RecyclingOT

This activity combines stringing with fitting shapes into a container opening. Use thicker cord or make the lid opening smaller to increase the amount of force required. Using force to pull and push provides sensory stimulation to muscles and joints. Many children or adults with sensory processing disorders and/or autism may be motivated to engage in this type of sensory-based adaptation. Explore inserting a motorized toothbrush into the container for addition stimulation! The client shown in this video typically avoids using his hands together but loves simple insertion tasks. The combination of stringing and insertion is very motivating for him. Learn more about activity adaptations on my website and blog: http://www.RecyclingOT.com http://www.RecyclingOT.blogspot.com

When my mom developed Alzheimer's disease she gradually lost the ability to think of the words she wanted to say. She had always loved word games and singing. So I made up games that required her to complete a word, phrase or sentence. Because the phrases were so familiar, they jogged her memory. We did this over and over again during my nursing home visits and each time was fun and exciting for her. She felt like a winner! I describe many of these games and activities in my book- Still Giving Kisses: A Guide to Helping and Enjoying the Alzheimer's Victim You Love. I didn't have a smart phone or tablet a decade ago when I needed them. But you can share this video with a loved one, friend or patient. Encourage the person to guess or repeat the word that completes the phrase. Press pause if they need time to respond. It will give caregivers a fun activity to do with a loved one at home or while visiting in a care facility. Please read my book and visit my web site for more fun activity ideas athttp://www.RecyclingOT.com

I adapt many activities to use on a large book stand so that my clients need to reach shoulder level. This helps to strengthen the upper extremities, improves posture and promotes visual attention. Use large buttons or make our own by cutting plastic circles out of detergent bottles and then punching holes in them. I attached them to the book stand using elastic cord. My clients love the plush, soft fleece that someone had donated! This tactile sensory experience motivated them to engage as they improved their fine motor control. Some clients enjoyed color matching. Learn more about activity adaptations on my website and blog: http://www.RecyclingOT.com http://www.RecyclingOT.blogspot.com

One of my clients is blind, likes to sing and has pretty good coordination. The other has cerebral palsy, uses a communication book and loves to help. They are the best of friends as you will see in this video as they work together to remove the plastic "clothespins" from the cord I tied around the table. Learn more about activity adaptations on my website and blog: http://www.RecyclingOT.com http://www.RecyclingOT.blogspot.com

A parent gave me a large amount of extra medical tubing and I have found lots of uses! This activity works on eye-hand coordination, reaching above eye level and lots of great sensory movement. The individual in the video likes to move both high and low and across the room. He really does not like to sit. He has very good eye-hand coordination to insert small objects into the open end of the tubing and the cognitive skills not to eat them. Materials required: 1) 2 small clear plastic bottles with screw caps 2) Tubing found in medical catalogs or hardware stores 3) Small, colorful beads, pegs or other items 4) Duct tape Attach one end of the tubing permanently into a bottle top and duct tape in place. You may need to wedge the tubing into a hole you cut inside the cap to make it fit snuggly. Cut an opening into the other screw cap and wedge it onto the open end of the tubing. In the video, you can see the red cap near the top of the tubing where the clients are inserting the objects. When the client is finished inserting them: 1) Screw the empty bottle onto the red cap. Nowt each end of the blue tubing is wedged inside a cap and bottle. 2) Flip the bottles over so that the beads pour into the empty bottle. 3) Unscrew the filled bottle from the tubing 4) Pour the contents into a container so that they are ready to use 5) Optional: Place the container on the floor and/or across the room to require high/low sensory stimulation movement This design makes it easy to remove the contents without having them splatter. Its neater and safer and actually fun to do. Clients have an opportunity to practice screwing and unscrewing caps to perform this activity. The client shown in the video enjoyed following my multi-step directions….. Learn more about activity adaptations on my website and blog: http://www.RecyclingOT.com http://www.RecyclingOT.blogspot.com http://www.FromFlappingtoFunction.com

