What can an OT do to help with toilet training?

What can an OT do to help with toilet training?

Posted by on Jun 2, 2017 in Life Skills | No Comments

A very common question we hear from parents at Spring OT is “Why isn’t my child toilet trained already?” As Occupational Therapists, who are experts in promoting independence in self-care, we address toileting with children and their parents on a regular basis. One of my favourite things about being an OT is the profession’s holistic outlook. From the first day of our university training, we are taught to look at solving problems using multiple frames of reference. While most parenting books will offer toilet training solutions using a behavioural frame of reference (“give your child a treat every time they pee in the potty”) and an environmental frame of reference […]

Should I send my child with a sensory or speech problem to summer camp?

Should I send my child with a sensory or speech problem to summer camp?

As a parent, an Occupational Therapist and a business owner who works exclusively with children, I am a firm believer in the value of summer camps for all children. Traits such as resiliency, growing social skills and engagement in physical activity have been proven to develop at summer camp. Summer camps are a safe space for kids Full disclosure – we are a summer camp family. My siblings and I grew up attending camp, and it has become a high priority for my own children. I went on to participate in my camp’s Counsellor in Training program and was on staff for many years and this summer, my 16 year old […]

No Apps: Why we promote relationship over apps in OT intervention with our kids

No Apps: Why we promote relationship over apps in OT intervention with our kids

A few years ago, I was approached by a preschool to provide OT services to Jane, a child with a diagnosis of Selective Mutism. I had yet to work with anyone with this diagnosis, so I turned to the research. The Selective Mutism Association provided me with great information, explaining that the core issue of this diagnosis and challenge in expressive language was rooted in anxiety. It was the start of a theme of research that lead me to consider how many of our clients have anxiety at the root of their functional needs. Whether it’s struggling to stay seated at carpet time, not knowing how to enter a social […]