prader-Willi include: Newborns often present with low tone Almond shaped eyes Delayed motor development Short stature [...]

What are the Best Over the Counter Foot Orthotics?

Judy Wang — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:58:00 +0000

Although most children with feet problems should be treated with a custom orthotic prescribed by a podiatrist, over-the-counter orthotics are an option for some children, teens and young adults. Could your teen or young adult child benefit from an over-the-counter orthotic? Read on for several great options. What are Over the Counter Orthotics? In general, [...]

How To Avoid Anxiety As School Ends

Jaclyn Harris — Wed, 22 May 2013 15:15:51 +0000

The school year is in winding down and classes are becoming less structured on lessons and more focused on summer, end-of-the-year parties, and outdoor days. This time can be very exciting and fun, however it may also feel chaotic, unpredictable, and even sad for some children; children who are uncomfortable with change, children who have [...]

Benefits of a Slant Board

Lauren Weichman — Wed, 22 May 2013 14:50:54 +0000

There are many reasons to invest in a slant board for your child, including benefits in handwriting. A slant board typically consists of a flat surface positioned at an angle with clips or anchors to hold materials (such as paper and books) in place. They come in a variety of sizes and angles, and some [...]

Help Your Child Learn to Develop Social Skills

Brett Siegel — Wed, 22 May 2013 03:06:59 +0000

As children begin to end their school year and begin summer camps, the idea of meeting new friends can be a scary one for them. Parents can play a key role in preparing their children for a fun and exciting summer camp experience by practicing these social skills with their children. 7 Methods To Prepare [...]

The Importance of One-On-One Time with Your Child

Amy Winer — Wed, 22 May 2013 02:49:20 +0000

One-on-one time you spend with your child is priceless. It says to your child, “You are special.” It symbolizes your unconditional love for your child. There is nothing that can replace your undivided attention. Special time works best when several guidelines are followed. Guidelines for One-On-One Time with Your Child: Call the reserved time a [...]

Speech and Language for the Adopted Child

Kate Connolly — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:28:55 +0000

The number of foreign adoptions in the US continues to grow every year. Children who are adopted may be at greater risk for speech and/or language difficulties. Occasionally, this is secondary to a congenital disorder and, at times, the difficulties are secondary to the abrupt change in the child’s primary language. It is important to [...]

Cooking Greens Made Simple

Stephanie Wells — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:21:18 +0000

Swiss chard, kale, spinach, mustard greens, collard greens, bok choy… the word “superfood” is synonymous with all dark, leafy green vegetables. The reason why is because they pack such a large nutritional punch. In general, dark leafy greens are loaded in vitamin A, folate, fiber, and also provide minerals like calcium and iron. They are [...]

Types of Shoes that Will Discourage Toe Walking

Colleen Kearns — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:06:22 +0000

Some children may walk on their toes nearly 100% for no apparent reason. This is known as idiopathic (the reason for it is unknown) toe walking. Idiopathic toe walking may result in muscle shortening in the calf muscles. In turn, it will continue to promote toe walking. Many cases of toe walking require intervention from [...]

The Educational Benefits of Playing with Blocks

Anne Marie Margaritondo — Tue, 14 May 2013 23:49:23 +0000

Are old fashioned blocks boring or beneficial? With all of the technology children have access to today, sometimes blocks can seem, well, boring. However, don’t underestimate this age-old toy. Blocks remain one of the most important toys for children to use in order to develop critical skills for school and for life. Through block play, [...]

8 Tips for Flying with a Child with Sensory Processing Disorder

Deborah Michael — Tue, 14 May 2013 23:44:52 +0000

Taking a flight with kids is hard enough! 　Flying with a child with Sensory Integration takes special planning! 　Sensory Processing Disorder/Sensory Integration (SPD) occurs when the nervous system has difficulty regulating, processing, and interpreting information from one or more of the senses. Different children perceive and process sensory information differently. Some children find loud noises scary, while others [...]

How To Make a Weighted Animal

Lindsey Moyer — Tue, 14 May 2013 19:15:56 +0000

Here at North Shore Pediatric Therapy, we utilize weighted objects for a countless number of activities. They can be used as a self-regulation strategy, providing deep proprioceptive input to your child’s muscles and joints. Various weighted materials, including vests, belts, blankets, wrist-weights and ankle-weights, are utilized in the clinic multiple times throughout the day. For [...]

Healthy Twists on Your Kids Favorite Foods

Stephanie Wells — Mon, 13 May 2013 14:46:21 +0000

Let’s face it; kids have their favorite foods and those foods may not be the healthiest choices. Wouldn’t it be nice if we, as parents, could make healthier versions of foods that kids actually enjoyed? Well, you can! These recipes have been kid-tested and approved in my office (and home). Below are a few ideas on healthy [...]

7 Developmental Steps To Teaching Your Child To Catch

Lindsey Moyer — Fri, 10 May 2013 15:40:50 +0000

Children learn at a very early age how to roll a ball. As they grow into toddlers, they can begin to understand the basics of playing catch. As with any other skill, catching a ball is something that takes practice. Below is the developmental sequence for teaching your kiddo how to catch. 7 Developmental Steps [...]

Fragile X Syndrome

Dr. Greg Stasi — Thu, 09 May 2013 16:38:57 +0000

Fragile X Syndrome is one of the most common forms of inherited intellectual disability in children. This condition arises by a mutation in a single gene on the X chromosome. Both males and females can have Fragile X; however, as males have only one X chromosome, they are usually affected more severely and show poorer [...]

Top 10 Gifts Moms Want For Mothers Day

Deborah Michael — Wed, 08 May 2013 15:42:27 +0000

What does mom want for mothers day? Listen up Dads, because we have compiled the top 10 gifts moms have opened up to us about wanting for Mother’s Day! For my kids to behave To sleep in Breakfast in Bed A new diamond A new puppy A free day to do what I want while [...]

8 Tips to Ease Homework Time Stress

LibbyGalin — Tue, 07 May 2013 16:49:39 +0000

For many families of middle and high school students, evening time becomes a stress-filled time for everyone. This is due to the fact that tired and over-scheduled kids fight to focus to complete their homework. Fortunately, this time can become much more relaxed and productive with a few tweaks to routines and tips to help [...]

Parents’ Roles in Creating Healthy Eaters

Stephanie Wells — Mon, 06 May 2013 16:02:38 +0000

At some point during your young child’s life, you may face challenges that involve getting them to eat well. Often, the first challenge presents itself during the toddler years, in which children can become quite picky and more defiant. As kids are exposed to so many unhealthy foods that are specifically marketed towards kids and [...]

The Power of Push-Ups

Lindsey Moyer — Fri, 03 May 2013 14:05:36 +0000

“It’s too cold, I get bored, I’m so out of shape,” or, my personal favorite, “I’d rather eat this slice of pizza.” These are all too familiar utterances between my friends and I. Excuses of why-not to workout come in all shapes, sizes and extremes. Believe me, this winter, I have attempted to validate my [...]

Questions About Medication For Children

Dr. Greg Stasi — Thu, 02 May 2013 16:14:48 +0000

For many children, therapy or accommodations are not sufficient to support their needs. It is often that these children will need pharmacological intervention to help improve their attentional regulation, impulse control, emotional regulation and/or behavioral self control. Parents should be honest with their pediatrician about medication as well as ask several questions about ensuring the [...]

May is Better Hearing and Speech Month

Jaclyn Goldman — Wed, 01 May 2013 16:23:20 +0000

May is Better Speech and Hearing Month! Many children may have difficulties with one or more aspect of speech and/or language, and according to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), early detection and intervention can often be the most effective. Below are some helpful tips parents can use to promote speech and language skills at home: [...]

What is a Videoflouroscopic Swallow Study?

Gretchen Olson — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:12:17 +0000

Many children experience feeding and swallowing difficulties and they present in a variety of different ways. In order to provide the most effective and appropriate therapy, it is often that physical or physiological abnormalities of the swallowing mechanism must first be ruled out. In order to do this, a video swallow study – Videofluoroscopic Swallow [...]