This "sensory table" enables me to provide a fun, safe area for clients to pull, push, squeeze, roll and even pedal an arm cycle. The materials are strapped onto the table and nothing reaches as far as their mouths- removing choking risks. The idea came when I observed these individuals reaching over to grab materials other clients were using for insertions, puzzles or ring stacks. Some materials on this "sensory table" make sounds or vibrate. It’s a work in progress as I add new items that my clients may enjoy or remove items they grow bored with.... Learn more about activity adaptations on my website and blog: http://www.RecyclingOT.com http://www.RecyclingOT.blogspot.com

This "bowling alley" is adapted so that children or adults with disabilities do not need to grasp or reach far. All they need to do is push the ball or tubular object that is stabilized with Velcro. I like to vary the sensory qualities so some make sounds, have fun textures, bright colors and even vibrate. Consider adding a switch that is activated when the ball taps it. Learn more about activity adaptations on my website and blog: http://www.RecyclingOT.com http://www.RecyclingOT.blogspot.com

Children and adults with autism or other types of developmental disabilities often benefit from pulling sensory activities that stimulate the muscles, joints and tendons. The video demonstrates pulling colorful shapes off of curly plastic strips attached to a tray. I drilled holes in the tray (actually a wonderful maintenance man at work did) to push the strips through and attach on the bottom of the tray. The following video demonstrates how to make the curly strips by cutting around bottles: https://rumble.com/v6l3fv-curly-insertions-develop-motor-planning-skills.html The last step is to cut a notch in the shapes for stringing or removing. Some children will be able to string while matching by color, shape or objects (in this case, apples, bananas and grapes). Learn more about activity adaptations on my website and blog: http://www.RecyclingOT.com http://www.RecyclingOT.blogspot.com

I started playing around with tie wraps when I found a large container of them anonymously donated and placed on my desk at work. Pushing tie wraps through holes works on many skills. 1) They need to be inserted with the narrow end entering the hole since the fatter end prevents the tie wrap from going all the way through. If that happens simply attach a little duct tape to make one end larger. I love watching children or my clients problem solving..... 2) Attaching the tie wraps works on bilateral hand skills (using hands together) and eye-hand coordination. 3) Position the Christmas tree or any plastic shape higher on the book stand to promote reaching and upright posture. The materials may be attached to a wall or suspended from the ceiling. The client in the video is elderly and, in a wheelchair, so using the book stand was perfect for her. 4) Some children or clients will enjoy making a color pattern or copying a picture of a tree with all of the “lights” in place. Imitating or copying the patterns or pictures works on visual perceptual skills. That is something occupational therapists love to do! 5) Many children or clients will find it easier and just as much fun to remove the tie wraps and place into a container. I attached the red bottle to the top of the book stand. It has a hole in the lid for a straw and is perfect for inserting and storing the tie wraps. 6) This activity is versatile! You can use the same Christmas tree or other shape for lacing or attaching paper fasters. They can also insert the tie wrap through a hole and then tie it in place- as tie wraps are meant to do. Of course, the tie wraps can not be removed after they are connected. They make cute tree ornaments…… The size, color and type of plastic shapes used is limited by your imagination! Try cutting a star, Easter egg, valentine or fish. Integrate beads to the craft. Kitty litter containers are often large and made of a softer type of plastic that is easy to punch. I show the heavy-duty hole puncher I use all the time- in the video. Learn more about activity adaptations on my website and blog: http://www.RecyclingOT.com http://www.RecyclingOT.blogspot.com http://www.FromFlappingtoFunction.com

i need exercise during this pandemic! I love Tina Turner's energy, voice and moves. I miss going wild at the roller rink. Dancing on my treadmill helps me to keep up my energy, balance and coordination until the world gets back to normal. My idea of "normal" means that great music, dance and joy will return to the White House.... I hope that you are also inspired to channel Tina Turner or another favorite performer. Movement is joy..... http://www.RecyclingOT.com

