#occupational therapy for toddlers

[pavitrapavi]

Empowering Lives Through Occupational Therapy

Teach and Learn about occupational therapy for children and adults, a life-changing healthcare approach that helps individuals of all ages overcome physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges. Whether it’s a child with developmental delays, an adult recovering from an injury, or an elderly person regaining independence, occupational therapy empowers individuals to lead fulfilling lives.

What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational therapy for toddlers focuses on improving daily living skills, mobility, and overall independence. Unlike physical therapy, which primarily targets movement and strength, OT helps individuals perform essential tasks such as dressing, eating, writing, and social interactions.

The Role of Occupational Therapy in Everyday Life

Occupational therapy is not just about treatment, it is about helping individuals lead meaningful and independent lives. Pediatric occupational therapists work closely with children to improve their motor skills, cognitive abilities, and sensory processing, ensuring they can perform daily activities with confidence.

For adults, occupational therapy for adults focuses on rehabilitation and skill-building to enhance independence after an injury or illness. Whether it is relearning how to dress, cook, or write, therapists provide personalized strategies to help individuals regain their abilities.

Additionally, occupational therapy center for kids and adult occupational therapy centres create customized programs that cater to different needs. These programs integrate hands-on activities, assistive technology, and cognitive training to ensure maximum progress.

From childhood to old age, occupational therapy serves as a guiding force, offering people the support they need to overcome challenges and live their best lives. Investing in occupational therapy is investing in a brighter, more independent future.

How Occupational Therapy Helps Children

For children, OT plays a crucial role in supporting development and learning. It assists those with conditions like autism, ADHD, sensory processing disorders, and motor skill delays. Therapists use activities such as puzzles, handwriting exercises, and play therapy to enhance cognitive and motor skills. An occupational therapist for kids helps children improve focus, coordination, and self-care abilities, enabling them to thrive at home and school.

Occupational Therapy for Adults

Adults benefit from OT in various ways, particularly after an injury, surgery, or neurological disorder. Occupational therapy activities for adults include exercises that improve fine motor skills, coordination, and memory. These interventions help individuals regain mobility and independence in their daily routines.

Support for Seniors

Aging often brings challenges such as arthritis, dementia, or reduced mobility. Adult occupational therapy services help seniors maintain their independence by improving balance, memory, and motor skills. Occupational therapists also introduce adaptive tools and home modifications, such as grab bars and ergonomic furniture, to ensure safety and comfort.

Mental Health and Occupational Therapy

OT also supports mental well-being by helping individuals manage anxiety, depression, and stress. The speech and occupational therapy for adults in hyderabad can improve communication and cognitive functions, enhancing emotional resilience and confidence. By engaging in meaningful activities, individuals develop better coping skills, improving their overall quality of life.

The Impact of Occupational Therapy

The best occupational therapists for adults provide personalized care, helping individuals regain confidence and independence. Whether supporting a child’s development, aiding an adult’s recovery, or enhancing senior well-being, OT transforms lives in countless ways. Adult occupational therapy centres offer specialized programs to ensure effective and targeted treatment.

If you or a loved one could benefit from occupational therapy services for adults, take the first step today. Teach and Learn how occupational therapy can empower lives and promote independence.

[sffgtrhyjhmnzdt]

The Transformative Power of Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy center for kids in Hafeezpet is a dynamic and client-centered health profession that plays a crucial role in improving the quality of life for individuals facing physical, cognitive, or emotional challenges. By focusing on meaningful activities and daily tasks, occupational therapists empower clients to overcome obstacles and achieve their highest level of independence. In this Teach and Learn, we will explore the core principles of occupational therapy, its diverse applications, and the profound impact it has on individuals across the lifespan, including the specialized field of pediatric occupational therapy.

Understanding Occupational Therapy:

Occupational therapy is based on the belief that engaging in purposeful activities contributes to overall well-being. An occupational therapist for kids in Kondapur assesses an individual's abilities, challenges, and goals to create customized intervention plans. These plans often involve therapeutic activities designed to enhance physical, cognitive, and emotional skills necessary for daily life.

Holistic Approach: Occupational therapists consider the individual as a whole, addressing physical, emotional, and environmental factors that influence their well-being. This holistic approach helps create comprehensive intervention plans.

Activity Analysis: Occupational therapists analyze daily activities to identify challenges and adapt tasks to fit an individual's abilities. This process promotes independence and ensures that interventions are meaningful to the client.

Applications of Occupational Therapy:

Pediatric Occupational Therapy: Pediatric occupational therapists in hyderabad specialize in working with children, including toddlers. They address developmental delays, sensory processing disorders, and other challenges unique to this age group. Interventions focus on promoting age-appropriate skills, fostering independence, and improving social participation.

Mental Health: Occupational therapy center for kids in Hafeezpet is instrumental in mental health settings, addressing challenges such as anxiety, depression, and stress. Therapists use therapeutic activities to enhance coping skills, emotional regulation, and overall mental well-being.

