Sensory Innovations

Step into a world of wonder! Drop by this weekend 9am-3pm for only $15 per child to play! We can't wait to see you!

Our Sensory Summer Camp is happening in just over ONE MONTH!! We are so excited to be hosting this for your kids and we have a lot of good stuff in store for this camp! If you have not yet signed up, we would love to have you. Give us a call or send us a DM to sign up. 🎉

🌙 Did you know that OT plays a role in improving sleep quality? OT can help individuals of all ages develop better sleep habits and routines. Here’s how we can help! 🌙

😴 Create a Sleep-Friendly Environment:
-Sensory Regulation: OTs can assess and modify the sensory aspects of the sleep environment, such as lighting, noise levels, and temperature, to promote a calm and restful atmosphere.
-Comfort and Positioning: OTs can recommend comfortable bedding and proper positioning techniques to ensure physical comfort and reduce discomfort that may disrupt sleep.

🛌 Establishing Healthy Sleep Routines:
-Consistent Bedtime Routine: OTs can help develop a consistent bedtime routine that signals to the body that it’s time to wind down and prepare for sleep.
-Relaxation Techniques: Incorporating relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, binaural beats, or calming activities before bed can improve the ability to fall asleep.

💤 Managing Daily Activities:
-Balanced Schedule: OTs can help create a balanced daily schedule that includes physical activity, mental stimulation, and relaxation, contributing to better sleep patterns.
-Screen Time Management: Reducing screen time, especially before bed, can help decrease the impact of blue light on sleep quality.

🌕 Addressing Sleep Disorders:
-Sleep Apnea, Insomnia, & Other Conditions: OTs can work alongside other healthcare providers to support individuals with different conditions, ensuring they have the appropriate interventions and equipment.

😴 Personalized Sleep Strategies:
-Individualized Plans: OTs create personalized sleep strategies based on individual needs, preferences, and lifestyle. This ensures that the recommendations are practical and effective.
-Behavioral Interventions: OTs can implement behavioral interventions to address habits that negatively impact sleep, such as irregular sleep patterns or reliance on caffeine.

So if you're having trouble with sleep... OT offers a holistic approach to sleep, addressing environmental, behavioral, and sensory factors to promote restful and restorative sleep for individuals of all ages!

🌈 Did you know there are several different types of play?! Let’s go through what they are ⬇️

1. Physical Play: Involves activities that require physical movement and coordination.
-Examples: Running, jumping, climbing, playing sports, dancing.
-Benefits: Enhances gross motor skills, improves fitness, and promotes overall physical health.

2. Constructive Play: Focuses on creating or constructing something.
-Examples: Building with blocks, drawing, crafting, playing with sand or clay.
-Benefits: Develops fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving abilities.

3. Imaginative Play: Involves role-playing and make-believe scenarios.
-Examples: Pretending to be a doctor, teacher, superhero, or cooking in a play kitchen.
-Benefits: Encourages creativity, emotional expression, and understanding of social roles.

4. Social Play: Engaging in play with peers or family members.
-Examples: Playing board games, team sports, group activities, cooperative games.
-Benefits: Develops communication skills, teamwork, sharing, and empathy.

5. Solitary Play: Playing alone, often with toys or materials.
-Examples: Puzzles, individual art projects, reading books.
-Benefits: Fosters independence, concentration, and self-regulation.

6. Parallel Play: Children play alongside each other but do not interact directly.
-Examples: Two children building with blocks separately but in the same area.
-Benefits: Observes others’ play, builds awareness of others, and transitions to cooperative play.

7. Cooperative Play: Children play together, sharing ideas and materials.
-Examples: Building a fort together, team sports, group storytelling.
-Benefits: Enhances social interaction, problem-solving, and collaborative skills.

8. Onlooker Play: Watching others play without directly participating.
- Examples: A child observing a group game or watching others build a puzzle.
-Benefits: Learning through observation, understanding social dynamics, and gathering ideas for their own play.

What type of play does your child currently engage in?

For more tips and insights on fostering healthy play, follow us at Sensory Innovations!

🌟As May is coming to an end soon and it is Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s the perfect time to shed light on some common myths and facts about mental health. Let’s break the stigma and spread awareness together!

