Dreamcatchers Therapy

02/08/2026

I believe we need to have a very honest conversation about the current state of child development. We are seeing a significant rise in children who are uncoordinated, physically floppy with poor core strength, and struggling to maintain focus. Because these challenges are becoming so frequent, many families and educators have started to believe they are a normal part of modern childhood.

The reality is that these delays are not something a child will simply grow out of without intentional support.

If a child has poor postural stability and a weak core, their brain is dedicating most of its energy just to keeping their body upright. They are not being "lazy" when they give up on a task. They are physically exhausted. Their brain has no bandwidth left for reading or problem solving because it is too busy trying to manage a physical system that lacks an internal anchor.

We are seeing more children with delayed reflexes and poor mind body connection. This keeps the Vagus Nerve in a state of high arousal, meaning these children live in a state of stress. This is why we see more children avoiding challenges or struggling to regulate their emotions. They do not feel safe or grounded in their own bodies.

Coordination and balance are the foundations of brain organisation. A child who cannot physically cross the midline of their body will often struggle to cross the midline of a page when reading and writing. A child who lacks physical impulse control will often lack the emotional brakes needed for social success.

We cannot afford to ignore these delays or wait for them to disappear. We must prioritise movement, real active 3D world play, sensory grounding, and Heavy Work to build the foundations that allow our children to thrive.

It is time to look beyond the behaviour and address the physiological needs of the child.

02/07/2026

When parents repeat instructions over and over, children are not choosing to ignore them. Their brains are learning a pattern. Each repetition teaches that words alone have no consequence. The brain waits for escalation because that is when action finally happens.

Neuroscience shows that young brains learn through consistency. When a request is repeated multiple times without follow through, the nervous system categorizes it as background noise. The child is not defiant. Their brain has learned that listening immediately is unnecessary.

Over time, escalation becomes the real signal. Tone changes, volume rises, and stress enters the room. This activates the child’s stress response, not cooperation. The brain moves into defense instead of learning. What follows feels like constant conflict because regulation has been replaced by reactivity.

The solution is not yelling less loudly. It is speaking once with clarity and following through calmly. When words reliably lead to action, the brain learns to respond sooner. This builds trust and regulation instead of tension. A home becomes calmer when children learn that words are real, steady, and meaningful without escalation.

01/31/2026

WGNS NEWS... RCSO Expands Autism-Friendly Safety Tools--"Blue Envelope" Program": A new tool is being use by law enforcement agencies here in Rutherford County, and it’s designed with one goal in mind: making traffic stops safer and less stressful for autistic drivers....

http://dlvr.it/TQgp6X MurfreesboroTN

01/31/2026

Promoting safe traffic stops for autistic drivers

Autistic drivers may obtain a blue envelope stored in their vehicles to improve safe communications with law enforcement officers during traffic stops.

Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office’s Community Engagement Unit partners with the KTG Foundation of Harriman, Tenn., to supply the free blue envelopes to autistic drivers.

The envelope advises autistic drivers to notify the officer they have a blue envelope and how the autistic driver will communicate through vocal speech, sign language, pictures, an electronic device or writing.

Officers are advised the driver may:

• Show signs of anxiety due to the flashing blue lights and noises from the radio.

• Display repetitive body movements of fidgeting and have unusual eye contact.

• Have unusual responses to authority figures.

Officers are requested to allow the driver extra time to respond, speak simply and show patience.

If the driver becomes upset, the officer may call the person listed on the contact card in the envelope for help.

The blue envelope packet may be picked up for free from the Sheriff’s Office Community Engagement Unit at 940 New Salem Highway in Murfreesboro.

Also, the Tennessee Department of Revenue has the Precious Cargo program, which makes traffic stops safer for autistic people and others with disabilities, as well as their families.

This is a voluntary program to add a private note to a vehicle’s registration. The note informs officers and emergency responders someone in the vehicle has a disability or medical condition and may need extra time, patience or help.

The person registering the vehicle, parents or legal guardians can apply for the designation through the Department of Revenue.

This program helps people with autism, Alzheimer’s disease, Down syndrome and other medical conditions.

To enroll:
· Fill out the application

· Ask a doctor to complete the medical section

· Turn in the signed form to your local county clerk

Here is the link to register:

01/22/2026

Sensory snow fun for the coming days.

01/17/2026

OT Tip:
Handwriting isn't just writing letters. It's posture, strength, coordination, visual skills, attention, and confidence-all happening at once. When kids struggle, it's rarely about effort.

Let's build up the foundational first.

01/11/2026

01/06/2026

The prone position (lying on the tummy) is one of the most important developmental positions for building strength, attention, and motor control.

When children work in this position, the body has to stabilize through the core and shoulders before the hands can move - creating a strong foundation for functional skills.

Prone activities support endurance and postural control, which are essential for sitting upright, handwriting, and maintaining focus during learning tasks.

In Occupational Therapy, prone work isn't just physical - it helps organize the nervous system, supporting regulation, body awareness, and readiness to learn!

12/17/2025

Many children with autism experience stomach and digestion challenges that affect their daily routines 🍽️🧠

Research shows that gastrointestinal (GI) issues are more common in autism and often continue throughout childhood 🔬📊

These gut-related challenges are also linked to sleep difficulties, behavior changes, and learning differences 💤📚⚠️

Understanding the autism–gut connection helps parents, educators, and therapists offer more informed support at home and at school 🤝🏫💙

When we understand what is happening inside the body, we can respond with greater empathy and better strategies 🌱✨

09/16/2025

What a fun experience!!

Learn something new & delicious!