Shirley Sutton Sensory Strategist

05/12/2025

Another great idea from Janet!

"How did the math test go?"
"I don't know."
Does this sound familiar at your home?
This teen felt the test didn't go too well but had no idea why. Sometimes when kids are stuck in the moment they can't think of answers.
I gave the teen some options of what might have made it hard and all he had to do was agree or disagree. The thinking started and we were able to make a list specific to him. Great information to round out the IEP.
I like to throw in a few that I know don't apply too so the teen gets the pleasure of disagreeing.....

04/24/2025

Telling it like it is Thursdays
Autism Month
This photo is from an Autism party years ago hosted by Affinity Consulting. I’m a little biased—this amazing young man is my son, Terry!
When he was little, the focus was on helping him heal from early trauma before our adoption. Later, he was given the vague label of PDDNOS—one no one seemed to understand, and schools often ignored.
I followed early Autism strategies—social stories, visuals, exact instructions, lists, and social support—and they worked. Still, he didn’t receive an official diagnosis until he was 20. By then, it was clear Autism was just one of many diagnoses. He was so proud when the results of his adult ADOS came in.
I know in my bones school would’ve been so much easier if he’d had the diagnosis earlier.
If you're a parent wondering whether to seek an Autism diagnosis, jump in. Nothing will change about your love or your child—but systems will listen, support will come, and you’ll have a path forward.

04/10/2025

This is amazing, yeah Waterloo! I don’t know any of the backstory but will check it out.

The City of Waterloo is now offering sensory backpacks at six of its facilities. The bags are free to borrow for community members who have sensory processing disabilities or sensitivities. CBC K-W's Karis Mapp stopped by the community pavilion attached to the Waterloo Recreation Complex to learn mo...

04/02/2025

Janet is an excellent resource for these strategies!!

03/25/2025

Thoughts?

Really helpful infographic!
--->> https://www.katyhigginslee.com/resources

11/03/2024

Can’t say I’ve tried many of these but looks like a great list

Really helpful apps!

08/18/2024

Impressive!

Telling it like it is Thursdays
A few weeks ago I read a chapter from our future book at Tall Pine Tales. Before reading I introduced the other half of our story, Terry. At intermission he came to the podium for a picture. Love it.

07/27/2024

Amen!

07/24/2024

Dot dot dot is a great early or preprinting game! Teaches stop start, accuracy and pencil grip. Play it upright for wrist extension development, which helps with pencil grasp and visual monitoring .

A piece of paper and a pen are never far away when kids may need support. We were waiting for a ride at Santa's Village but it was hot and he thought the wait might take all day. Have no fear I always have a game at the ready. HIs brain got engaged with the task and the waiting just slipped by in no time.
Be prepared.

05/25/2024

OTs are invited to this FREE online workshop!

05/20/2024

Always an excellent conference

Reserve Early Bird Ticket

03/26/2024

So true! Great sensory idea too.

Does your child struggle with writing? Is it hard for them to come up with ideas?
Well, add a game and look how easily the words came. Using a smelling game we secretly wrote a sentence to each other to give a hint of what the smell might be. The words came with purpose and excitement to see if I could guess correctly.
Think around the problem, think outside the box.