This fine-motor activity provides an opportunity to practice opening or closing clothing fasteners repeatedly to refine hand skills. Many clients enjoy repetitive tasks and find them calming. Other benefits include: 1) the materials are right in front of the individuals face, making it easier to see what they are manipulating 2) Standing is aerobic for people who tend to sit all day, so its a form of exercise 3) There are options to first learn opening buttons or snaps which is easier than closing them. 4) This activity can be adapted to perform sitting by suspended the materials from the ceiling above the person’s table area. 5) Manipulating clothing fasteners is a common school or day program goal and very functional! Try to start out using extra-large buttons, snaps, zippers or other clothing fasteners if you can find them to make learning easier. Learn more about activity adaptations on my website and blog: http://www.RecyclingOT.com http://www.RecyclingOT.blogspot.com http://www.FromFlappingtoFunction.com

These "curly insertion strips" are cut out of round containers. They add a little pizzazz and challenge to ordinary insertion tasks as children or adults with developmental disabilities manipulate them. This activity promotes 1) using two hands together 2) visual attention when materials are raised to eye level 3)sequencing skills when the strips are pulled off a cord and then inserted 4) sensory stimulation when pulling or pushing to remove or insert the strips Adapt the activity according to the person's needs. Insertion openings may be larger or smaller than the ones shown here. The curly strips may be longer or shorter. Learn more about activity adaptations on my website and blog: http://www.RecyclingOT.com http://www.RecyclingOT.blogspot.com

Who doesn't love to feed a begging animal? I enjoyed meeting him during my vacation. Filmed in Sarasota, Florida. Check out that neck!!! http://www.RecyclingOT.com http://www.RecyclingOT.blogspot.com

When a broken hoola hoop was delivered to my desk, I turned it into unusual ring stacks. The video shows a client who is blind and enjoys repetitive fine-motor tasks. He later learned how to sort the rings according to tactile qualities. However, sighted clients may be able to sort the rings by color. For example, blue rings on the left hoop end and red rings on the right hoop end. I attached a flat object to the center of the hoop to help stabilize it under the chair. You may choose to use a bag of sand or different type of heavy object. This activity may be adapted to perform on the person’s lap or on the table depending on the client’s abilities and preferences. In any case, I love how the set up encourages tactile exploration in front and to his sides, trunk rotation and crossing midline. My clients certainly enjoy learning a new twist to a familiar task that is at their cognitive and motor skill level. Learn more about activity adaptations on my website and blog: http://www.RecyclingOT.com http://www.RecyclingOT.blogspot.com

The young man in this video typically does not like to use his hands together to stabilize materials. His attention span is very short and after a few repetitions he usually throws or pushes objects away. I knew that he liked deep pressure and his eyes lit up when he felt his arm inside the tight sock as he removed objects. I am sure that he would do even better if there were an electric toothbrush attached to the bottom. However, I am very proud of him for telling me that he wanted "more" and attending for over a minute.... More sensory strategies at http://www.recyclingOT.com

My client has spastic hands and is unable to use them. This video demonstrates how to make a jig for someone like her so that she can color. I used this at work and discovered that 1) she loved it 2) its a great way to open her hand, stretch and move her arm bit and... 3) her knuckles were pressing so hard into the plastic her skin got red. Watch the video to see how I revised the jig so that her knuckles press into soft fabric instead of plastic. Learn more about activity adaptations at http://www.RecyclingOT.com

Coloring and erasing with a dry erase marker is fun! The little girl in the video is developing dexterity to control a pencil, marker or other writing tool as she flips it over to erase and back to color more. This is an easy and quick activity to cut out of a large bottle. Learn more about activity adaptations at http://www.RecyclingOT.com

The "Insertions Ring Stack" is very versatile and develops many skills. Children or adults with disabilities may find repetitive tasks soothing. This involves pushing rings down the tubing and inserting small objects inside. Your child or client will need to think about which of these steps to perform. This activity promotes: • eye-hand coordination • using hands together • visual and auditory stimulation • proprioceptive stimulation by pushing the objects down • following directions • sequencing skills • problem solving I cut the rings and small objects out of plastic bottles, but you can use other types of rings or small objects in the same way. Be sure to supervise closely or avoid if your child or client puts small objects in his or her mouth. This activity can be adapted by • using larger rings to make success easier • smaller rings that require force to push and thus, provide greater sensory feedback. • try placing a motorized toothbrush inside the container and see how your child or client reacts! Learn more about activity adaptations at http://www.RecyclingOT.com

