Learn How to Make a Christmas Tree.  Great Activity!!! Cut and paste link below and it will bring you straight to You Tube Demonstration!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=RzqFU-QfBG0

Research shows that Sensory Integration works with Autism!

Autism Speaks:

Study Finds Sensory Integration Therapy Benefits Children with Autism

Date: 
December 03, 2013
Small but rigorous study backs parent reports that sensory integration therapy improves daily function in children with autism
A new study backs parent reports that sensory integration therapy improves daily function in children with autism. The research, led by occupational therapists at Philadelphia’s Jefferson School of Health Professions, appears online in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. The study was funded by an Autism Speaks treatment research grant.
Autism’s symptoms often include difficulty processing sensory information such as textures, sounds, smells, tastes, brightness and movement. These difficulties can make ordinary situations feel overwhelming. As such, they can interfere with daily function and even isolate individuals and their families.
“This study is one of the first to show that a therapy is effective in helping to ease such sensory difficulties in ways that improve daily function,” comments child psychologist Lauren Elder, Autism Speaks assistant director for dissemination science.
Sensory integration therapy, as practiced by occupational therapists, uses play activities in ways designed to change how the brain reacts to touch, sound, sight and movement. While the therapy is not new, it has remained somewhat controversial.
“Part of the problem has been the many different techniques that have been used under the name sensory integration,” Dr. Elder notes.
In their study, the Farber researchers combined two measures to improve the reliability of their assessment. They used the recently developed Sensory Integration Fidelity Measure to ensure that each therapist was delivering the intervention in a manner faithful to its principles. They also used a proven goal attainment scale to objectively measure benefits against parent-set goals for each child.
For example, a parent of a child who wakes during the night due to extreme sensitivity to sounds might set a goal of improving tolerance of ordinary noises and sleeping through the night. For a child who hates touching food, the goal might be to decrease touch sensitivity to the point that the child can comfortably eat a meal.
Researchers randomly assigned 32 children with autism, ages 4 to 8, to one of two groups. Over 10 weeks, the control group received “usual care” with standard speech, behavioral and other therapies for autism spectrum disorder. The experimental group received the same “usual care” plus three hours per week of sensory integration therapy.
Assessors who didn’t know who was in which group met with parents before and after the intervention to set goals and assess progress.
At the end of the study, analysis showed that the children in the sensory integration group scored significantly higher on attaining their goals. In addition, standardized tests showed that the children receiving sensory integration therapy required less assistance from their parents in self-care and social situations.
"The rationale is that by changing how sensations are processed by the brain, we help children with autism make better sense of the information they receive and use it to better participate in everyday tasks," says lead researcher Roseann Schaaf. Dr. Schaaf's group plans future studies that will include additional outcome measures and follow children for longer periods to see if improvements remain over time.
For more perspective, see “Sensory Integration: Changing the Brain through Play,” by occupational therapist Alison Wheeland, who is completing a doctoral residency with Autism Speaks.



Do you feel Lucky? Cyber week at PFOT!

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We once again are having a "Holiday Helper Lottery"!  To enter, simply place an order anytime before Wednesday @ 12 am and enter coupon code: lucky  

It's that EASY to Enter!      

Any order - Any size - Anywhere! All entry's will be shuffled, and a winner selected at random. That lucky Holiday Helper will get a gift certificate equal to their FULL order- INCLUDING SHIPPING charges! 

         So are you feeling lucky?

Cyber Monday vs. Black Friday -Did you know?

  • Consumers nationwide spent $59.1 billion last year during this four day weekend.
  • Shopping on Cyber Monday peaked at 11:25 am last year.
  • Most popular items bought on Black Friday 2012 were clothing and accessories.  Department Store purchases were most popular online.
  • The majority of people shopping on Cyber Monday are at work. 

"PFOT Shop to Give" Donation Program

Giving is a part of the season - It’s also a very busy time of year! (There's: Shopping, Baking, Decorating, Wrapping, People to see, Reindeer to feed…)

Let's team up and make it easy to donate while you shop!

Simply, place an order and enter the Organization's Code in the Coupon Box at checkout, and we’ll take care of the rest! A portion of your order will be donated to the Charity you have chosen. A note will be added to your packing list acknowledging your donation.

That’s it – Easy as pie!

Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation - SPD

St Judes Children’s Hospital – Code: STJ

Humane Society – Code: HS

American Cancer Society – ACS

Ronald McDonald House – RMH