Eating Disorders in Children and Teens

Stephanie Wells — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 16:01:36 +0000

Eating disorders are a scary topic for parents. It is critical to be aware of signs that your child may be at risk for developing an eating disorder. The earlier you can get professional intervention, the better outcomes your child will have. You may be able to prevent the eating disorder from taking over your [...]

How to Elicit the /m/ Sound in Your Child’s Speech

Allison Raino — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 16:23:58 +0000

Every sound of speech has a place of production, manner of production and can either be voiced or voiceless sounds. Place of production is the accurate placement of articulators. Manner of production is the restriction of airflow in the oral cavity. A voiced sound has the voice box on versus a voiceless sound when the [...]

Nonverbal Learning Disability

Dr. Greg Stasi — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 15:10:13 +0000

The majority of learning disabilities that a child may have are language-based. These include deficits with the child’s reading achievement as well as written expression. Researchers have found that there is a small percentage of children that demonstrate adequate or above average verbal functioning; however, they have significant weakness with their nonverbal reasoning. Researchers and [...]

5 Top Chicago and North Shore Gyms for Children After They Graduate from Physical Therapy

Judy Wang — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 14:53:09 +0000

My Gym My Gym offers programs and classes to that are designed to help children that are 6 weeks through 13 years of age to develop physically, cognitively and emotionally. They offer structured weekly classes that incorporate music, dance, relays, games, special rides, gymnastics, sports and more. Children will gain strength, balance, coordination, agility and [...]

When Should My Child Be Able To Go Up and Down Stairs?

Colleen Kearns — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 18:35:11 +0000

The thought of your child going up and down a flight of stairs independently may be quite a very alarming thought, especially for parents of new walkers; however, learning to negotiate the stairs is an important part in your child’s strength and motor development. Below is a guideline of ages at which your child should [...]

5 Things a Dietitian Can Do for You and Your Child (that you might not know)

Stephanie Wells — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 16:01:36 +0000

When you think of a dietitian, you probably think of healthy eating and weight loss. But dietitians are trained to manage many more areas of health than that! Pediatric nutrition is a highly specialized field since infants and children are continuously growing and developing. Furthermore, there are several diagnoses that are specific to infants and [...]

First Fears in Children

Amy Winer — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 16:10:50 +0000

Fears are common during early childhood; they can last for a period of just a few days or up to a few months. Things that had never bothered your child may become scary all of a sudden. As old fears are resolved, new fears may arise as your child moves through the developmental stages. Although [...]

How to Handle Children and Fears of Thunderstorms

Deborah Michael — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 15:49:07 +0000

After a major storm when your kids have been up all night scared and crying, the worst thing to see in the morning is a flooded street and basement. Now you are cranky and tired, the kids have had it, and its time to assess the damage. Why are kids frightened of thunderstorms and what [...]

Strategies to Boost you Child’s Memory

Lisa Vanselow — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 17:40:53 +0000

There are two general types of memory strategies: Internal strategies refer to ways to retrieve information more easily by thinking about something in a different way, whereas external strategies refer to ways to compensate utilizing mechanisms outside of your brain to help you remember information. Depending upon the situation, one strategy may be more beneficial [...]

What to Do When Your Child Throws a Tantrum in Public

Katie Sadowski — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 16:55:14 +0000

Trying to deal with a child that is throwing a tantrum is never easy, but when this fits are occurring outside of the privacy of your own home, these tantrums may create a completely new level of anxiety. In fact, some parents are so nervous that they will not be able to handle their child [...]

When is Stuttering Normal?

Kate Connolly — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 16:30:21 +0000

Stuttering or non-fluent speech productions are quite common to hear during speech and language development in children when they are between the ages of two and six. At this time, the amount of new language that children are taking in is so vast that several theories suggest that it overwhelms the body’s speaking mechanism and, [...]

Family History and Kids with Special Needs

Dr. Greg Stasi — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 15:38:58 +0000

If you have a brother, nephew, uncle or some other member in your family with certain special needs, you will want to be cautious and mindful that many neurodevelopmental conditions have a high genetic component. Recent studies have indicated that genetics account for 70 to 80 percent of the risk of having Attention Deficit Hyperactivity [...]

Spring Clean Your Family’s Diet

Stephanie Wells — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 15:21:25 +0000

Spring is here and, just like we give the house a good spring cleaning, this is a great time to do the same for your entire family’s diet. The growing season is beginning which means farmers’ markets will be opening in the next few weeks or months. In addition, we will be able to finally [...]

Explaining the Boston Bombing to Children

Deborah Michael — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 14:26:57 +0000

There is no doubt that as the world watches the tragedy that hit Boston yesterday, many parents are unsure of how to approach the subject with their children. As the story evolves, more pictures, videos and personal narratives are showing up depicting innocent runners and bystanders affected. Sadly, the death toll number continues to climb, [...]

Children and Diets | What to do when your child has a bad body image

Brett Siegel — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 17:02:46 +0000

The new epidemic that is starting to face families across the nation is young children wanting to diet. A recent study conducted by the University of Florida revealed that nearly half of the 121 participants (ages 3-6) admitted that they were worried about being overweight. Why are these children worrying about what they eat instead [...]

Phonics versus Phonemic Awareness ~ What’s the Difference?

Anne Marie Margaritondo — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 03:10:55 +0000

Phonics involves seeing letters individually and connecting each one to a specific sound. Letters are broken down into consonants and vowels. Vowels are broken down into long and short sounds and words are taught by beginning and ending sounds. The order in which letters are taught is in conjunction with typical child development. What is Phonemic [...]

Risk of OCD after Childbirth

Dr. Greg Stasi — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 04:45:55 +0000

A recent article found in the Journal of Reproductive Health (March/April 2013) that was published by researchers at Northwestern University has indicated that new mothers are four-times more likely to present obsessive compulsive disorder symptoms than that of the general population. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a condition in which the individual engages in several [...]

How Sign Language, Singing and Reading Help Toddlers Learn to Communicate

Deanna Swallow — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 03:42:20 +0000

Parents often ask if things like singing, sign language and reading will be effective in helping their child learn to communicate. The short answer is, yes, yes and yes! Sign language, singing and reading to a child are all excellent ways to encourage a toddler’s expressive language. This blog will describe why and how each [...]

5 Activities to Help Your Preschooler Become a Reader

Lisa Vanselow — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 03:17:22 +0000

Learning to read is an intricate process that begins during infancy and continues through the first few years of elementary school. Part of this process includes awareness that words are made of up of sounds; and that those sounds correspond to letters. Here are some suggestions to encourage literacy development in your preschooler: Point out [...]

Ways to Help Your Kids Eat Fruits and Vegetables

Stephanie Wells — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 02:54:30 +0000

Most babies start out loving fruits and vegetables as some of their first foods. But somewhere during the toddler years, their feelings often change. Or maybe fruits and vegetables fall off your kids’ radar later in childhood. What can you do? Ways to Help Your Kids Eat Fruits and Vegetables: Prepare them in kid-friendly formats. [...]

Infant Reflexes: What They Are and When They Are Normal

Colleen Kearns — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 04:38:37 +0000

There are a number of reflexes that your infant will exhibit. Some children develop reflexes during gestation and they go away shortly after birth. Other children may not develop until later in their life and the reflexes may remain forever. Reflexes that do not develop on time or reflexes that do not integrate (go away) [...]

When Should You Hold Your Child Back A Grade?

Deborah Michael — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 03:06:34 +0000

Many parents are often worried and cautious about their child’s transition from kindergarten to first grade. There are unanswered questions and concerns that the child faces. Oftentimes it may prove beneficial for the child to repeat kindergarten and have another year to develop pre-academic and social skills. Questions that need to be kept in mind [...]

Common Misconceptions about Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Jaclyn Goldman — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 03:50:42 +0000

Many children who have an incredibly difficult time using spoken language will often learn to use other systems to augment their communication abilities. These other systems may include “high-tech” or speech-generating devices. They may also use “low-tech”, such as Picture Exchange Communication Systems, or PECS, in which a child gives his/her communicative partner a picture [...]

