Sassafras Therapy + Wellness Center

08/25/2023

https://www.parents.com/study-shows-screen-time-harm-in-infants-7814272

Toddlers who received screen time in infancy experienced developmental delays, per a new study. Experts shared advice on engaging a baby without screens.

04/07/2022

Interesting, not surprising. Parents, if you need help with reevaluating your child's use of social media, changing your child's ( & maybe your own) habits and routines, and working with your kiddo to promote health and wellness without screens, give me a shout and we can set up a consult.

The investigation into TikTok is the latest evidence of momentum behind the push for greater protections for children online.

03/21/2022

❤️

01/27/2022

Intentional tummy time is where it's at. It's another great place to bond with your baby!

If you are noticing changes or limitations in your child's movement, a preference for head turning, flattening of your baby's head on one side, a delay in meeting their milestones, difficulty with breastfeeding, or are feeling frustrated that your baby is crying during tummy time...all great reasons to call for a consult.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CWgoTbsp1k2/?utm_medium=copy_link

12/14/2021

Did you know that there is a learning disability specific to WRITING? It's called Dysgraphia. I think most people have heard of Dyslexia, which is specific to reading, but this one affects a child's ability to write... and, they are frequently found together.

There are two other related disabilities as well... Dyscalculia, which affects the ability to learn math, and Dyspraxia, which affects a child's physical coordination.

Image credit:

12/06/2021

From October we are inundated with Christmas decorations and festivities. Unfortunately this can have an adverse effect on children who struggle with change and sensory overload. The stress of it all can build up for a child. They may not react straight away and it can show up several days later as difficult behaviour. This behaviour is easy to label as "naughty" or "defiant" but this time of year can just so overwhelming that we need consider the impact on our little people. Blinking lights, glittery objects, sound making trinkets, changes in routine, these can wear down the senses over time without anyone even realizing what it was.

More information on my blog

https://www.thetherapistparent.com/post/managing-christmas-meltdowns

12/03/2021

Stressors this time of year can cause an upswing in your tics! Days are busy, routines are lost, and excitement is in the air! But this holiday season, instead of trying to suppress your tics, or waiting until you feel out of control, try these strategies to help manage the mayhem, and tics.

Need more help? CBIT is the go-to behavioral treatment program for managing tics. Book an appointment today. Teletherapy available for MS and LA clients.

11/02/2021

What is CBIT?

Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics is an 8-10 week treatment program where...

An Occupational Therapist (me!) works with a client once a week to teach him/her to become more aware of the tic and the behaviors that cause it to occur

I'll introduce a competing behavior that will allow him/her to better manage the tics.

Not only will the client complete the habit reversal program, but will also receive functional intervention to determine triggers and make modifications to daily activities in school or at home, as well as learning stress relieving strategies to implement when needed.

This carefully planned treatment is client-specific to address each person’s unique needs and symptoms.

In order to be as effective as possible, CBIT requires additional practice time outside of the treatment sessions. Throughout the program, the OT will work to embed the competing responses into the child’s routines and daily behaviors, with the help of a support person (mom, dad, grandparents, etc).

Schedule an evaluation or intake call by emailing sassafrastherapy@gmail.com.

10/21/2021

Good morning! Here's a fun, simplified way to look at sensory processing. What cup are you? 😘

This is SUCH a cute way of framing the four sensory profiles -- in technical terms, and in order from left to right, top to bottom, they would be "low regulation", "sensory seeking", "sensory sensitive", and "sensory avoidant". But who doesn't prefer to visualize those things as adorable mugs??

Everybody falls into one of these categories. People who are far out enough on the spectrum of one of the categories that it causes dysfunction in their everyday life are considered to have sensory processing difficulties/disorder.

"Big chill vessel" (aka low registration) means that you have a high threshold for sensory stimuli, and you're passive about it -- you don't do much to seek it out or run away from it. It just happens and it doesn't bother you much.

"Tall mug" (aka sensory seeking) means that you have a high threshold for sensory input, and you're active about it. You want the mug "filled" and you'll seek it out!

"Small handbuilt mug" (aka sensory sensitive) means that you have a low threshold for sensory input, and you're passive about it. You're noticing everything and it might sometimes be overwhelming -- or it doesn't take much to be overwhelmed.

"Little tea cup" (aka sensory avoidant) means that you have a low threshold for sensory input, and you're active about seeking out the comfort level. You likely know exactly what is too much, and you're likely to retreat away from it.

Credit to .therapy for the art!

10/05/2021

With CBIT treatment, you and your child will gain an understanding of the process of how tics occur and impact the brain and body.

Your child, as young as 5 years old, will detect when the tic is about to occur and use a specific movement to block the tic from happening.

We will work together to identify potential triggers that influence tics and use effective strategies to decrease tics in various environments and situations that are important to your child's daily living.

See a significant reduction in tics, no longer bothering or impacting daily life. And you will have resources at your fingertips to use throughout the years.

09/28/2021

I like to say “anxiety and tics are two best friends that feed off each other and energize one another.” 👯They can live independently of each other, but more often than not, I see them working together disturbing the person they’re living in. 🤯

Part of my job is figuring out WHICH CAME FIRST? It’s kind of like the chicken or the egg 🐣, but I can usually detect who is the “bossier of the friends.” Once we decide that, the plan of action is to take down the strongest influence first. 🤺

If you have tics, do you also experience anxiety?