🧠 Myth: Mental health problems are rare.
Fact: Mental health issues are actually very common. 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. experiences mental illness each year. It’s important to recognize that you are not alone.

🧠 Myth: Children don’t experience mental health problems.
Fact: Even young children can show early warning signs of mental health concerns. Early intervention can make a big difference in a child’s life.

🧠 Myth: Mental health problems are a sign of weakness.
Fact: Mental health conditions have nothing to do with being weak or lazy. They are a result of various factors, including genetics, brain chemistry, and life experiences. Seeking help is a sign of strength.

🧠 Myth: Therapy and self-help are a waste of time.
Fact: Treatment for mental health problems varies for each individual and can include therapy, medication, or a combination of both. There are several different types of therapy people can benefit from, including OT 🫶🏼

🧠 Myth: Once you have a mental health problem, you will never recover.
Fact: Recovery is possible. People with mental health conditions can and do lead productive, fulfilling lives.

What questions do you have? 💚

As the school year winds down, keeping kids motivated and engaged can be a challenge. Need some ideas to help your students stay focused and finish strong? 💪 📚

⏰ Set Short-Term Goals: Break down larger tasks into smaller, manageable goals.

📅 Create a Countdown Calendar: Use a visual countdown to the end of the school year. Mark off each day to help kids see their progress and maintain excitement about upcoming milestones!

🏃 Incorporate (Sensory) Breaks: Ensure regular breaks during homework and study sessions, especially during any end of the year testing. Short breaks for physical activity or relaxation can boost focus and productivity. Use sensory activities like deep pressure or movement breaks to help kids regulate their energy levels and stay focused.

❗️ Keep It Fun: Integrate fun activities related to their subjects. Educational games, hands-on projects, or creative assignments can make learning more enjoyable.

💜 Provide Support: Be available to help with challenging tasks. Offer guidance and support, and encourage students to ask for help when needed.

🍪 Plan for Rewards: Set up a reward system for completing tasks or reaching goals. Rewards can be small and meaningful, such as extra playtime or a special treat.

✏️ Reflect and Plan: Encourage students to reflect on what they've learned and achieved throughout the year. Help them set goals for the summer and the next school year to keep their learning momentum going.

Let's help our kids finish strong and celebrate their hard work and achievements!

Yoga balls are versatile tools that both kids AND adults can use! While just sitting and bouncing can be fun, let's chat about the benefits of using a yoga ball and also talk about more things to utilize it for. 😊

Benefits of Using a Yoga Ball.... 💪
Core strength, balance and coordination, postural improvement, flexibility, mobility, sensory regulation, and of course just to have FUN!

Ideas for Using a Yoga Ball... 🤔

For Kids:
-Bouncing: Have children sit and bounce gently on the ball. This activity can be both fun and calming, providing sensory input and improving balance.
-Roll and Stretch: Lie on the ball face down, with hands and feet on the floor. Roll forward and backward to stretch the spine and improve core strength.
-Obstacle Course: Incorporate the yoga ball into an obstacle course. Kids can roll the ball around cones or balance on it as part of the course.
-Ball Walks: Have the child lie on their stomach on the ball and walk their hands forward on the floor while the ball rolls under their body. This activity strengthens the upper body and core muscles.
-Balance Challenges: Sit on the ball and try lifting one foot off the ground, then switch feet. For an extra challenge, try lifting both feet while maintaining balance.

For Adults:
-Seated Exercises: Replace your office chair with a yoga ball to engage core muscles throughout the day. Try seated leg lifts or torso twists for added exercise.
-Core Workouts: Perform exercises like crunches, planks, and bridges on the ball to target core muscles.
-Stretching: Use the ball for stretches such as back extensions and chest openers. Lie on the ball and stretch arms and legs for a full-body stretch.
-Yoga Poses: Using a yoga ball for actual yoga?! Yep! Use it for poses like child's pose with your hands on the ball, or warrior poses with the ball for added stability.

Do you use a yoga ball in your daily life? How do you use it?

👶🏼 Baby talk! Lets chat about the ATNR (Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex) 🌟

The Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR) is a primitive reflex that appears in newborns and typically integrates by 6 months of age. Here’s what you need to know:

🔄 What is ATNR?
- When a baby turns their head to one side, the arm and leg on that side extend, while the opposite arm and leg bend. This reflex helps develop hand-eye coordination and muscle tone.

