RecyclingOT

Attach a piece of foam to a wall or cabinet to create a vertical plane “peg board”. I made the pegs by filling old pills bottles with beads, penny, marbles or other materials to make sounds. My clients love to shake them! Young children with or without disabilities will benefit from this easy to make activity because: 1. Working in the vertical plane strengthens shoulders and arms 2. Its easier to visually attend to materials right in front of your face than looking down on a table. 3. Promote using hands together by holding a container filled with “pegs” 4. You can incorporate movement by placing materials across the room or on the floor so that children or clients need to move up and down to retrieve and place the pegs 5. These “pegs” are very large and easy to grasp and place-perfect for building motor control. Obviously, this activity can also be used on a table and one of my clients who is blind loves to shake, insert them and feel the foam texture. The bottles can be covered with bright duct tape to add visual fun and the option to create color patterns. Adding sensory stimulation to ordinary activities can make all the difference in motivating people of all ages to build hand skill! Learn more about activity adaptations on my website and blog: http://www.RecyclingOT.com http://www.RecyclingOT.blogspot.com http://www.FromFlappingtoFunction.com

Georgia is having a runoff election for 2 senate seats on January 5, 2021. If Democrats Jon Ossoff and Reverend Raphael Warnock win both seats, then the Democrats will likely have control of the Senate . Georgians have until December 7 to register to vote in Senate runoff. Under Georgia's laws, a Senate candidate needs to hit 50% of the vote to avoid a runoff. Neither of the state's Republican senators -- David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler -- have reached that cutoff, meaning both contests will go to a runoff January 5. For Georgians wondering about the schedule, here are some key dates to remember as the second round of the races kick off, according to the Georgia Secretary of State's website: November 18: Earliest day for a registrar to mail an absentee ballot for the general election runoff December 7: Voter registration deadline to vote in the federal runoff election December 14: Advanced in-person or early voting begins for the general election runoff for federal offices January 5, 2021: Federal runoff election day

Many children and adults with developmental disabilities including autism spectrum disorders enjoy repetitive hand activities. The client shown in the video is very active and easily distracted. By adapting the activity to involve movement to retrieve rings she becomes more focused and completes the task. I use flat ring shapes cut out of detergent bottles instead of beads because they will not roll away and many more will fit on the dowels. Learn about activity adaptions on my web site: http://www.recyclingot.com

My client has spasticity that makes it difficult to use his hands together. He is unable to manipulate objects on his tray, but enjoys stabilizing a container with his left hand to insert objects. He loves to use his hands and he loves to talk. But he has learned that his hands work much better when not talking! At this stage he only has to perform one step before being rewarded with an opportunity to chat. Hopefully, as skill develops, he will be able to remove all of the cards before the "chat reward". How to Make: 1) Cut a long strip of fabric. 2) Tie short pieces of fabric or string along the long strip. 3) Punch holes in picture cards, plastic or other materials. This is the first activity I designed for him where he is able to use both hands together in midline. He needs to continuously reposition his hands to find the materials. It was just the right amount of challenge! Learn more about activity adaptations on my website and blog: http://www.RecyclingOT.com http://www.RecyclingOT.blogspot.com

I originally cut up a container to make a shape sorter for a blind individual. He pulled the round, triangular or cube shapes from Velcro backings and inserted them into the corresponding holes. But he got bored after a while. So, I cut a hole in the center of the same white container to wedge a tube. This functions as a ring stack. The rings are easy to cut from container lids, other plastic containers or purchase them. Finally, I attached a strip of fabric to the top of the tube for stringing small rings or any objects that have holes in them. This client is blind and non-verbal but understands directions and has very good fine-motor skills. I love giving him variety, especially when there is some problem-solving involved. Learn more about activity adaptations on my website and blog: http://www.RecyclingOT.com http://.www.RecyclingOT.blogspot.com

My clients really enjoyed this hoop activity! It requires 2 hoops and 3 or more players. The player in orange picks up the empty hoop and places it over the first individual. Then this first individual steps out of the hoop and the 2nd player steps into the newly emptied hoop. This sequence can continue indefinitely. Some children or adults may be able to play this with 2 teams and compete to see who can reach an end point first.... I love this activity because it works on • balance as the individuals step in and out of hoops • motor planning as the hoop is placed over a player’s head • following directions and • patience to wait for the other players to complete their part…. Learn more about activity adaptations on my website and blog: http://www.RecyclingOT.com http://www.RecyclingOT.blogspot.com