Occupational therapy is a dynamic and transformative profession that goes beyond traditional healthcare approaches. By focusing on meaningful activities, therapists empower individuals to overcome challenges and live life to the fullest. Whether working with children, adults, or seniors, occupational therapists, especially those specializing in pediatric care, make a profound impact on the lives of their clients, promoting independence, resilience, and overall well-being. If you're seeking occupational therapy for toddlers in Kondapur or a dedicated occupational therapy center for kids, these specialized services underscore the commitment to early intervention and tailored support for the unique needs of young individuals.

[shaymoo22]

Sunnyside Pediatrics Pt 1

I had so much fun building this lot, and I'm excited to share with you all! This lot features a consultation room, two private medical rooms, a room shared by occupational therapy and speech therapy, and a therapy gym for physical therapy and occupational therapy. There are staff rooms as well for aesthetics and gameplay purposes.

This lot took a lot longer than I thought. At first I made an elaborate build that was shown in my previous WIP post. After play testing that build, I found that it was too much for casual gameplay. So I scrapped it for this intimate build and I am so pleased with it! Reminds me of my pediatric clinic when I was smaller, except this is more modern.

Lot Size: 30 X 20 Lot Type: Generic Packs Used : Get Famous, City Living, Get Together, Get to Work, My Wedding Stories, Parenthood, Toddlers Stuff, Romantic Garden This lot uses items from Private Practice Mod by SimRealist to function as a real clinic. I am sure there are other mods that can be used such as Healthcare Redux by adeepindigo for story telling purposes.

Disclaimer: Items placed with TOOL mod and bb.moveobjects on

As always, thank you to the AMAZING cc creators who help bring this game to life! All CC included in this build are public access!

Download (Tray and CC): Google Drive

[importantandunavoidable]

soliciting ideas for how to politely approach this neighbor because how do you tell someone that they're walking incorrectly in their own home

trying to convince myself that my upstairs neighbor has a peg leg so im not quite as insane with overstimulated rage about how she stomps around constantly

[waywardangel-wilds]

What's your headcanon for Katniss and Peeta's children?

How old was Katniss when give birth to their daughter?

How many years apart between them in age?

Your headcanon for their name?

Who gets the singing and art skill from their parent?

Bonus question : please give recs of your fav everlark post-Mockingjay fanfic.

Thank you :)

@curiousthg

How old was Katniss when she gave birth to her daughter?

I know that canon is somewhere around 30-32 but my soul wants it to be 35. Probably because I personally consider 35 to be the best age to get pregnant by. I also like the idea of K&P having elementary-aged kids while they're in their 40s. 40 is such a hot age, its also such a good age to be parents IMO. 40 is just great.

How many years apart are they in age?

I picture them as being 4 years apart at the maximum. I think that makes sense for the epilogue ages we get hinted at. Toddler is 1-3 so the boy is somewhere in that range while the girl is between 4-7. I think that makes sense.

Your headcanon for their name?

I'm a strong believer in Willow and Rye. Those names just sound so Twelve to me. There's also something 'traditional' about those names, in that they're callbacks to Katniss and Peeta's own families (that is assuming the baker names all the kids after bread/bread-related/adjacent items). It's a way of honoring the dead, which I think is extremely important to them.

Who gets the singing and art skill from their parent?

I'm the controversial everlarker. I don't love stories where one kid is super Peeta-like and the other is super Katniss-like. In my experience kids aren't like that, they don't typically take after their parents' talents/hobbies/skills. I think each kid might have a special bond with either parent surrounding one of these skills but I think it's unrealistic to expect one of them to be super artsy and the other to be super outdoorsy. I just don't see it. I also think Katniss and Peeta would love it if their kids pursued other interests that are in no way connected to their own just because that is something they never got the chance to explore at all. I might be biased by my own family (my family has lived through war and military occupation), but because of that context I see Katniss and Peeta being those parents who go all out for every single interest their kids have. Oh, this summer little Rye is into swimming? It's swim world now baby. Little Willow wants to do soccer? The whole family has jerseys now. I don't think there's anything wrong or bad about the kids doing their parents' hobbies or anything like that - I just think it's unlikely they would inherit so much from their parents. I think both kids have wonderful memories of baking and painting with Dad as well as hunting, camping, and singing with Mom. I don't think either of them is necessarily amazing at those skills nor do I think Katniss and Peeta push them in that direction because one way or another all those skills were cultivated from a need to survive. Peeta bakes for work but also paints for therapy. Katniss hunted to survive and also sang for the emotional value she got out of it. These hobbies/skills have their baggage to them. I think that's something to keep in mind. Hell, my grandpa is a hunter, grew up a hunter, and used to hunt during the war so my family could eat something other than rations. None of us know how to hunt. It's something he decided he didn't want to trouble us with. There's baggage there.