5 Things You Didn’t Know a Speech-Language Pathologist Can Help Your Child With:

Gretchen Olson — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 23:56:25 +0000

The title “speech-language pathologist” can be a difficult one to discern. In addition, the shortened “speech therapist” can also be misleading. Speech-Language Pathologists work with children and adults on a wide variety of skills that may surprise you. Speech sounds are not the only skill that SLPs work on! The following list is, by no [...]

3 Reasons Your Child Needs A Meal Schedule

Stephanie Wells — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 03:48:04 +0000

Today, there is the great debate among parents to whether or not put their kids on a schedule. Should I give my child a daily routine or go with the flow of what they want, when they want it? In terms of feeding, schedules are very important for kids that are over 6-12 months old. [...]

3 Easy Alternatives for Tummy Time

Leida Van Oss — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 03:23:50 +0000

Every parent knows how important tummy time is for their baby. Most parents also know how difficult it is to get the necessary amount of tummy time into each day. This is only made more difficult when babies dislike tummy time and cry whenever placed on their belly. Here are some simple alternatives to laying [...]

What is Down Syndrome?

Dr. Greg Stasi — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 03:52:33 +0000

Down Syndrome is thought to be the most common genetic etiology of mental retardation. This condition has been found to occur in approximately 1 in 800 live births. The genetics of the condition are such that the individual has an extra copy of chromosome 21. Physical Features Associated with Down Syndrome: Decreased muscle tone seen [...]

What are Metalinguistic Skills and What Do They Look Like in My Child?

Kate Connolly — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 22:59:15 +0000

Metalinguistic skills involve the awareness and control of linguistic components of language. Simply put, it implies the ability to think and discuss language. These skills require an awareness of others as listeners and an ability to recognize significant details that indicate changes in speech. For example, you do not usually speak to a teacher in [...]

Is Your Child Just Disorganized, or Is It a Bigger Problem?

LibbyGalin — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 21:52:24 +0000

Do you find that your evenings and mornings are primarily spent helping your child track down missing work or lost items and generally trying to help them get organized enough to manage their school day and extra-curricular activities? Is assisting your child too much interfering with family time and leisure time? Is this causing your [...]

Food Journaling 101

Stephanie Wells — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 03:15:24 +0000

Food journaling involves writing down everything you (or your child) eat and drink over a certain period of time. I often ask parents and children to do this and they are often not thrilled about the “assignment”. The detailed record keeping of foods and beverages consumed may provide a lot of useful information and can [...]

Plan Ahead this Easter and Passover For Your Special Needs Child

Deborah Michael — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 05:03:03 +0000

Easter and Passover are special times during the year in which friends and families get together for a form of celebration. For many families, these are happy times in which the event is eagerly anticipated; however, for families with children who have special needs, this can serve as a time of increased stress and potentially [...]

Risk Factors Associated with Prematurity and Low Birth Weight

Dr. Greg Stasi — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 04:00:33 +0000

As previously described in a prior blog, prematurity and low birth weight are commonly found in 2-8% of live births in the United States. There are numerous neuropsychological and cognitive concerns that were reported in the previous blog. There are many risk factors that parents need to be aware of that can be a contributing [...]

Sleep Deprivation in Children and 5 Tips on How to Get Your Child to Sleep

Amy Wolok — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 03:24:09 +0000

Sleep is one of the most important activities in your child’s day but it is often overlooked as such. It is as essential as food, water, and safety and vital for adequate physical and cognitive development. How much sleep does your child need? Often more than we typically expect, school-age children need 10-12 hours, with [...]

Why Can’t my Child Sit Still? Strategies for the Overly-Active Child

Lindsey Miller — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 02:56:14 +0000

Does your child seem to be constantly on the move or just can’t seem to sit still? This is a common concern that parents have of their children as they are worried that this behavior can affect their child’s ability to pay attention in school, play appropriately with other children and participate at mealtime and [...]

How To Deal With A Child Who Lies

Shannon Taurozzi — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 02:19:53 +0000

Telling the truth and being honest are virtues that parents strive to instill in their children. However lying is a part of normal childhood development, and it is expected that most children will go through phases where they experiment with lying. Lying typically begins around age 3, and becomes more prevalent during the elementary [...]

5 Tips To Work With Stubborn Behavior

Annie Goldberg — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 01:51:36 +0000

Working with stubborn behavior can be frustrating and trying. It can easily ruin a fun-filled day of activities or just make every day mundane tasks a burden. Remember, stubbornness is a behavior that can be changed! Below are some tips that you can use to help decrease a child’s stubborn behavior. Here are 5 tips [...]

Language Milestones for Preschool-Aged Children

Jaclyn Goldman — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 12:49:29 +0000

Language encompasses the way in which we produce ideas (expression), understand concepts (comprehension) and use the social rules for communication (pragmatics). Preschool years are a critical time for a child’s speech and language development. Children are rapidly acquiring new skills, therefore, parents may start to wonder if their child is meeting developmental milestones. Difficulties in [...]

Staying Healthy on Spring Vacation

Stephanie Wells — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 03:42:06 +0000

Spring break time is here and many families will be getting away for some quality vacation time. Although the purpose of vacation is to take a break, relax and have fun, it is worthwhile to maintain some healthy habits for the family. First, a drastic change in diet, especially for kids, can lead to some [...]

When is Stiffness Problematic in Infants?

Judy Wang — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 19:28:31 +0000

If your child seems stiff or rigid, he/she may have what is described as “high muscle tone” (hypertonia). This means that the muscles are chronically contracted. Stiffness can become problematic in an infant when it limits the movements and acquisition of a child’s gross motor skills. Signs of Stiffness in Infants: Your child might hold [...]

Top 10 To-Do List For Parent Teacher Conference

Dr. Greg Stasi — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 00:59:33 +0000

Parent teacher conferences serve as an important time in a child’s academic year. The teacher is able to provide updates and insight into the student’s progress within the classroom. In today’s schools teacher’s conferences schedules are often jam packed and you might only have fifteen precious minutes with the teacher to talk about your child. [...]

Encourage Your Child to Try Different Swimming Techniques

Dana Pais — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 02:51:52 +0000

Though the Chicago winter months bring cold, snow and gloomy days, swimming continues to be a great activity for the family, albeit indoors. Swimming offers many benefits for children, including enhancing sensory processing, strength, endurance and coordination. A common concern among families with whom I work with is that their child does not like dipping [...]

Why Downhill Skiing is a Great Gross Motor Activity for Children

Amanda Mathews — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 02:49:55 +0000

As I stated in my previous blog, many sporting events are not only enjoyable to watch for entertainment purposes, but they can also be a perfect gross motor and extracurricular activity to get your child involved in with his peers. Both individualized and team sports incorporate many different skill sets that help your child to [...]

Milk Options: Which is the right one?

Stephanie Wells — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 04:09:02 +0000

There are several milk options available on store shelves today. Many of us grew up drinking regular cow’s milk, but now it seems as if people are choosing alternative milks. When choosing what milk is best for your children, it is important to know what nutritional purpose milk serves in a child’s diet. Not all [...]

How to Elicit the “B” and “P” Sounds in Your Child’s Speech

Allison Raino — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 02:01:41 +0000

Every speech sound has a place of production, manner of production and can either be voiced or voiceless sounds. Place of production is the accurate placement of articulators. Manner of production is the restriction of airflow in the oral cavity. A voiced sound has our voice box on versus a voiceless sound when our voice [...]

What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?

Dr. Greg Stasi — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 18:46:45 +0000

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an empirically supported psychotherapy approach that focuses on altering an individual’s negative thoughts, beliefs and emotions. The therapeutic technique stems from a combination of behavioral therapy (in which the focus is to develop behavioral regulation strategies in order to increase the frequency of positive behaviors while extinguishing negative behaviors) and [...]

Common Household Materials for Tactile Exploration and Learning

Lauren Weichman — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 18:01:54 +0000

At times, the best source of entertainment can be found in the simplest materials! Use these readily available household items for a rich tactile sensory and learning experience right at home. Common Household Materials for Tactile Exploration and Learning: Beans or Rice tubs- Find buried treasures hidden within! Fill a small container that can be [...]

