What are the causes of Feeding Problems? There are many factors which can contribute to problems feeding. They can be medical, environmental, behavioral, nutritional, sensory related, oral-motor related, or due to a child’s particular diagnosis which may encompass a few of the previously mentioned. Some Medical Causes of Feeding Problems Are: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): A condition often caused when …
How Yoga Can Help Children with ADD/ADHD
Yoga has been practiced for centuries and Web MD states that currently as many as 11 million Americans are taking advantage of yoga to help them with increased flexibility, strength, balance and improved posture. But, how can yoga be beneficial to children with a diagnosis of attention deficit disorder? Aside from the above mentioned skills, which are wonderful for any …
How Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy May Help Children with Cerebral Palsy
Selective dorsal rhizotomy is a neurosurgical procedure which can permanently reduce spasticity and improve motor functions in children with cerebral palsy. If preformed at an early age it can reduce the number of orthopedic surgeries a child might need in the future. What is Muscle Stiffness /Spasticity in Children with CP? In a child with cerebral palsy, damage to the …
Why Weighted Sensory Pressure Vests Have a Calming Effect for Children
Sensory pressure vests provide constant, even deep pressure to children when their body is craving this important calming and organizing proprioceptive input. Pressure vests promote self-calming, balance, and increased body awareness by enhancing proprioceptive feedback. Children with proprioceptive and tactile integration dysfunction benefit from the sensory feedback they receive when wearing the vest, because it gives the child the input …
Supporting Premature Babies & Their Families
Almost everyone knows a preemie. Whether you were born early, your own child was or a friend or neighbor’s baby came into the world before 38 weeks, there are many things we should all know in order to support these little ones and their families. The feelings associated with having a baby prematurely or having a baby born with special …
Common Health Problems with Premature Babies (Preemies)
Premature babies, typically referred to as “preemies” enter the word earlier than their full term peers, at 37 weeks or fewer gestation. Many preemies are born with low birth weight (under 5.5 lbs or 2500 grams) and require some extra medical attention or even a NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) stay. There are many causes that can lead to prematurity, …
What is the GFGC Diet and How Can It Help with Autism Spectrum Disorders?
The Gluten Free Casein Free Diet (GFCF Diet) is currently used as a dietary intervention treatment for children and adults with Autistic Spectrum Disorders, PDD-NOS, Celiac Disease and Gluten & Dairy Allergies or Intolerance. The GFCF Diet eliminates the intake of the naturally-occurring proteins gluten (found naturally in wheat, barley, spelt, triticale, kamut, rye and possibly oats) and casein (found …
Should My Baby Use a Pacifier?
The Pros and Cons of Giving Your Baby a Pacifier Some parents are hesitant to give their baby a pacifier because they hear so many negative things about them. This negativity often conjures up mental pictures of 3 & 4 year olds still dependent upon their “binky”. The bottom line is that the use of a pacifier is entirely your …
An Early Intervention Therapist’s Perspective on Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
There is a common misconception that individuals with ADD are hyperactive. The truth is – these people live in a state of low arousal, are easily distracted, impulsive and have a short attention span. This state of low arousal affects a person’s entire life as the level of attention required to meet the expectations of life is not sufficient. As …
Q&A: Does My Very Active 2 Year Old Need Early Intervention?
My son is 26 months (the only child) and he recently started daycare 2 weeks ago. Prior to this, he stayed home with me or my mother when I went to work. My son speaks a lot of words, understands simple commands, and he does every thing on the separate skills checklist. He also knows everything off of the TV …