Secret #1   

‘Ohana OT treats the ROOT of the problem

We address the underlying causes that are impacting your child’s attention and behavior problems such as the powerful hidden body senses of movement and position which affect our ability to tolerate and interact with the world around us. Other common underlying problems include core strength, coordination and balance which impact your child’s ability to be calm and focused.

Secret #2

‘Ohana OT works directly on the ACTUAL activity your child needs help with

This use of meaningful therapeutic activity is a cornerstone of OT. We help with the task by actually doing the task. We work on everything from brushing teeth to being able to go out in public to a restaurant . Common activities and tasks we work on include: handwriting, tying shoes, riding a bike, feeding / eating, playing with peers, dressing , toileting and learning to ride a bus.

Secret #3

‘Ohana OT makes the hard work FUN!

We use a “Child Directed” approach which taps into your child’s inner drive and creativity. We let them take the lead in play by choosing activities and themes. If you child comes in wanting to be a pirate we go with it while addressing the goals of the session at the same time. For example, with the pirate theme if we wanted to work on balance we would turn a swing into an imaginary boat and “walk the plank” with a balance beam. We are always working to expand their play skills. With older children it is common for them to come in with a design plan for an amazing obstacle course. If we have done our job well you child leaves feeling like all they did was play while at the same time we made progress on their goals.

Secret #4

‘Ohana OT adapts the environment for success!

We are highly skilled and creative problem solvers. For example we consider the size and stimuli of the room we are working in for maximum success and have extensive knowledge of specialized adaptive equipment products for special needs (e.g. wheelchairs, bathroom equipment, splints, special grips, special swings, adapted toys etc. ).

Secret #5

‘Ohana OT makes it SOCIAL!

Our clinic provides opportunities for spontaneous play with peers for the just right amount of time (from a few minutes to the whole session) because we have several smaller rooms and a large sensory gym allowing easy flow between spaces keeping the stimulation correct amount for your child. We also have a Jr. OT Aide program specifically for peer modeling. Parents are always present and have to opportunity to connect, support each other and create new friendships. 

Secret #6

‘Ohana OT also uses the “Therapeutic use of self” approach

We form true bonds with our kids and families. We are highly aware of our use of body language, voice, and use of language to give the just right amount of help and cuing to ensure success. We are constantly making adjustments to the task and our input to make it not too hard and not too easy. Our goals is that your child is successful with new challenges that increase in difficulty throughout the session.

The result of these 6 secrets is that your child is

HAPPY and SUCCESSFUL!

 

 

Mary Kostka is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist specializing in Sensory Processing Disorder at  her  private practice, ‘Ohana Occupational Therapy, LLC,   in Wenatchee and Leavenworth Washington.

Obstacle courses allow us to efficiently address multiple OT goals with one fun activity!

Cognitive/ Thinking Skills

• Sequencing and planning

• Following directions

• Memory

• Ability to think of new ideas/ Flexibility / Creativity

• Problem Solving

 

Communication

• Cooperation

• Taking Turns

• Waiting calmly

• Collaboration with others to solve problems

• Self esteem, sense of accomplishment

• Play skills , having Fun!

 

Fine Motor / Visual Perception

• Finger and grasp strength (e.g. opening carabineers, grabbing trapeze)

• Eye hand coordination (e.g. connecting and threading webbing into carabineers)

• Writing grasp (e.g. labeling and drawing map of obstacle course and then giving it a star rating)

• Ocular motor skills, separating eye/head movements (e.g. throwing to a target while on a swing, watching a moving swing and timing transition to it)

• Visual spatial awareness (e.g. planning the spacing of the course and drawing a map of it)

 

Gross Motor

• Balance • Strength (upper body, lower body and core)

• Postural control and protective reflexes

• Bilateral coordination (using both sides of the body)

• Timing of movements and speed (moving faster and slower)

 

Safety Awareness

• Following safety rules

• Waiting until therapist is ready

• Safely maneuvering body up/down ladders and on/off equipment

• Thinking about consequences and placement of padding

 

It builds a strong sensory motor foundation of Kinesthesia (physical sense of self) which is a basic need for all skilled activities (motor, social, academic, cognitive, and attention).

• Proprioception (nerve receptors in muscles and joints)– bouncing, jumping, pulling, pushing, lifting, climbing

• Vestibular (nerve receptors in inner ear)– movement in all directions up, down, around and angular

• Tactile- Varied materials in contact with the body (e.g. spandex, carpet, beans, shaving cream)

 

Mary Kostka is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist specializing in Sensory Processing Disorder at  her  private practice, ‘Ohana Occupational Therapy, LLC,   in Wenatchee and Leavenworth Washington.

1)   Your child has uncontrollable outbursts that are more involved than a regular tantrum. He is not able to stop the behavior even if he gets what he wants.  The response is so intense it is more like a fight/flight/freeze/shut down response (e.g. the feeling you might have if you found a spider or snake crawling on you).

2)   Your child’s activity level is much different than his peers.  This can be either much more active (can’t sit still, too rough with peers,) or very sluggish and it looks like “gravity is sucking him to the ground” (everyday tasks take forever, “spacey”).

3)   Your child’s response to typical environmental stimuli is unusual such as sensory seeking (excessive spinning, crashing, staring at spinning objects, flicking lights on and off) or sensory avoiding (e.g. excessive reaction to certain noises, avoids lights, avoids hugs, extreme distress with hair and nail cutting).