New Jersey Autism Insurance
Corzine signed a bill approving autism coverage for children diagnosed with autism. The bill which applies a $36,000 annual cap will provide coverage for therapies including occupational, speech, behavioral, and physical therapy... A step in the right direction!!!!!!
NEW clearance page !
The clearance page at www.pfot.com just went online. Limited qty's on all-
but at deep discounts. New ones each day so check back often!
but at deep discounts. New ones each day so check back often!
Check out This New Product
Blocco Building Sets
The models you create with Bloco are all amazing! Whether you follow one of the patterns or create something of your own design, your efforts will be rewarded. Colorful pieces of high density foam are held together with plastic figure eight shapes connectors. Instruction sheet breaks down the large constructions so they are built section by section. Quantity of each part needed for that section is provided to help with organization. Presenting the directions in this manner allows even younger children to successfully build lions and tigers, snakes and dragon. The finished products are truly awesome providing each builder with a satisfying "I did that" moment. A wonderful way for children and adults to work on visual perception and fine motor skills.
The models you create with Bloco are all amazing! Whether you follow one of the patterns or create something of your own design, your efforts will be rewarded. Colorful pieces of high density foam are held together with plastic figure eight shapes connectors. Instruction sheet breaks down the large constructions so they are built section by section. Quantity of each part needed for that section is provided to help with organization. Presenting the directions in this manner allows even younger children to successfully build lions and tigers, snakes and dragon. The finished products are truly awesome providing each builder with a satisfying "I did that" moment. A wonderful way for children and adults to work on visual perception and fine motor skills.
Check Out Some of Our New Products
Check out Stacking Sandwich Game
This Get Up and Go Game is really a collection of 10 action packed activities all centered around large foam sandwich making ingredients. Pattern cards show you which ingredients and in what order the food needs to be placed on the bread. Can you remember the correct order and where to find them all? These activity based games encourage movement while improving memory and matching. So everybody up, lets go find some lettuce!
This Get Up and Go Game is really a collection of 10 action packed activities all centered around large foam sandwich making ingredients. Pattern cards show you which ingredients and in what order the food needs to be placed on the bread. Can you remember the correct order and where to find them all? These activity based games encourage movement while improving memory and matching. So everybody up, lets go find some lettuce!
What would you like to see here?
Tell us what you would like to see more of... activities? products? suggestions?
email lisaw@pfot.com and let her know what to post
email lisaw@pfot.com and let her know what to post
Did You Get Your New PFOT Catalog?
That's right the New Pocket Full of Therapy Catalog was mailed out and
should be arriving in your mailbox any day now- or it did this week!
should be arriving in your mailbox any day now- or it did this week!
Over 120 New Products to make Learning and Development Fun! We know it's
June and both you and the children need a "pick-me-up", so take a break,
get an iced tea or latte and begin flipping. Check out the new stuff or
catch a new idea on a product you may already have. When you're ready, go
online and shop with your credit card and get free shipping too! (on
orders over $50-but that's easy!)
Need to do a PO- no worries, fax it to us! (732-441-1422)
Got a little money left in the department budget, that needs to be used by
6/30 or it's gone... Not a problem, call or email Barbara and we'll work
with you.
Got extra copies of the catalog in the mail? Let us know- and then PLEASE
pass the extra catalog on to a parent or colleague who may be interested.
If you didn't get your catalog or need extra copies please let us know.
Your continued support is important to us and appreciated!
Thanks- ilene and Michelle
Autism Coverage
On May 21, 2009, Autism Speaks joined New Jersey families, Autism New Jersey, and other autism advocacy organizations in applauding the members of the State Assembly for passing A. 2238, which requires insurance companies to provide coverage of evidence-based, medically necessary autism therapies. The bill passed the New Jersey Assembly in a vote of 70-4-1 and now heads to the State Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee for further action.
The NEW 2009 PFOT Catalog has gone to press!
The NEW 2009 PFOT Catalog has gone to press! This year it was difficult to choose new products, because there were so many great ones. So we expanded the catalog and included them all!
Many of the new products are already available and are online. On our home page (www.pfot.com), Click on "PFOT Favorites" to see many of the new items. Add them to your shopping cart and make your friends jealous, by being one of the first to play with them!
Mailing will be soon- we'll keep you updated!
The NEW 2009 PFOT Catalog has gone to press! This year it was difficult to choose new products, because there were so many great ones. So we expanded the catalog and included them all!
