Siesta Hut Vision

Where will the Siesta Hut be in 5 years?
WHO: Young Elementary Aged Children.  Their number one occupation should be play.  Through play they will learn how to socialize, problem solve, regulate their emotions and create imaginations. Children at this age should not be required to pass academic tests.  If they are being tested, it's only one tiny piece of the puzzle.  Education for parents, teachers and caregivers is necessary to encourage imaginary play, show and tell, hanging upside down from monkey bars, snack time and a mat with a child's favorite secure item (blanket/stuffed animal).  In this scenario sensory processing issues, attention difficulties and other hidden disabilities for this age group may decrease. In the wild if an animal has a damaged vestibular system many times their mother's will kill them because in intact vestibular system is necessary for survival.  Humans are currently growing up with vestibular systems that are impaired because of the lack of play.

Tweens/Teens:  Parents and teachers seem to provide lots of structure and expectations at this age.  It is important that children at this age can begin to identify their strengths and weaknesses.  It is also important children at this age still continue to learn how to entertain themselves without an adult or electronic present.  Performing well on tests, participating in sports and socializing in the public school setting (whether it's good or bad) is only a portion of the foundation children at this age need.  Can they express their needs to adults/peers?  If they are struggling in public schools, what are their strengths (there are some).  If they are not college bound, what is their path?  If they are college bound and currently have an IEP, what is their path? Developing a sense of self and focusing on self esteem is crucial at this age.  What is our society/community doing to help this age group? Begin developing strategies to manage stress and discussing appropriate study habits.  Students should be aware what type of learner they are (auditory, kinestic, visual, etc.).  Stress management and mindfulness should be introduced. How they played as a child should give us lots of answers of where they are headed (and these qualities should never be ignored).

College Students: What are the social norms for study times?  Working while attending school? Are students using accommodations to the maximum potential?  Is stress management, study habits, work style(s) being used to maximum potential?

Parents: Need to give themselves a round of applause, a pat on the back and a big self hug. Parents will do absolutely anything to make sure their kids have a better life than they did when they were younger. Parents are constantly learning what selflessness truly is. Parenthood is the hardest, most time consuming role someone will ever have but also allows more personal growth and sense of love and accomplishment than any other role in life.  Are parents feeling overwhelmed? Lost? Where do they get answers when their child has a problem medically or at school? Are friendships and relationships with others struggling? Do parents have a sense of guilt because life seems to be hard for their child? It is important for parents to remember, without their health and maintaining a balance in their lives, their families (children) will also struggle.  Put your life mask on before you put someone else's on.

Working adults: Most parents are also working adults. They have been taught they can have it all. Technology also allows them to have it all.  Access to emails from colleagues when they have a child at home with a fever.  A video text of their baby taking his/her first steps while they are at work paying off student loans.  Our society hasn't left us with many different options.  This is when prioritizing becomes important.  When are adults going to admit we really don't want it all? We want to live a life full of passion. We want our families and loved ones to be healthy and we want to all live with secure incomes.  We are all unique individuals with different strengths and weaknesses which means that we will all have different goals, passions and aspirations for ourselves. Having a balance in our lives and time to take a Siesta often will allow us to get to know ourselves from the inside out.  When things are quite and calm where does your mind wander?  What makes you happiest when you are daydreaming?  Are you listening to your inner voice and intuition? By doing so you will enjoy the things that life has to offer.

I believe in offering services to people with all abilities.  My services will encourage inclusion into the community with the belief that everyone has something to offer.  It also needs to be understood that all of us are going to benefit from rehabilitation services at point throughout our lifespan.  Whether it is an acute injury, a child with severe medical needs or taking preventative measures to maintain our physical and emotional health, The Siesta Hut has a place for everyone.

WHAT:  Expand online as a more professional blog, e-books/book that is published.  Perhaps work on researching or writing grants in these areas that I am describing. I will be a consultant that is willing to meet one on one or give presentations to people of all abilities.  Long term goal: have a facility that is literally the Siesta Hut.  A place to receive my consultation services, along with other courses and services available.  This is an atmosphere to learn how to relax and to learn how to listen to your intuition and use it.  A place to learn that it is okay to accept resources from the community to live life to your fullest potential. The facility will have neutral earthy paint colors, natural lighting or dim lights.  I will hire a yoga instructor, massage therapist, OT/PT, educational advocates to help expand a holistic life to as many different individuals as possible.

