Esmari Henning Occupational Therapist

20/05/2024

📋Study methods workshop:
📚Just in time before the next exams.
🧠Learn to study smarter and not just longer and harder and while we're at it, learn some self regulation skills too💪

11/05/2024

Parent workshop:
Understanding challenging behaviour and supporting self regulation. The workshop aims to equip parents to better understand what's beneath the challenging behaviour they face and how to support their child and themselves to self regulate (keep calm). Break free from the frustrations of feeling helpless or alone in difficult situations. Learn the difference between meltdowns and tantrums and why it happens. Approach challenging behaviour from empathy and understanding to see the cause behind the behaviour and not just the behaviour on its own.

R390pp - Includes workshop materials and refreshments.

15/04/2024

Monday motivation:
Remember to make time for mindfulness. BE present in the moment and allow yourself to embrace the experience of existence in the absence of doing.

06/12/2023

Neurofeedback therapy is one of the services offered at the practice.
This service is also available for home visits or site visits (meaning you can receive neurofeedback therapy from the comfort of your own home, at work during a lunch break, at school or at your retirement village)

For more information:
WhatsApp
072 676 8439

Brain Gain is a neurofeedback program that starts with a TESCA evaluation (test of emotional stability and cognitive ability) and questionnaires to shine a better light in the holistic picture that includes insights on emotional stress, nutrition, medication etc.
The results of the above is then analyzed to compile a report whereafter an individualised protocol is created for neurofeedback brain training sessions as well as other lifestyle suggestions or skills training homeprograms.

Our Tesca Concentration Assessment is a comprehensive test that has been developed by a psychiatrist to test all the concentration variables. The test measures 6 attention abilities and screens for emotional & cognitive development issues that may hold someone back from reaching their full potential.
(ages 4 to 100)

The HEG NEUROFEEDBACK intervention modality is a non-complex, safe method of teaching the brain to focus - using the flow of healthy, oxygenated blood to the frontal lobes of the brain, while a client participates in a cognitive activity. A feedback mechanism is created which indicates - in real-time - how much attention the brain is paying to the task at hand.

As long as the client remains focused on the activity, blood flow is naturally maintained or increased. A client ultimately teaches their brain to enhance the activation of their cognitive centres in the frontal lobe, as well as to maintain it for increasingly longer periods of time.

21/09/2023

Anti-bully culture saves lives. Don't entertain it. Don't leave it. Address it, give support and end it!

03/09/2023

HELPING CHILDREN TO UNDERSTAND AND PRACTICE INCLUSION WHEN THEY ARE YOUNG IS IMPORTANT

Great visual to use to teach children about including others!

10/07/2023

09/07/2023

This explains it well.

credit: Feeding Littles

06/07/2023

Fidgeting - Good or bad?
Fidgeting can happen for a variety of reasons of which most common is a reaction to stress or anxiety or as a way to self regulate. Fidgeting can mask hyperactivity as a symptom of conditions such as ADHD. Fidgeting can also be an indicator of sensory needs. Fidgeting thus has a function and not just a cause. It gives a physical outlet to nervous energy or provides the person with sensory inputs to help self regulate. However, fidgeting isn't always functional and that's where intervention might be necessary, such as when fidgeting is harmful, for example, biting nails or when it interferes with daily activities such as task performance, for example, not finishing an exam in time because a learner is fidgeting more than writing.

Simply telling someone to "stop it" or "sit still" doesn't help, in fact it can worsen the situation. Not only is it often impossible, it doesn't address the root cause. Force stopping fidgeting behaviour without replacing it with something more functional interferes with self regulation and can thus worsen symptoms such as anxiety, inattention, hyperactivity etc. It can be compared to trying to stop a sneeze or not scratching a serious itch.

Occupational therapists can assist in evaluating why fidgeting occurs, whether it impairs task performance and prescribe individual interventions when necessary.

04/07/2023

𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐝𝐥𝐞𝐫-𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬:

The "terrible twos" refers to a normal stage in a child's typical development in which a toddler hops between reliance on adults and a new burning desire for independence. The symptoms vary between children but is often stereotyped as frequent mood changes and temper tantrums. Parents often expect the terrible twos to occur around a child's second birthday, however, the behavior that's typical of this stage often begins around 18 months and can last until age 4

Some "why's" behind it:
Not being able to express their wants and needs can be frustrating to children, often leading to the outbursts.

Without an emotional vocabulary to rely on, a child can quickly become frustrated and feel they have no means to express their feelings other than through actions which constitutes a "tantrum"

A toddler's brain is also still far from fully developed... Especially the frontal lobe where functions such as self-regulation and impulse control are still lacking.

Behaviour characteristic of the "terrible two's" can be exhausting and difficult for parents to deal with and can quickly escalate to feelings of hopelessness or frustration, which also doesn't help the situation.

Occupational therapists can assist in evaluating whether there's other explanations behind unwanted behaviour.

Help to determine whether it's tantrums or meltdowns.

Assist with behavioural prevention plans

Assist with recommendations for sensory diets.

Provide information on strategies for managing tantrums or meltdowns.

08/06/2023

Occupations go far beyond just a vocational (job) interpretation. Occupational therapists consider "occupation" to be anything and everything people do to occupy themselves that brings meaning to their lives. This can include looking after themselves (self-care), enjoying life (leisure), and contributing to the social and economic fabric of their communities (work/productivity)
(𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘈𝘴𝘴𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘖𝘤𝘤𝘶𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘴).



©Infographic designed by Esmari Henning Occupational Therapist
picture credits to: Kateryna Davydenko

07/06/2023