OT Therapy Works

We are so pleased to announce that Miss Ashley Wright will be joining the OT Therapy Works team!
Ashley graduated from UGA with her Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sports Science in 2021, and then graduated with her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Brenau University in 2023. She currently lives in Athens and loves the city! She will be serving the Athens area.

Almost nothing is better for your kid’s brain than music!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/34sZWn3fR5i8LFHh/?mibextid=WaXdOe

Save the Date! Our Performing Arts Academy is hosting a music camp this summer! Registration opens soon! If you have questions, please email [email protected] for more information.

Thought these might help somebody today!

Practical Tips for Healthy Eating Habits:

*Safety during eating is always of primary concern, especially for those with a known disability. Always watch for signs of distress during eating; eyes watering and a red face can indicate silent aspiration.*

1. As often as possible, eat around the table as a family, or at least have one other person who eats at the same time as the child, so he/she learns that eating is a social time.

2. Make mealtime an enjoyable time; try to avoid “power struggles” over food.

3. Have the child participate in an age-appropriate way in meal prep, so that they are exploring the food. For example, have them pour ingredients into a bowl, or “cut” soft things with a plastic knife, or stir something up.

4. If possible, use a divided plate. Always include one “non-preferred” food on the plate, along with 2-3 preferred foods.

5. Encourage interaction with the non-preferred food. For example, “Can you touch the food with your fork? Can you touch the food with your finger? Can you kiss the food? (don’t be afraid to be silly), Can you touch the food to your tongue? Can you bite the food?” Often the child will be curious and take a bite!

6. Heap praise on the child for trying a non-preferred food or any type of interaction with it.

7. If a child appears to have “sensory issues” that are at the root of pickiness, promote play in various textures, including things like dry rice, beans, playdough, fingerpaints, etc. Make this a regular part of your day.

8. Do not rush to “clean” the child or his hands during meal time; let hands be “messy” so he/she will begin to tolerate tactile input.

9. To promote tolerance of various textures in the mouth, try using an electric toothbrush, at first touching hands, arms, cheeks, nose, etc, with toothbrush before attempting to put toothbrush in mouth.

10. Do not allow child to “graze” from the plate once he has left the table. Encourage eating the meal at the table, and when it is done, it’s done!

Michelle Dowdy, MS, OTR/L
Owner, OT Therapy Works

OT Therapy Works We believe each child is unique and design individualized treatment plans to help every child entrusted to our care reach his or her highest goals. We believe family support is vital to the therapeutic process and involve family in treatment sessions as well as provide activities to implement into d...

Favorite quotes of the day from a 4 year old on Thursday:

“I make a lot of mistakes, so I must be learning.”

After playing a game of Simon Says where I gave the directions in rapid fire, she said -
“Next, I’ll be Simon, and you can be Amy!” 🤣🤣😆😆

Literally made this in less than 10 minutes.
➡️A coffee container with a hole cut in the lid.
➡️Shapes have Velcro on the shape and on the container.
➡️Perfect for little hands to pull off and put in a larger space than typical shape sorters.

https://www.facebook.com/100064724647806/posts/635772975256852/?mibextid=SDPelY

No-Cost Evaluations Worried about your baby’s development? Nearly one-third of developmental growth happens in the first years of life. Don’t wait. Start today with planning and support for your child’s specific needs.

That’s downright inspirational! Happy OT Month!

I had a chance to share one of my favorite books with one of my favorite friends, Kyndal. We read in honor of Sandra Deal. We talked about who she was and what she meant to so many. Then we talked about the message in the book. When I asked Kyndal what he thought the lesson in the book was, he said, “Don’t be greedy; don’t be selfish.” I think Ms. Sandra would be proud!

Yes, yes and yes!

VESTIBULAR SYSTEM: Bring Back Playground Equipment with a Little Danger - Integrated Learning Strategies Playground equipment no longer supports vestibular systems. How to use indoor playground equipment at home to improve your child's vestibular system for higher learning.

I was so saddened to hear about the passing of my classmate, Kristin Quinn, a beautiful soul. Prayers for those left behind to grieve her loss.

Kristin Elizabeth Quinn | AccessNorthGA.com Kristi wore her heart on her sleeve and loved deeply.  She was a dedicated daughter and passionate about her family, always close with her siblings and many nieces and nephews.  Spending most of her life between Gainesville and St. Simons Island, Georgia, she graduated from Brenau University and k...

A mom sent me this. I have a homemade activity where the child pushes straw pieces into a hole-punched container. Apparently this little one thinks he should do it with all the straws. 😆

You could also tape some beanbag weights to the box for a little extra proprioceptive input!

Got a vehicle lover? Got a box? Boom. Now your kid can pretend to be a bulldozer. (Pro tip: suggest he "load" all the toys on the floor into the toy box!) Quick tutorial: http://lalymom.com/cardboard-crafts-diy-bulldozer-blade-toy/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=Lalymom+-+Ideas+for+Fun%2C+Fit+Families&utm_content=Own+Blog+Posts

Wishing Marla Boykin Orr the happiest of Birthdays!! She is a treasure!!!

Babies need a good crawling phase to integrate both sides of the body, among other things!
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So many adjectives could be used to describe Ms. Rachel - smart, funny, caring, creative are some that come to mind!
We want to wish her a very Happy Birthday today!!! 🎂 🎂🎂🎂🎂

For parents out there who may benefit from more knowledge about the application process for the Deeming Waiver…

Join us as Debbie Dobbs explains exactly what you need to do to apply for the Katie Beckett Deeming Waiver. She will walk you through the application, step by step. Attending this webinar will empower you with knowledge that will help you fill out the application accurately with all the required components.

Webinar: Katie Beckett Deeming Waiver Application Process
Tuesday, January 25th at 6:00 PM EDT

Register via the link below: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_HZ8l0K3jSMuHfaouIcpPsQ

Honestly, we have the best parents and kids to work with!! I will certainly miss this little guy but I know he will do great things! I love this frame he painted for me with our picture and the beautiful flowers!

From CHOA:
Due to the recent rise of children testing positive for a variety of respiratory viruses such as COVID-19 and RSV, we are experiencing higher than normal volumes in our emergency departments and urgent care centers. Families and caregivers: Know when to contact your child’s doctor and when to take your child to the emergency department. Visit www.choa.org/testing for more information on COVID-19 testing.

Today we celebrate Marla Boykin Orr!! Happy Birthday Marla! 🎂 🎉

I love our new scrubs with our logo! What do you think?

We are so very excited to share that Mrs. Rachel Smith will be joining our team! Rachel completed her level 2 Fieldwork with us and she is awesome! She will be serving kids in the Gainesville area. Welcome Rachel!

OT Therapy Works updated their phone number.