Matern.OT

Matern.OT Practitioner for Women’s Rehabilitation and Neurodiversity

Are you seeking social opportunities for your neurodivergent child? Neurodiver-CITY is a social club for neurodivergent ...
11/05/2025

Are you seeking social opportunities for your neurodivergent child?

Neurodiver-CITY is a social club for neurodivergent kids created by MaternOT to explore the community with parental supervision through various summer events that promote social participation, friendship, and caregiver support.

This event utilizes interaction with small dogs to facilitate social interaction between neurodivergent kiddos. Research supports assisted animal therapy for emotional regulation, sensory unwinding, oxytocin release, and feelings of acceptance for neurodivergent children.

To confirm your reservation and receive a Classwallet invoice, please contact MaternOT.Services@gmail.com, DM, or comment below.

11/04/2025

Why exercise breaks are essential for kids with ADHD:

1. Enhances Focus and Cognitive Function
* Increases brain chemicals for attention and motivation.
* Improves working memory and sustained attention.

2. Manages Energy and Restlessness
* Reduces excess energy and fidgeting.
* Maintains a calm state during homework.

3. Promotes Emotional Balance
* Increases endorphins and reduces stress.
* Helps manage frustration and anxiety.

4. Develops Executive Skills
* Practices task initiation and time awareness.
* Reinforces self-regulation and predictability.

5. Increases Motivation and Enjoyment
* Makes homework more manageable and enjoyable.
* Encourages engagement with rewarding breaks.

6. Supports Learning Retention
* Strengthens memory consolidation.
* Improves blood flow to the brain.

Truly life-changing! MaternOT and Horses Help came together to host a Neurodiversity event, offering a unique therapeuti...
10/18/2025

Truly life-changing! MaternOT and Horses Help came together to host a Neurodiversity event, offering a unique therapeutic experience that connected kids with special needs to horses. Words can't express how special this was. Gratitude to the families and volunteers for bringing it to life. .ot.az

Accepting that pumping is not the same as breastfeeding—and recognizing the implications of this difference—is crucial b...
10/16/2025

Accepting that pumping is not the same as breastfeeding—and recognizing the implications of this difference—is crucial because minimizing this distinction often leads to overlooking the real needs of mothers and babies. Here’s why:

• Physical and Emotional Bonding:
Breastfeeding is not only about nutrition; it’s also a key time for skin-to-skin contact and emotional bonding between mother and baby. Pumping, while providing breast milk, typically separates mother and baby during feeding times, reducing these bonding moments. Dismissing this difference can ignore the importance of early attachment and emotional development.

• Paid Leave and Time Needs:
Breastfeeding demands frequent, convenient opportunities for feeding that pumping cannot fully replicate. Mothers need paid maternity leave to be with their infants without the stress of work interruptions. When law makers and employers treat pumping as an adequate substitute, they may underestimate how critical maternity leave and direct breastfeeding are for the health and well-being of both mother and child.

• Dismissal by Law Makers:
When policymakers equate pumping with breastfeeding, they may craft laws that offer minimal leave or inadequate workplace accommodations, assuming pumping “solves” the challenge. This leads to insufficient protection of mother-baby bonding time and health priorities.

• Dismissal by Employers:
Employers who see pumping as an equivalent can limit break times or provide inadequate facilities, ignoring that pumping is often less efficient and more stressful than direct breastfeeding and that the emotional needs of both are unmet.

• Dismissal by Healthcare Workers:
Some healthcare professionals might emphasize milk production alone without addressing the emotional and physiological needs met by direct breastfeeding, leading to advice that inadvertently discourages bonding or minimizes the mother’s experience.

• Dismissal by Friends and Family:
Well-meaning friends or family might suggest pumping as the “modern” easier option, inadvertently overlooking how much direct breastfeeding matters for a mother’s emotional health and the baby’s developmental needs.

10/06/2025

This session was truly touching! Witnessing a patient express a deep desire to play the piano again after experiencing physical challenges is a powerful reminder of the impact of occupational therapy.

With the facility’s support and my children’s permission, I borrowed our keyboard to utilize in the sessions.

The patient suffered a left cerebral vascular accident resulting in right hemiparesis. Through passive joint mobility techniques, we achieved a significant milestone - getting her fingers on the keys for the first time in two years.

The emotional moment when tears of joy streamed down her face is a testament to the profound connection between a person’s passions and their well-being.

This experience highlights what makes occupational therapy unique - the ability to recognize and reintegrate cherished activities into an individual’s life, fostering not just physical rehabilitation but emotional healing as well.