Bonus question: please give recs of your fav everlark post-Mockingjay fanfic.

I am the worst for fic recommendations because I never remember the titles of anything. Rn I can recommend my friend @vasilissadragomir 's fic Us Among The Living (it is very good and she puts so much love and care into it!!) and my own growing together fic which is (I swear) going to be updated soon. Other than that I'd have to go on a hunting spree myself to figure out the names of stuff lol.

[rhonuscorner]

So... The TEP trio... How skilled are they on their feet? Good dancers?? ... And I'mma also attach this Q to the Cirque trio also~ <3

👀!

Okay, so.

Celestino... certainly has moves. Nothing fancy, certainly nothing on a professional level but put on a catchy beat and he'll definitely swing along... and draw Reader into it. He can be very convincing.

Mr. and Mrs. Hirata had their romantic dance moments too, it was something they loved but after Mr. Hirata's passing... Celestino stepped in on occasion, helping her relive fond memories on music the couple used to listen to.

Apollo does not dance and has little to no experience unless you count those rare moments he danced with toddlers during his time at the Plex. After the Plex shut down though, he's never had an opportunity nor a reason to dance. His new... occupation/way of living had no use for trivial things like dancing.

As mentioned, Celestino is very convincing but so far he hasn't been able to convince Apollo, even though it would definitely be good for him to loosen up a little and relax but until he learns to let go of his past more it's unlikely to happen. (this bot desperately needs therapy).

For the Cirque des Célestes boys...

Sun is full of hyper chaotic energy and will definitely break things if the room is too small. Watch him dance to memes too without shame, because he will.

Moon is very very shy and would need convincing, but wouldn't be opposed to random silly dancing with friends during a party or some other get-together, so long as he's not put in the spotlight. It's different being on stage or when interacting with fans, but when in a more private setting, among friends and colleagues, he's uncomfortable having a lot of eyes on him. But in the right setting it's something he'll certainly enjoy doing.

If you want to be swept of your feet all romantic like and be made to feel like royalty at the ball, Eclipse is your bot. A real gentleman, this one.

[sunnshineyelllo]

Love the shirt. Definitely a MILF 🤤🫠. One is definitely LF 🤤🤤

Okay flirting aside. How've you been 🫂❤️. How were your holidays? I genuinely hope you're doing well 💕

This is a multifaceted answer to a both simple and incredibly complex question that most folks truly aren't actually prepared for me to answer. I am chronically overwhelmed and understimulated, I am lonely, othered, left out, isolated. I am "all dressed up with nowhere to go" ahem, as the euphemism goes. I grew up poor, and through a series of missteps and abusive relationships I had my first baby at 19 and stayed poorER throughout the majority of my adulthood, then had a second messy, contentious divorce at the height of the pandemic, had my ho phase and my second daughter with yet another shit human being at 33. All that to give you context for why I'm just now trying to find myself and my purpose and start up my career while simultaneously raising a teenager and a toddler simultaneously all by myself. I'm also learning through the journey to help my girls with their neurodivergent challenges that I myself am more than likely AuDHD and sorting out what that means and how it's informed a ton of my formative and traumatic experiences growing up and still today....sorry, overshare? Heh heh, turns out that's ALSO a neurospicy thing. 🙃 My holiday was...quiet, uneventful except for some emotional and disappointing conversations with people I was hoping to develop a connection with. And not being able to afford gifts or much for holiday food. I did get a donation from a sweet mutual which I used to restock my favorite supplements, that was so nice to feel like someone wanted me to be taken care of.

I'm not *not* doing well, I'm moving forward with my medicaid credentialing and in the last couple weeks of my 6 month Body Ready Method course, I have another meeting with a potential doula client this coming Wednesday. We started back up with speech and occupational therapy for the baby after holiday break and we got her into home based head start programming. My oldest is ready to get her driver's license. I'm awake and not crying (for the moment), as they say.

[feastonkings]

evan peters / he/him  ———  no way is that LANDO BUTLER.. they’re a 33-year-old HUMAN notoriously known for being EXECUTIVE DYSFUNCTION  &  AIRY but there are some people who have seen them being FUN LOVING  & DARING.  if you ask me, they remind me a lot of knowing it is better to love than hate, rock candy melting in water, the sounds of an amusement park, riding down hills in empty shopping carts, and chewing on your bottom lip, but that could just be because they’re considered the REBELLIOUS SPIRIT around town. just keep an eye on them  &  see if their true colors shine through..

