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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:
- Go for walks, scavenger hunts, hikes.
- Go to a playground or park.
- Participate in physical activities that you enjoy.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6x-A0CmI-I
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etYhiq9hM8A
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALrdpsWYoJ
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