I attached a dowel to a vibrating cushion to make a vibrating ring stack. Vibration motivates the blind individual with developmental disabilities shown in the video- to engage in a bilateral repetitive fine motor task (in plain English, using his hands together) . He currently does best using large rings since he is a bit impulsive and impatient. I also attached a long fabric cord for stringing smaller rings. Hopefully, he will develop the motor control and patience to manipulate stringing these, too. The woman in the video is able to discriminate size in order to place the larger rings on the ring stack and smaller rings on the fabric cord. She likes a cognitive challenge! Learn more about activity adaptations on my website and blog: http://www.RecyclingOT.com http://www.RecyclingOT.blogspot.com http://www.FromFlappingtoFunction.com

This simple adaptation makes it easier for my client to cut the correct amount of paper towel and fold it in half. She loves to help others so she is preparing a towel for each of her peers to use for lunch. Learn more about activity adaptations on my website and blog: http://www.RecyclingOT.com http://.www.RecyclingOT.blogspot.com

Children and adults with developmental disabilities may enjoy this simple ball game. I filled up a long sock with sensory type objects like bells, marbles, foam, etc. and tied the ends to handles. The handles you see in the video were cut from large bottles but you can create any type of handle you choose as long as it is easy and comfortable to grasp. Players are learning to follow my directions. Perhaps after they learn the steps to this routine another client can position the balls on the table. That will take teamwork! This activity works on developing motor planning skills, visual attention and social skills. Learn more about activity adaptations at http://www.RecyclingOT.com

These "rings" are cut from round containers and are open-ended so that they can be attached to or pulled off suspended cord or a tube. Many of my clients are sedentary and this is a great way to encourage standing, reaching, crossing midline, trunk rotation and if possible walking from one part of the room to another to retrieve more materials. Notice that I used a lot of verbal cues with one client and nonverbal cues with the other. We all learn and follow directions in different ways! Learn more about activity adaptations on my website and blog: http://www.RecyclingOT.com http://www.RecyclingOT.blogspot.com

This sweet man is blind-deaf and cognitively impaired, but he enjoys insertion tasks, especially novel ones. He has been inserting objects into container openings for many years and he seemed to enjoy a new challenge--- reaching to remove the "clothespins" I made by cutting up plastic containers. This activity works on: 1) exploring his environment 2) reaching with both hands 3) using one hand to stabilize the container while using the other hand to insert objects. Notice that I attached golf balls with Velcro to the top of the table to insert into the containers round hole. The bucket functions as a 2 hole shape- sorter. Learn more about activity adaptations on my website and blog: http://www.RecyclingOT.com http://www.RecyclingOT.blogspot.com

This activity develops bilateral hand skills as individuals insert a picture attached with string and beads through a container opening. This is really difficult to do when using only one hand as many of my clients attempt! This activity also develops visual perceptual skills to rotate and position objects to fit through the opening. I used laminated pictures of meaningful objects to work on picture identification and language. Another option is to cut shapes out of readily available plastic containers. Learn more about activity adaptations on my website and blog: http://www.RecyclingOT.com http://www.RecyclingOT.blogspot.com

My sweet client likes to soothe herself by putting her fingers in her mouth and clasping her hands tightly. You can see that she is wearing a chewable necklace and she sometimes will keep that in her mouth. This video demonstrates a brief activity alternative. I put several rings made out of socks on each arm. She really liked that tight feeling. After she removed each ring I put them on my arms and repeated the game. Then the rings went to the laundry basket! If you are a parent or work with children or adults with developmental disabilities give it a try. Learn more about activity adaptations at http://www.RecyclingOT.com

My client is using a ring stack I adapted just for him! I wedged a tube inside the container lid. Next, I attached a dowel for his left hand to grasp so that he is involved in stabilizing the materials. His left hand is spastic and typically fisted, so this is a great way to relax it while he uses his right hand to reach, grasp, position and release the ring shapes. I simply sliced up cylindrical containers or cut holes in lids to make "rings". I can't show his smiling face, but he really enjoys being able to do a hand activity and some days can do it independently! The strap I used to help him keep his left hand on the dowel is sold by https://eazyhold.com/ Learn more about activity adaptations on my website and blog: http://www.RecyclingOT.com http://.www.RecyclingOT.blogspot.com

