Ruth Waldrop Occupational Therapist

12/27/2025

12/27/2025

A child's vestibular sense provides information about how the world is moving around him and about how he is moving within the world. Housed in the inner ear, it tells kids whether they are balanced or about to fall, what direction they are moving, and what speed they are traveling. The vestibular sense helps them to right themselves and hold their heads and bodies steady.

To promote balance and coordination, a child must experience vestibular movement. Opportunities for just-right vestibular movement depends on a child's abilities and comfort and are important for all kids. It is a natural drive for children to crave vestibular movement many times during the day.

There are plenty of ways to experience vestibular movement on a playground, but what about at home? Try these fun activities with kids of all ages to promote their skill development and comfort and confidence in the world!

12/24/2025

When students suddenly 😤 “snap,” 😶 shut down, or 😭 lose control, it might look like defiance but often, it’s not.

These reactions come from the brain’s emotional intelligence system 🧠💫

The part that helps us recognize feelings, read social cues, and manage behavior.

At the center is the amygdala ⚡,a tiny but mighty alarm system that detects danger and triggers fight, flight, or freeze responses.

To truly support students 💛, we need to understand what’s happening inside their brains and bodies… and learn how to guide them back to calm. ✨

12/24/2025

-Ideal for upper extremity strengthening, movement, motor planning and vestibular activities.
-Encourages balance and motor planning.
-Develops strength in the core and helps to improve weak muscle tone
-Helps kids estimate speed and distance
--->> https://www.thesensoryspectrum.com/gamecraft-safety-guard-scooters-gross-motor-toys/

12/23/2025

To our dear children and parents, and my dearest staff,

As the year winds down and the world slows for just a heartbeat, I find myself thinking about the quiet, beautiful 'small' things that actually fill the most space in our hearts.

This season, my wish for you isn't just for a celebration, but for those genuine, unhurried memories—the kind made over a shared meal, a fit of laughter with friends, or the simple comfort of being exactly where you are with the people you love. It’s in these pauses that we truly see the growth we’ve worked so hard for—the steady hands, the newfound confidence, and the shared smiles that don’t need any words at all.

There is a gentle light that moves through these days, reminding us of the power of peace, the necessity of gratitude, and the enduring strength of love. It’s a reminder that even the smallest step forward is a victory worth honoring. I hope you find plenty of space to breathe it all in, to set aside the 'to-do' lists, and to simply marvel at the journey you and your children are on.

Wishing you a Christmas filled with warmth, a heart full of hope, and a very happy New Year.

Para nuestros queridos niños y familias, y a mi queridísimo equipo de trabajo,

A medida que el año llega a su fin y el mundo parece detenerse por un breve instante, me encuentro reflexionando sobre esas pequeñas y silenciosas maravillas que, en realidad, son las que llenan el espacio más grande de nuestro corazón.

En mis sesiones con sus hijos, soy testigo de estos momentos cada día: ese brillo de orgullo cuando una nueva habilidad finalmente hace 'clic', la valentía callada que se necesita para intentar algo desafiante y la dulce persistencia que cada pequeño aporta a nuestro trabajo. Estos no son solo 'objetivos' en un plan de tratamiento; son los verdaderos regalos de esta temporada.

En estas fiestas, mi deseo para ustedes no es solo una celebración, sino la creación de recuerdos genuinos y sin prisas: de esos que se forman alrededor de una mesa compartida, en una carcajada espontánea con amigos o en la simple comodidad de estar exactamente donde están, rodeados de las personas que aman. Es en estas pausas donde realmente podemos apreciar el crecimiento por el que tanto hemos trabajado: las manos más seguras, la confianza que florece y esas sonrisas compartidas que no necesitan de ninguna palabra.

Hay una luz suave que recorre estos días, recordándonos el poder de la paz, la necesidad de la gratitud y la fuerza inquebrantable del amor. Es un recordatorio de que incluso el paso más pequeño hacia adelante es una victoria que merece ser honrada. Espero que encuentren suficiente espacio para respirar profundamente, para dejar de lado las listas de tareas pendientes y simplemente maravillarse por el camino recorrido y el camino que aún está por venir.

Gracias por permitirme ser una pequeña parte de su historia. Les deseo una Navidad llena de calor de hogar, un corazón lleno de esperanza y un muy feliz Año Nuevo.

12/22/2025

https://www.landmarkschool.org/landing-pages/reading

12/20/2025

Separation of the sides of the hand: https://www.theottoolbox.com/separation-of-sides-of-hand-activity/

12/20/2025

The brain is not broken — it’s adaptable.
This is called neuroplasticity, and it’s how real change happens.

When children receive the right sensory and movement input, the brain strengthens weak pathways, improves communication between systems, and becomes more efficient over time.

That’s why supporting balance, body awareness, touch, and movement often leads to:
✨ better regulation
✨ stronger attention
✨ improved learning
✨ increased confidence

This isn’t a quick fix — it’s how the brain is designed to grow.

At Brain Connex Therapy, we help build the neurological foundations that make progress possible. 💚

12/19/2025

Blessings to All Our Friends And Families 💜

Bendiciones a todos nuestros amigos y familias 💜

12/13/2025

Some children seem to manage so well at school — polite, quiet, compliant.
Then they come home and everything falls apart.

That shift isn’t manipulation.
It’s the crash that happens when a child has spent all day masking, suppressing, and holding it together.

At school they survive.
At home they release.

Our new visual explores what’s really happening beneath the surface — and why those meltdowns after school are actually signs of trust and safety, not defiance.

Explore our linked toolkits for deeper support:
Masking Toolkit – understanding the hidden effort of blending in
After-School Restraint Collapse Toolkit – practical strategies for recovery and regulation at home.
Instant electronic download with secure global checkout. at link in comments ⬇️ or via our Linktree Shop in Bio.

Save this post for when you need the reminder that 'coping' can come at a cost — and that behaviour always tells a story.

12/13/2025

Great visual from Your Kid's Table