The SPARK Sensory Clinic

10/18/2023

07/20/2023

07/19/2023

Play is a powerful way to build up children’s emotional literacy and pro-social problem-solving skills. In the high-pressure world in which most families live, play is not easy to do or even possible. If not, that's fine, we can't pour from an empty cup. But if you feel like 5 minutes of following a child's lead is possible, that can also be a stress buster!

04/08/2023

An innovative product from Sensooli which is not only useful for chewing and meeting oral sensory needs - it can also be used to communicate emotions and communication needs.

https://loom.ly/hFNuWN4

03/29/2023

03/11/2023

Weekly Article March 11: Resource Highlight!

Considerations for Choosing a Sensory Friendly Summer Camp

Finding the right summer camp can feel like a daunting task for many families who have children with sensory differences. SPIRAL's "Considerations for Choosing a Sensory Friendly Summer Camp" resource provides families with some points to think about or ask about when deciding on a camp for their child. Finding the right fit in terms of group size, structure and mealtime routines can be so helpful to promote a fun and enriching experience. Hope you find this useful and please share!

Here's the link: https://buff.ly/3vexcaT

12/20/2022

"As teachers and parents, we must learn how to observe children's energy levels throughout the day and make adjustments in practice that help children to down-regulate, or up-regulate." ~ Stuart Shanker
self-reg.ca

12/10/2022

As we enter the holiday season and head out to find "just the right toy" for our little ones, it can be hard to ignore flashy electronic toys that are being advertised. Yet, we all know the stories of how children open a bunch of gifts, set them aside, and play with the boxes instead. When looking at a toy, think about whether it matches your child's play style, what skills it might help cultivate, whether it will encourage them to ask questions and play with it in different ways. There are lots of helpful articles about choosing developmentally appropriate toys - or you can ask your child's therapist for suggestions. Here is a link to recommendations from the Early Intervention Research Group at Northwestern: https://ei.northwestern.edu/for-parents/toy-recommendations

12/10/2022

HOW PLAY SUPPORTS YOUR CHILD'S LEARNING DEVELOPMENT

Each stage of play is important for your child's development. What you may not know about developmental milestones.

https://www.famlii.com/12-types-of-play-infographic/

12/05/2022

What would you add to this list?

12/05/2022

Safety is felt first in the body, then in the brain. When we approach a child's emotional reactions with curiosity and respect, we are embracing this neurobiological truth: safety is subjective to each of us.

11/24/2022

When we distinguish between a top-down and a body-up behavior, we credit the nervous system for the protective and meaningful nature of all behaviors.