Children or adults with sensory processing disorders might enjoy pushing pieces of fabric on or pulling them off a simple homemade stack. Simply wedge a sturdy tube inside a detergent bottle. Secure with duct tape. The bottle handle provides an enlarged, comfortable grasping handle that encourages them to stabilize materials. Individuals with autism and others with sensory processing disorders benefit from the force used to pull or push the fabric on or off the tube. Use varied fabric textures to develop tactile discrimination skills. It is often easier for children with attention challenges to visually engage on what they are doing when the materials are straight in front of their eyes. Learn more about activity adaptations on my website and blog: http://www.RecyclingOT.com http://www.RecyclingOT.blogspot.com

I often find therapeutic objects on the street while cycling around town. I had no idea what this object was but I liked how the moving parts swung to each side and it was tall enough to require reaching. I cleaned it up and found a stack of old CDs in sleeves at work. An individual at my program already enjoyed putting the CD in the sleeves. Now I had the holder to add to his sequence. The sleeves are nice and colorful, making the finished product rather interesting to look at! This activity works on: 1) Sequencing CDs into the sleeves and then the sleeves into the holder 2) Manipulation skills to insert the CDs into sleeves and then the sleeves into the holder. 3) Visual attention 4)Reaching up high promotes an upright posture. I love how this is such a functional task that anyone might need to do at home! An optional adaptation: Cover the CDs with colors to match the CD sleeves. Then clients can work on color matching. Learn more about activity adaptations on my website and blog: http://www.RecyclingOT.com http://www.RecyclingOT.blogspot.com http://www.FromFlappingtoFunction.com

I love to recycle suitcases, duffle bags and backpacks because the zippers are large and easy to manipulate. I cut away the back of the suitcase shown in the video so that the front piece can be held or attached to a wall. There are 3 zippered pockets filled with objects to remove. This video demonstrates how I individualized the activity for my clients. 1) a blind client sits at the table, using both hands to search inside the pockets 2) a client with flexed posture reaches high as she holds the suitcase with one hand to remove objects with the other hand 3)Clients who love to move- transport the materials to the container located across the room or even in a different room. Learn more about activity adaptations on my website and blog: http://www.RecyclingOT.com http://.www.RecyclingOT.blogspot.com

This activity helps children and/or adults with developmental disabilities develop skills such as 1. color matching 2) eye-hand coordination 3) hand strengthening when pulling or pushing the shapes on and off the cord 4) dexterity to buckle or unbuckle. 5) sequencing several steps such as opening a buckle, removing the shapes and inserting into the container. Make your color matching buckle fine-motor activity by 1. Cutting strips of cord or fabric of different colors 2. Cut plastic or fabric pieces to color match. cut a hole in the centers. 3. Tie a buckle half to each end of a piece of cord 4. Cut a slot in a large container’s lid for insertions Be sure that you buy buckles that are all the same size and interchangeable. Larger buckles are easier to manipulate....but you may want to use smaller buckles to create challenge. Learn more about activity adaptations on my website and blog: http://www.RecyclingOT.com http://www.RecyclingOT.blogspot.com

Here's a great way to use the magnetic puzzle pieces from incomplete puzzles you thought of throwing away! Simply photograph each puzzle piece and print onto a sheet. I fit 6 pieces per page. It’s nice and easy to print more sheets when they get ripped, dirty or lost..... You can photograph any magnetic picture, words or other flat materials to make similar matching activities. In the video you will see a client matching the month cards used during orientation onto the sheet I made. She obviously enjoyed doing this and it added a different component to orientation. This activity works on skills to: 1) Use hands together as one hand stabilizes the paper and the other hand places the magnetic pictures. 2) Photo, picture or word identification and matching 3) Language skills as you talk about the pictures or words 4) Visual attention because the materials are right there in front of the person's face. 5) Visual scanning to find the pictures that go on each sheet In the last photo you see the finished product of matching photos of coins to sheets of several coin pictures. This client has good picture matching skills and likes repetitive tasks. He found this relaxing. Some individuals may have the cognitive abilities to identify the coin values or add up the money amounts on each sheet. Learn more about activity adaptations on my website and blog: http://www.RecyclingOT.com http://www.RecyclingOT.blogspot.com http://www.FromFlappingtoFunction.com