📅 Why is it important?
- Proper integration of the ATNR is crucial for coordinated movements, crawling, and later skills like writing and sports. If this reflex persists beyond infancy, it can affect balance, motor skills, and even academic performance.

🧠 Signs of a Retained ATNR:
- Difficulty crossing the midline of the body
- Poor handwriting or difficulty reading
- Struggles with balance and coordination
- Trouble with tasks requiring bilateral integration

🛠 How to Help:
- Encourage activities that promote cross-body movements, like crawling and reaching.
- Practice exercises that involve turning the head while keeping the arms still, such as playing ‘Simon Says.’
- Consult with an occupational therapist for interventions tailored to your child’s needs.

Early detection and intervention can make a significant difference in a child’s development! Questions? Let us know!

Happy Mother’s Day to all the fierce and fabulous moms in our community & around the world, you inspire us everyday!!

Help us wish a huge happy birthday to our amazing founder, owner, and boss woman of Sensory Innovations!! 🫶🏼

Cassie, thank you for your passion to help and serve others, your creative mind and talent, and for all of the hard work you have put in to love your family and NorCal community!

We love you and celebrate you today and we hope you have the best day EVER! 🫶🏼 🎈 🎉 🎂 🥳

🌼 As we celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month and the beauty of spring, let's explore some fun outdoor sensory activities for children AND adults to promote mental wellness and sensory engagement. 😊

1. Mindful Nature Walks: Take a leisurely stroll in nature, focusing on the sights, sounds, and smells around you. Notice the colors of flowers, the rustling of leaves, and the scent of fresh air. Mindful walks can help reduce stress and improve mood. 🚶

2. Sensory Garden: Plant flowers and herbs in your garden or visit a local botanical garden. Engage your senses by touching different textures, smelling the fragrant blooms, and listening to the buzzing of bees. Gardening can be therapeutic and grounding. 🪴

3. Outdoor Art Exploration: Take your art supplies outdoors and create nature-inspired art. Use leaves, twigs, and flowers to make prints or sculptures. Artistic expression can be a powerful tool for self-expression and stress relief. 🎨

4. Yoga in the Park: Practice yoga outdoors, surrounded by the beauty of nature. Connect with your breath and the earth beneath you as you move through gentle poses. Outdoor yoga can improve flexibility, reduce anxiety, and promote relaxation. 🧘

Let's Connect with Nature for Better Mental Health!
Outdoor sensory activities offer a holistic approach to mental wellness, combining the benefits of nature and sensory engagement. 🌿

🍎📚 Happy National Teachers Day! 📚🍎

On this special day, we want to take a moment to express our gratitude to all the teachers who dedicate their time, energy, and passion to shaping the minds of our future generations.

Teachers play a crucial role in not only imparting knowledge but also in nurturing and inspiring young minds. Your dedication and hard work do not go unnoticed, and here at Sensory Innovations, we are incredibly grateful for the impact you make every day!! Thank you for all that you do, today and every day. Your efforts are shaping a brighter tomorrow, and for that, we are truly grateful. 🫶

Tag a teacher who has made a difference in your life and let them know how much you appreciate them!

Summer prices for our self led visits are in effect now! Explore our wellness center for only $15 per user (accompanying adult does not have to pay for entry, a user is anyone utilizing the play space).

Take advantage of this now! Call us to schedule your visit! 😃

🧠💙 May is Mental Health Awareness Month! 💙🧠

As we raise awareness about mental health, let's explore how occupational therapy can play a vital role in supporting individuals with mental health challenges.

1. Daily Living Skills: Occupational therapists help individuals develop or regain skills needed for daily activities. This can include routines for self-care, meal preparation, and household tasks, which can improve independence and boost confidence.

2. Sensory Integration: For individuals with sensory processing difficulties, occupational therapy can help regulate sensory input. Sensory activities can promote relaxation and improve emotional well-being.

3. Stress Management: Occupational therapists can teach coping strategies and relaxation techniques to help individuals manage stress and anxiety. These techniques can improve overall mental health and resilience.

4. Social Skills: Occupational therapy can focus on improving social skills and communication abilities. This can enhance relationships and reduce feelings of isolation and anxiety.