WHERE: Online. Consulting in person by meeting at work places, schools or other public places. (The first 5-10 years)

WHEN:  The first 5-10 years around my current job at Eaton RESA. Nights, weekends, summer and other breaks from the school year.

WHY: I love Occupational Therapy and other concepts of rehabilitation. Without using certain techniques and following the advice of several rehabilitation professionals throughout my lifespan I would not be as successful as I am today. I also believe that my cerebral palsy has been a gift to me in terms of creating a career that is willing to show off all these amazing qualities of these professions.  My CP has allowed me to slow down and savor every challenge/barrier/accomplishment as I have encountered it.  I may move slowly and at times process things slowly but along with that comes conscientious and methodical approaches to the life I am living.  I would love to share that with others and watch them discover new things about themselves! The majority of workplaces appreciate and hope for individuals who produce an outcome often and the ability to be conscientious and methodical is often overlooked.  Especially in the rehab world (ironically enough).  And of course I want to be in a position where I am earning money to be around people and taking care of my body at the same time. These may seem like very personal reasons but that is the root of a passion!

The Perfect Pencil Grip

I forgot to mention during the first OT session with all of my students I also documented whether or not they were using an age appropriate pencil grip.  I am not a nun in a catholic school however as long as we are all still writing the old fashioned way, a good pencil grip is important.

At the beginning of every school year I have Kindergarten teachers ask me how to teach students how to use an appropriate pencil grip.  The truth is, learning how to hold a pencil like an adult is a long developmental process.  It actually goes way back to infancy.  Do children crawl?  If not there's a chance their arches of the hand are not fully developed.  Did the children develop a pincer grasp while eating cheerio's from their tray?  These are things we can't fix now but will help teachers and parents understand the process. Carefully look at the way you grip a pencil and notice the strength and dexterity it takes to maintain that grasp while you are quickly writing!

In infancy we all develop more hand strength on the side our pinky and ring finger.  We are able to grasp larger items/toys with that side of the hand before we can pick up cheerio's/beads/buttons with our finger tips.  This outside edge of our hands is used for strength and the thumb and pointer finger is used for dexterity.  Appropriate wrist rotation and movement will also assist with a good grasp while handwriting.

Cylindrical Grasp (1-1.5 years):  Young toddler's will grasp writing utensils with a fist and when they scribble they have very limited wrist rotation, instead they are using their whole forearm to make the marks.  This is when the strokes are larger.  About 2-3 years they will begin to use a digital grasp which provides even more refined movements.

Modified Tripod Grasp (3.5-4 years):  As they are shown how to hold a writing utensil and want to begin making more detailed pictures, they begin to grasp the writing utensils with 3 or 4 fingertips. This is naturally increasing strength and dexterity in their fingertips and also encouraging more refined wrist movements.  At this stage it is a good idea to give children positions that encourage wrist movement while they are drawing, coloring or writing. Some of these positions include lying on the tummy while resting elbows on the floor and coloring/drawing or drawing on a vertical plane (wall/white board/easel/chalk board).

It's a good idea to explain to children the thumb, index finger and middle finger are the "Go" fingers and the ring finger and pinky are the "stop" fingers.  The go fingers make the writing utensil move and the stop fingers rest towards the palm of the hand.

Open/Close clothes pins on wooden ornament

Also during this stage it is also important to continue increasing dexterity and strength in the fingers. Picking up small pegs, beads, coins, buttons with the thumb and index finger.  Using the thumb/index finger/middle finger to push small pop beads together, open clips and use tongs/tweezers to pick up items are good exercises.  They are also fun!   One of the schools I work with are allowing Kindergartners to work on these exercises for about 30 minutes a

Pop beads to push together and pick up with strawberry huller

couple of times a week and there have been improvements with how children are grasping pencils.
Shortened markers/pencils or broken crayons are also beneficial.

Tripod Grasp (4.5-7 years):  Eventually children should develop a tripod grasp which provides the strength and coordination to grasp a writing utensil and provide refined movements for writing.  I really like the idea of showing kids a picture of how they should be holding their pencils. It would even be good to place a pom pom or cotton ball inside of the ring and pinky finger for them to hold onto while using a writing utensil.  I like trying all of these ideas before just trying to use the various types of pencil grips that are on the market.

If the nuns only would have known having fun with small toys is much more effective than a ruler! There are even videos:

How does Kim Measure Up with Time Management..

When thinking about organization and time management for myself, a few things pop into my mind:

1.  I am becoming really resentful about completing non-purposeful things.  It scares me, I don't like being resentful.  However, at least I have established what matters to me.  It is taking more of an effort to filter out what does not matter to me.  This is a work in progress.  I think because it's on my mind and I am feeling this way, I am more apt to make the changes I want to make.

