Barbara Smith

Help a Student With Autism Improve Drawing Skills

It’s a paradox — children with autism may have incredible abilities to draw accurate scenes from memory. However, drawing skills with autistic preschoolers may be impacted by decreased attention, motivation, tactile defensiveness, pencil control...

Public Speaking Used as an Educational Tool

Learning to communicate with confidence is a challenge for many students. But for students with a communication disabilities such as Asperger's Syndrome- learning to organize and present effectively is an important life skill that will open doors...

Summer Activity Ideas for Occupational Therapists to Use

The coming of warm weather brings opportunities for outdoor gross motor activities, use of messy tactile media such as sand or paint and summer arts and crafts themes. The following occupational therapy summer activity ideas will help develop strength...

How Diet Can Positively Impact SPD Student Performance

The right diet can help turn distracted, disorganized children into focused and engaged students by providng the types of sensory stimulation that impact brain function. Sensory diets are individualized according to each students needs and provided throughout...

Hippotherapy: Teaching Strategies for Students with Autism

Hippotherapy is a treatment tool that address the client's social, motor, communication and sensory needs. Occupational, physical and speech therapists use the horse to address therapeutic goals such as improving balance, language or coordination...

Sensory Processing Disorders: Part III: Promote Visual-Perceptual Skills

Occupational therapists design sensory diets that help children to organize sensory stimulation such as movement and touch. This enables children to process information that helps to promote visual-perceptual skills.

Early Intervention Tools for Special Education Children

Providing early intervention in teaching special children enables therapists and educators to identify developmental delays and provide treatment and parent support. Every state provides early interventions services that include evaluation and therapies...

Strabismus Vision Therapy

Strabismus is caused when the external eye muscles don’t function normally-causing misalignment and/or eye turning. Treatment may include surgery, exercises, eye patching, the use of lenses, prisms or filters and therapy. Read on to learn more...

Adaptive Seating for Students with Special Needs

Adaptive seating and alternative positioning may help students with attention deficit disorders, learning disabilities and/or autism improve attention to school tasks.

Vertical Plane Activities Help Students with Developmental and Learning Disabilities Improve Fine-Motor Skills

Students who have difficulties maintaining visual attention to hand activities often benefit when activities are adapted to be used in the vertical plane or on an angled surface. These activities might include construction toys, games, arts and crafts...