Pediatric Therapy of Colorado

06/23/2026

Self-Regulation Tool: Humming...Why do we recommend this strategy to calm the body? Here are a few reasons:

🎵Humming stimulates the Vagus Nerve: Humming sends gentle vibrations through the body that stimulate the vagus nerve, which controls the parasympathetic nervous system, your body's natural "calm down" system. https://www.theottoolbox.com/what-is-polyvagal-theory/

🎵Humming naturally encourages slower, deeper breaths, which helps reduce stress and regulate the nervous system. https://www.theottoolbox.com/relaxation-breathing-a-powerful-tool/

🎵Provides Proprioceptive and Auditory Input: The vibration and sound offer sensory input that’s organizing and soothing, especially for those with sensory processing differences. https://www.theottoolbox.com/proprioception-activities-improves-body-awareness/

🎵Supports Interoception: The internal awareness created through the vibration helps build connection to how your body feels. https://www.theottoolbox.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-interoception/

06/23/2026

Core strength is so important for the development of the muscles in the trunk, including the abdominals, back, hips, and pelvis, which are essential for postural stability, balance, and coordination. These foundational skills support a wide range of daily activities and functional tasks in children, such as handwriting, self-care, gross motor play, and sitting at a desk.
via Occupational Therapy ABC

06/23/2026

Here are more ideas for targeting working memory: https://www.theottoolbox.com/how-to-improve-working-memory/

06/23/2026

06/22/2026

These are great ideas for improving handwriting. We love simple handwriting games, too: https://www.theottoolbox.com/handwriting-games/

06/22/2026

How Corporate ABA Clinics Are Destroying Children's Nervous Systems (And what to do instead) A provider called The Perfect Child billed a New Jersey family more than $900,000 for a few months of in-home autism therapy. The family had been told they would not have to pay anything out of pocket. [wsj....

06/22/2026

Love this infographic!

Vestibular input can calm or excite. Vestibular sensory input can be alerting or calming to our nervous systems, allowing us to learn, interact with others, and go through our day. Here, we’re unpacking everything you need to know about vestibular processing and the vestibular system. Let’s move! https://www.theottoolbox.com/vestibular-activities/

This type of movement is a powerful tool in therapy and at home.

06/22/2026

Being a kid with sensory needs can make even the simplest things, like combing your hair or getting dressed, feel challenging. ⠀ ⠀

Using the strategies below, you can make life easier for your child or students and cut back on sensory meltdowns and day-to-day battles.⠀

It's important to note that each child is different, and some of these ideas may not work or appeal to them. These ideas give you a place to start, but there are many more you can try until you find the just right ones for your specific child and circumstances.

Read more here > https://sensoryprocessingexplained.com/10-ways-to-help-a-sensory-sensitive-child/?utm_campaign=meetedgar&utm_medium=social&utm_source=meetedgar.com

06/19/2026

With words like “vestibular”, “proprioception”, and “interoception”, sensory processing can be difficult to understand even for adults. It can be difficult to introduce the concepts to kids. Books are a great way to begin the conversation.

These must-have sensory processing books for kids include titles not only for kids with sensory challenges, but for their siblings and classmates as well.

Get the list here > https://www.thechaosandtheclutter.com/archives/sensory-processing-disorder-books?utm_campaign=meetedgar&utm_medium=social&utm_source=meetedgar.com

06/19/2026

AOTA and a coalition of research advocates are urging Congress to protect disability and rehabilitation research funding at the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).

AOTA has asked Congress to continue to defend both NIH and NIDILRR funding through 2027, whose portfolio includes critical work on improving function, rehabilitation outcomes, and quality of life for individuals with disabilities. Learn more about this advocacy work: https://bit.ly/4uEzq0Q