Kids Connections Developmental Therapy

Smile, because you absolutely can :)

YOU CAN DO IT! HAPPY MONDAY!

KC Therapy Thursday Presents: FUNCTIONS OF BEHAVIOR! In applied behavior analysis (ABA), it is believed that all behavior happens for a reason. The chart above explains the four functions that could explain why children act in certain situations.

HARD WORK!!! Happy Monday from Kids Connections!

Happy Monday! Remember that life is about swimming each day with a little grace! Kids Connections hope you have a fantastic Monday!

Happy Monday! Kids Connections hopes you start off this week well :)

Happy Holidays! You can always make a fail into a success.

Such an important hidden sensory system. Want to know more? Talk to your OT!

D I Y O R N A M E N T S . . . PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS... These DIY Salt Dough Ornaments will be a hit all year long! Join the KC team in making DIY ornaments and use them as gifts for friends an family for any occasion! All you'll need to complete this craft is some All Purpose flour, salt, water....and a little IMAGINATION As always, these activities are more than just an opportunity for family fun...they also target lots of different skills kids need to be successful in school, play, and social settings! Works on fine motor strengthening, coordination, in hand manipulation, and finger dexterity A great novel tactile (touch) activity Bilateral coordination Balance and coordination Feeding skills like scooping and pouring Force gradation Safety awareness Turn taking + so many other skills! These skills help our kids: Function in social settings Tie shoes Ride a bike Adjust to new clothing Manage fasteners on clothing + much much more!! In the comments below, let us know how you and your little one used your creativity to make this awesome craft! #occupationaltherapy #appliedbehavioranalysis #ornament #diy #gift #finemotor #socialskills #KidsConnections #therapythursdays

Even in challenging times we can facilitate resilience for our children.

Its Therapy Thursday! Lets talk about the L I T E B R I T E . . .... PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS Are you ready to engage your kids in a therapeutic activity with this vintage classic?! There are so many skills you and your kiddo can work on while playing with the Litebrite! Provides visual input/stimulation Works on fine motor strengthening, coordination, in hand manipulation, and finger dexterity Turn taking skills Letter and color identification Improved extensor muscle if laying on belly Improved shoulder strength if completing while laying on back Visual motor skills Visual perceptual skills Crossing midline Letter formation Use in obstacle course Tactile perception + so many other skills! In the comments below, let us know what your favorite way to play with the Litebrite is! #occupationaltherapy #appliedbehavioranalysis #litebrite #finemotor #KidsConnections #therapythursdays

If you and your family celebrate Christmas, this is a great socially distanced way to celebrate!

Our families are loving our new virtual enrichment programs! October virtual enrichment groups enrolling now. Covenient and flexible times for families. Interested in joining? Let us know! https://docs.google.com//154zuEqd-q4NV3cpxJhoLPZBUi7n/edit

So this happened today!

Kids Connections Grand Re-Opening & Ribbon Cutting

9/3/15 Front Page of the VC Reporter http://www.vcreporter.com/cms/story/detail/?id=13300 Thank you to the VC Reporter for featuring interviews with ASVC Board ...Members Samuel Capozzi, Jenipher Swanson, Aaron Kitzman and Sharon Francis, and highlighting issues faced by individuals with Autism as they grow up. We applaud Samuel and Brent for their courage in sharing their experiences and thank them for their advocacy to help others! <3 Our favorite quotes from this article: "Amidst all this discussion of money, treatments and budget cuts, one voice tends to get lost: that of the individual living with autism. I don’t think people on the spectrum have much of a voice in the current conversation, Capozzi states. I suppose our difficulties with communication in general impede our ability to weigh in on things. However, I think it’s important to include the very people who are affected during the decision-making process. I am very interested in pursuing a career in advocacy, as a mediator or a lawyer. I know what it’s like to have no voice at all. * Slight corrections to the article: Samuel was the 1st ASVC board member with Autism (we now have 4) and the 3rd Aut2Run Grand Marshall with ASD; Brent currently lives independently; and although some children do receive a high amount of behavioral therapy hours for a short period of time initially, treatment decisions are individualized and decided at the planning team meetings. #Autism #ASVC #Aut2Run #AutismSociety

"Today was a Difficult Day," said Pooh. There was a pause. "Do you want to talk about it?" asked Piglet. "No," said Pooh after a bit. "No, I don't think I do." ..."That's okay," said Piglet, and he came and sat beside his friend. "What are you doing?" asked Pooh. "Nothing, really," said Piglet. "Only, I know what Difficult Days are like. I quite often don't feel like talking about it on my Difficult Days either. "But goodness," continued Piglet, "Difficult Days are so much easier when you know you've got someone there for you. And I'll always be here for you, Pooh." And as Pooh sat there, working through in his head his Difficult Day, while the solid, reliable Piglet sat next to him quietly, swinging his little legs...he thought that his best friend had never been more right." A.A. Milne Sending thoughts to everyone having a Difficult Day today. I hope you have your own Piglet to sit beside you

This study examined sensory differences and mealtime behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD; n = 34) and compared the results with those of s...imilarly aged peers who were typically developing (TD; n = 34). Results from parent-report and child-report questionnaires indicated that children with ASD scored significantly differently from TD peers on the measures of sensory differences and eating behaviors. Data also supported a correlation between sensory differences and eating difficulties in children with ASD. The results of this study will help caregivers and their children with ASD identify problem eating behaviors that may be associated with sensory differences. Sensory strategies and techniques offered by occupational therapy practitioners may contribute to greater success during mealtimes for children with ASD and their families, with increased comfort and less stress. The findings also support a need to further explore the influence of sensory differences on mealtime behaviors. Download: http://ajot.aota.org/article.aspx?articleid=2436581 See more: http://www.asi2020vision.org More evidence articles every Tuesday and Thursday with CLASI

OBJECTIVE. This study sought to investigate the impact of developmental dyspraxia on the play skills of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHOD.... The praxis abilities of 32 children with ASD (mean age = 7.5 yr) were assessed using two subtests of the Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests and the Planning and Ideas domain of the Sensory Processing Measure Home Form. Play and leisure skills were measured with the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Second Edition. Utilizing correlation coefficients, we investigated the relationship between developmental dyspraxia and the play skills of children with ASD. RESULTS. Children with ASD demonstrated definite dysfunction in imitative praxis abilities, the generation of ideas, and participation in age-appropriate play and leisure activities. CONCLUSION. Praxis problems in children with ASD greatly affect their successful participation in play and leisure activities. Download: http://ajot.aota.org/article.aspx?articleID=2436572 See more: http://www.asi2020vision.org More evidence articles every Tuesday and Thursday with CLASI

Concerned about your child's development? Enrichment programs coming soon! Open to all children. Sign-up through our website to learn more! https://www.kidsconnectionstherapy.com/enrichment-programs

Swings are essential

Muscle response is usually dependent upon the central nervous system rather than upon the muscle itself. It is important, then, that we understand how the cent...ral nervous system acts to produce a better voluntary muscle response. (Ayres, J. 1955) Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Dr. A. Jean Ayres for her 100th Birthday #thankyoujean