Sensory Integration

Today in occupational performance for pediatrics we talked about the Sensory Integration Theory of OT intervention: Basically, we all take in sensory input (sight, sound, touch,...). Some people are under-responsive and others are over-responsive to the sensory stimuli received. Those that are under-responsive seek stimuli. For example jumping, putting everything in your mouth, eating spicy or crunchy foods. Those that are over-responsive avoid stimuli. For ex. cover ears, prefer bland foods, avoid clay or finger paints.

The way we help as OTs is to provide sensory stimuli and help the child integrate it appropriately. This leads to an adaptive response (functional behavior vs. hiding in a closet when there are bright lights or pushing a kid who brushes up against you in line.)

Our lab was a lot of fun. We got to play on/with a ton of sensory integration "toys". Click here to see an album of fun pix.

My Favorite Album

My favorite music album is Paul Simon's Graceland. This video with Chevy Chase is so funny. When I was home last weekend, Jack and I pulled it up to show Jocelyn. We laughed so hard that my mom came down stairs to see what was so funny. We had to start it from the beginning of course and just continued to find it more and more funny.

Friends and Family

Had another great quick trip weekend. Jack and I drove out to San Diego. We got together with my friend Karen and her girlfriend, Kim. It was fun to catch up over yummy Mexican food! We got to go with Mom, Dad, and Jocelyn to the temple. Had a fun evening of fondue and homework (several of us around Mom and Dad's table with laptops and text books). Then back to Phoenix after a yummy pull apart coffee cake (Thanks, Mom!)

My Favorite Snack

I call it "no-bake cookie melt":
2 Tbsp margarine
1/4 c peanut butter
1/2 c choc chips

• Heat above 2 minutes in microwave, stirring every 30 seconds.
• Add 1/2 c oatmeal
• Stir, and enjoy by the spoonful!

(This recipe contains 650 calories.)

Six months

Today, Jack and I have been married for six months!

Happy Valentine's Day!
Sending lots of love to friends and family!

My Valentine

Ten things I love about Jack:

1. His engineer mind.
2. His get things done attitude.
3. His meticulous cleaning.
4. The way he plays with the cats (when he doesn't even like having pets).
5. The way he plays the guitar with his dad and grandpa.
6. The way he plays the strings of my heart (he makes me happy when skies are gray.)
7. His smile.
8. His strength.
9. His hugs and kisses.
10. His testimony.

Assistive Technology

On the other hand, I love my Assistive Technology Class. My teacher is amazing and knows soooo much. Today, she was teaching us about wheelchair use for kids. She told us a story about a 16 month old with spina bifida who couldn’t even crawl and was completely dependent for all mobility. She fit him for a chair and the kid didn’t even have to be trained on what to do. He loved it so much. He wheeled all around the clinic and up and down ramps. His mom and grandmother were so happy to see him have so much independence.

Research!

My research class seems like the most straightforward class. Kind of like algebra: x=10 and y=20, so x+y=30. Well, so far it has been the worst. We had to turn in a reference list in APA format. I used my APA publication manual and read up on all the exceptions, etc, but ended up with a big fat 0. It couldn't have been that wrong. He'll be handing them back at the end of class and will give us a week to rewrite it. So much for straight forward!

3 Things I Like

Grandpa Cowles' tangerines.
When my husband cleans the house.
Open windows with wafting desert scents.