Butterflies Holistic Occupational Therapy

18/07/2025

𝙇𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙝, we explored the wonderful world of garden sensory activities and how they can benefit your child's development. This month, let's dig a little deeper into more hands-on ideas to get those senses buzzing right in your backyard!

🖐️ 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘆 (𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝘆!)
𝗦𝗼𝗶𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆:A classic for a reason! Set up a mud kitchen with old pots and pans, or simply let them dig in a designated patch. Add some water for extra squishy fun! This provides fantastic tactile input and encourages imaginative play.

𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 & 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴: Involve them in planting seeds or small plants. The feeling of soil, the smell of fresh earth, and the visual reward of seeing something grow are incredibly satisfying and sensory-rich experiences.

𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗯 𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Grow child-friendly herbs like mint, basil, or lavender. Let them touch, smell, and even gently taste (under supervision) these aromatic plants. This is a wonderful way to engage their senses of smell and taste.

👂𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 & 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀
𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀 & 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀: Hang a wind chime or create your own with shells or small sticks. Encourage them to listen for the rustling of leaves, the buzzing of bees, or the chirping of birds.

𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝗞𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗶𝗱𝗼𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗽𝗲: Provide a magnifying glass to explore tiny details – an ant on a leaf, the intricate patterns of a flower, or the texture of tree bark. This sharpens visual perception and promotes curiosity.

𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀: Even a small bird bath or a trickling fountain can provide calming auditory input and visual interest.

Remember to supervise all activities and tailor them to your child's individual needs and preferences. The garden is a treasure trove of sensory experiences just waiting to be discovered!

What are your favourite garden sensory activities? Share your ideas in the comments below

11/07/2025

Last month, we talked about proactive planning, clear communication, and managing sensory sensitivities for a smoother summer with your ASD child. This month, let's dive deeper into some practical tips you can implement right away!

Visuals Are Your VIPS! 🖼️
Visual schedules, social stories, and "first/then" boards are incredibly powerful tools. They help your child understand what's happening, what's expected, and what comes next. This predictability can significantly reduce anxiety and meltdowns, especially during changes in routine that the holidays often bring.

Sensory Smart Planning 🧘
Remember to build in sensory breaks throughout your day, whether you're at home or out and about. This could be a quiet corner for downtime, a weighted blanket for comfort, or a chance to engage in a preferred sensory activity. Knowing when and where these breaks will occur can be a game-changer for your child's regulation.

Practice Makes Progress 🔄
If you're planning a new activity or visiting a new place, consider a "practice run." This could involve looking at pictures of the location, watching videos, or even driving by beforehand. Gradual exposure can help your child prepare and feel more comfortable when the actual event happens.

We know the summer holidays can be challenging, but with these strategies, you can create a more enjoyable and manageable experience for your whole family. What are your go-to sensory activities during the summer? Share your tips in the comments below!

04/07/2025

𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐃𝐀: 𝐀 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐦 ❤️

At Butterflies Occupational Therapy in Leeds, we know that every child on the autism spectrum is unique. One profile that can be particularly challenging to understand is Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA).

PDA is part of the Autism Spectrum, but it comes with a distinct characteristic: an extreme resistance to everyday demands, expectations, and even social interactions. For a child with a PDA profile, facing a demand can trigger intense anxiety, leading them to use various strategies to avoid it. This isn't defiance; it's often a response to overwhelming anxiety.

You might see strategies like:
🛑 Distraction
🛑 Negotiation
🛑 Procrastination
🛑 Or even meltdowns

Understanding PDA is the first step toward finding effective support and strategies that work for your child and family. Our team of paediatric OTs in Leeds is here to help you navigate these complexities with tailored approaches.

Next month, we will be looking at ways you can engage your young person when they are finding activities tricky. Stay tuned!

If you're seeking to understand more about PDA or how to best support your child, please get in touch.

30/06/2025

𝐍𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐒𝐃? 𝐖𝐞'𝐫𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩! ☀️

The summer holidays can bring exciting changes, but for children with ASD, this shift can also bring unique challenges. Here at Butterflies Occupational Therapy, we know that proactive planning, clear communication, and smart sensory strategies are key to a smoother and happier summer!

𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐎𝐓’𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤:
✈️ Predictable Routines: Even in the holidays, a consistent routine helps reduce anxiety and provides a sense of security.

✈️ Visual Aids: Use visual schedules or calendars to show what's happening each day. This helps children understand and prepare for upcoming activities.

✈️ Sensory Breaks: Plan regular downtime in a calm space. Knowing when and where they can regulate their senses can prevent overwhelm and meltdowns.

Why these strategies work: They ease transitions, manage sensory sensitivities, and help your child feel more in control of their day.

If you're looking for more personalised support or strategies for your child's unique needs this summer, don't hesitate to reach out! We're here for the families of Leeds and beyond.

28/06/2025

Unlock sensory garden fun with what you already have! 🌿✨

Did you know you might already own fantastic tools for outdoor sensory play? Those common garden toys and items gathering dust in your garage can be repurposed into exciting sensory experiences for your children.

