Rehab Agency at Spalding University

07/29/2022

With the new school year just around the corner, it is time to go back to school shopping. One fun item for kids to pick out is their new backpack. It is important for the backpack to the be the right size and weight to reduce potential for poor posture and pain. Here are a few things to consider when buying your child a backpack!

07/27/2022

"A friendly society towards autism is a friendly society towards all."

07/26/2022

Hello Everybody!

As my time here comes to an end I would love to extended a thank you to you all for learning along with me about neurodiversity! This topic has become something I am extremely passionate about and being able to share this information with you all has been the best. Thank you for taking the time to read, like, and share this information with others. Through this you all have been a part of amplifying neurodivergent voices in order to create understanding, acceptance, and inclusive environments!

A special thank you to my mentors, Lauren Brown (SLP) and Alicia Edmiston (OTR), for introducing me to this topic and supporting me throughout this capstone experience. Without your encouragement and passion for this topic, I would not have been able to accomplish as much as I did! Thank you to my faculty advisor Dr. Josh Skuller for your support and guidance throughout this entire experience. Lastly, thank you to Spalding's Outpatient Services for allowing me the opportunity to utilize their platforms to share this information.

As I finish my capstone experience, I hope that this information continues to foster discussions and acts of compassion and client-centered care as I know my approach to pediatric occupational therapy will be forever positively impacted by this amazing paradigm shift.

Again, thank you!

Rachel Pitzen, OTS

07/25/2022

https://sparta-autism.org/our-first-meltdown/

07/23/2022

Big shoutout to Bernheim which recently added a Sensory Garden to help children with autism feel secure connecting with nature!!

http://ow.ly/TgNK50JJ3Pa

07/22/2022

Hi Everyone,

My time at Spalding’s Outpatient Clinic is quickly coming to an end. Thank you for following along and supporting me on my journey to become an occupational therapist. Quick shout-out to my capstone mentor, Jocelyn Warren. Thank you so much for your unwavering support, guidance, and encouragement throughout this doctoral capstone experience. Jocelyn, I am incredibly appreciative of your kindness and commitment to helping me grow as an OT student. You have been a wonderful source of information and provided me with feedback to ensure my ideas and goals were accomplished. Shout-out to my faculty supervisor, Jana Cason, thank you for providing guidance and reassurance along the way. Thanks again for following along and have a great summer!!!

Austin Clark, OTS

07/20/2022

Don't forget about sensory friendly day at the Kentucky State Fair on Wednesday, August 24, 2022!

https://kystatefair.org/sensory-friendly-morning-welcomes-fairgoers-with-sensory-processing-differences-for-inclusive-kentucky-state-fair-experience/

07/19/2022

Hi Everybody!

This week I wanted to touch on two skills that are very important to develop across a variety of settings.

Interoception give us all the ability to understand what our body is telling us and to act accordingly. This communication can be challenged in a variety of neurodivergent diagnoses which can be portrayed through "challenging behaviors". As stated earlier, behavior is communication, and those behaviors might reflect confusing or overpowering sensations being felt by the individual.

Executive functioning skills consists of thinking, planning, and organizing. It also holds the skills that allows us to regulate our emotions. When the stress response is triggered, executive functioning is difficult to reach. As children, these emotional regulation skills are still developing making it hard to implement calming strategies.

With that said, there's a variety of actions we can do to help support children in the development of these skills.

** Regulate -- provide choices like quiet spaces, drinking water, or squeezes

** Connect -- be a safe space by removing the triggers, accepting their needs without judgement, and verbalizing the emotions they are feeling

** Learn -- utilize a child's occupation of play & use co-regulation skills

-- Co-regulation demonstrates how an adult with lived experiences navigates tough emotions

When adults yell it teaches that child, they have to yell in order to overcome those emotions or experiences

VERSUS ...

When we utilize our own self-calming strategies, verbalize our emotions, and navigate situations calmly we teach that it's ok to have those emotions, but that we can also overcome them in safe ways.

Overall, through this lens we tell the child that it's ok to have big emotions and here are the tools that work best for you in all of your environments that help your mind and body to communicate, think, and act.

Rachel Pitzen, OTS

07/18/2022

Hi everyone,

During my doctoral capstone experience, I pursued the outlet of program development, specifically bringing in education and advocacy components. I wanted to create a free resource for families, students, and other healthcare professionals providing insight into feeding therapy. In doing so, I established a course on Teachable. Teachable is an all-in-one platform that helps one build, grow, and manage an online course. This course will provide short educational videos on different avenues within feeding therapy, and you will receive a pdf copy for quick reference.

Click this link below for access.

http://ow.ly/Cywh50JYIrR

I hope you find this resource educational and insightful.

Austin Clark, OTS

Join Austin Clark, OTS, for a free virtual workshop/teaching course. You'll learn all about feeding therapy, Avoidant and Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), evidence-based interventions, environmental adaptations, and anxious eaters. This workshop provides short educational videos and digital...

07/18/2022

"Autism has taught me that my son may see some things differently, but when it comes to love and cherishing your family, we see the same things."

Keith introduces his 19-year-old son, Kendall, who is autistic. Click here to read about their personal story of perseverance, Kendall's journey and more.