Monthly Archives: February 2014

What does a sensory processing issue look like in infants?

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Here is a family’s story of having a baby with sensory processing issues. Awareness of the sensory system is finally being acknowledged and early intervention is the key to helping your little one.

If you are concerned about how your baby receives hugs, reacts in crowds or loud places (fireworks, parades, music), avoids eye contact, recoils to textures (like sand boxes and grass) you may want to look into the sensory system. A Pediatric Occupational Therapist can assess your baby and provide valuable information and ideas or therapy if necessary.

 

Talk And Read To Baby!

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The research has been strong for a LONG time now, so much so, I’m not even sure why researchers continue to need to prove it. Talking and reading to babies from day one (maybe even conception!) will boost their vocabulary and communication skills and most likely improve the parent child relationship.

As babies grow in your language filled family, they get their needs met. They are less frustrated. Therefore, there are more positive interactions with your little one and less negative. Imagine a clearer form of communicating, imagine less tantrums, imagine being able to express feelings to each other, imagine a life of respect and trust in listening to what you each have to say.

It all starts with your newborn.

Read about the newest research here in a Guardian article.

Awe, thanks for the feedback.

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I appreciate when families take the time to let me know about their experience in the Tum e Time class. All feedback is valuable, and the class has grown and changed over the past 15 years thanks to families suggestions along the way.

Here are some of the comments I’ve received recently:

~ “I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed your class, as I think did J., and felt it was great value for money. I loved the educational aspect and the fact that every week I learned something that I was excited to put into practice once I got home. The last class was particularly helpful (and quite honestly inspiring).”

~ “Thanks again for the wonderful class. Gives me lots to think about and remember.”

~ “Just a quick note to thank you so much for our wonderful class! We all got so much out of it, and I really enjoyed not just the information and ideas but your friendly, relaxed way of presenting everything.”

~ “W. and I had a brilliant time. I’ve been reading your blog, which is a fantastic way to stay connected to all the ideas you shared and is great material for Daddy.”

 

Thank you all for attending! I can’t wait to connect with new families each month, please let me know if you have any questions about the class.

How Does Exposure to Family Problems Affect Brain Development?

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The more we know about brain development, the more we can focus on educating families. Much research has been done around severe childhood trauma and brain development, but this research is focused more on “mild to moderate family difficulties.”

http://www.news-medical.net/news/20140219/Exposure-to-family-problems-during-childhood-and-early-adolescence-affects-brain-development.aspx

Toxic chemicals and development

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I was a program coordinator for an early intervention center for many years. During this time, I couldn’t help but question the environmental factors as we watched our autism enrollment rise. Families questioned it as well, especially those who lived near the refinery.

Then I began to look around in the classrooms. We were using pretty heavy duty cleansers to clean the floors where babies crawled and tables where toddlers ate, even outside where the children played.

The playground is what really shocked me. I remember looking out to the yard and seeing a few people clad in full white suits spraying around the playground while the children played nearby. When I questioned it, I was told it was pesticide to keep pests away. Pests? We are spraying toxic pesticides in areas where kids roll around, pick weeds and build sand castles. Many of the children had medical concerns. The only response I got was to switch the company’s time to when the children and families were not present, so they wouldn’t see. And the other suggestions about more gentle cleansers? I was always amazed at the range of excuses, licensing this, bought it in bulk that, but it never changed while I was working there.

Things we do can make a difference. This article briefly talks about many chemicals that have found their way into our products and water system, but with some knowledge (and some protesting) perhaps we can help prevent future diagnosis and keep our little ones healthier.