Why Hockey is A Great Game to Teach Your Child

Amanda Mathews — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 04:45:40 +0000

Not only is hockey enjoyable to watch for entertainment purposes, hockey is also a perfect gross motor and extracurricular activity that will get your child involved with his peers. Team sports incorporate many different skill sets and help your child follow the guidance and leadership of another adult (i.e. the coach). Below are some examples [...]

The Healthy Plate Model

Stephanie Wells — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 03:13:34 +0000

Did you learn the Food Pyramid as a nutrition guide when you were growing up? How about the Four Food Groups? Or was it Five Food Groups? Nutrition models can be quite confusing; however, the Healthy Plate Model is a new tool that is actually very simple to use. It is a way of visualizing [...]

Why does my Therapist want to observe my Child at School?

Lauren Weichman — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 05:15:03 +0000

There are many benefits for therapists that are permitted to observe their clients in the classroom. These observations, when appropriate, are beneficial not only to the therapist, but to the teacher, family and child as well. These observations provide the therapist with additional insight into your child’s school day, as well as promote collaboration with [...]

“I Don’t know!”: How to Communicate with your Teen

Ali Wein — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 05:00:59 +0000

What do you do when you ask your child a question and they respond with “I don’t know”? This 3-word phrase can be used in a variety of situations to evade sharing information or avoid diving in deeper into a topic. So, the real question at hand is how to get your teen to open [...]

Brain Injury in Children

Dr. Greg Stasi — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 04:06:01 +0000

Traumatic brain injuries that occur in children are quite common and are often associated with significant cognitive, academic and social/emotional concerns. Studies have indicated that brain injuries occur in approximately 180 out of every 100,000 children. Transportation-related injuries are the most common cause of brain injuries in children as well as adolescents. Studies have indicated [...]

Promoting Bilateral Coordination of the Hands

Lindsey Miller — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 05:10:59 +0000

When people initially think of coordination, physical activities (such as running, skipping, and playing sports) are usually the first things that come to mind. In the therapy world, however, coordination can refer to several different things. In general, bilateral coordination is the ability to use both sides of your body together in order to perform [...]

Recreational Activities to Promote Gross Motor Skills

Colleen Kearns — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 04:12:57 +0000

It is often that parents ask me for recommendations for suitable physical extracurricular activities for their children that will also help to facilitate the gross motor skills we work on in therapy. Extracurricular activities are a great way for your child to socialize with his or her peers and physical activities are the perfect way [...]

5 Ways To Prevent Meltdowns After School

Amanda Mathews — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 18:08:43 +0000

Oftentimes, after-school hours and times of transition can be extremely difficult for children, especially for children with sensory processing disorder (SPD). Children may often perform well throughout the school day, but then quickly meltdown after they get home. Meltdowns occur because the child will often take in a high amount of sensory experiences (e.g. noisy [...]

Omega 3s: Do we need to supplement?

Stephanie Wells — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 21:58:38 +0000

We have all received the message that Omega 3s are really important to one’s personal nutrition. We should eat more fish or include fish oil supplements to our diets. Fish oil may be recommended by a doctor in order to help lower cholesterol or reduce inflammation in the body. Why are Omega 3′s lacking in [...]

10 Ways to Increase Your Toddler’s Language Using Communication Temptations

Lisa Vanselow — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 03:43:35 +0000

These communication temptations were adapted from Warren & Yoder (1998) to facilitate a child’s need to communicate in a variety of contexts. For example, the goals of the following exercises are to convey emotion, initiate conversation, make requests, make comments and ask questions. Making Requests & Asking Questions: Withholding food/toys: Eat a desirable food and [...]

How to Help with Homework

Kate Connolly — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 03:22:05 +0000

Homework time is one of the most difficult parts of a parent and child’s day, especially if your child has difficulty with the tasks requested of them. We are often asked how to give the help needed without “doing homework” for him/her. We understand, , that as a parent, you want your child to succeed [...]

Warning Signs of a Learning Disability

Amy Wolok — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 03:30:27 +0000

Prevalence rates of Learning Disabilities have an average range of 2-10%. While we aware of the negative impact that learning disabilities may have on achievement, when identified early, your child can be given the opportunity to meet their potential. Below are 7 signs that may suggest that further evaluation may be needed: Uneven delays in [...]

What is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy?

Katie Sadowski — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 03:43:07 +0000

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) uses the scientific principles of learning and motivation in order to teach effectively. It focuses on the idea that the consequences of what we do affect what we learn and what we will do in the future. ABA seeks to improve specific behaviors while demonstrating a reliable relationship between the procedures [...]

What is a Late-Talking Toddler?

Jaclyn Goldman — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 03:25:50 +0000

Many parents may wonder, is my child normal? When it comes to speech and language development, there are certain milestones between birth to 1 year and 1 to 2 years that we would hope all children achieve. Some children may progress through these milestones faster or slower than others, but there is usually a typical [...]

Why It’s Important NOT to Skip Crawling

Leida Van Oss — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 03:24:55 +0000

Crawling is an important gross motor milestone for babies that are 8-10 months of age. It is at this time that your child is figuring out how to get from one place to another independently. For some children, crawling is more difficult to learn and is, at times, delayed. This can often lead to a [...]

Teaching Your Child Manners

Annie Goldberg — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 03:23:47 +0000

Nearly anyone will agree that being a parent means being busy. Often, we are satisfied by simply getting our child to listen to our requests (i.e. “eat your vegetables.”). We all know that mere compliance can sometimes be a monumental task; however, it is important to work with your child so that his or her [...]

It’s More than Just “Being a Boy:” Signs your Child May Need Sensory Input for Self-Regulation

Lindsey Miller — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 03:23:20 +0000

It is often, when I first meet with parents to discuss sensory processing and the sensory needs of their children, the parents will often respond with “Oh, he’s just being a boy.” It is a common belief that young boys who are very active and aggressive are just “being boys”; however, boys (or girls) who [...]

Skills Addressed When Making Paper Snowflakes

Amanda Mathews — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 02:38:30 +0000

Even though the holidays are over, there are plenty of winter projects that you can create with your children at home! I always like to remind parents that there are numerous activities that you likely participate in at home already that incorporate a variety of age-appropriate skills and help your child grow and learn. One [...]

Does my child need an Orthotic?

Judy Wang — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 03:13:52 +0000

Orthotics are custom foot support devices that may be as simple as an insert worn in your child’s shoe, to a full-leg brace. Some orthotics are worn during the day and during all regular activities. Other orthotic devices are designed to be worn only during the night. The type of orthotic your child needs, and [...]

Tummy Aches, Abdominal Pain, and Stools: What the signs and symptoms might be telling you about your diet

Stephanie Wells — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 03:08:17 +0000

My professor in grad school spoke about how difficult nausea and abdominal pain is to manage. Think about the last time that your stomach felt extremely upset. Have you ever experienced morning sickness during pregnancy? It is incredibly difficult to function on a daily basis when you are feeling that miserable. In addition, it is [...]

Pragmatic Language: Building Social Skills for Your Child

Tanya Lotzof — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 03:34:50 +0000

What is pragmatic language? Pragmatic language refers to the communicative intent, rules and social aspects of language. It is the way in which language is used to communicate in a variety of different contexts, rather than the way language is structured. A major component of pragmatic language is being able to read the cues of [...]

Obstacle Courses are FUNctional!

Sara Probasco — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 03:23:11 +0000

Obstacle courses can provide great opportunities for your child to gain multiple skills as well as challenge their performance in gross and fine motor activities. You can construct the course inside your home or outside in the playground. Collaborate with your child to create multiple steps that can incorporate household items, balls, pillows, toys, etc. [...]

February Fun with Young Valentines

Chef Blossom — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 03:48:39 +0000

Cooking up Books with Blossom ~ a monthly series from Chef Blossom’s own kitchen! Valentines Books To Read: Book: Pinkalicious by Victoria Kann & Elizabeth Kann Age: 5-8 Pinkalicious loves anything pink, especially pink cupcakes. One day, when over-eating these tempting delicacies, Pinkalicious discovers not everything in life turns up pink in the end. Enjoy [...]