Spring toys help babies develop grasping skills. When they pull it- a spring makes it vibrate for a few seconds, motivating the baby to pull again....and again. These toy provide sensory stimulation without using batteries…. I love them! Children or adults with developmental disabilities often enjoy objects that vibrate. All of the clients shown in the videos are blind and one is blind and deaf. Pulling on the spring toy: 1)strengthens the person's hand grip 2) engages the person as they receive proprioceptive sensory stimulation from pulling and the vibration 3) teaches the cause and effect relationship that pulling the toy makes it vibrate 4) Eventually the individual may use the spring toy independently as a recreational activity. 5) Work on receptive language skills such as "pull again" or "do more" Notice that I varied the set up as I explored how to meet the individual's needs using trial and error. One woman learned quickly how to pull and was happy to use her strength to pull repeatedly. I helped her to maintain her grasp by adapting with an EasyHold universal cuff. https://eazyhold.com Some clients needed hand-over-hand assistance and repetition to feel for and grasp the object. Some clients did better grasping the soft toy while I pulled the other end. I attached the toy to the lid of a large container so the person can stop to give it a pull during or upon completion of an insertion task. The options are limitless which is why I love occupational therapy! Learn more about activity adaptations on my website and blog: http://www.RecyclingOT.com http://www.RecyclingOT.blogspot.com http://www.FromFlappingtoFunction.com

My client is eager to be as independent as possible. He has a developmental disability and had a stroke a few years ago that impaired his right side. His friend sewed the loops onto the lunch box so that he can use his right arm to stabilize it while opening or closing the zipper. I love how he is using his weak arm instead of leaving it hanging at his side. Learn more about activity adaptations on my website and blog: http://www.RecyclingOT.com http://www.RecyclingOT.blogspot.com

This color matching activity requires lots of pulling as children match and attach different color rings. Using force stimulates the muscles and joints helping to increase body awareness and motor skills. Some children will enjoy the color matching aspect. Others may prefer to pull the shapes off and insert into the container. In either case, this is a fun, sensory-based learning activity. Learn more about activity adaptations on my website and blog: http://www.RecyclingOT.com http://www.RecyclingOT.blogspot.com

Both of these adults with developmental disabilities have behavioral challenges and love to earn token rewards at their day program. They can easily become frustrated and agitated but were highly motivated to work together to sequence adding loops to a long chain. I provided verbal directions and actually started to sing them and after about 10 minutes they were able to work with only supervision. One client has the motor planning skills to form and sequence the loops and the other client has he skills to pull the long strand -keeping the materials taut and untangled. I love team work! Learn more about activity adaptations on my website and blog: http://www.RecyclingOT.com http://www.RecyclingOT.blogspot.com

Save those pill bottles! Put marbles, beads, pennies or other cool sounding objects inside. Secure the covers with duct tape. My clients enjoy pulling the bottles out of the openings inside a desk file organizer. They are a perfect fit since it requires force to push them in or pull them out. Using force stimulates the brain- helping people with developmental disabilities to engage while developing hand skills. This activity develops strong hands and coordination. Learn more about activity adaptations at http://www.RecyclingOT.com

My client, a young lady with developmental disabilities hates to get her hands wet, especially when assisted to wash her hands. My goal is to increase her exposure to having wet hands so that she increases her tolerance to washing them. I have had some success placing a preferred object in a sink filled with water so that she wets her hands while retrieving it. However, she hates to be in the bathroom in general and is happier in the program room. Therefore, I also like the activity shown in the video. She seems to have forgotten that she hates water because she is busy doing one of her favorite things- moving objects from one container to another. Desensitization to a disliked sensation such as wet hands is one approach to help a child or adult with developmental or other types of disabilities overcome their aversion so that they better engage in functional tasks. Learn more about activity adaptations on my website and blog: http://www.RecyclingOT.com http://www.RecyclingOT.blogspot.com http://www.FromFlappingtoFunction.com

Here is Woody Wood Pecker at Myakka River Park in Florida, one of my favorite places.... http://www.RecyclingOT.com http://www.RecyclingOT.blogspot.com