Occupational Therapy Services - Port Perry, Ontario

09/04/2023

08/03/2023

OT Services is now accepting new referrals for September! Please reach out to set up an intake phone call if you’re interested and I can add your child to the wait list.

10/23/2022

Love this ❤️

07/13/2022

It’s a take your kid to work day today 🥰

06/10/2022

From on IG

05/25/2022

I cannot express how important this is! This incredibly meaningful post from Greg Santucci, Occupational Therapist teaches us that everyone has different interoception needs, and we cannot assume that another person is comfortable nor can we tell them whether they are feeling regulated or not. We must listen and validate each child’s feelings to make sure they are regulated and prepared to process the world around them at their own pace.

Read more on Greg’s full post: https://www.facebook.com/gregsantucciOT/photos/135092514940002

05/03/2022

PENCIL GRASP - does it really matter?

We actually no longer consider the tripod grasp (i.e., the index finger positioned on the shaft of the pencil, in opposition to the thumb) to be the only effective grasp.

What we look for instead, is whether a grasp is FUNCTIONAL.
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That is:

• No pain

• Legible writing (though this is affected by other factors too)

• Ability to write for an age-appropriate amount of time without fatiguing

What assists in achieving each of these?

• Pencil movements that are driven by the thumb and fingers, rather than the wrist or elbow. This requires the wrist and elbow to be stabilised on the table. These “dynamic movements” are usually established by age 5-6.

• Having the ring and little fingers tucked into the palm of the hand
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• An open webspace between the thumb and index finger, forming a C-shape. ⠀

OTs are moving away from using pencil grips (moulded foam/plastic added to a pencil) if a grasp is functional. It may not look quite right to us - but it may well be functional.

When a grasp is problematic or inefficient, we look at remediation, such as hand strengthening activities, and accommodations, such as typing or allowing a child longer to complete written work.

Edited to add: This is for informational purposes only. If you’re unsure whether a grasp is functional or not, please seek an assessment with a paediatric OT. It is important that an OT assesses the grasp alongside other factors such as joint mobility, strength, pain, fatigue, fluency and speed.
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04/21/2022

My favourite way to teach letter formation - wikki stix fun!

04/14/2022

Gross motor goals today! 🧠👣💪🏃🏼‍♂️🏃‍♀️

03/29/2022

💚❤️💚

02/21/2022

12/20/2021

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy holiday break!!

My family celebrated today by joining in the Greenbank Parade 🎅🏼

Happy holidays and see you in the New Year! ❤️

10/20/2021

My desk! Someone loves their caffeine! 🙈

09/29/2021

Best work from home colleague ❤️

08/21/2021

Holiday mode ☀️🍹

07/25/2021

Love this visual!

This is such a great visual of co-regulation. Of course sometimes your child won't want to be held and don't force it. But if we can stay calm, meet the feeling not the behaviour then co-regulation can happen. When we hold our child there is a physical change. Their nervous system will mirror ours. We just have to wait for the fire to go out.