Louise Herholdt Occupational Therapy

Louise Herholdt Occupational Therapy We are a Paediatric Private Practice based in Kuils River.

We provide services to children with Developmental Delays, Sensory Processing Difficulties, Autism, ADHD and Learning Difficulties.

πŸ§˜β€β™‚οΈβ„οΈ Regulation Tools for Winter 🧺Winter can be overwhelming with mostly playing indoors! Help your child manage senso...
25/07/2025

πŸ§˜β€β™‚οΈβ„οΈ Regulation Tools for Winter 🧺

Winter can be overwhelming with mostly playing indoors! Help your child manage sensory input with a DIY Calm Kit.

🧩 Include:
πŸ”Έ Noise-cancelling headphones
πŸ”Έ Fidget toys or chewable jewellery
πŸ”Έ Weighted lap pad
πŸ”Έ Calm-down bottles
πŸ”Έ Favourite book or plushie

✨ OT Insight: These tools help children self-regulate, especially when routines change or environments get noisy.

Create a space where your child can feel safe, calm, and in control.

πŸŽ¨β„οΈ Winter Crafts = Motor Skills Fun! βœ‚οΈHoliday crafts can boost your child’s fine motor and planning skills – while hav...
21/07/2025

πŸŽ¨β„οΈ Winter Crafts = Motor Skills Fun! βœ‚οΈ

Holiday crafts can boost your child’s fine motor and planning skills – while having fun!

Try these OT-friendly winter crafts:
πŸ”Ή Cutting paper snowflakes ❄️
πŸ”Ή Gluing cotton for β€œsnow”
πŸ”Ή Using tweezers for small decorations

🌟 OT Benefits:
βœ… Hand strength & control
βœ… Visual motor integration
βœ… Attention to task

Crafting = therapy disguised as FUN!
Share your winter creations with us!

🧊 Winter Sensory Bins – Calm & Create! ❄️Sensory play helps kids regulate emotions and improve focus.✨ Try a Winter-them...
11/07/2025

🧊 Winter Sensory Bins – Calm & Create! ❄️

Sensory play helps kids regulate emotions and improve focus.

✨ Try a Winter-themed sensory bin this holiday:
πŸ”Ή Blue or white rice
πŸ”Ή Snowflake confetti
πŸ”Ή Pom-poms and icy-coloured beads
πŸ”Ή Tongs and scoops for fine motor work

🌈 Benefits:
βœ… Sensory regulation
βœ… Fine motor coordination
βœ… Creativity and calmness

Set up a calming sensory corner at home and let your child explore through touch and imagination.

πŸ β„οΈ Indoor Obstacle Course Challenge! πŸƒβ€β™‚οΈStuck inside this winter? Create an OT-approved obstacle course in your living...
02/07/2025

πŸ β„οΈ Indoor Obstacle Course Challenge! πŸƒβ€β™‚οΈ

Stuck inside this winter?
Create an OT-approved obstacle course in your living room!

πŸŒ€ Why it helps:
βœ… Builds core strength and coordination.
βœ… Encourages problem-solving and sequencing.
βœ… Supports sensory processing through movement.

πŸ’‘ Ideas to include:
πŸ”Έ Couch cushions to climb over.
πŸ”Έ Tunnels to crawl through.
πŸ”Έ Tape on the floor for balance walks.
πŸ”Έ Jumping stations with soft mats.

Let the kids burn energy and build skills at the same time!

Is your child struggling with crossing the midline?Here are some activities you can do at home to help:Playing Catch – U...
25/06/2025

Is your child struggling with crossing the midline?

Here are some activities you can do at home to help:

Playing Catch – Use a soft ball for tossing games which encourages your child to reach across their body to catch or throw, encouraging both left-to-right and right-to-left movements.

Clapping Games – Engage in songs or games that involve clapping hands together or crossing hands to opposite knees, enhancing coordination and rhythm.

Drawing Large Shapes – drawing large shapes or figure 8’s on a vertical surface.

Obstacle Courses – This will encourage the child to reach across their body to navigate through the obstacle course.

