According to the American Occupational Therapy Association Inc (2013) Occupational therapy is a way to “help people across the lifespan participate in the things they want and need to do through the use of everyday activities.”

History of OT²:

1910’s: The first professional association for OT was adopted in 1917 and was called the National Society for the Promotion of Occupational Therapy (NSPOT).  There were six people in attendance of the first meeting which took place March 15, 1917 in Clifton Springs, New York.  Those individuals were George Baron, Thomas Kidner, William Dunton, Eleanor Clarke Slagle, Isabel Newton, and Susan Johnson.  At this meeting the basic philosophy for the association was created.  One of the first goals of NSPOT was to seek military support during World War I to send 5,000 reconstruction aides to provide occupational therapy services to wounded soldiers.

1920’s: NSPOT changed their name to the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).  During this decade occupational therapy took on more of a role in hospital and mental health settings.  Also, professional level courses began being taught at colleges and universities across the country.

1930-1950’s:  During this time the field of occupational therapy became more aligned with the medical field and focused more on a scientific form of treatment.

1960-70’s: The broad field of occupational therapy began to form specialized fields such as pediatrics and developmental disabilities.

1980-90’s: The occupational therapy field focused more on education, prevention, and health maintenance for patients.  Another focus of this time was the creation of screening programs.

2000’s:  Currently there is a push in the field for a return to the roots of which occupational therapy was created, a focus on occupations as the form of treatment for patients.  As of 2010 there were 108,800 practicing OTs and 36,000 practicing OTAs across the country.

Who benefits:

The truth is OT can help a HUGE variety of people across all age groups live life to their fullest.  People benefiting from OT could include individuals injured at work, limitations after a stroke, suffering from chronic conditions, with birth injuries and developmental delays, dealing with substance abuse, with burns, with spinal cord injuries, amputations, mental health issues, physical traumas, and many others.  Occupational therapists can be found in settings like hospitals, transitional care units, skilled nursing facilities, outpatient facilities, prisons, state hospitals, schools, and in home health.

1. Information from: http://www.aota.org/Consumers.aspx

2. Information from: http://depts.washington.edu/lend/seminars/modules/ot/history.htm

As my children get older the holidays really become a lot more fun.  They are aware of why we celebrate Christmas and they are willing and able to create their list for Santa.  The problem is ….the list never ends and they start creating one in October because they have seen decorations out in all of the stores already.  The economy has put a damper on many families when it comes to holiday shopping.  We have all had to pinch our pennies around the holidays and it seems that every year, there is more and more to buy.

The one tradition we have when creating the Santa list is my children really focus on 3 main gifts that they really, really want.  We explain to them that if baby Jesus received 3 gifts for his birthday, then you should be able to get at least three gifts to celebrate his birthday, too.  This does really help to narrow the list down and if there are extra items they want, Santa may bring them or I divvy up the rest of the list and there are options for family members when they ask what the kids want.    My husband and I usually try to have them write their “official” Santa list closer to Thanksgiving so I can give family ideas when they ask.  What kinds of traditions do you have with your kids?  We would love for you to post on Moms Connect. Please post below by registering and responding below.  Thanks!

My adventures continued as I recently had my family stay from out of town.  My cousin brought her husband and two children to spend time with my three children.  We decided to road trip to The Big Apple!  We were all very excited and headed out early in the morning loading 3 adults and 5 children ranging in ages from 13 to 7 in the mini-van.  As you may recall, I blogged earlier about what to bring with you on a long car trip to both entertain the children and feed them.  Well, my cousin, Kelly was the MOST prepared mom I have ever seen.  She was like SUPERMOM on this adventure.  Kelly made a travel backpack filled with various items such as:

1.  Prepackaged moist hand towels- they looked like washcloths when we opened them.

2.  Tissues

3.  Extra plastic bags- doubled up for sturdiness

4.  Protein granola bars by Nature Valley

5.  An umbrella

6.  Hand sanitizer

Well, the list goes on and I felt like her bag was a never-ending bag of tricks.  All of the items proved to be HIGHLY usable and needed on our trip.