2.  An IEP a day keeps the stress away.  About once a week I have an eval (2 hours worth of report writing) and couple times a week I have IEP information to fill in (20-30 minutes).  My hope is just to get these done and out of the way, in small chunks, daily.  It seems easy...but I assure you, an IEP a day will take major discipline.  But I'll walk away feeling more accomplished. And yes, this is a purposeful thing. Kind of like going to the

dentist.

3.  Small chores around the house should be handled just like an IEP a day.

4.  I want to earn money by taking care of my body and mind.

5.  I'm tired of making time for things like Netflix and Facebook, watching the evening news.  If I need a break why am I not meditating/reflecting, getting massages or sleeping?  It is just easier to maintain the same routine after work.  I did this after a very overwhelming 6 day work week this evening.  I shut Netflix off, set my phone down and began to breathe. I listened and watched a Thunderstorm as my dinner warmed up in the oven.  I really was able to hear myself think and thoughts beyond work deadlines or what friends/family are up to or what laundry had to be folded bubbled to the surface.  It did feel peaceful and good.  After about 22 minutes, someone texted me and I ended it.  But if it's a real time to be truly with myself and think about long exhales and what matters to me the most, that's all that is needed.

6.  If you think long exhales and deep breathing is only for nut job hippies....I challenge you to try for a week.  While working on it, you get to make noises like Darth Vader.  I used to say I could never exhale longer than I inhaled.  I proved myself wrong!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KYxYOo2RnA


7. I may have OCD.  I've known it before but this month after blogging about organization.....I do get a rush after things are clean and in order.  I have a hard time initiating it, but once I get going...I become anal and particular and have the end rush.  If report writing made me feel this way, my life would be complete.

8.  Time Management will keep me employed in a bureaucracy.  However it takes effort and is a work in progress.  

Welcome Back!

The Back to school hype is over and everyone is back into a routine.  Fall, football and homework are back in our lives.  Team meetings, IEPs and a set schedule are becoming more of my daily life while at work.

This year I will still be servicing Eaton Rapids 4 full days a week and then the 5th day I will be at an elementary school in Charlotte.

It's a lot of buildings, a lot of sensory and fine motor needs and it seems like there's not a lot of time!

So, I think this blog can be a way for me to reach all of you and give my perspective on how important OT is in the school setting.  I would love to post weekly, but this is will be done during my personal time (we'll see how I do!).

Stay tuned and learn a lot about how we can all help our students be more successful and actually more importantly......happy in the school setting.

In the past I have made handouts for teachers and parents to help understand fine motor development and sensory processing disorder.  My goal is for this blog to for go the handouts - I think it will save time and money/paper/ink.

As a teacher or parent - if there is something you would like to know more information about, let me know!

I like to be organized in my mind so I am thinking a weekly theme for the kids to work on specific skills and then I will explain "why I do, what I do?"  And hopefully a sensory tid-bit along with these explanations.

Since I didn't have a chance to write a post the first 2 weeks of servicing kids:
Week 1:  Who can draw all of their shapes perfectly?
Scribbling: the kids like holding a marker, crayon, pen, paint brush and seeing pretty colors (1st barrier complete).  About 1.5-2 years old

Straight lines (horizontal and vertical): Everything is becoming more purposeful.  Letters "i", "l" (I'm not developmentally expecting letters from a 2 year old but I feel like the pressure is on! This is all a toddler is capable of)  Age: 2 years-2.5 years

Scribbles in circular motions:  At this point in the school year, I myself feel like this stage lasts forever!  I see a lot of this.  Ages 2.5-3 years

Circles (1 single circle allows us to make smiley faces in Art class, "O", "C", "Q" and so on but we'll be getting to letters a different week).  Age: 3 years

Cross (horizontal/vertical line intersecting) = for an OT this helps us know that the kids are able to cross over a barrier to keep drawing (crossing the midline neurologically).  This helps with pre-reading skills and writing too.  Kids can then add a body and arms to their smiley face and make letter "T", "L" or "t".  Ages: 3-3.5 years

Squares: half of a square really makes an "L"!  Make sure the angles are all right angles.  The kids love to trick everyone with one rounded side.  Age: 4 years