Bilateral Activities – building blocks or play-dough can encourage using both hands together promoting coordination.

Ribbon and Scarf Play – Use ribbons and Scarfs for movements that involve swirling them in figure 8 patterns across the body
Crafts & Art Projects – Encourage cutting with scissors or weaving activities where the child needs to move materials from one side to the other.

These activities can help develop midline crossing skills while also being a source of fun and creative engagement for both parents and children!

How can Occupational Therapy help with crossing the midline?Occupational Therapy can play a significant role in helping ...
20/06/2025

How can Occupational Therapy help with crossing the midline?

Occupational Therapy can play a significant role in helping children overcome challenges with crossing the midline.

Here are some ways we can assist:

Assess the child’ motor skills and identify specific difficulties related to midline crossing.

Use targeted activities to encourage midline crossing such as playing catch, obstacle courses or art, promoting midline crossing in a natural and enjoyable way.

Encourage bilateral coordination exercises which encourages the both body sides to work together.

Strengthen core muscles which will help improve posture and stability, an effective foundation for midline crossing.

Sensory Integration Therapy which will improve body awareness and spatial orientation.

Guide parents and teachers on how to incorporate midline crossing activities into daily routines.

Signs that your child may be struggling with midline crossing:Challenges with crossing the midline often manifest as dif...
12/06/2025

Signs that your child may be struggling with midline crossing:

Challenges with crossing the midline often manifest as difficulty with bilateral coordination skills or using both sides of the body together. The following may be an indication of your child struggling with midline crossing:
- Your child is often switching hands between activities such as writing, drawing or colouring.
- They may have poor pencil skills, as in difficulty with grasping the pencil and using the opposite hand to stabilise while writing.
- They may also not show hand dominance and switch their hands to hold the pencil during an activity.
- Prefers to use the left hand on the left side of the body and the right hand on the right side.
- Difficulty with scissors and paper to cut at the same time. They may also switch hands to hold the scissors with their non-dominant hand to cut, buttoning clothes or other tasks that require two hands.
- They may show poor tracking skills (left to right) and struggle to keep place or follow words on a page while reading.
- They may have difficulty coordinating complex gross motor movements such as kicking (switching leg to kick the ball) or skipping.
- They may also resist complex fine motor activities in general.

What is crossing the midline and why is it important?Crossing the midline is a crucial developmental skill where the han...
04/06/2025

What is crossing the midline and why is it important?

Crossing the midline is a crucial developmental skill where the hand, foot or eye moves across an invisible line down the middle, that divides the body into left and right halves. Imagine reaching your right hand across your body to grab something on your left side – that’s crossing the midline!

This skill is essential for developing bilateral coordination which means using both sides of the body smoothly and efficiently in a coordinated manner. Think about activities like tying your shoes, cutting with scissors or swinging a bat.

Crossing the midline also enhances brain power as it involves engaging both hemispheres of the brain, fostering communication between them. This brain integration supports overall cognitive development, improves focus, problem-solving and learning.

It also supports the development of fine motor and gross motor skills as activities that involve reaching, stretching, or twisting across the body can enhance physical dexterity and strength.

🌟 What is a Sensory Corner? 🌟A sensory corner is a special space at home where your child can self-regulate and feel saf...
19/05/2025

🌟 What is a Sensory Corner? 🌟

A sensory corner is a special space at home where your child can self-regulate and feel safe and secure. πŸ‘πŸ§˜β€β™‚οΈ

It’s a place for them to practise the sensory regulation techniques they learn during OT sessions, helping them feel calm and in control. 🌈✨

Every sensory corner is unique, depending on your child’s individual needs! πŸ§©πŸ’¬

🌟 Items you might include:

πŸ”Ή Lava lamp πŸŒ‹
πŸ”Ή Crash pad πŸ›οΈ
πŸ”Ή Small trampoline πŸ€Έβ€β™‚οΈ
πŸ”Ή Noise-cancelling headphones 🎧
πŸ”Ή Bean bag chair πŸͺ‘
πŸ”Ή Swing or hammock 🌿
πŸ”Ή Tactile (touch and feel) books πŸ“š
πŸ”Ή Fidget toys πŸ–οΈ