5. Meaningful Activities: Engaging in meaningful activities is key to mental health. Occupational therapists help individuals find activities that bring joy and purpose, contributing to overall well-being.

Occupational therapy is a holistic approach that considers the physical, emotional, and environmental factors affecting mental health. Do you have any questions? Drop a comment below! ⬇️

Today is the last day to get our early bird pricing for summer camp before the price goes up! Secure your spot today!!

🚼 Listen, we know you've probably heard that the CDC took away crawling as a recommended milestone... but really, don't listen to that ridiculousness. 🤦‍♀️ Just because a child skips the crawling stage does not mean it isn't important!

Crawling is a SIGNIFICANT milestone that plays a crucial role in a child's development!! It not only prepares them for walking but also contributes to various aspects of their growth.

✅ Strength and Coordination: Crawling builds strength in the arms, shoulders, neck, and core muscles, essential for later motor skills like walking, running, and handwriting.
✅ Bilateral Coordination: The cross-lateral movements involved in crawling (opposite hand and knee) help develop the brain's hemispheres, improving coordination and communication between the two sides.
✅ Sensory Development: Crawling provides sensory input through tactile sensations on the hands and knees, helping develop sensory processing skills.
✅ Visual and Spatial Skills: Crawling encourages the development of depth perception, visual tracking, and spatial awareness as children navigate their environment.
✅ Cognitive Development: Crawling promotes curiosity and exploration, helping children learn about their surroundings and develop problem-solving skills.

🤙 Encouraging Crawling:
- Provide plenty of tummy time from an early age to strengthen muscles.
- Create a safe, open space for crawling to encourage exploration.
- Use toys or objects to motivate crawling, placing them just out of reach to encourage movement.

While crawling is an important milestone, it's essential to remember that children develop at their own pace. If you feel that your child is having difficulty with crawling, we recommend reaching out to OT and/or PT to get some recommendations on helping your little one be succesful! 💜

With lots of feedback from the community, we have now opened up our morning camp for teens ages 14-17! Please contact our office for placement information! We can't wait for these 2 camps! 🤩 🥳

Happy World Book Day! 📚🎉 As occupational therapists, we know the power of reading and how it promotes development and growth in all of us! Reading offers countless benefits for individuals of all ages, including:

📚 Language Development: Reading aloud helps children develop vocabulary, language comprehension, and communication skills.

📖 Cognitive Skills: Engaging with stories stimulates imagination, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.

📕 Social-Emotional Growth: Books provide opportunities for empathy, understanding of emotions, and perspective-taking.

📚 Fine Motor Skills: Turning pages, pointing, and holding books support the development of fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

📖 Sensory Stimulation: Exploring different textures, colors, and illustrations in books offers sensory experiences that can be calming and engaging.

Bonus points for reading a book with your kiddo today! 😋

🌍 It's Earth Day! 🌍

Today is a fantastic opportunity to engage children in sensory-friendly activities that not only celebrate our planet but also provide valuable sensory experiences. Not sure what to do? We've got some ideas up our sleeve!

🍃 Nature Scavenger Hunt: Engaging in a scavenger hunt outdoors provides children with opportunities to explore different textures, smells, and colors found in nature. Create a list of items for children to find outdoors, such as leaves, rocks, or flowers. This sensory-rich experience can help regulate their sensory systems and improve sensory processing skills.

🌸 Planting Seeds: Planting seeds in a small pot or a garden involves tactile experiences such as digging in soil, handling seeds, and watering plants. These activities can improve tactile processing and provide a calming sensory input. For an added twist, have your kiddo decorate the pot!

🖌️ Recycled Art: Creating art with recycled materials encourages creativity while also offering tactile experiences. Use recycled materials like cardboard, paper rolls, or bottle caps to create Earth-friendly art projects. Manipulating different textures can improve fine motor skills and tactile discrimination.

🚶 Outdoor Sensory Walk: A sensory walk in nature provides a variety of sensory stimuli, such as the feel of grass underfoot, the sound of birds chirping, and the sight of colorful flowers. This can help children regulate their sensory systems and improve sensory integration.

