Sensory
Finding a Place to Belong
This post is about a pilot program established by GiGi’s Playhouse Madison called Dynamic Duals. This is a monthly program designed specifically for families & individuals with a dual diagnosis of Down syndrome-Autism Spectrum Disorder and/or sensory or behavioral challenges. Parents meet in one area to connect, have fun, share successes, resources, and strategies while…
Read MoreVolunteer Spotlight- LMNOP and Edgewood College
LMNOP Fun! To close out our Volunteer Appreciation Month spotlights- we are sharing about some of our awesome Child Life students from Edgewood College! Emily Jost, Kendra Sanderfoot, Lauren Reilly and Laney Garrels lead our LMNOP (Language, Music ‘N Our Peeps) program on Friday morning. This dedicated group brings energy, creativity and lots of excitement…
Read MoreA Mother’s Perspective- An honest discussion about parenting a differently abled child
One of our Playhouse moms, Jennifer, recently wrote this social media post and we thought it’s an important perspective for everyone to hear about. Guest Blog by Jennifer: Vulnerability alert (and a long post) Being the mom of a differently abled child is exhausting at times. I don’t mean physically exhausting (although there’s…
Read MoreSensory Blog: Self Regulation- What You Need To Know – Part 2
Self Regulation- Part 2 of 2 Guest blog written by Occupational Therapy Assistant Student, Juliana Lehman OTAS Advisement, Editing and Supervision by Deborah Bebeau EdD, OTR Quick recap of Self-Regulation, Part 1: Self-regulation reflects self-control but additionally involves emotional and social components. Be on the lookout for triggering situations. Assist children to identify emotions especially…
Read MoreSensory Blog- Tactile Processing
Guest blog written by Occupational Therapy Assistant Student, Juliana Lehman OTAS Advisement, Editing and Supervision by Deborah Bebeau EdD, OTR Have you ever removed tags from the back of your shirt or pants because they are annoying? Do you prefer loose jeans over a leg-hugging fit or vice versa? Cotton fabric over wool, or…
Read MoreSensory Blog- Transition Support
Guest blog written by Occupational Therapy Assistant Student, Juliana Lehman OTAS Advisement, Editing and Supervision by Deborah Bebeau EdD, OTR Transition Supports: Successfully Moving from One Activity to the Next Do you remember those transitions lenses, circa 1960, that changed tint to accommodate any environment and protect your eyes from harmful UV rays? If…
Read MoreSensory Discussion with an Occupational Therapist
Guest Blog written by: Jaclyn Bender, OTR/L Jaclyn Bender is an experienced Occupational Therapist with experience working in the hospital & health care industry with some experience in the schools. She has a focus on Developmental Disabilities and Pediatrics, Ms. Bender obtained her Master of Science (M.S.) focused in Occupational Therapy from the University of Wisconsin-Madison where…
Read MoreSensory Discussion- Importance of Routines- Part 2
Are Routines Important? Second part in the routine series written by guest bloggers Carla Lackey OTAS and Jill Rahn OTAS from Madison College While routines are helpful for anyone, we would like to acknowledge the unique challenges of parents, especially in the cases of dual diagnoses of Ds and Autism. With these challenges, there…
Read MoreSensory Discussion- Importance of Routines
Are Routines Important? Guest Blog written by Carla Lackey OTAS and Jill Rahn OTAS from Madison College What are Routines? Routines are how families organize their days to get things done, spend time together, and have fun. Every family has its own style and unique routine. These routines and schedules help family members know…
Read MoreSensory Discussion- Weighted Blankets
Weighted Blankets: Do they work? Guest Blog written by Carla Lackey OTAS and Jill Rahn OTAS from Madison College What is a weighted blanket? The purpose of a weighted blanket is to provide comfort, calm a restless body and improve focus, reduce feelings of anxiety, and improve sleep. Weighted blankets are made from a variety…
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