Prematurity and Low Birth Weight

Dr. Greg Stasi — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 00:27:08 +0000

Prematurity and low birth weight are quite common and have been increasing in evidence. Research has indicated that infants that are born with a low birth weight comprised approximately 8% of live births in the United States in 2005 (National Center for Health Statistics, 2006). Children that are born prematurely are on the rise and [...]

Providing Communicative Temptations in the Home for Late Talkers

Kate Connolly — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 00:13:25 +0000

Is your toddler not talking as much as he or she should be? Don’t panic! Below are some strategies for creating opportunities for vocalizations. Remember, ALWAYS reward your child with the toy immediately after they attempt to say the target! 5 Strategies To Get Your Late Talker To Communicate: Leave a desired food item that [...]

Healthy Habits for 2013: Teaching Your Children the Importance of Goal Setting

Amanda Mathews — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 20:53:56 +0000

As I stated in my previous blogs, a new year often means a new start and new goals for the upcoming months. As adults (parents, teachers, therapists), we have a huge influence upon the lifestyles of the children around us that will impact the way that they are going to live. We need to make [...]

Hop 2 Health : A Pediatric Weight Management Program

Stephanie Wells — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 21:00:34 +0000

Obesity and being overweight are the biggest health issues facing our children today. Not only that, these issues can have serious effects on kids, in both the short and the long-term. Obese children report a lower quality of life and are at risk for developing serious health issues during childhood and adolescence, such as: Type [...]

What Makes Exercise So Good For the Body?

Colleen Kearns — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 01:20:47 +0000

We’ve all heard it before. You should be exercising at least 5 times each week for at least 30-60 minutes. We all know that exercise is beneficial for your heart, but why exactly is exercise so good for the body and why is it crucial to exercise so frequently? The list of answers to these [...]

8 Tips to help your Child Accept being a Big Brother or Sister

Katie Sadowski — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 13:43:03 +0000

With a new baby on the way, there is a lot of excitement, joy, and preparation involved. In addition to all of these emotions and tasks to complete, parents also need to keep in mind of the feelings of their older child. For an older child, the thoughts of Mommy and Daddy having another baby [...]

Are you Happy? How can you increase your happiness?

Gregory Tesnar — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 13:39:35 +0000

I’d like to think that I am generally a happy individual. I greet people with a smile, share a laugh and look to the positives when confronted with a challenge. I too have fallen into the pitfall of thinking “I’ll be happy when…”. This is dangerous thinking because once I have achieved filling in that [...]

My Child Won’t Sit Still During Dinner…Help!

Dana Pais — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 16:21:03 +0000

Children with sensory processing difficulties may have a difficult time staying in one place for extended periods of time. Frequently, parents will witness this kind of behavior during mealtime, particularly during dinner, after their child has been seated all day in school. This behavior is the child’s way of telling parents that they need to [...]

Fun Ways to Help Your Children to be More Active

Amanda Mathews — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 13:20:56 +0000

As I stated in my previous blog, as adults (parents, teachers, therapists), we have a huge influence upon the lifestyles that children around us are going to live by. We need to be sure that we are teaching our children well so that they may learn to make their own healthy choices in the future. [...]

Speech-Language Screening vs. Evaluation

Katie Secrest — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 13:15:39 +0000

When there are concerns regarding your child’s speech and language skills, we have a few options available that will help to assess your child’s needs: a screening or a full evaluation. A screening is a brief meeting with your child that will determine your child’s strengths and weaknesses through informal measures. An evaluation is a [...]

Bilingualism: What to Expect And Tips on How to Implement it

Lisa Vanselow — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 13:40:19 +0000

People who communicate fluently in two languages are bilingual. Learning two languages will not cause a child to have speech-language difficulties. Bilingual language learners follow the same pattern of language acquisition as children that are learning one language. For example, toddlers that are in the process of learning one language should produce their first words [...]

Eating Healthy when Eating Out

Stephanie Wells — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 13:38:38 +0000

I am an advocate of eating from home or at home, for both kids and parents. I recommend limiting eating meals that are from restaurants to once per week or less. The reality is that many families eat out much more often than once a week. In many cases, restaurant meals are higher in calories, [...]

5 Tips to Help With Social Concerns Associated With ADHD

Dr. Greg Stasi — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 17:57:19 +0000

Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) often present concerns interacting with peers and maintaining appropriate social relationships. These children often present appropriate social skill sets; however, issues with inattention and impulsiveness directly impact their ability to execute these skills on a regular basis. Below are five strategies to help improve the social interaction of [...]

Help Instill Balanced Thinking in Your Child

Danielle Marino — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 19:26:46 +0000

Our goal is to help train your child’s brain when they make assessments about specific situations. We need to make them aware that it is not the event or person that makes them feel a certain way; it is their thinking behind it. The more we are able to help children challenge their thoughts in [...]

What is Phonemic Awareness | Pediatric Therapy TV

Robyn — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 13:34:50 +0000

In today’s Webisode, a pediatric speech therapist explains to our views what phonemic awareness is. Watch our previous Webisode, when Elizabeth Galin, our academic specialist, explains how phonemic awareness is important as your child is getting ready to read Today you will learn: What are daily uses of phonemic awareness How phonemic awareness develops as your [...]

7 Ways to Increase Phonological Awareness

Allison Raino — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 18:53:28 +0000

Identifying different sounds that make words and associating these sounds within written words are an essential foundational component for early literacy skills. There are forty-four phonemes (sounds) in the English language; this includes letter combinations such as /th/. In addition to identifying these sounds, one must be able to manipulate the sounds. This is often [...]

Childhood Depression: The Difference Between “The Blues” and Mood Issues

Ali Wein — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 16:47:36 +0000

How can you tell the difference between a rough day or week versus a more serious mood issue in your child? We all have the occasional bad day, but when a child’s mood or behavior changes so dramatically that it begins to interfere with their overall quality of life, depression may be present. In addition [...]

How to Treat Twins as Individuals

Katie Sadowski — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 21:35:09 +0000

In general, parents that have twins are very concerned with treating their children equally, but they often struggle in allowing their children to find their own identity. Parents usually dress twins in matching outfits, sign them up for the same activities, purchase two of the same toy and even arrange play dates to be together. [...]

Healthy Habits for 2013: Teaching Your Children the Importance of Health and Fitness

Amanda Mathews — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 14:39:37 +0000

It is often that a new year means a new start and new goals for the upcoming months! My co-workers and I have recently had the privilege of attending a presentation related to how to improve upon the foods we are consuming and the exercises we are participating in so that we can increase our [...]

How to Make Your Own Baby Food

Stephanie Wells — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 16:43:20 +0000

Are you interested in creating your own baby food? The good news is that it is actually quite possible and simple to make your own baby food! Supplies to make your own baby food: A manual food mill. I personally used one made by KidCo. It is suitable for any soft or steamed fruits and [...]

Helping Your Child with Word Finding Difficulties

Katie Secrest — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 13:42:20 +0000

We’ve all had that feeling where our word or thought is on “the tip of the tongue.” However, when this is recurring and interrupts communication with your child, then it becomes a problem. Word finding difficulties (also called “word retrieval difficulties”) are not a vocabulary disorder. Your child understands the definition of the word(s) and has used [...]

Why It’s Important For A Baby Not To Skip Crawling | Pediatric Therapy TV

Robyn — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 21:11:07 +0000

In today’s Webisode, a pediatric physical therapist shows how crawling is essential for an infant’s muscles and sensory input. Read these useful tips on how to encourage your baby to crawl In this video you will learn: How crawling influences an infant’s muscles What essential skills infants learn to master when crawling

Executive Functioning Basics

Amy Wolok — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 18:01:47 +0000

Executive functions (EF) are a fancy way to explain our everyday problem-solving strategies. EF are self-regulated behaviors that we need in order to plan, execute and maintain activities. Observable Executive Functioning behaviors include: Initiation Organization Transitioning Inhibition Goal-setting Monitoring own behavior Planning Sequencing information Self-control Complications in any one of these areas may create difficulties [...]

Acquisition of Speech Sounds by Age

Allison Raino — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 18:16:19 +0000

Speech sound development varies greatly between boys and girls as well as between ages. Below are two charts that provide information about age of acquisition of speech sounds. Speech Pathologists have researched the age of acquisition of consonant sounds in Standard American English for many decades. Each study found slightly different results regarding the age of mastery. [...]