Many of the new products are already available and are online. On our home page (www.pfot.com), Click on "PFOT Favorites" to see many of the new items. Add them to your shopping cart and make your friends jealous, by being one of the first to get them!
Mailing will be soon- we'll keep you updated
New Products- Update
We are back to work searching and testing new products. As pediatric OT's, we know what our special children need and what you need. You don't need every toy/product out there- ONLY THE BEST! So we test and test, and test a bit more to weed out the "okay products" and just keep the best! Keep an eye on the website and the PFOT favorites section for updates.
Ilene and Michelle
AOTA Conference
Last week we attended the AOTA conference in Houston Texas! What a great state-with great people! We had so much fun getting to meet with OT's from all over the country, canada, Israel, South America, Germany, Mexico and I'm sure elsewhere also.
We gave a sneak peak to attendees of our new products - by displaying everything new. We even had a "make n take" table where folks got to make a bracelet or flower from puzzibits. They're a great fine motor manipulation workout for fingers and also make a great fidgit.
Here's a picture of the small monster set- 150 pieces and patterns. We also carry the large refill packs of 1250.
Keep an eye on the PFOT Favorites section of the website- we link new products here as they come online!
That's it for now- have a good day!
We gave a sneak peak to attendees of our new products - by displaying everything new. We even had a "make n take" table where folks got to make a bracelet or flower from puzzibits. They're a great fine motor manipulation workout for fingers and also make a great fidgit.
Here's a picture of the small monster set- 150 pieces and patterns. We also carry the large refill packs of 1250.
Keep an eye on the PFOT Favorites section of the website- we link new products here as they come online!
That's it for now- have a good day!
COMING SOON!!!!
Pocket Full is hard at work on their next catalog!!! Toys and other products are being tested and reviewed everyday and the catalog is being put together as you read :0) Keep your eye out for the new catalog- Coming Soon to you mailbox!!
OT for Children
Occupational therapy (OT) for SPD in children is fun! During sensory-based OT sessions, the therapist and your child interact in a sensory-rich environment with lots of swinging, spinning, tactile, visual, auditory, and taste opportunities that seem to a child more like a giant playground than a therapy center. Sessions are subtly structured so your child is challenged but always successful in completing each activity.
When occupational therapy is effective, children improve their ability to accurately detect, regulate, interpret, and execute appropriate motor and behavioral responses to sensations so they are able to perform everyday "occupations" in a functional manner. These occupations include playing with friends, enjoying school or work, completing daily routines such as eating, dressing, sleeping, and enjoying a typical family life.
When occupational therapy is effective, children improve their ability to accurately detect, regulate, interpret, and execute appropriate motor and behavioral responses to sensations so they are able to perform everyday "occupations" in a functional manner. These occupations include playing with friends, enjoying school or work, completing daily routines such as eating, dressing, sleeping, and enjoying a typical family life.
Autism Research
Washington, DC (February 26, 2009) - Today President Barack Obama unveiled a Fiscal Year 2010 budget proposal that includes $211 million for the Combating Autism Act (CAA). This is the first year since the passage of the CAA that direct funding for autism has been included in the President’s budget proposal. Passed in 2006, the CAA authorized $920 million in federal funding over five years to fight autism through biomedical and environmental research, surveillance, awareness and early identification.
Toys aren’t toys unless they are fun. Anthropologists have found evidence of people having fun with toys as far back as there is recorded history. As early as 4000 B.C., for example, the people of Babylon played a game that preceded the present day games of chess and checkers.
Just as play is an essential component in life, toys are an important ingredient of play. In fact, toys might be considered the tools of play—basic instruments for the development of a child’s fantasy, imagination and creativity.
Almost everyone has had a special toy as a child. As adults, we can revisit our childhood, if only for a little while, by once again holding, feeling, and seeing a favorite plaything – whether it’s a Raggedy Ann doll, a toy truck, or a glob of Silly Putty.
From Toy Industry Association
Just as play is an essential component in life, toys are an important ingredient of play. In fact, toys might be considered the tools of play—basic instruments for the development of a child’s fantasy, imagination and creativity.
Almost everyone has had a special toy as a child. As adults, we can revisit our childhood, if only for a little while, by once again holding, feeling, and seeing a favorite plaything – whether it’s a Raggedy Ann doll, a toy truck, or a glob of Silly Putty.
From Toy Industry Association
Play
Play, as a child or as an adult, is as essential as eating and sleeping.