At Butterflies Occupational Therapy, we believe in making sensory play accessible and fun. Re-thinking everyday items is a great way to add valuable sensory input to your child's playtime.

Here’s a tip: Create an "outdoor sensory bin" using items you already have! Think about things like:

🌸 Old watering cans
🌸 Plastic balls
🌸 Buckets and spades
🌸 Sticks and stones (nature's best toys!)
🌸 Garden gloves
🌸 Trowels or small shovels

Gathering these items into a dedicated bin makes spontaneous sensory adventures easy and keeps them right at your family's fingertips!

What "hidden" sensory gems have you found in your garden or garage? Share your ideas below! 👇

27/06/2025

🌿🌼 Get your hands dirty and explore the garden! 🌼🌿

Gardens are sensory playgrounds for kids! Engaging with nature offers incredible opportunities for learning and personal growth.

Here are a few ideas from our OTs for a sensory-rich garden adventure:

🌼 Touch: Feel the soft petals of a flower, the rough bark of a tree, or the cool, damp soil. Let them squish mud between their fingers!

🌼 Smell: Inhale the sweet scent of blooming flowers, the earthy aroma of freshly turned soil, or the tangy fragrance of herbs like mint or rosemary
Sight: Observe the vibrant colours of flowers, the intricate patterns of leaves, and the busy insects buzzing around

🌼 Sound: Listen to the gentle rustling of leaves, the chirping of birds, or the buzzing of bees
Taste: If you've grown edible plants, let them taste a ripe strawberry, a crunchy carrot, or a sprig of fresh herbs (ensure they are safe to eat!).

At Butterflies Occupational Therapy, we understand the importance of sensory play for children's development. Garden activities are a fantastic way to stimulate their senses, encourage exploration, and foster a love for nature.

Share your garden sensory adventures with us!

26/06/2025

24/06/2025

👀➡️❓ Have you ever wondered why your toddler points at a dog and then looks back at you? That's the magic of shared or joint attention!

It's a foundational skill for communication and social learning. When children learn to share their focus with you on an object or activity, they're building the pathways for:

⭐ Understanding emotions
⭐ Developing vocabulary
⭐ Forming stronger bonds

At Butterflies Occupational Therapy, we specialise in helping children strengthen their shared attention skills through regulating their emotions and playful and engaging therapy. We can also guide you on how to foster these moments at home, too!

05/06/2025

We have some new toys in the studio.. (some.. gifted.. THANK YOU to my kind neighbour❤️)... So, what will we do with them???

1) We use toys as play is the therapeutic medium we use when working with our families, to develop skills for life.
2) For our Pre 5 caseload we use them to develop the foundations of shared attention, fine / gross motor skills, hand/eye coordination, motor planning, speech, and much more!
3) For our older ones they help develop ideas (themes) we use in 1:1 intervention (again to develop skills for life).
4) For all we use them to ascertain if they support regulation and focus so we can build these into their day to enable them to have positive well-being, and access a curriculum.

30/05/2025

It's Fun Fact Friday, LEEDS!

Guess what? Jumping on a trampoline isn't just bouncy fun – it helps kids develop their balance and body awareness! Who knew bouncing could be so beneficial? 😉

27/05/2025

🌟Exam Ready Kit🌟

-Sloping board to ease tension through hands and wrists,
-Move and Sit / Disco Cushion, allows you to move whilst seated,
-Easi Write Pen / easier to grip the pen,
-The Pencil Grip / for those who tend to hold a pen with their thumb. This stops this and reduces pain in the wrist which can effect motivation to handwrite,
-Squishy, to release tension / stress and help with any pain / soreness in hand from handwriting.

BEFORE GOING INTO AN EXAM:
-Jump up and down,
-Shake arms, body, and legs from up to down to release tension, and stress,
-Do 10 wallpresses.

26/05/2025

Are you feeling a little overwhelmed? It's totally normal! At Butterflies Occupational Therapy, we know that learning to regulate our emotions and bodies is key for everyone, big or small!

Here are some simple regulation techniques you can try with your kids (and maybe even yourself! 😉):

For Kids:
✅ Deep Breaths: Teach them to take slow breaths in through their nose and out through their mouth like blowing out a candle 🌬️

✅ Movement Breaks: Get those wiggles out! Jumping jacks, running on the spot, or even a quick dance party can help release energy

✅ Quiet Time: Having a designated calm space with soft blankets and a favourite book can help them reset

For Adults:
✅ Mindful Breathing: Just a few minutes of focused breathing can make a big difference. Try box breathing (inhale-hold-exhale-hold for a count of four each)

✅ Time in Nature: Spending time outdoors has been shown to reduce stress levels

✅ Setting Boundaries: Learning to say "no" and protect your time and energy is crucial for regulation

Remember, finding the right techniques takes time and may vary from person to person. What are your go-to regulation strategies?

Share in the comments below! 👇