Sit Back, Relax, and Enjoy Your Very Own Body Pillow

Lindsey Moyer — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 21:47:54 +0000

Throughout the clinic, the options are endless as far as games to play, equipment to climb, and toys to use. With all the available choices, one item continues to be a favorite of children of all ages and interests: the body pillow. For all of you craft-loving parents, as well as those (like me) who [...]

Handwriting Without Tears (HWT): Three Strategies of Learning

Amanda Mathews — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 18:37:38 +0000

As I stated in my previous blog, handwriting can be taught in several different ways, depending upon your child’s teacher as well as the curriculum within the school. If your child’s school does not utilize the Handwriting Without Tears (HWT) program, you can gain many successful strategies and knowledge from the HWT website. As you [...]

Speech Delays and Talkative Older Siblings

Deanna Swallow — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 16:43:46 +0000

A parent recently asked me what to do when her child’s older sibling constantly answers for him. While it’s caring that the older sibling wants to help his little brother, it’s also very important for each child to have his own space to learn and develop, try new things, and make mistakes. So how can parents help? [...]

What is a Feeding Team?

Stephanie Wells — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 14:36:02 +0000

A feeding difficulty is a complex medical condition. Feeding issues can result in poor growth, nutrient deficiencies as well as developmental delays. Due to the fact that the process of feeding involves numerous systems throughout the body, addressing the issue is multi-faceted. Feeding difficulties can stem from various issues, such as dysphagia, reflux, history of [...]

ADHD Parenting Tips

Gregory Tesnar — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 20:02:48 +0000

Do you feel as if your child has a difficult time with paying attention and staying organized? Does your child struggle to plan ahead, control impulses or complete tasks? Life can be challenging and, at times, frustrating with a child that has ADHD. Some of the keys to positively handling situations such as these are [...]

3 Signs Your Child Has An Articulation Disorder | Pediatric Therapy Tv

Robyn — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 15:52:00 +0000

In today’s Webisode, a pediatric speech therapist discusses common red flags to look for in your child’s speech development. Click here to read a blog that suggests articulation activities to practice at home In this video you will learn: When your child’s frustration with articulation means something more How speech therapists check articulation based on [...]

Does Your Child Have Poor Body Awareness?

Lindsey Miller — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 04:02:06 +0000

Body awareness relates to knowing where your body is in a defined space. It is also linked to our proprioceptive system (the input that we get from our joints and muscles). Children who have poor body awareness may have a difficult time in functioning at a certain age level due to the subsequent difficulty that [...]

Top 10 Sensory Tools for the Classroom

Lauren Weichman — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 03:47:39 +0000

Below is a list of the top 10 Sensory Tools that can help regulate a child in the Classroom: Weighted materials- These come in many forms, including belts, vests, blankets, animals and pads! These provide proprioceptive input without becoming distracting to the other students. Seat cushion- Seat cushions are generally filled with air and have [...]

New Years Resolutions: A Chance for Kids to Make Goals and See Their Achievements

Gretchen Olson — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 03:18:56 +0000

We frequently set goals for ourselves; parents set their sights on goals for their children and therapists identify skill areas to build upon for the children they work with. There is a reason why we make a new years resolution with each year that passes- it is motivating to set your sights on something new. [...]

Strategies to Help Children with Language Disorders Tackle Homework

Deanna Swallow — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 02:54:27 +0000

A language disorder can negatively impact a child’s academic success. For example, consider a child who has a difficult time comprehending multi-step or complex directions. They are likely to misinterpret their teachers’ instructions or misunderstand task directions. Parents often share the challenges they face when helping their child battle through homework assignments. Their child [...]

Handwriting Without Tears (HWT): Why it is a Great Approach to Teaching Handwriting

Amanda Mathews — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 20:03:00 +0000

Handwriting is taught to children that are as young as preschool age. Children begin learning how to write the letters in their name and they will usually start with their first name. Handwriting can be taught in a variety of ways, depending upon your child’s teacher as well as the curriculum within the school. It [...]

Food-Related Activities for Kids

Stephanie Wells — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 18:55:08 +0000

The way in which a child learns about food, health, and what foods they enjoy is influenced by what they are exposed to in their daily environment. Younger children learn so much through playing freely with toys and with other children. All children learn from what they witness their parents do and say. Children at [...]

Heavy Work Strategies for the Busy Family

Lindsey Moyer — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 16:24:35 +0000

Life can get heavy from time to time and everyone gets stressed out. Unknowingly, many adults cope with said ‘stressors’ by incorporating various self-regulating strategies into their daily routines. They may take a deep breath or find their ‘zen’ in a yoga class. Some may take pleasure in the simplicity of sipping a warm cup of [...]

What is a Neuropsychologist?

Dr. Greg Stasi — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 16:24:15 +0000

Pediatric neuropsychologists are clinical psychologists who have extensive training in neurodevelopmental conditions. We focus on the assessment and diagnosis of such conditions and strive to develop the most effective interventions for a child within both home and school environments. What types of testing do Neuropsychologists perform? We conduct very extensive testing. The focus of the [...]

Incorporating Balance into Your Child’s Before-School Routine

Colleen Kearns — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 13:29:06 +0000

Balance, like many things, will only get better with practice and through challenging the balance systems. However, it can be hard to find time after school to work on balance activities when kids already have mountains of homework to keep up with. It can also be difficult to make balance exercises fun and enjoyable for [...]

Let the Games Begin: How to Help Your Child to use Games in a Different Way

Amanda Mathews — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 15:59:46 +0000

As I mentioned before in my previous blog, it is important for parents to consider traditional board games as well as hands-on toys for this holiday season. While new technology is impressive, traditional board games and hands-on toys continue to be an ideal way for children to work on a variety of skills allow them [...]

Finger Foods for Little Fingers

Stephanie Wells — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 18:18:12 +0000

When infants are transitioning to solid foods, it is important to remember that this transition process is a learning experience for the child. Feeding involves many systems in the body, including the brain, sensory processing system, muscles of the mouth, tongue and throat. Feeding also involves the entire digestive system. The transition to solid foods [...]

How Does Play Help Meet a Child’s Therapy Goals?

Lindsey Miller — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 15:05:42 +0000

Occupational therapists often use play as a means of helping achieve our clients’ goals. Many times, it may not look like our sessions are working on your child’s areas of need; however, when we are working with children, we often try to adapt play activities in order to help your child meet his goals. Play is a [...]

Why Is A Full Occupational Therapy Evaluation Beneficial When My Child’s Only Difficulty is Handwriting?

Dana Pais — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 14:48:28 +0000

Handwriting is a complex task that involves many prerequisite skills, including visual skills, ocular motor control, body awareness, fine motor planning, shoulder stability, and hand and finger strength. Each prerequisite skill contributes to efficient and fluid handwriting: Visual skills are needed to accurately distinguish and interpret letters and shapes on a page, essential for writing. Ocular motor control [...]

5 Major Differences between an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and 504 Plan

Amy Wolok — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 19:31:18 +0000

Your child has been identified to be falling behind in school in some way. Perhaps they are scoring below expected levels on achievement tests or maybe they are exhibiting symptoms of inattention or become easily distracted. These symptoms may be keeping them from learning up to their potential. In another case, they may have an [...]

Physical Activities to Get your Child Moving | Pediatric Therapy Tv

Robyn — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 15:06:52 +0000

In today’s Webisode, a pediatric physical therapist will explain creative ways to help your child get up and get active! In this video you will learn: What indoor games are best for encouraging physical activity with your child What outdoor activities increase muscular activity What gaming system is best for enhancing your child’s activity

The Great Debate: What Should Babies Wear on Their Feet When Learning to Walk?

Leida Van Oss — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 17:29:20 +0000

Parents frequently ask me what the best option is for their child when they are learning to walk: shoes or barefoot? This is a topic that has been controversial in the past. It was once suggested that new walkers should wear shoes with thick soles so that they are provided with additional support that is [...]