GENERAL.

full name: lando james butler nicknames: lan, lj classification: enhanced human gender / pronouns: cis man, he/him age / birthday: 33, march 20th orientations: bisexual, biromantic occupation: manager at six flags location: lower district status: single, closed family: evelyn butler (mom), jyn butler (twin), ehren (sibling) strengths: fun-loving, daring, comedic, optimistic, spontaneous weaknesses: executive dysfunction, airy, scatterbrained, reckless, unserious

BIOGRAPHY.

tw: vehicular accident, physical injury

lando was the first of the twins to be born and he’s been hard to slow down ever since, almost as if the rambunctious free spirit toddler phase never fully aged out of him

school never went well for lando, while he was diagnosed with attention deficit disorder early on, it took them much longer to discover he was dyslexic. 

he spent most of his studies frustrated and confused which led to some of the reasons he acted on by way of testing limits with adrenaline fueled stunts, partying, and comedic jokes and pranks

never once did he intend to hurt anyone or do anything bad, he just sought out dopamine and serotonin where he could muster it to combat the conflicting battle he fought internally with emotions he couldn’t explain and chemical imbalances

when he was sixteen, he made the decision to drop out and get his GED. it was around the time his brother chose to go a complete opposite path than him.

without any real reasoning, he chose to travel with some friends and explore the world ( mostly north and south america ) where he learned his love for poetry and photography. 

to get by he would do odd jobs for people and sell some of his photos online for papers and art purposes. 

when he was about twenty five he got into a horrible snowmobile accident in canada that nearly killed him. 

he was treated at a hospital in canada for immediate injuries then was transferred back home to texas for the rest. He ended up needing part of his neck and skull reconstructed and his entire left arm.

recovery was brutal, he had to learn almost all his basic motor functions and how to talk again, resulting in him needing to move back home with his mother and younger sibling for awhile 

once he was able to, he got a job at six flags for something to do while he was continuing with physical therapy and he ended up liking it so much he stayed even after, eventually becoming a manager

he still does his photography, though he’s never been very serious about it or the poetry, they have always been just for fun. 

in general he’s not very serious and jokes around about everything and doesn’t stop to think about much, he just wants to live his best life and be a good son, friend, brother, etc.

HEADCANONS.

can often be seen with his best friend ( and the person he's pretty much infatuated with / total simp for ) wichita. they have been friends forever and get into all sorts of shenanigans together

more to come...

[queenofcandynsoda]

Lost Boys Pirates: Scope

Scope (Left) and Yama (Right) (Thank you, @jknerd)

Scope

Aliases: One-Eyed Sniper

Age: Immortal (8; physically)

Gender: Female

Height: 4’5” (134 cm)

Birthday: June 2nd

Race: Modified Human

Residence: Deva’s Den, Reeve Island (currently), Children’s City, Reeve Island (formerly), Unknown Lab (formerly)

Relatives: Unnamed Mother, Yama (husband)

Occupation: Sniper, Hunter, Gardener

Likes: Yama, Custard-Filled Donuts, Custard, Game Hunting, Shooting Sports, Gardening, Dancing, Learning about new flowers, Protecting Yama

Dislikes: EXPERIMENTS, Injections/Needles, Being Emotionless, Unnecessary Doctor Visits, Her flowers being destroyed, Yama getting hurt

Abilities: Enhanced Gunmanship (Enhanced Reflexes, Enhanced Accuracy, Enhanced Precision, Trajectory Curving), Gun Proficiency (Sniper Rifle, Rifle, Shotgun, Gatling Gun, Handgun), Modified Human Physiology (Exoskeleton, Enhanced Dexterity, Enhanced Strength, Flash Step, Enhanced Sight, Healing Coma, Assassination Mastery, Weakness Detection, Intuitive Precognition, Gardening Mastery

Personality: Scope is a semi-emotionless girl who resorts to violence to resolve minor conflicts. She suffers from a variation of alexithymia, where she has trouble identifying her emotions and understanding her physical-emotional responses, such as crying or laughing. She has an unusual fascination with weapons, violence, and “games”, a euphemism for hunting. Since becoming a Lost Girl, Wendy has taught her emotions and empathy. Scope has become more empathic and understands the emotions of others.

Overview: Scope’s mother was a homeless woman who was chosen to be a candidate to mother one of the “super-soldiers” when she was pregnant. She agreed to participate in the experiments in exchange for food and housing. The experiment involved removing her emotions in utero to make her apathetic and not to be restrained by morals. Scope, whose previous name was a bunch of numbers, was one of the few successes, born under a series of numbers as a name. Within a week of her birth, Scope’s body and mind had advanced to a toddler. In her early years, she was able to learn how to use weapons and how to kill. Shortly after her eighth birthday, she was in a deathmatch to see if she was capable of war and combat. While she survived after killing her older and bigger opponent, she lost her right eye as a result. Just before she was to be sold as a child soldier, a storm caused a power failure and hindered aid efforts. The scientists compelled her to return to her room. Unexpectedly, the door flung open in her room, exposing a cloaked figure and a petite fairy-like entity whirling around him. The figure in the hood introduced himself as Peter, the Captain of the Lost Boys Pirates, while the fairy-like figure was Black Bow/Tinkerbell. Scope assumed that he was her buyer, but he told her that he was here to give her freedom, telling her to come with him. The young girl quickly left with them. Having alexithymia, Scope found herself perplexed by her own emotions upon settling in Reeve Island. She tends to isolate herself from others, fearing potential negative interactions and uncertainty about her emotions. Wendy was quick to notice this and decided to help Scope navigate her emotions. The older girl starts with garden therapy to calm down the younger one and teaches her care and empathy. Sometime later, a Third-Eye boy named Yama caught her attention during a storytime session. It was the first time she had ever felt romantic love for someone. She asked Wendy for advice, prompting the older girl to suggest giving him a bouquet of pink peonies. Scope does so, causing Yama to return his feelings by giving her a “kiss”, which is a mirror locket. The pair had fallen in love and got married sometime after. After moving into the Deva’s Den, Scope, along with Good Boy, has helped Yama, Tsurugi, Hakari, and Batty around the area to aid them and their visions. She also helps redecorate the den to appear welcoming and bright while keeping the furniture in the same place so Batty won’t bump into them.