🌍 Earth Day Crafts: Making Earth-themed crafts using natural or recycled materials like recycled paper, natural dyes, or bio-degradable glitter engages children's senses while also promoting environmental awareness. This sensory-rich activity can improve attention and focus.

📕 Storytime in Nature: Reading outdoors allows children to engage their senses while listening to stories. The natural setting can enhance the storytelling experience and provide a calming sensory input.

How will you be celebrating Earth Day?! 🌳 🌱

Sequoia Middle School is turning 150 next week! This FREE celebration happening on Wednesday is going to be so much fun, and of course we will be there!! 🤩 🥳 Bring your whole family and come visit our sensory booth while we celebrate Sequoia Middle School! 🏫 🎉 🎊 🎈 🎡

Airports for Autism is happening this weekend! If you have never attended this event, we highly recommend you come! There is fun for everyone, and this is an amazing time to raise awareness and support for those in our community. 💙 We will have a sensory booth and would love to see you! 😊

What is Stereognosis?! 🤔

Stereognosis is the ability to perceive and recognize objects based on touch, without the use of vision. It involves the integration of tactile information, memory, and cognitive processing to identify objects solely through their physical properties.

💡 Why is Stereognosis Important?
Stereognosis plays a crucial role in daily tasks such as dressing, eating, and manipulating objects. It allows us to recognize objects in our environment and interact with them effectively, contributing to our independence and quality of life.

🧩 Activities to Improve Stereognosis:
~Mystery Bag: Place various objects with different textures and shapes in a bag. Encourage the individual to reach in, feel the objects, and identify them without looking.
~Texture Matching: Provide a set of objects with similar textures but different shapes. The individual must match the objects based on texture alone.
~Object Identification: Offer objects with distinct shapes and features for the individual to identify with touch only.
~Puzzle Play: Use puzzles with raised pieces or unique textures to encourage tactile exploration and object recognition.

✅ Benefits of Stereognosis Activities:
~Enhances tactile perception and discrimination skills.
~Improves fine motor coordination and dexterity.
~Boosts cognitive skills such as memory, attention, and problem-solving.
~Promotes independence in daily activities.

What questions do you have? 😊

Communication is a fundamental aspect of human interaction, and for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), developing effective communication skills can be particularly challenging.

Encouraging communication in children with ASD involves creating a supportive and responsive environment that recognizes and respects their unique communication style. Here are some strategies we use to foster communication:

1. Use their preferred mode of communication: Children with ASD may communicate through speech, gestures, sign language, or augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices. It's important to respect and support their chosen mode of communication.

2. Create opportunities for communication: Provide structured and unstructured opportunities for the child to communicate throughout the day. This could include structured activities that encourage interaction or unstructured playtime where they can initiate communication.

3. Model language: Model appropriate language and communication skills for the child. Use simple and clear language, and provide visual cues to support understanding.

4. Be patient and give them time: Children with ASD may take longer to process information and formulate a response. It's important to be patient and give them the time they need to communicate.

5. Celebrate their successes: Acknowledge and celebrate any attempts at communication, no matter how small. Positive reinforcement can help motivate the child to continue to communicate.

Turtle Bay will be hosting a sensory hour at their glowing wild lantern festival and you already know we will BE THERE!! 🤩 🥳 We are going to have a sensory booth at this amazing event. Come see us on April 14, 17th, or 21... or visit all 3 days, we would love to see you! 🏮

Week of the Young Child Kick Off! With Far Northern Regional Center at Win River. Come see us along with amazing community resources and kids activities today!

Dino Day is TOMORROW! 🤩 We'd love to see you at this FREE event!! 🦖 🦕

We are joining hands with Far Northern Regional Center next weekend and will be hosting a sensory booth at Dinoday! We would love to see you there anytime between 9-4 at this free event! 🦖 🦕

Happening tomorrow!! Last minute sign ups are still available! Give us a call to schedule. 📞 😊

Sensory fitness class happening in just a few weeks!! Sign ups are happening NOW... call us or visit our website to sign up! 🤸‍♀️🤾‍♀️🏃‍♀️👩‍🦽👨‍🦼

Sensory Shows are the Second Saturday of each month.
April 13, Ghostbusters. The lights won't be as dark, the sound won't be as loud and the captioning will be on. We want everyone to enjoy the show!