Reading: It Comes in Stages

Gretchen Olson — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 15:05:02 +0000

Reading can sometimes appear to be an overnight skill, and there are even children who “teach themselves” to read before they reach the first grade. Often, it is a wonder that kids enter one grade with minimal letter knowledge and leave reading books on their own. It has been my experience that the skill of reading is [...]

Activity Analysis of Cookie Baking

Amanda Mathews — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 17:30:38 +0000

While on winter vacation, there are so many wonderful activities that your children are already participating in that benefit their fine motor and gross motor skills; however,you are not always aware of it. This is why it is important to take a look at the activity analysis,in order to break down the skills and components [...]

5 Healthy New Year’s Resolutions

Stephanie Wells — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 14:48:57 +0000

While discussing the topic of New Year’s Resolutions, health-related resolutions must be the most popular. With this in mind, how many of these resolutions are actually kept through the year’s end? This is a list of healthy resolutions that involve small changes and have a significant impact on health. These resolutions are achievable if [...]

Properly Packing Your Child’s Back Pack To Avoid Back Injuries

Lindsey Moyer — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 13:18:16 +0000

Pencils, pens, wide ruled paper, markers, crayons, folders, journal, daily planner, three-ring binders, stapler, staples, glue, tape and erasers. Don’t forget to throw in the latest and greatest lunch box as well text books. Here are a few tips to help protect your child’s body from the abundance of goodies that they are carting too [...]

How to Make School Breaks Easier on Your Child and Your Family

Kelley Balmer — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 16:33:47 +0000

School breaks can be a fun and exciting time for children, but they may be chaotic, stressful and dysregulating for them as well. The school day is full of structure and predictability. While some kids may enjoy the continuous free time that vacations offer, other children may thrive during the school year and may regress [...]

Best Time to Teach a Child a Second Language | Pediatric Therapy Tv

Robyn — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 15:37:20 +0000

In today’s Webisode, a pediatric speech therapist will explain useful strategies to use when teaching a second language to a child. In this video you will learn: When is the right time to teach your child a second language Effective tactics to use when teaching your child a second language

Speech and Language: What is the Difference?

Jaclyn Goldman — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 15:59:08 +0000

At a time when families are seeking treatment for their children, they may hear terms like “speech” or “language” and wonder, what’s the difference? Many children will struggle with both speech and language aspects of communication, and it is important that families understand the distinction. Speech: “Speech” can be thought of as verbal communication. It [...]

6 Fine Motor Toys

Lindsey Moyer — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 15:53:12 +0000

When your child has challenges in some domain of their development, you may have questions as to what toys you should purchase that will captivate your child’s creativity, allow for hours of good fun and facilitate the opportunity for your child to expand their skills. Below is a list of toys that may enhance your [...]

Signs That Your Child May Need Occupational Therapy

Lindsey Miller — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 15:30:54 +0000

At school, you or your child’s teacher may be noticing difficulties in your child’s school performance. Although you may not be able to see your child work in the classroom, there are some things that you can look for outside of school that suggest your child could benefit from occupational therapy services. Difficulty Focusing – [...]

Strategies to Replace Hand Flapping

Amanda Mathews — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 15:17:08 +0000

As I mentioned in my previous blog, hand flapping behavior from a child can occur for many different reasons and not only in children with Autism. It is important to keep in mind that every child is unique and reacts to various situations in a different manner as well as with different mannerisms. Children may [...]

All about Vitamins and Supplements for Kids

Stephanie Wells — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 15:22:39 +0000

There are many vitamins and supplements that are marketed towards children and parents. Do all children need vitamins? Which ones should they have? Are the gummy vitamins just as effective as the non-gummy vitamins? The following questions will help clarify when at what vitamins may be appropriate for your kids: What vitamins should I give [...]

Top 5 Reasons Your Child Should Attend a Blossom Winter Camp!

Dana Pais — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 20:13:39 +0000

North Shore Pediatric Therapy is offering over 17 unique camps this winter break for children ages 3 to high school. Each camp focuses on strengthening different areas utilizing age appropriate fun activities! Top 5 Reasons Your Child Should Attend a Blossom Winter Camp: The kids are on break from school and their routine has been eliminated! Help [...]

10 Ways to Promote Language Skills During Winter Break

Jaclyn Goldman — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 15:55:31 +0000

School is out for a few weeks, but that doesn’t mean your child has to stop working on language concepts. Using these 10 tips, you can work with your child to promote his or her language skills in a fun and meaningful way! 10 Ways to Promote Language Skills During Winter Break: Narrate Everything: Explaining what you’re [...]

Decorating for Christmas | 5 Activities to Improve Handwriting Skills

Deanna Gotkowski — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 19:45:36 +0000

All children may benefit from exercising their fine motor muscles. Fine motor skills (coordination, grasping, precision) as well as fine motor strength and endurance are strongly associated with handwriting legibility, endurance and speed. Additional skills, such as bilateral coordination, visual-motor integration (eye-hand coordination) and manual dexterity (manipulation speed) contribute to producing legible writing as well. [...]

Ways to Encourage a Baby to Sit Up | Pediatric Therapy Tv

Robyn — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 16:44:29 +0000

In today’s Webisode, a pediatric physical therapist will show us helpful ways to encourage a baby to sit up independently. Read about useful tips to get your baby to roll In this video you will learn: How old your baby should be to sit up Strategies to support your baby as they sit up

Identification of Asperger’s Syndrome in Preschool

Dr. Greg Stasi — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 02:05:35 +0000

Asperger’s Syndrome is characterized as a condition in which a child exhibits qualitative impairment in social interaction with accompanying restrictive repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interest and activities (American Psychiatric Association, 2005). These children demonstrate significant concerns with their ability to interact with peers and engage in age-appropriate play. These children are often high-functioning [...]

Executive Functioning Tricks for High School Students

Amy Wolok — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 02:05:27 +0000

High school students are often faced with ever-increasing demands for organizational skills, planning longer-term school projects and managing busy daily schedules. When there are challenges in meeting these demands, the student’s performance and confidence may be negatively affected. Because this developmental stage is focused on increasing autonomy, the goal is to equip your teenager with strategies [...]

Teaching Your Child How to Spell

LibbyGalin — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 01:58:50 +0000

The ability to spell is a critical component for children to have in order to be successful in school and beyond. The following ideas will help you teach your emergent reader to be a great speller: Make Connections: Spelling is best-learned in context. Several contexts can be provided for effective spelling instruction, such as word [...]

What to do When your Child is Spoiled

Katie Sadowski — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 01:52:13 +0000

As parents, we will always want what is best for our children. We reason with ourselves that as long as our children are happy, it is worth the extra mile, time or money. Unfortunately, keeping a smile on their faces can quickly become a bad habit to all parties involved. In order to avoid seeing [...]

Does Hand Flapping Mean Autism?

Amanda Mathews — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 20:15:20 +0000

With today’s easy access to the Internet, it is common for many of us to try and diagnose our own symptoms and ailments; however, even if your symptoms come to a match, it does not necessarily mean that you have that particular diagnosis that shows up on your computer. The same can be said with [...]

Ways to Handle Tragedy with Children

Ali Wein — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 22:12:35 +0000

Co-Authored by: Ali Wein, LCSW and Michelle Winterstein, LCSW What happens when a tragedy occurs? When the unthinkable happens, both adults and children access their darkest fears and concerns about national, community, and personal safety. Trauma is an emotional response to a terrible event and can be expressed in a variety of ways. Children may [...]

Should I Give My Child Dessert?

Stephanie Wells — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 14:55:08 +0000

The word “dessert” can conjure up groans from many parents and cheers from kids. Parents may, at times, cheer about dessert too. On the other hand, dessert may cause more issues than benefits in several families. This is due to the fact that desserts tend to be high in sugar that are devoid of quality [...]

Winter Holiday Activities for Children With or Without Sensory Processing Disorder

Jennifer Remijas — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 15:42:40 +0000

Play is the occupation of children. Through the action of playing, children are able to develop themselves as well as explore the world around them. Sensory integration is a process that automatically occurs in most individuals, such as when everything we see, hear and feel makes sense to us. Some individuals have a difficult time [...]

