Kirsch Therapy

Concerned that your child may have hypermobility or low muscle tone? Our physical and occupational therapists can help! This excellent article explains these conditions and there impact.

I love Lakeshore! Just bought these awesome crayons! @https://www.lakeshorelearning.com//people-colorss/s/LC360

We need this message now more than ever! Not only do I love the message and the cause, but these are my favorite shirts! Jordyn has autism and her family started this project to teach her skills. So many positives have come from this. Read her story on her page and check out her awesome gear! https://bekindtoeveryone.com/

Such a great idea for working on jumping distance! #Repost @dayswithgrey with @get_repost JUMP THE LINES... From what I am hearing, you all are inside due to snow, cold weather or sickness. So bring on the painter’s tape and let’s get jumping. Here’s how to play: 1Place one line of painter’s tape on the ground. 2Line up. (you included if you want a good laugh) 3Jump over the line. 4Add a second line. 5Continue to take turns jumping over TWO lines of tape. 6Place a third line of tape down. 7Jump. 8Repeat and see how far everyone can go! We created this game years ago and it is still in the top 10 today. It is featured on our alphabet activity cards for a reason! It is a MUST play on indoor days. Grab your tape. Let’s redirect the indoor chaos.

I’ve been talking a lot this week about the importance of using both sides of you body equally. Here’s a great post on the importance of that very topic! #Repos...t @themovementmama with @get_repost Progress Before Perfection (I changed it up a little bit). This is my motto for all my parents and kiddos that I work with..and for my own kiddos, as well. What I mean is: I want to focus on ACHIEVING a milestone and THEN fine tune it. Part of fine tuning it includes observing if there are any asymmetries (aka only using one side for the skill). Symmetry is a dear friend to motor development and something that should be paid close attention to, particularly in the special needs community. So if your baby is rolling tummy to back: awesome! Start working on doing it over both sides.... ...if they’re reaching and batting at toys with their left arm, assist them with using their right ...if they will only transition into and out of sitting through one side, position toys and motivating objects to the opposite side to encourage getting out of their comfort zone ...if they pull to stand, pressing up with the same leg each timedon’t be afraid to gentle hold that leg down and force them to problem solve weight shifting over the opposite leg All of these things compound on one another and ensure motor milestones are fully accomplished before moving onto the next step. But in the same way, asymmetries not addressed early on can have lasting impacts on higher level motor skills. Have you noticed a side preference with your little one?! It’s totally normal! But great to begin to notice these things before they cause problems! See more

W-SITTING regularly can cause secondary hip and knee problems during walking.But Remember not every child who w-sits will aquire a skeletal or muscular problem,... however, but it is extremely difficult to change these impairments once they begin. SO WHAT CAN YOU DO FOR THIS! 1-Use verbal cues 2-Provide an alternative (Chair or stool) 3-Criss-cross his/her legs for sure step 4-Commit to strengthening exercises #Specialneeds #OccupationalTherapy See more

#Repost @inhomepediatricpt with @get_repost Did you know that sitting is the most important skill a child needs before walking? ... Sounds crazy, I thought so too! This exercise is what we call dynamic unsupported sitting and it helps baby's #core #strength and #balance, all the things needed to prepare for walking(co-contraction). Any family who comes to me looking for tips on walking, THIS is where we start! Have the baby sit on a stool and reach down to grab a toy from the floor. Make sure their feet are flat on the ground. **Be sure to be close by to spot them the first time you do this because they may topple!#babystrong tip: place the toys in various locations, in the middle and off to the sides for an extra challenge. Watch them go as they do these baby crunches! Tag @inhomepediatricpt for a feature! See more

A throw blanket folded up lengthwise works great too! #Repost @onthemove.pt with @get_repost It’s all about BALANCE... My little guy is constantly on the go and often times he gets ahead of himself and the next thing you know he’s taken a tumble. This is a great activity to slow him down so he can focus on STABILITY and CONTROL in his movements. To make the beam I rolled up a spare rug and secured it with tape. I wanted it to be pretty wide and low to the ground to make this easier for Clay. Don’t have a spare rug at home? Try this with a playmat, yoga mat, or a rolled up beach towel! You can start balance beam fun with your little around 6 months after taking their first steps . It narrows their base of support to really challenge their core stability, balance reactions, spatial awareness, and coordination skills! #pediatricphysicaltherapy #pedipt #developmentalmilestones #grossmotorskills #motordevelopment #knowledgeispower #boymom #girlmom #babiesofinstagram #balance #letthembelittle See more

#Repost @onthemove.pt Pushing through Extended Arms... Bearing weight through the hands during tummy time is optimally accomplished around 5-6 months of age. This skill develops the necessary shoulder, trunk, and neck strength for motor skills like: Rolling Prop sitting Crawling Pulling to stand One way I like to encourage this is by making baby slightly top heavy by moving their support surface lower towards their waist and giving them some support with your hand at the booty. Place a toy slightly out of reach and at a height that motivates them to lift their noggin to look up. You can try this over your leg, a boppy pillow, or a couch cushion! #pediatricphysicaltherapy #pedipt #developmentalmilestones #grossmotorskills #motordevelopment #babydevelopment #freethebabies #knowledgeispower #boymom #girlmom #babiesofinstagram #tummytime #letthembelittle See more

for!! #Repost @dinosaurphysicaltherapy Toe basketball! Targeting intrinsic muscles of foot which comprise plantar arch as we lift small balls to place into basket. Fantastic lower body strength & balance challenge too!