Beth Osten & Associates Pediatric Therapy Services

07/22/2024

We will be closed this week for construction! Please keep an eye out for any other updates from our office staff or your child’s therapist.

07/09/2024

Back-and-forth interactions with your child build a foundation for relationships and learning. Check out this short video from Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University for 5 things to keep in mind when interacting with your child!

This how-to video breaks down serve and return into 5 simple steps and features adults and young children doing each step together.

06/26/2024

Ever wondered why your child is “just playing games” in therapy? Check out this resource from Cari Ebert Seminars describing all of the skills addressed during board and card games with your child!

06/18/2024

Not sure what to do with your child to keep building their skills and connection while they’re home for the summer? Check out these resources from Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University that provide brain-building activities and games for every age!

  View Handouts  From infancy on, play is an important part of a child’s life. For babies and toddlers, simple, playful interactions with adults help develop sturdy brain architecture, the foundations of lifelong health, and the building blocks of resilience. Through games and playful activities...

06/17/2024

06/03/2024

Doing small chores around the house can be a great way to address your child's executive functioning, sensory processing, and more while at home! Take a look at these age-appropriate ways your kiddo can help around the house!

https://childmind.org/article/how-can-i-get-my-kids-to-do-chores/

05/29/2024

As the school year is ending, make sure you have talked to your child's therapist about scheduling for the summer months! 🌤📅🍉

05/14/2024

Does your 4 or 5-year-old have difficulty in social situations or when playing with peers? Call us at (847)663-1020 to see if your child is a good fit for our Penguins peer play group! This group is run by an occupational therapist and a social worker and works to address social skills, sensory and emotional regulation, play, and coordination. The summer session will take place for twice a week for 2 hours from 6/17 to 8/9. Reach out to us for more information if you're interested!

05/01/2024

May is National Speech-Language-Hearing Month! We are so grateful for our amazing Speech-Language Pathologists. Pediatric SLPs work to help children of all ages communicate effectively by addressing their verbal and non-verbal language skills.

04/24/2024

No plans on April 28th? Lincoln Park Zoo is hosting a sensory-friendly morning on Sunday, April 28th from 8 a.m. - 10 a.m. Explore the zoo at your own pace with a reduced crowd! This event is free, but guests are asked to register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sensory-friendly-morning-at-lincoln-park-zoo-tickets-864175872297?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3NzlS3oadEsV50cns_b4w-pl1qfvVjW7KvmYpK5s0oAVfi0OynucnYaWw_aem_AWf37-5aOLTDYwwm5xS2wuE0mMN9iD03zemttF1XG_AmWGKF6z-07ujaQEnTdWXwGA1IRgHFbD5fBP5LtLg09FuL

04/23/2024

Looking to learn or teach your child about sensory processing? This World Book Day, check out some of these great reads for more information!

04/15/2024

Looking for ways to incorporate sensory experiences into your child's daily routine? Check out this resource created by one of our occupational therapists!

04/10/2024

April is Autism Acceptance Month! Take a look at this great resource about the Autism spectrum and what it represents.

04/08/2024

Working memory is the ability to keep in mind the information you need to complete a task. For now, the best way to help kids with working memory issues is to focus on creating and practicing healthy, effective coping strategies. Creating routines, using tools and offering support helps children develop strategies they’ll be able to fall back on for the rest of their lives.

When kids try to tackle too much at once it makes for sloppy work and creates anxiety. Something like writing a paper requires a huge amount of working memory. Remembering important information. Coming up with and organizing ideas. Using the right spelling and grammar. Trying to do everything at once can be overwhelming.

Instead, help your child break the assignment down into manageable parts. For example, coming up with ideas. Then writing an outline. Then writing a draft…and so on. Doing one thing at a time will make it less stressful and more productive.

Routines are very helpful for kids with working memory issues. When kids get in the habit of a task it no longer needs as much working memory. Find a pattern that works and stick with it. Don’t expect kids to get it right away. Offering reminders and praising your child’s efforts will help them stick with the routine until it sinks in.

Tools like to-do lists and reminders also make it easier for kids to remember important information. Help your child find tools that work — a reminder on their phone or a homework planner they’ll actually use — and make them part of the routine.

Some kids with working memory problems may benefit from medication. If your child has ADHD or executive functioning issues, it might be helpful to meet with a clinician. With or without medication, the best way to help is to support kids in building strategies that work.

Full article here: https://childmind.org/article/how-to-help-kids-with-working-memory-issues/

04/03/2024

Happy OT Month to our amazing occupational therapists! Pediatric occupational therapists help children meet developmental milestones, overcome sensory challenges, and improve self-care, play, and self-regulation skills. Think your child might benefit from occupational therapy? Give us a call!