[my-autism-adhd-blog]

Hi there! My friend is going to be opening a toddler / child “play place” and she wants to develop a sensory room to help give a safe space to autistic or other neurodivergent children. She’s enlisted my help, but since I was diagnosed in my early 20’s, I really am not sure what would help autistic children. Not to mention the wide variation of symptoms!

So now, I’m gathering information. I know it’ll never be a “one-size-fits-all” type of thing, but we want to get as close and as inclusive as possible. Do you have experience with places like this? Or, would you have any suggestions? Thanks in advanced <3

Hi there,

I found an article talking about how to build a sensory room. According to this article:

How do you set up a sensory room?

Before designing the room it is important to consider:

1. The individual needs of the clients who will use the room. What are the ages, abilities, and needs of the individuals who will use the room?

2. How many individuals will need to use the room at the same time?

3. How the room will be used. Will the room be a calming area? Will it be used for therapy sessions including occupational therapy, speech, sensory integration therapy, or one on one instruction? 

4. Keep in mind the long term use of the room. If all of your equipment is static, students can become bored. A good goal is to create a flexible space that allows you to create different scenes or moods depending on the emotional, cognitive, and physical needs of the students. How will the room be adapted to meet changing needs and keep it interesting?

Common Components of a Sensory Room

* Bubble tube

* Fiber optic sprays, or lighting

* Beanbag chairs

* Interactive Wall Boards

* Rocking chairs 

* Stereo or MP3 Player with Headphones

* Therapy balls

* Lighting/projector that can display various colors & patterns

* Weighted blankets or weighted lap pads

* A flowing water fountain

* Bins with assorted sensory activities

* Aromatherapy diffuser kit

The full article will be linked below, as it goes into more detail:

I also found another article on what items to include in a sensory room:

What Items To Include in Your Sensory Room

Large crash pillows or mats

Bean bag chair

Body sock

A net swing or therapy sensory swing

Fidget items that allow for a repetitive moment

Weighted blankets or vests – the blankets and vests I linked to here are handmade by a fellow Occupational Therapy Assistant with a small business on Etsy.

Tunnel

Therapy balls

Sensory break cards

Books to read

A stuffed animal or favorite toy – the Soothing Sammy dog and program is a great option for preschool and kindergarten-aged children

Calming, alerting, and organizing activities for kids – free printable included to hang in your sensory room

The article will also be below if you want to read it too.

I hope these help. Thank you for the inbox. I hope you have a wonderful day/night. ❤️

[sffgtrhyjhmnzdt]

The Role of Occupational Therapy Centers for Kids

Occupational therapy plays a crucial role in enhancing the lives of children facing developmental challenges. For many parents, the journey of discovering and addressing their child's unique needs can be both challenging and rewarding. One resource that has become invaluable in this process is the occupational therapy center for kids in kondapur. These center are dedicated spaces where highly trained professionals work tirelessly to help children overcome obstacles and reach their full potential.

Understanding Occupational Therapy for Kids:

Occupational therapy for kids focuses on enhancing their ability to participate in daily activities, such as school tasks, play, and self-care. The goal is to promote independence and improve the overall quality of life for children facing physical, cognitive, sensory, or social-emotional challenges.

Individualized Assessments:

Occupational therapy for toddlers in kondapur begin with thorough assessments to identify each child's unique strengths and challenges. This process helps create personalized intervention plans tailored to the child's specific needs.

Sensory Integration Therapy:

Many children face difficulties in processing sensory information. Occupational therapists use sensory integration therapy to help children develop better responses to sensory stimuli, improving their ability to engage in daily activities.

Fine and Gross Motor Skills Development:

Occupational therapists work on refining both fine and gross motor skills. Activities and exercises are designed to enhance coordination, balance, and control, laying the foundation for improved physical abilities.

Social Skills Training:

For children struggling with social interactions, occupational therapist for kids in hyderabad provide structured interventions to develop social skills. This includes activities that foster communication, cooperation, and empathy.