Triangles:  Are getting harder and harder for the little ones.  I feel like we are rushing them into letters.  Neurologically kids are unable to create diagonal lines until 5 or 6.  Starting at the top left and going to the bottom right or starting to the upper right hand side and going to the bottom left.  This is hard with wiki sticks, pegs in a peg board, strings or other materials.....so I can imagine it's hard with using a pencil and paper.  I like seeing pointy triangle tops that could pop a bubble.  But I will see rounded triangle tops, triangles with a vertical left line and horizontal bottom line and a weird right line to connect the 2 other lines.  I see really interesting roof's on houses.  Since we are showing them letters at about 6-8 months (ha!), I tell them to start making an "A" but stop before they make the middle line.  I'd love to see some pretty triangles and confident house drawings (squares and triangles)!  Age: 5 years

Diamonds:  How many adults can draw a good old fashioned diamond?  Hard. Hard. Hard. Most kids I service cannot draw a beautiful diamond.  Practice.  My tip for the kids:  Start with your pointy bubble popping "A" and connect it to a "V" at the bottom.  Age: 6 years.

Some of my older students printed first/last names. Drew people. And some worked on drawing stars, hearts and noticed the difference between ovals/circles, squares/rectangles, +/X.

Everyone also had a finger strength activity (squeezing clips with a pinch grasp was a good choice).  A pinch grasp is using your thumb, index and  middle finger to pick up and squeeze items.  This will encourage an age appropriate grasp while holding a writing utensil.

After reading this your assumption is  "shapes should be easier to draw than letters" and the ability to draw some of these shapes does not occur until age 6.  So, if my child cannot print the alphabet at 4 or 5 years old, it's ok?? YES!

Sensory Tip: Feel free to get messy.  Touching different textures is going to make life easy at school.  We got out messy with moon sand or play dough during some of our sessions this week.

Whew!  Week 2s activity will be coming soon!

Combining My Good Ideas!

After messing around and realizing that I am no expert in blogging....I have decided to combine to really good ideas and topics together.  They would have been great as separate blogs....but I just don't understand the mechanics and behind the scenes work to successfully to that yet!  I tried starting something on Wordpress and there were spots for widgets everywhere and every picture I tried to post was a featured picture (I wanted lots of different pictures).  I have googled slightly and learned that blogger is the best and easiest for a hobby and not paying a monthly fee.  Wordpress lost me at having my readers read about how I should be adding widgets in 4 different places as a footer.  I was so confused and lost my patience.

But these 2 ideas have 1 thing in common, my understanding and perspective of OT thus far.  I realize I have a very long (hopefully interesting) career ahead of me.  Perhaps this career will include a class in blogging or hiring/working with a web designer.  And another plus...I know way more than I did a year ago!!  

Earlier this summer I thought of writing about yoga once a week (which is still a great idea)!  

My new thing will be writing about my perspective of OT in the school based setting.  Essentially, I will be writing lesson plans and explaining why I am doing certain things with the students I see each week.  I really hope this helps parents and teachers assist their kids with fine motor and sensory processing skills.    

My idea of an ideal office. 

How OT Relates to Organization and Time Management

It is easy to say OTs should be discussing play/leisure, work and other activities of daily living with individuals they service because these are obvious performance areas.  But I realize organization and time management seems like a very gray area.  Especially for billing purposes.

My thought is, we all need to strive to be good at organization and time management so we can remain happy/healthy while we are fulfilling each performance area to our maximum potential.

When thinking about it, as a person with cerebral palsy I am at less of a risk for falling, cutting myself when using a large knife or using poor speech when I sleep better.  This seems like an obvious example for everyone because it is so physical.

There are many cognitive components that I am capable of if I have adequate amounts of sleep and also ideal an ideal environment for my body.  Even if I have a superb memory (which I do), an in tact attention span (which can be spotty), problem solving skills related to my skills set/training and other cognitive skills to sit down and write an Occupational Therapy report, I could still struggle at work if I do not have superb time management skills.  I need to be in certain buildings at certain times and prepared for meetings at different times of day.  Without focusing on organization and time management I could essentially let my administrators down and loose my job.

Basically Occupational Therapists are taught if individuals are unable to complete performance components (motor and cognitive skills) then they are going to be unable to perform their simple ADLs (toileting, bathing, eating) and then more complex ADLs (work, play, household maintenance, driving/community mobility).

How do you feel your ability to problem solve, learn and attention span is when you are stressed, tired or distracted?  Will your work day be productive?  Will you enjoy your hobbies and relationships with others?  Will your "to do" list (if you have one) ever disappear?  Do you want others who are stressed, tired, distracted driving on the road while your kids are on the way to school on the bus?  Do you want your surgeons, pilots or kids teachers to have decreased cognitive or motor skills?  Is it okay if these individuals are a little disorganized and not on time?  Then, why is it okay for you?