Finding a Gift that Has Therapeutic Value

Kelley Balmer — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 22:30:08 +0000

When buying presents for kids these days, it may be difficult to find a toy or game in which the value will last longer than the amount of time it takes to unwrap it. It can also be challenging to find a gift that will remain valuable throughout any of the “fads” and “trends.” With [...]

Toe Walkers Part 2: When You Should Seek Help | Pediatric Therapy Tv

Robyn — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 16:02:28 +0000

In today’s Webisode, a pediatric physical therapist discusses the intervention needed for a toe walking child. For more on Toe walking, read this blog. To Watch Part 1 of the Toe Walking Webisode, click here. In this video you will learn: How soon a toddler needs therapy intervention for toe walking What is the maximum [...]

Engaging Your Newborn Baby: 5 Simple Tips for Interacting with Your Baby

Meghan Grant — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 15:19:20 +0000

As a new parent, chances are that you have spent countless hours just gazing into your newborn’s eyes. However, between nonstop feedings, washing copious amounts of laundry, all of those diaper changes , and trying to sneak in a nap, some new parents may feel left in the dark when it comes to play time. [...]

Encouraging Language Skills during Family Board Games

Deanna Swallow — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 16:20:16 +0000

One of the most impactful ways a child can make progress toward their speech and language goals is through home practice. I compare it to working out at the gym; one day a week counts for something, but you’re unlikely to see noticeable results. Instead, three or four days a week is the best way to build muscle [...]

Holiday Shopping: How to Choose Developmentally Appropriate Toys for Your Child

Amanda Mathews — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 14:04:58 +0000

The holidays are approaching rather quickly and most parents are hoping to not only get their children gifts that will make them happy and excited, but gifts that will help them to learn and grow as well. It can definitely be challenging to not only find a toy or game that you feel your child [...]

Fiber for Kids: How Much and What Foods?

Stephanie Wells — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 12:32:21 +0000

We have all received the message that fiber is important. Kids often snicker when I explain to them what fiber does in digestion (“It helps you poop!”). This is the truth. Insoluble fiber helps move things along more quickly and it is the non-digestible “roughage” found in many fresh vegetables and whole grains. Soluble fiber [...]

‘Tis the Season to Teach your Children to Give

Katie Sadowski — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 16:48:27 +0000

During the holiday season, it is easy for children to get caught up in the “give me” or “I want” moments. It’s entirely natural for them to be focused on the excitement of presents that come along with the holidays, but this can also be a time to illustrate the joy of not only receiving, [...]

3 Coping Strategies to Help your Stressful Teen | Pediatric Therapy Tv

Robyn — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 21:14:55 +0000

In today’s Webisode, a pediatric social worker provides some useful tips to help a stressful teen. If you haven’t already, check out our previous episode with Ali, discussing depression in children In this video you will learn: The first steps to take when helping a stressful teen How to approach a stressful teen Specific strategies to best help [...]

Using the Game “Guess Who” as a Fun Way to Address Handwriting at Home!

Dana Pais — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 14:07:47 +0000

Handwriting practice may cause conflict in your household, especially after a full day of school. There are various techniques to incorporate handwriting into fun activities. One of these strategies is by using the board game, “Guess Who.” Set up the game as you normally would to play without handwriting practice. Prepare paper and pencils for [...]

Eating Healthy on a Budget

Stephanie Wells — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 17:06:26 +0000

There is a stigma that eating healthy foods results in spending a lot of money. This does not always have to be the case. Instead, we have to be wiser grocery shoppers, have open minds to cooking and trying new things and we must be willing to change our mindset toward spending money on food. [...]

Activities to Address Your Child’s Tactile Hypersensitivities

Amanda Mathews — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 15:35:23 +0000

As stated in my previous blog ”Why is my Child Sensitive to Clothing”, our goal as occupational therapists is to help children with tactile defensiveness to re-train their brains in order to identify and process various tactile inputs appropriately, and to best engage in age-appropriate activities, including wearing a variety of clothing. Listed below are several [...]

6 Ways to Support your Child through a Dining-Out Experience

Allison Raino — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 18:18:17 +0000

I worked in the restaurant industry for many years as a hostess as well as a waitress. I recently observed a family out at dinner on a Saturday night. After seeing some of the behaviors of their son and hearing some feedback from their waiter, it became obvious to me that this family had a child with [...]

How To Introduce 2 Words Into a Sentence Using Baby Sign Language | Pediatric Therapy Tv

Robyn — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 18:00:30 +0000

In today’s webisode, a pediatric speech language pathologist explains effective ways of introducing a second sign into a sentence when teaching your baby sign language. If you haven’t already seen the previous Webisode, you can view it here In this video you will learn: How to use sign language to teach variety of other signs [...]

Executive Functioning Activities At Home

Kelley Balmer — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 17:15:19 +0000

Many kids have difficulty mastering skills such as problem-solving, organization, sequencing, initiation, memory, attention, and breaking down tasks. These skills (and many more) fall under the category of executive functioning. As children get older and begin middle school, these skills are expected to advance quickly. It is usually in about 5th grade where teachers and [...]

Sample Activities to Increase Oral Awareness!

Allison Raino — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 13:59:10 +0000

Development of oral facial muscles is important for a child to accurately produce speech sounds. Poor coordination and strength of articulators can adversely affect skill development for speech sound production. When looking at oral development it is important to ensure the child is provided a variety of movement opportunities to build a variety of oral [...]

5 Reasons to Cook for the Family!

Stephanie Wells — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 17:23:28 +0000

Most parents would agree that good nutrition for their kids is a priority, but it is difficult to put that priority into action on a daily basis. Parents today are busier than ever. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that as of 2011, both parents are working in 58.5% of married-couple families (1). This is [...]

Are Premature Babies Delayed?

Leida Van Oss — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 19:28:27 +0000

The term premature refers to any infant that was born earlier than 37 weeks of gestation. Premature births occur in 10% of all live births. Premature babies (“preemies”) are at risk for multiple health problems, including breathing difficulties, cerebral palsy, learning disabilities, and delays in their gross and fine motor skills. Why are babies born [...]

Toe Walkers Part 1: What are Reasons Children Toe Walk | Pediatric Therapy Tv

Robyn — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 13:34:57 +0000

In today’s Webisode, a pediatric physical therapist explains why children may walk on their toes. Learn more from this blog called “Is Toe Walking Normal?” In this video you will learn: How sensory input is related to toe walking What is muscular dystrophy What is idiopathic toe walking Video Transcription: Announcer: From Chicago’s leading experts [...]

Up Up and Move Away with Kids!

Deborah Michael — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 03:27:15 +0000

Moving is already a stressful process without adding children into the equation. Here is a list of life-saving tips that may help to ease both you and your children throughout the transition! Before the move, start preparing the children by showing them books about moving to a new home. Show them pictures of the new [...]

Keeping Up Behavior Goals at Home and at School

Annie Goldberg — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 03:20:43 +0000

You have already taken the first positive step to developing a set of behavior goals for your child; however, as it is true with many of life’s most important projects, follow-up is equally important as the initial step. This blog offers suggestions relating to meeting those behavior goals you have set for your child by [...]

Diagnosing ADHD

Dr. Greg Stasi — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 02:55:46 +0000

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurological conditions that affects between 3 to 6 percent of school-aged children. Children with this condition exhibit significant issues with their ability to pay attention to tasks, inhibit their impulses and/or regulate their behavior. In order for the diagnosis to be made, one has [...]

Eat These, Not Those: The Toddler Edition

Stephanie Wells — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 02:44:37 +0000

When you think of the typical diet of a toddler, there are some common foods come to mind; however, the food industry has created many toddler-suited foods that may not always have a toddler’s nutrition needs in mind.For every not-so-great toddler food, there is a better choice. Below is a list of toddler foods that [...]

A Week of Meals for Mom and Toddler

Stephanie Wells — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 17:18:56 +0000

Do you feel as if you are in a rut of making the same meals for your family each week? Are your kids eating the same things over and over? I sometimes feel this way. Someone once asked me, “Do you really follow all of the nutrition advice you give people?” And the answer is: [...]