Assistive Technology Integration:

Occupational therapists often incorporate assistive technology to support children with various challenges. This may include adaptive devices, computer programs, or specialized tools to enhance independence in daily tasks.

Parental Involvement:

Occupational therapy centers recognize the importance of collaboration between therapists and parents. Parents are often involved in the therapy process, gaining insights into their child's progress and learning techniques to support continued development at home.

Occupational therapy for children in hafeezpet are beacons of hope, providing specialized care and support for children facing developmental challenges. Through a combination of personalized assessments, targeted interventions, and collaboration with parents, these centers empower children to overcome obstacles and embrace a future filled with possibilities.

[crochetandcrying]

Fuck you, adults need occupational therapy too

Its only the second trimester and I am sick of being in a class where 90% of people have entered Occupational Therapy to work with children.

Every single one of our lecturers has made it very clear that the vast majority will probably barely ever see a child, let alone work with one.

And yet, every single discussion we have somehow relates back to kids. I'm currently in a group where we have to run an activity. We could be doing anything anything! ANY sort of craft or activity. My group wants to have a 45 minute sensory session where people finger paint and play with shaving cream.

There are so, so many adults, even those with significant cognitive impairments who would be insulted by this. There is nothing meaningful or productive about it. I wouldn't even class it as a leisure activity, honestly. But cute little toddlers enjoy it right? Let's be honest, chances are, even if you're working with toddlers and small children, chances are the probley have sensory issues.

But they argue it's great for "letting the inner child play". Maybe letting the inner child play isn't always whats needed.

Idk, maybe it is. Either way, i'm sick of explaining over and over again that I do not want to work with children. I'm great with kids, love them. Do not want to work with them.

There are so many people in my class who would be happier pursuing a childcare degree. I want to work with adults, because adults need OT too.

[unnervinglyferal]

Background: I work with toddlers. I have an anecdote.

There are two situations when I ask this question. When parents are very frustrated with their toddler’s antics, and when they are thinking of having another child. You would be astonished to learn how many parents will casually mention to their child’s occupational therapist that they want another kid.

Do you remember when you held your child as an infant? When you looked at them and knew you would kill or die for this child to be happy and safe?

Are you going to be able to keep that love? You would kill or die for them. Will you love them the same when you get up for the nineteenth night in a row to read them a second bedtime story? Will you still love them the same when they are melting down in a grocery store? Will you love them the same when they absolutely refuse to put on clothes and you’re running late and have had no breakfast? Will you love them the same when they backtalk your family or won’t listen to your good advice or bother you over and over again?

So many people want a baby, but just a baby. Babies are uncomplicated, they aren’t really a person yet. Once your daughter becomes her own person, will you love her and have the same amount of patience?

I say this not because I think you’re that kind of dad, but because of the post you made about your own father. It’s possible he felt the same way. He thought “I would kill or die for this little baby boy” in his arms. That he did not feel contempt but rather protectiveness. And he was blinded by his entitlement and selfishness to the needs of other people. That he had his own deep rooted problems, and when you became a real person, he did not know how to use that love to parent.

I don’t mean this in the “actually I, a stranger, know for a fact that your father did love you!” way. I have a similar dynamic with my own dad. I mean this in a “it is not necessarily true that as a baby you were treated with the contempt that your father might have had for you as you grew older” way.

Source: several degrees in childhood development, many years working with kids and parents in sometimes troubling situations, and things I learned in therapy.

Congratulations on your daughter. You’ll do great.

Reading that made me understand how much I really do look forward to her growing up, too. Like it's weird that there are people who just want a baby and for the baby to be a baby forever. My father was the opposite, he wanted to have adult children who respect him one day, but hated every part that has to happen before that. He literally refused to pick up, hold, or in any way touch his children, to the point where we just didn't even try by the time we were toddlers.

It was really weird as a kid to go to friends' houses and notice that their dad or stepdad actually seemed to like the kids, and didn't just treat them with contempt and disgust.

[skarabrae-stone]

I agree that the level of a parent's engagement with their child is important, but I do think there's a substantial difference between a kid primarily being entertained by an iPad or a TV vs reading or playing in other ways. As whetstonefires pointed out, not only do books require literacy, they also require more mental effort than TV, videos, and at least some digital games. If a kid is reading, they still have to use their imagination to supply the sights, sounds, characters, and world described by the book. With TV, movies, and videos, that's supplied for you-- there's much less scope for imagination. Books also don't have the same level of sensory stimulation that screen media does-- there might be brightly colored illustrations, but there's no movement, no sound, no switching from one thing to the next.