I attached a retractable dog leash to a book stand so clients need to reach and pull to string shapes onto the end. It feels quite nice to stimulate the muscles by pulling on the leash and this is a great way to help people with limited range of motion to reach and exercise their upper extremities. The woman in the video enjoys both stringing and removing the pictures. She is able to identify some of the pictures in English and Spanish! This activity is also a great way to promote bilateral hand skills since many children and adults with developmental disabilities avoid using their hands together. Remember: Sensory makes fine-motor FUN…. Learn more about activity adaptations on my website and blog: http://www.RecyclingOT.com http://www.RecyclingOT.blogspot.com http://www.FromFlappingtoFunction.com

Sharing a little Etch-A-Sketch fun and showing off my fine-motor control! http://www.RecyclingOT.com

These open-ended rings are cut from the handles of detergent bottles. They come in different shapes, colors, sizes and are easier to manipulate than shower curtain rings. Best of all they are FREE! The following video demonstrates how to create the rings: https://rumble.com/v78zu1-file-organizer-fine-motor-activity-for-individuals-with-developmental-disab.html This video demonstrates how much fun it is to attach to a hoop or cord suspended across the room. My clients get exercise as they walk across the room to retrieve more materials or remove/insert them into a container placed on the floor. My clients need exercise and movement provides calming sensory stimulation! This activity develops visual attention, bilateral coordination and is fun to slide the shapes along the hoop. Try suspending the hoop from the ceiling to strengthen arms. Children or adults may be at the level where they are learning to use hands together to remove the shapes. Others will learn how to attach them while strengthening fingers and developing motor control. Individualize according to the needs of your child, student or client. Learn more about activity adaptations on my website and blog: http://www.RecyclingOT.com http://www.RecyclingOT.blogspot.com http://www.FromFlappingtoFunction.com

This video demonstrates how to make natural sun screen using bee's wax. Stir into the pot equal parts of: 1. purified wax 2. coconut oil 3. olive oil Then slowly stir in 3 tablespoons of zinc oxide. Hubby carefully stirred and alternated pouring the ingredients into two jars so that the contents would be an even consistency. It smells and feels fantastic and best of all works!!! Making and using this sun screen is a wonderful sensory experience and older children or clients may be able to help with some of the steps. Learn more about activity adaptations on my website and blog: http://www.RecyclingOT.com http://.www.RecyclingOT.blogspot.com

Children love lacing boards and it’s a great way to develop eye-hand coordination. When you make your own plastic lacing shapes you can individualize according to your child's needs. Make fewer and larger holes for younger children. Older children may enjoy the challenge of lacing 2 different shapes together. Involve your child in choosing the theme and colors. Try creating seasonal and holiday themes such as lacing stars, trees, hearts, snowmen or shamrocks. Be creative and enjoy all these free materials found in your recycling bin! Learn more about activity adaptations on my website and blog: http://www.RecyclingOT.com http://www.RecyclingOT.blogspot.com

This activity provides a new "twist" to lacing. To begin, cut a spiral shape as demonstrated in this video: https://rumble.com/v60wky-how-to-make-spring-rings-for-fine-motor-activities.html Use a heavy-duty hole puncher to make holes. Tie a string to one end, suspend and voila you are ready for developing dexterity! This activity can be adapted by: 1)Use tie wraps instead of string to increase challenge 2)Use firmer cord instead of string to make easier 3) Enlarge the holes by cutting around the holes after they are punched 4) Suspend from a book stand or wall according to the individual's needs 5) Place the tie wraps in a container across the room to integrate movement into the activity 6) Punch fewer holes with bigger spacing than shown in the video to make easier 7) Make the spiral longer by tying 2 together This activity develops eye-hand coordination, visual attention, reaching/shoulder strengthening, and bilateral hand skills (using hands together). Learn more about activity adaptations on my website and blog: http://www.RecyclingOT.com http://www.RecyclingOT.blogspot.com http://www.FromFlappingtoFunction.com