Ruth Waldrop Occupational Therapist

06/24/2026

06/13/2026

👋More ideas for supporting pencil grasp development here: https://www.theottoolbox.com/improving-pencil-grasp-with-fine-motor/
👋AND here: https://www.theottoolbox.com/tripod-grasp-fine-motor-skills-everyday-items/

06/11/2026

Have you ever noticed a child suddenly go from calm to overwhelmed with no obvious warning?

Sometimes the signs were there long before the meltdown, shutdown, or tears. The challenge is that the child didn’t notice them.

Interoception is often called our “hidden sense” because it helps us recognise what’s happening inside our bodies. It tells us when we’re hungry, thirsty, tired, uncomfortable, excited, worried, or beginning to feel overwhelmed. When interoception is difficult, children may miss these early body signals, making emotional regulation much harder.

Our new Bitesize Guide to Interoception explains:
✨ What interoception is
✨ Why it matters for emotional regulation
✨ Signs a child may be struggling with it
✨ Practical ways parents and educators can help build interoceptive awareness

Understanding the body is often the first step towards understanding feelings.

See visual for guide instructions.

06/11/2026

Sometimes, what looks like "too much energy" is actually a child seeking the sensory input their body needs.

These 10 sensory techniques can help children feel calmer, improve focus, and support self-regulation throughout the day.

Every child is unique. Observe, adjust, and discover what works best for your child.

06/04/2026

06/04/2026

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06/04/2026

Dyslexia and dysgraphia are distinct neurological learning differences that often co-occur. Dyslexia primarily affects reading and language processing (such as decoding words and spelling), while dysgraphia impairs the physical act of writing and organizing thoughts on paper.

Because both conditions involve language processing, they frequently appear together. When a person has both, writing and reading tasks require massive amounts of cognitive energy. A child with co-occurring conditions may struggle immensely to get their brilliant ideas onto paper because they are exhausted by the physical and mental hurdles of spelling and handwriting.

Effective Interventions & Support:

For Dyslexia: Structured Literacy programs, multi-sensory reading techniques, and speech-language therapy are highly effective.

For Dysgraphia: Occupational Therapy (OT) helps strengthen hand muscles, correct grip, and improve spatial awareness needed for handwriting. ( Education Center ❤️)

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