There's also the factor of... I guess ability to complete something? When I finish a book, I usually take a little time to process it before picking up another one, and that was true even when I was a kid and was reading constantly. There also tend to be a limited number of books available at a given time. And I think movies are actually pretty similar-- there's a defined ending. But with TV and iPad content, as soon as you're done with one thing, you're immediately offered something else, and a lot of content isn't ever really "done"-- for instance, there are a lot of games that don't ever get to a point where you've beaten the game and you're finished; you can just go on and on forever.

I don't think it's good for a kid to only be reading books and doing nothing else, but just from the nature of books compared to TV/iPads, I think books are genuinely less likely to have that kind of effect, especially if other options for play are available. As an adult, I have a much harder time stepping away from social media/YouTube/scrolling than I do putting down a book, and kids generally have less ability to prioritize long-term consequences over short-term gratification than adults do.

Kids need imaginative play, active play, and physical objects to play with. This isn't a moral stance-- there is plenty of research showing the way that toys such as building blocks and activities such as drawing and playing imaginatively are necessary for cognitive and motor development. A parent doesn't have to be paying attention to supply their kids with blocks, drawing materials, dolls, books, jumping ropes, etc., and those materials are genuinely healthier than screen-related activities. (For an example, I was reading an article about how the number of non-disabled kids who are needing occupational therapy to develop basic motor skills has increased, because toddlers/small children are using iPads instead of playing in ways that would help develop their motor skills. A lot of parents genuinely don't realize that blocks/crayons/puzzles aren't just 'entertainment', they are fulfilling vital developmental functions for young children.)

Even the best parents in the world need their kids to entertain themselves from time to time (and quite frankly, it's good for kids to learn how to entertain themselves), but if that self-entertainment is usually coming from a screen, that means that kids are not interacting with their physical world or using their imaginations or creativity. It's one thing for kids to have access to screens every now and then, but there is a problem when TV and iPads are replacing the forms of play which actually contribute to kids' physical, cognitive, and emotional development.

I don't know how to break it to you all but a bad parent will parent badly with books and a good parent will parent well with an iPad.

Ipads don't make the "ipad kid". What upsets you is a child who is being given something distracting and potentially obnoxious to those around them so that the parent doesn't have to deal with engaging with their child. And it's not new.

I grew up before the invention of the ipad and the complaints were the same. It was "tv kids" and "Gameboy kids". And it was book kids too, though people rarely complained about those kids because it didn't make noise and bother them personally so they no longer cared. Because the "it's for the good of the child!" argument dried up real fast as soon as it was something that didn't affect them.

A good parent who is engaging with their child's interests can do so with an iPad or television. A bad parent can say "take this and leave me alone" with a book or a toy. The problem is that some kids were raised by objects. By whatever kept them busy and entertained and away from their parents. Sure, there are parents who need to realize that's what they're doing and would benefit from changing their parenting style by limiting electronics use, but "if you give your kid an electronic toy, it means you're a bad parent" is not the same thing and largely misses the actual source of the problem.

Your arbitrary standards of what "good children" doing "good child activities" is as restricting.

[onebiteat]

Feeding Therapy Near Me: Helping Children Overcome Feeding Challenges

Feeding difficulties are common among children, especially during the early years of life. Whether it's picky eating, food refusal, or delayed feeding milestones, many parents find themselves struggling to help their child develop healthy eating habits. If you're looking for feeding therapy near me, you're not alone. Many families are seeking professional support to address these challenges. In this article, we’ll explore the importance of feeding therapy, especially in areas like picky eating therapy in Vancouver, and how it can improve your child's eating habits and overall development.

What Is Feeding Therapy?

Feeding therapy is a specialized approach designed to help children overcome difficulties related to eating, swallowing, and chewing. It is typically provided by trained professionals, such as speech-language pathologists or occupational therapists, who have expertise in pediatric feeding disorders. These experts assess the child's specific eating challenges and create a personalized plan to address those issues.

Feeding therapy helps children who struggle with various feeding difficulties, including:

Picky eating

Food aversions

Sensory sensitivities to textures, tastes, or smells

Delayed oral-motor development

Swallowing difficulties

Gagging or choking during meals

If you’ve noticed that your child is refusing certain foods, has limited food preferences, or experiences stress during meal times, it might be time to consider feeding therapy near me.

Picky Eating and Its Impact on Development

One of the most common challenges parents face is picky eating. Many children go through phases of selective eating, but when it persists, it can significantly impact their nutritional intake and overall development. Picky eating therapy in Vancouver and other areas focuses on helping children expand their food choices and develop healthier eating patterns.

Picky eating may manifest in different ways, such as:

Rejecting entire food groups (e.g., fruits, vegetables, proteins)

Only eating foods with specific textures or colors

Consistently refusing new or unfamiliar foods

Extreme anxiety about trying new foods

While picky eating is normal for toddlers and young children, it can become problematic if it continues into later stages of development. Children who are overly selective in their food choices may not receive the necessary nutrients they need for optimal growth and health. That's where feeding therapy in Vancouver can make a significant difference.