Play brings endless hours of enjoyment and helps people of every age learn about themselves and the world around them. Keeping the physical body healthy is a well-known benefit of play, but few people realize how play stimulates the mind and positive emotions.
Play brings endless hours of enjoyment and helps people of every age learn about themselves and the world around them. Keeping the physical body healthy is a well-known benefit of play, but few people realize how play stimulates the mind and positive emotions.
How to Select a Toy?
Selecting Universal Design Features
Amy Goetz Ruffino Susan G. Mistrett
Wondering what toys to recommend for children with disabilities? Evaluating for universal design can help.
Play is what kids do—it’s how they develop. All children, regardless of age or ability, need opportunities to play. Studies clearly link play with cognitive, language, and social skills that form the basis for complex learning and conceptual understanding.1–3 Play is especially beneficial when children plan together, create new ways of using toys, and adopt multiple themes and roles. To reap the rewards of play, all children, regardless of ability, race, or culture, must be able to use the same toys and play spaces. However, many toys are limited in the ways some children can use them, so parents, grandparents, and friends often have difficulty finding toys that children with disabilities can use. Inaccessible toys stigmatize children with disabilities by preventing them from using the same materials as their peers, thereby limiting their play opportunities. One goal is to ensure that children with disabilities can access and play with toys. Another goal is to develop and identify toys that are durable, safe, and well designed which can, in turn, promote motor development, imagination, social and play skills, and psychological development. A third goal is to coach families and other caregivers on how to choose appropriate toys for play.
Still have questions? Call us at PFOT 1 800 PFOT 124
Amy Goetz Ruffino Susan G. Mistrett
Wondering what toys to recommend for children with disabilities? Evaluating for universal design can help.
Play is what kids do—it’s how they develop. All children, regardless of age or ability, need opportunities to play. Studies clearly link play with cognitive, language, and social skills that form the basis for complex learning and conceptual understanding.1–3 Play is especially beneficial when children plan together, create new ways of using toys, and adopt multiple themes and roles. To reap the rewards of play, all children, regardless of ability, race, or culture, must be able to use the same toys and play spaces. However, many toys are limited in the ways some children can use them, so parents, grandparents, and friends often have difficulty finding toys that children with disabilities can use. Inaccessible toys stigmatize children with disabilities by preventing them from using the same materials as their peers, thereby limiting their play opportunities. One goal is to ensure that children with disabilities can access and play with toys. Another goal is to develop and identify toys that are durable, safe, and well designed which can, in turn, promote motor development, imagination, social and play skills, and psychological development. A third goal is to coach families and other caregivers on how to choose appropriate toys for play.
Still have questions? Call us at PFOT 1 800 PFOT 124
Help Your Child with Handwriting
Taken from AOTA.org
What can an occupational therapist do?
Demonstrate proper posture to supports the proper use of the arms, hands, head, and eyes.
Measure the level of physical strength and endurance.
Analyze fine motor control, such as the ability to hold a writing utensil.
Determine visual and perceptual ability that influences a child's ability to form letter and shapes using a writing utensil.
Help develop and evaluate handwriting curriculums and collaborate with teachers on effective strategies.
Suggest home activities that promote the development of skills needed in good handwriting.
What can parents and families do?
Encourage children to participate in sports and games that could improve visual, motor, and coordination skills, such as playing ball, jacks, marbles, and outdoor sports.
Require children and teens to use silverware when eating to develop hand grip.
Provide an activity that exercises the hands, such as cutting pie dough or pizza and using cookie cutters.
Encourage writing handwritten letters to grandparents and friends.
What can an occupational therapist do?
Demonstrate proper posture to supports the proper use of the arms, hands, head, and eyes.
Measure the level of physical strength and endurance.
Analyze fine motor control, such as the ability to hold a writing utensil.
Determine visual and perceptual ability that influences a child's ability to form letter and shapes using a writing utensil.
Help develop and evaluate handwriting curriculums and collaborate with teachers on effective strategies.
Suggest home activities that promote the development of skills needed in good handwriting.
What can parents and families do?
Encourage children to participate in sports and games that could improve visual, motor, and coordination skills, such as playing ball, jacks, marbles, and outdoor sports.
Require children and teens to use silverware when eating to develop hand grip.
Provide an activity that exercises the hands, such as cutting pie dough or pizza and using cookie cutters.
Encourage writing handwritten letters to grandparents and friends.
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