Amanda K Myers-Speech Language Pathologist

11/26/2025

Wʜᴀᴛ ᴀʀᴇ Bʀᴀɪɴ Bʀᴇᴀᴋs?
https://www.theottoolbox.com/brain-breaks/

Short week at school, change in routines...brain breaks are needed this week!

11/18/2025

11/15/2025

Sensory Processing Disorder can manifest in different ways! Here is information you need to know about some of the possible different responses to sensory input.

http://momentousinstitute.org/blog/making-sense-of-sensory-processing

10/29/2025

Brain Breaks are important for so many reasons, and sometimes our kiddos can not verbalize the need. It may be up to the adults to be detectives,along with having built in breaks throughout the day ✨To teach this concept and put break time strategies in place, here are some helpful resources:
🧠Brain Breaks: https://www.theottoolbox.com/brain-breaks/
🩷Self-Regulation: https://www.theottoolbox.com/zones-of-regulation-activities/
🍥Visual Supports: https://www.theottoolbox.com/visual-schedules/
💌How to Create Scheduled Breaks: https://www.theottoolbox.com/how-to-create-sensory-diet/

10/29/2025

💪🏼The Proprioception System!

October is Sensory Processing Awareness Month! To help spread awareness, I am sharing a series of graphics about the 8 sensory systems.

To get a printable version of this graphic,
🗣️Comment SENSORY and I'll send you the link directly.

The proprioception system is the internal sense of movement and position (body awareness). It helps us know where our limbs are, how much force to use, and how to coordinate our movements. The receptors are in the joints, muscles, and tendons and perceive contraction, stretching, and compression.

You'll notice I included a list of possible seeking behaviors and challenges. This is not intended to be used as a diagnostic tool, but rather for educational purposes. If you have any concerns or questions, please consult with your child's doctor and request an Occupational Therapy evaluation.

Some ways you can address proprioception sensitivities include:

* Weighted lap pads or vests
* Bean bag chair to sit in
* Heavy work activities
* Swimming
* Karate
* Climbing
* Playing in a sandbox
* Carry groceries
* Wearing Lycra
* Chair push-ups
* Dancing
* Washing the car
* Rolling a ball
* Yoga Stretches
* Pillow fights
* Chewing bubble gum
* Using the monkey bars at the playground

To get a printable version of this graphic,
🗣️Comment SENSORY and I'll send you the link directly.

10/29/2025

Types of grasp patterns! Of course there are different names for these grasp patterns that may be used. And we see kids progress at different rates or in different orders through this process. Here is what you need to know: https://www.theottoolbox.com/grasp-patterns/

10/21/2025

What do you see when a child is at play? Running, building, creating, pretending, these are the moments that catch our eye. But just beneath the surface, something much deeper is happening.

Play is where children develop adaptability, confidence, and problem-solving skills. It’s where they learn to navigate risk, build friendships, and trust their own ideas. It’s where their brains and bodies work together, shaping the skills they’ll carry for life.

The next time you watch a child play, remember, what’s visible is just the tip of the iceberg. There is so much happening underneath!

10/01/2025

ROTARY VESTIBULAR SENSORY ACTIVITIES

The vestibular system, located in the inner ear, sends signals to the brain about the position and movement of the head. It becomes active whenever the head tilts, turns upside down, spins, or moves quickly or slowly—for example, when running, swinging, or sliding.

Today we are focusing on rotary vestibular input -
Spinning around and turning the head (and fluid in the inner ear). This type of input is generally alerting and stimulating, helping with balance, muscle tone, and body awareness. It differs from linear input (discussed recently) and can be either organizing or disorganising depending on the individual’s sensory needs; excessive or intense input can lead to overstimulation, while some children with sensory processing challenges may be hyporesponsive and seek this input. Combining vestibular and proprioceptive input can be regulating.

Vestibular rotary activities can vary with an individual rolling (forward, backward, log), turning (like a spinning top), orbital (like a merry-go-round) on an axis and upside down/inversion (like a cartwheel). It can vary in intensity, stop/start jerky movements and duration. The vestibular system is very powerful and input should be closely supervised, especially for sensory seekers who may not know their own limits.

We are embarking on lots of sensory content in the next month, come back to find out more. In the meantime, get your FREE ticket to the sensory summit. Let me know if you want the link!

09/14/2025

Oral motor exercises: https://www.theottoolbox.com/oral-motor-exercises/

Oral motor problems and feeding: https://www.theottoolbox.com/oral-motor-problems-and-feeding/

08/26/2025

Great strategies for child mental health!

08/10/2025

The Everymom ❤️

07/27/2025

This week was an amazing week! Pathways to Communicate held their second annual social skills camp and first articulation camp! We partnered with Reach For The Stars equine assisted activities and therapies and Jenny-Lynne Peterson who provided parent coaching supports. I cannot thank my colleagues enough for the support they provided all three days to make this such an amazing experience for everyone!