How Feeding Therapy Works

Feeding therapy uses a combination of strategies to help children overcome their eating challenges. The therapist works closely with both the child and their family to create a customized plan that meets the child’s specific needs. The therapy is typically based on the following principles:

Assessment of Feeding Behaviors The therapist begins by evaluating the child’s eating habits, including the foods they will or will not eat, the sensory issues they may have with textures or smells, and their overall feeding environment. This initial assessment helps identify underlying factors contributing to the child’s feeding difficulties.

Building Positive Associations with Food Therapy often involves creating a positive and supportive eating environment. The goal is to reduce any anxiety or negative emotions associated with mealtime. Gradually, the therapist will work to introduce new foods and textures in a non-threatening and playful way, helping the child build trust and confidence.

Oral-Motor and Sensory Integration Some children struggle with the physical act of eating, such as chewing or swallowing. Therapists may use oral-motor exercises to improve the child’s ability to manage different food textures. Sensory integration techniques are also employed to help children become more comfortable with a wider variety of textures, tastes, and smells.

Gradual Exposure One of the most effective techniques in picky eating therapy in Vancouver is gradual exposure. This involves slowly introducing new foods in a non-pressuring way. For instance, a child may first interact with a food by touching it, then progress to smelling it, and finally tasting it when they are ready. This slow progression can help the child feel less overwhelmed and more open to trying new things.

Family Involvement Feeding therapy often involves family members in the process, as they play a critical role in reinforcing positive eating habits at home. Therapists work with parents to provide guidance on how to make mealtimes less stressful, how to encourage their child to try new foods, and how to set realistic goals for improvement.

Why Seek Feeding Therapy Near Me?

If you’ve been struggling with your child’s eating habits, seeking feeding therapy near me can provide the support you need to guide them through their challenges. Here are some reasons why parents turn to professional therapy services:

Expert Guidance A feeding therapist has the training and expertise to address complex feeding issues that may not be resolved through basic dietary changes or behavior modification techniques. They can identify the root cause of feeding difficulties, whether they’re related to sensory sensitivities, developmental delays, or psychological factors.

Personalized Treatment Plans Every child is unique, and feeding difficulties can manifest in different ways. A therapist will develop a treatment plan tailored to your child’s specific needs, ensuring they receive the right support at the right time.

Long-Term Benefits Addressing feeding difficulties early on can prevent more serious issues down the road. Children who receive feeding therapy may develop a healthier relationship with food, which can positively impact their physical, social, and emotional well-being.

Support for Parents Feeding therapy isn’t just for children; it’s also for parents. Therapists provide valuable support and advice on how to navigate mealtimes, how to manage the stress that often comes with feeding issues, and how to encourage positive behavior changes at home.

Feeding Therapy in Vancouver: Local Options

If you live in Vancouver or the surrounding areas and are considering feeding therapy in Vancouver, you’ll find several resources to support your child’s feeding needs. Vancouver has a number of qualified professionals who specialize in pediatric feeding disorders and offer a variety of therapy services to help children overcome their challenges.

These therapy centers may offer:

One-on-one sessions with a feeding therapist

Parent education and coaching

Group therapy or support groups for families

Sensory integration and oral-motor therapy

Consultations with pediatricians or other healthcare providers

By searching for feeding therapy near me, you can easily find options in Vancouver that meet your family’s needs and location preferences. Be sure to do thorough research and choose a center or therapist who has experience in working with children and understands the complexities of feeding challenges.

Signs Your Child May Need Feeding Therapy

It can be hard to know when to seek professional help for your child’s feeding difficulties. However, there are some signs that indicate it might be time to look into feeding therapy near me:

Your child is consistently refusing a variety of foods or entire food groups

Mealtimes are a source of stress or anxiety for both you and your child

Your child has trouble chewing, swallowing, or managing different food textures

Your child has a limited diet and is missing essential nutrients

You notice significant weight loss or slow growth despite adequate caloric intake

Your child experiences gagging, vomiting, or choking frequently during meals

Your child’s picky eating behavior is not improving with age

If any of these signs sound familiar, it’s important to take action and consider feeding therapy in Vancouver to help your child develop healthy eating habits and address any underlying issues that may be contributing to their feeding difficulties.

Conclusion

Feeding challenges can be frustrating for both parents and children, but it’s important to remember that help is available. Seeking feeding therapy near me can provide your child with the tools they need to overcome picky eating habits and develop a healthier relationship with food. Whether you’re located in Vancouver or another area, professionals specializing in picky eating therapy in Vancouver can create personalized strategies to address your child’s unique needs and support them through their feeding difficulties.

By taking the first step toward feeding therapy, you’re investing in your child’s long-term health and well-being. With the right support, children can learn to expand their food choices, manage sensory sensitivities, and gain the confidence they need to enjoy mealtime again. Don’t hesitate to reach out to a feeding therapy professional in your area and start your child’s journey toward better eating habits today.