I realize that America's administrators/bosses/supervisors are not all OTs.  Even if they have been told, they seem to forget that if someone is disorganized, not well rested and not happy this person will not be a productive employee.  But what can you do as an individual to be organized, more healthy and a better employee?

Where do you think you would start?  More sleep?  More time for hobbies and loved ones?  Spending a month or two to declutter?  Adding time in your day to meditate or take a power nap? Making a list of things that truly matter to you and then working hard to say "No" to the other things that are not as important?  Maybe you want to spend some time on Google researching to make sure that this post isn't just completely silly?  But why would you strive for insomnia and other forms of stress to fit "stuff" into your schedule, to purposely decrease your cognitive skills?

The 2nd link I found today is an article that states "time management benefits you."  It makes sense to me, put your life mask on yourself before you save others.


 https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/280638
https://timemanagementninja.com/2013/10/the-top-10-life-benefits-of-time-management/

How Organized Are You?

Yes, it is football season! But for many of us it is that time of year where things become over whelming and hectic.  Whether you are a parent rolling your eyes at math homework and sports schedules, a teacher/educator planning to rock your students world, a college student reading over syllabi or planning for a new job, move, wedding or new baby......life can be stressful.  Rather than just saying take a deep big "inhale and exhale" it's sometimes important to make a plan and attack these times in our lives in chunks.  Are you good at this?  Or is it insomnia, over eating and migraines to the max?

Since I have decided that a balanced life requires some amount of organization and I have been describing ways that I am organized and not so organized....I thought it was time for another quiz!  Rate yourself as you read this post and ask yourself how you feel about the outcome of each topic.  Good luck! Happy cleaning, scheduling and potentially preparing for another busy school year or just the messiness that life sometimes causes!  If you are in a phase where you can take a Siesta and enjoy Indian Summer and football - I envy you!

1.  I go through old things and decide whether or not I am using certain items:
              a.  Every few months
              b.  Every year
              c.  Why would I do this?  I can afford to purchase a  storage unit.

2.  Everything in my house/car/office, etc. has a place and a purpose.  Even if I use something once a year I know right where it is.
               True or False

3.  Junk Drawers:
           a.  My whole house looks like a junk drawer. I'm not a visual person.
           b.  I'd rather have the clutter hidden than in sight on my counter or floor.  But I clear them out when I have time.
           c.  Gross me out.

4.  Dr.'s Appointment's/Kids Sporting Events/Birthday's/Vacations:
           a.  I memorize them in my head.  If I don't make it, it's cool.
           b.  Everything is on sticky notes in the corner on my end table
           c.  Everything goes into my Google Calendar. My smart phone reminds me
           d.  I have a paper calendar to write things on.
           e.  All of the above, except A

5.  When it comes to setting priorities:
           a.  Setting priorities is not important.  Everyday is a new surprise.
           b.  Everything feels equally important - I take it all as it comes, until I feel stressed.
           b.  The health and overall happiness of me and my loved ones are important.  I work daily at  saying "No" to the things that aren't as important.

6.  I'm a meal planner:
            True or False

7.  I know what I am going to wear the next morning before I go to bed:
             True or False

8.  I have a certain routine each evening where I can finish certain quick chores.  Everyone old enough in the house helps with this.
              True or False

9.   I go to the Grocery Store 1x a week and make sure I use coupons/other discounts and have a list than going when I'm out of things I need.
               True or False

Bonus Questions for Educators/Therapist who are building hoppers:
10.  In 2 weeks your Opening Day Power Point Presentation will be:
          a.  Recycled. They told us during a breakout session to go paperless.
          b.  In my work bag in case I need to refer to it.
          c.  Under the seat of my car with coffee spilled on it.

11.  My Car:
         a.  Spotless.  They told us during a breakout session to go paperless.
         b.  Has some room for passengers.  But the passengers get to play with scissors, umbrellas and theraputty.
         c.  What's that smell?  Where is my coffee mug?  There's theraputty stuck to my floor.

12.  My work bag:
       a.  Don't you mean bags?
       b.  Is under 8lbs and I never carry it on my shoulder
       c.  Is the size of my carry on when traveling to Europe but at least I use a roller bag.
       d.  Is the size of my carry on when traveling to Europe and I put it on my shoulder, neck, arm.  (You people will be getting a blog post dedicated to you, someday. Tisk, tisk.).