We set out on our adventure and got about a mile from our house when Kelly’s daughter became very sick to her stomach.  She moaned and said, “Mom, this is the worst birthday ever!”  Poor kiddo:-(  SUPERMOM,  Kelly was so prepared that she sprung into action immediately.  She gave her daughter a doubled plastic bag ready to go and she was prepared to clean her up as well.  The good news was that she felt better by the time we reached the city and we could continue to enjoy the rest of our time together.  We visited FAO Schwarz, Toys-R-Us, American Girl and of course touristy places like The Empire State Building and The Statue of Liberty.  The moral of this blog is always be prepared.  I am a mom who no longer uses a diaper bag, but from now on I will be using a travel bag!  Don’t we all strive to be SUPERMOMS like Kelly?  Packing a backpack with all of the necessary items needed helps to alleviate any stress that may come with traveling with your children.  Enjoy the rest your your summer and happy travels to you!

-Dennine Leschinsky

M.Ed and Mother of 3

My family and I recently took a vacation to the beach.  I have three children and packing seemed like a daunting task.  I decided to enlist their help and it worked out wonderfully.  I made a checklist for them that used picture clues and words even though some of my children can read.  It seemed to help them focus what they needed to pack.  Once all of the items were put on their beds, I double checked each and put them in suitcases.  It was efficient and effective and my kids felt part of the process and I felt less stressed.  We all know that us moms, have A LOT to think about and pack otherwise when we travel.  Feel free to use this checklist, tweak it to fit your needs. Click on this link: Kids Beach List Tell us below about your travel tips!  We would love to hear from you!

Written By:

Dennine Leschinsky M.Ed- Early Intervention Teacher and Mother of Three

A very small percentage of families receive unsettling news about the physical health of their child at the 20 week ultrasound.  The news can be confusing and paralyzing.  Here are some tips to help cope.

1)     Use the internet-cautiously.  While the internet is an instant source of “answers”, just “Google it” can cause unnecessary anxiety-particularly regarding health concerns.  Don’t let a computer dictate your own visual of your perfect child.  Do use the internet to find support.  Finding real parents who have lived through the same emotions/confusion is priceless.

2)     Ride out the emotion (and throw out the Parenting magazines).  Shock…pain…anger…let yourself grieve the loss of “the perfect baby”.  Process the emotion before your child can sense your own fears.

3)     Talk about it.  You never know who has a “friend of a friend” dealing with the same experience.  Additionally, you need the emotional support.

4)     Try to enjoy the rest of your pregnancy.  It may not be the road you envisioned, but you will still be amazed at the experience of parenthood.

We all have our handicaps.  Some are just more obvious than others.  Don’t dwell on what you have been told is “wrong”.  Focus on what you know is right.  You are still part of the creation of a miracle.

Submitted by Ann L. (mom to a happy and handsome congenital hand amputee)

As a mother of three, a friend recently asked me for some  tips while traveling with her two year old.  This can be a challenging, yet a fun adventure as a mother.  Here are a few traveling options and ideas below.  Please feel free to share with us some of your tips and adventures while traveling with your children.

Traveling by Car:

1.  Pack a travel bag.  Include quiet toys that your child enjoys such as light up toys, books, Crayola crayons or better yet, Color Wonder products.

2.  Electronics can be a blessing if you have them such as an Ipod Touch or V-Teck, Leap Frog devices.  I tend to use these if boredom sets in and I pull them out as a special treat.

2.  Pack non-messy snacks!  Yes, I did make the mistake of allowing popcorn on our last trip, but never again!  It was everywhere.  Snacks do cut down on the stops needed.  You may even consider packing a small cooler with drinks etc.