Your child’s sensory corner should be tailored to what brings them comfort and regulation! πŸ’›

🌟 How can OT Intervention help children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)? 🌟Occupational Therapy (OT) supports childre...
12/05/2025

🌟 How can OT Intervention help children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)? 🌟

Occupational Therapy (OT) supports children by building independence across different areas of their lives. 🧩✨

Through play facilitation, children with ASD are encouraged to engage with their peers while having the guidance and support of their OT. ⚽🀝

This approach helps children:

πŸ”Ή Learn and practise appropriate social behaviours
πŸ”Ή Develop communication skills through real-life interaction πŸ—£οΈ
πŸ”Ή Gain confidence while playing and connecting with others 🌟

Play is not just fun β€” it’s a powerful tool for growth and learning when guided by the right support! πŸŽ¨πŸ›

🌟 What is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)? 🌟How can Occupational Therapy (OT) help? 🧩Autism is part of neurodiversity and...
05/05/2025

🌟 What is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)? 🌟

How can Occupational Therapy (OT) help? 🧩

Autism is part of neurodiversity and is a developmental condition that presents differently for everyone, ranging from mild to more severe. It can impact an individual’s ability to take part in daily life due to sensory, social, and behavioural challenges. πŸ’¬πŸ§ 

🧠 Early signs & symptoms may include:
πŸ”Ή Unusual reactions to sensory input (sounds, textures, lights)
πŸ”Ή Difficulties with social skills, language, or behaviour
πŸ”Ή Frequent tantrums and struggling with changes
πŸ”Ή Avoiding eye contact πŸ‘€
πŸ”Ή Echolalia (repeating words or sounds)
πŸ”Ή Obsessive interests 🧸
πŸ”Ή Repetitive movements like hand-flapping, rocking, or spinning πŸŒ€

πŸ› οΈ How OT Intervention can help:
πŸ”Ή Sensory integration therapy 🎨
πŸ”Ή Supporting play and leisure engagement ⚽
πŸ”Ή Assisting with daily living skills (toileting, hygiene, dressing) πŸ›πŸ‘š
πŸ”Ή Adapting classroom environments πŸ“š
πŸ”Ή Behavioural support (within scope) 🌈
πŸ”Ή Building vocational and life skills πŸ›’

✨ Every individual with autism is unique, and with the right support, they can thrive! 🌱

πŸƒβ€β™‚οΈ How Occupational Therapy Helps Build Gross Motor Skills πŸ‹οΈβ€β™€οΈIf your child struggles with movement, coordination, o...
23/04/2025

πŸƒβ€β™‚οΈ How Occupational Therapy Helps Build Gross Motor Skills πŸ‹οΈβ€β™€οΈ

If your child struggles with movement, coordination, or balance, occupational therapy can help strengthen their gross motor skills through fun, engaging activities! πŸŽ‰

πŸ‘Ÿ How OT supports gross motor development:οΏ½
βœ”οΈ Balance & coordination exercises (jumping, hopping, obstacle courses) πŸ€Ήβ€β™‚οΈοΏ½
βœ”οΈ Strength-building activities like climbing, crawling & pushing πŸ’ͺοΏ½
βœ”οΈ Core stability & posture training to support sitting and standing strong πŸšΆβ€β™‚οΈοΏ½
βœ”οΈ Play-based movement strategies to boost confidence and independence 🌟

By improving gross motor skills, children gain independence, participate in activities with ease, and build the foundation for lifelong movement skills! Let’s help them move, play, and grow!

πŸ’¬ Tag a parent who might find this helpful or send us a message to learn more! πŸ“©

Address

Kuilsrivier

Opening Hours

Monday 09:00 - 16:00
Tuesday 09:00 - 16:00
Wednesday 09:00 - 16:00
Thursday 09:00 - 16:00
Friday 09:00 - 13:00

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