09/22/2025

For kiddos with feeding disorders, food fears dominate the table, often resulting in tears, screams, refusal, and avoidance. Therapeutic feeding strategies include:

Autonomy - When given choices and appropriate access, power struggles are minimized while empowerment accelerates. Even if your kiddo doesn’t actually consume, the display offers opportunity through visual, tactile, and olfactory input. Exposure increases familiarity therefore decreasing fear.

Example: A mini fridge with healthy choices.

Interaction- Kiddos need to interact with food without the expectation of consumption. This builds trust through sensory input.

Example: “Will you pour this for your sister?” “Does this feel squishy or hard to you?” “Look at the colors changing!”

Demonstration- Kiddos need to see modeling from an adult to gain assurance. Sit with them. Show them that in the kitchen mistakes are made, tastes are discovered, and eating is social.

Example: “Oh, I’m not liking the bitter taste of this. I’m going to put it in my -no thank you- bowl”. “This dish reminds me of my grandma.”

Playful- Allow the mess! Use costumes and imaginative play. Nothing beats their smiles when having fun with you.

Pediatric Aquatherapy 🌊 Physical Benefits • Low-impact strengthening: Water resis...
09/22/2025

Pediatric Aquatherapy 🌊 Physical Benefits
• Low-impact strengthening: Water resistance builds muscle strength without joint strain.
• Improved balance & coordination: Buoyancy reduces fall risk, letting children practice motor skills safely.
• Pain relief: Warm water relaxes muscles and reduces spasticity, especially for children with cerebral palsy or tone issues.
• Range of motion: Water supports joints and allows movements that may be difficult on land.
• Endurance & cardiovascular health: Gentle aerobic exercise improves stamina in a fun way.

⸻

🧠 Neurological & Developmental Benefits
• Sensory integration: The tactile, vestibular, and proprioceptive input from water helps regulate sensory systems.
• Motor learning: The fluid environment enhances motor planning and sequencing.
• Neuroplasticity support: Repetitive movement in water reinforces new motor patterns.

⸻

💙 Psychological & Social Benefits
• Confidence & independence: Kids often achieve skills in water that feel impossible on land.
• Stress reduction: The soothing nature of water calms anxiety and improves mood.
• Motivation & engagement: Play-based aquatic activities are highly enjoyable and motivating.
• Social skills: Group aquatherapy fosters communication, teamwork, and peer connection.

⸻

🧒 Special Populations
• Autism & sensory processing disorders: Helps regulate arousal levels, supports transitions, and improves attention.
• Cerebral palsy & neuromuscular disorders: Reduces spasticity, supports postural control, and aids gait training.
• Orthopedic rehab: Safe environment for post-injury or post-surgical mobility practice.
• Developmental delays: Encourages milestone progression in a motivating

Last May, I spoke at PEI about neurodiversity inclusion and strategy implementation in the workplace, advocating for a c...
09/22/2025

Last May, I spoke at PEI about neurodiversity inclusion and strategy implementation in the workplace, advocating for a cause close to my heart. I’m excited for the upcoming fall discussions. .ot.az

Today was truly unforgettable! MaternOT took part in the Arizona Adaptive Water Sports event, providing kids with disabi...
09/21/2025

Today was truly unforgettable! MaternOT took part in the Arizona Adaptive Water Sports event, providing kids with disabilities the opportunity to explore aquatic activities alongside OT and PT students from Midwestern University. The happiness on these families’ faces was priceless. Experiencing such impactful moments is what it’s all about. Gratitude to all the volunteers for crafting a magical day.

Are you seeking social opportunities for your neurodivergent child? Neurodiver-CITY is a social club for neurodivergent ...
09/17/2025

Are you seeking social opportunities for your neurodivergent child?

Neurodiver-CITY is a social club for neurodivergent kids created by MaternOT to explore the community with parental supervision through various summer events that promote social participation, friendship, and caregiver support.

This event focuses on ground-level interactions with horses. Therapeutic animal therapy shows incredible outcomes of emotional regulation, sensory unwinding, oxytocin release, and feelings of acceptance for neurodivergent children.

To confirm your reservation and receive a Classwallet invoice, please contact MaternOT.Services@gmail.com, DM, or comment below.

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Peoria, AZ

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Medical Massage CEUS, NCBTMB approved

After experiencing an array of pre/postpartum complications, I developed the Obstetrics Medical Massage Series to address women’s healthcare needs. These courses are NCBTMB approved, available in-person, and soon to be online. In addition, LCERPS are given to lactation consultants and nurses. With nearly 15 years of experience, teaching therapeutic massage techniques is my latest passion while pursing a graduate degree as a healthcare professional. Hope to see you in class!

Warmly,

Candin Garner, LMT BCTMB