3.  Pack a plastic shopping bag or two.  This has come in handy on more than one occasion for motion sickness.  It also works as a garbage bag and believe me, you will need it:-)

Traveling by Plane:

1.  All of the above items can still apply.  The activities and snacks are great for the plane ride and while you wait to load.  I would just hold out on some of your child’s favorite items when they begin to get antsy.

2.  Bring a bottle, sippy cup or even a chewy snack to give your child on take off or landing to avoid your child’s ears from popping.  As adults, we chew gum to aviod ear pain, but for young children, they feel the pain and cry.  (When all else fails….hand out gift cards or buy the people around you beverages so they won’t complain when your child cries:-)

Lastly, relax and  enjoy the trip with your family!  Your child will pick up on your anxiety and stress while you travel so try to stay calm and breath.

Please post your brilliant ideas!  We would love to read them.

Written By:

Dennine Leschinsky M.Ed- Early Interventionist and Mother of Three

Reflux:  Signs and Symptoms, to treat or not to treat

Reflux is a condition where the valve at the top of your babies stomach does not close all of the way, allowing the child’s stomach contents to be regurgitated from the stomach back into the esophagus ( or eating tube).  Some children present with reflux as a result of intolerance to their formula.  The child may present as fussy after feedings or may not enjoy being place on their stomachs.  Children with reflux may show signs of developmental delay, arch their backs or remain fussy even after all attempts to calm them have been made.

There are special formula’s that may be gentler and more easily digested for your baby, so consider this as a first option.  Most infants “grow out”  of their reflux as they develop.  Parents debate the benefits of putting their child on reflux medication.  It is always important to listen to your Pediatrician’s input when making this decision., and provide them with all of the information they need: the type of formula your baby eats, quantity of formula being regurgitated and frequency, dislikes for handling or tummy time, as this will impact your collective course of action.  Medication is viewed as a short term solution, but may be necessary if dietary changes have been made, and there is no improvement in your child’s fussiness or tummy time tolerance.

Dependent on your comfort level for considering alternative modalities you might pursue Chiropractic manipulation.  The Chiropractor “ taps” on babies spine and the end result (in a nutshell), is resolution of reflux symptoms.

Parents may try and thicken milk with rice cereal to help it become more dense and less likely to be regurgitated.

In summary, there are many options for addressing your child’s reflux.  I encourage you to make an informed decision with your Pediatrician.  Rest assured, most cases resolve by the time baby turns 1, but until then, I wish you patience and perseverance.

Sonja Burmeister MSPA-C, OTR/L, EICP-OT

Article by:Dennine Leschinsky M.Ed. (Early Intervention Teacher and Mother of 3)

Many parents ask this question during my sessions in Early Intervention.  Children usually begin the transition to a bed between the ages of 1 and 1/2 and 3 years old.  Most children begin sleeping in a bed around 3 years old.  You will get a sense when you child is ready.  My own children would actually try to get out of the crib and that is when we made the switch.  I felt as a parent, that I wanted them in a crib for as long as possible because they were “safe” and contained.  The bed opens up the possibility of roaming during the night, which always made me a bit nervous. Follow you instincts as a parent and when your child is ready, here are some tips you may want to try:

1.  When making the transition you may want to get your child involved with picking out bedding and even helping to make the bed with you so they feel part of the decision to start in a “big kid” bed.

2.  Continue with you regular bedtime routine as you did with the crib.  This may involve reading a book or singing a song before bed.  This will make your child feel safe and comfortable.

3.  You may want to introduce the bed during nap-time.  Give immediate praise for staying in the bed during naps and at night.

4.  For safety, use bed rails and possibly put up a gate at your child’s door and at the top of the steps. Continue to use a baby monitor.

Please comment below and tell us your experiences.  What have you done that has worked or hasn’t worked at all?

Tell us your experiences with Potty Training. What worked for you? What doesn’t work at all?  Click below and post a comment.

Fall is here.  There are so many activities to do in the Lehigh Valley.  Check out our local events to see just a few.  Do you have a family  activity in the Lehigh Valley you enjoy doing with family members? Blog with us!

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