• PT

    PT Activities to Try at Home:

    (Please note that supervision and assistance by a parent/guardian is needed during any physical therapy activity/exercise and any individual medical restrictions/precautions should always be followed).

    Chores:

    One of the best P.T. activities you can do is helping around the house and moving your body in a functional and safe way! Chores help you work on the below movement patterns and postures that you practice in your P.T. sessions.  

    • Squat to stand to pick up items
    • Use both hands to carry items
    • Use step over step to go up/down stairs with handrail support 
    • Reach in all directions/across midline
    • Negotiate your environment  
    • Stay focused on a task until it is completed 
     
    Some examples of chores include but are not limited to setting the table, clearing the table, putting groceries away, loading/unloading the dishwasher/washing machine/dryer, putting laundry away, taking the garbage/recycle out,  sweeping/vacuuming, wiping the table, wiping windows, etc.    
     

     Exercises/Physical Activity:

    Yoga:

    Yoga is a wonderful activity to promote movement, fitness, stretching, strengthening and balance.  Yoga helps to strengthen the mind-body connection and can help children focus and calm themselves. 
     
    Posture/Health and Wellness Tips For Students:
    • Stay hydrated, eat healthy, participate in daily physical activity, get a good night's sleep.
    • Wear supportive sneakers/shoes.
    • Wear your backpack on both shoulders to promote bilateral alignment.  If backpack is too heavy for the student to carry, consider using a rolling backpack. 
    • Sit upright at an appropriate sized desk/chair.  Feet should be able to rest flat on the floor for stability and hips, knees, ankles should be at the recommended 90/90/90 degree angles 
    • Practice breathing in through your nose/out through your mouth and mindful calming strategies throughout your day

    Dance/Movement:

    Dance to your favorite music/songs with family and/or friends. 
     
    Patty Shukla Action Songs:  https://pattyshuklakidsmusic.com/
      • Shake and move
      • Musical freeze song (Stop/Go)
      • Twist
      • Colors
    Go Noodle Movement Breaks:  www.gonoodle.com
      • Get moving (Get your body moving)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
      • Release your warrior
      • Get loose
      • Chin up
      • Be kind to yourself 

     

    Recommended Website Resources:

    Autism Speaks: www.autismspeaks.org

    Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation: www.spdfoundation.net

    Alert Program for Self Regulation: www.alertprogram.com

    Westchester Institute for Human Devolopment (Equipment loan closet available and they offer a variety of services for clients/families: www.wihd.org

    School Moves: www.schoolmoves.com