Miss Jaime, O.T.

I’m ending OT awareness month by proudly wearing my advocacy shirt. “I support USA school-based OTs looking for change!”

ABCs of OT: W is for Wikki Stix and Woo Tape. These two items can be used in so many ways. Here is one hack for both:
Place a Wikki Stick around the cap of a glue bottle so kids know where to place their fingers. It also prevents slipping.
Woo tape! Add it to a game and now you have a writing component.

What ways have you used Wikki Stix or Woo Tape? Comment below.

Happy Monday! Today's topic is about how you can help advocate for OTp's and PT's. We all have to get involved in order to see the change our profession so desperately needs.

https://missjaimeot.com/help-advocate-for-otps-and-pts/

Here are some books to help build your advocacy skills that I have read and loved! It is okay to stand up for yourself and to say something when things aren't right or unfair.

All books can be found on Amazon.

Join my facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/572872433082197
I have a sample letter for you if you need one! The more letters they get, the more they are aware that this topic matters.

Only 5 days left to take my webinar! Changing the face of school OT in NY. You will get free CEU's and even though it says NY in the title, the information is the same throughout the states.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Mwpq_ZeqqQ

ABC's of OT: T is for Tricky Tongues

Are you teaching how to put shoes on but the tongues just keep getting smushed or stuck inside the shoe. Here's a hack!

Draw a face on the inside of the tongue. Teach your child to pull the tongue up until they can see the whole face before sticking their foot in.

ABCs of OT: S is for stickers and spice jar!
Place stickers on a pencil to show children where to place their thumb and index finger. However...place the stickers a little higher up on the pencil for our lefty kids so they can see what they are writing.
Recycle old or empty spice jars and use them as a fine motor game! Place toothpicks or pipe cleaners through the narrow openings. Easy, cheap, and low prep.

Do you feel under valued and over worked at work? Do you feel invisible because you are a contract worker?

Is there something on your mind, something you want or need? This is a wonderful opportunity to talk to your principal and create a relationship with them, even if you don’t work directly for the building. Ask for something easy that they can give you. Explaining why you need it gives them insight on your job and what you do. You’ll never know what the answer is if you have never asked! The more you educate and advocate for yourself the more they will see your value and skills.

Want to take it a step further, find an article on AOTA or OT practice and show it to your administrator and ask if we can do this. Sometimes they will be okay and sometimes they will say no to your idea. And that is fine, you are having a conversation with someone. Just because they said no, doesn’t mean it is no forever.

If you are interested in learning more and joining me in advocating for OTp's and PT's please watch my free webinar. It expires at the end of the month!!
https://missjaimeot.com/product/advocacy-webinar-ceus/

ABCs of OT: R is for Risers.

Who says kids have to always sit in order to get work done? Flexible seating options work. Simply add risers to desks to convert them to standing desks. This allows for more natural movement and students will remain focused and engaged for longer periods of time.

Administrators need to see our value.
In order to do that we need to participate in school wide initiatives and train staff in our area of expertise. We have to be a part of the committees and PTAs.
BUT we have no time - so we are not there.
And it comes back to the fact that we are not valued because we are not there. 😔

If you are over worked and under valued at your school...if you are a contract worker that feels invisible…It's time to advocate for what you deserve, what you need, and what is right. There are tons of fact sheets and information on the AOTA website. There are free resources on MissJaimeOT.com as well.

OT month is the perfect opportunity to spread knowledge.

Join my Facebook group USA School-Based OT's Looking for Change

If you are interested in learning more and joining me in advocating for OTP's and PT's please join my facebook group and watch my free webinar. Webinar with free CEUs expires at the end of the month.
https://missjaimeot.com/product/advocacy-webinar-ceus/

ABCs of OT: Q is for Q-tips. A common item at home and inexpensive to have in your therapy tool kit.
Ideas:
1. Cut them in half and you have a tiny tool to work on grasp development. Great to use with dot papers and paint.
2. You can use a Q-tip to erase letters from a white board.
3. You can work on in hand manipulation skills by flipping the Q-tip and dip each side into a different color paint.

OT’s can become administrators in hospitals and rehab facilities, but why not schools?

In 2017, AOTA has urged education departments to reconsider the structure. However, not one state education department wrote back to our national association. So that says a little something about how OTs and PTs are valued within the school system.

In my FB groups, we started more letter writing campaigns. We have mailed letters and we have followed up. Soon enough they won't be able to ignore us. We have to write more and explain our cause. We have a unique background in mental health skills, group dynamics, childhood development, transitions, social-emotional skills and so much more. We have to show them that our unique qualifications will make us great leaders.

Join my Facebook group USA School-Based OT's Looking for Change and help send letters to your state education department.

If you are interested in learning more and joining me in advocating for OTP's and PT's please join my facebook group and watch my free webinar. Webinar with free CEUs expires at the end of the month.
https://missjaimeot.com/product/advocacy-webinar-ceus/

Here is all of the info about my upcoming webinar. If you want to take that next step, there is an amazing course by Move Play Thrive called Brain and Sensory Foundations.

The free webinar is today at 7:00PM EST where you will learn TWO rhythmic movement patterns that you can use right away with your students. Don't forget to sign up!

Step 1: www.missjaimeot.com/freewebinar

Step 2: https://missjaimeot--moveplaythrive.thrivecart.com/brain-and-sensory-foundations/5f5d69e7237d1/

Step 3: https://missjaimeot--moveplaythrive.thrivecart.com/brain-and-sensory-foundations/6179535d0630f/

Step 4: https://missjaimeot--moveplaythrive.thrivecart.com/brain-and-sensory-foundations/60554460304b7/

Step 5: https://missjaimeot--moveplaythrive.thrivecart.com/brain-and-sensory-foundations/6241ee9656a3c/

Step 6: https://missjaimeot--moveplaythrive.thrivecart.com/brain-and-sensory-foundations/

ABCs of OT: O is for ocular-motor and organization. As OT's we focus on the WHOLE child. That includes the eyes and vision. It is within our scope of practice. As you work on strengthening the muscles of the hands and upper body, don't forget that the eyes have muscles too and as you want bilateral coordination of the hands, you can coordination and teaming of the eyes.

OT hack for organization: use a travel size toiletry bag. Found on amazon! It has a hook and you can store many of your fine motor tools. Great for OT's who travel between schools or go to kids homes.

Motor Monday! Why are OTP's and PT's treated differently? We entered the school system under the medical model and when things changed and we only had to address educational goals we did not transition as "educators." This had trickled down to many other major differences.

Working in the school system has many pros but also many cons. I love the hours, summer vacation and working with kids. Some may be lucky to have benefits, state pensions, and retirement.

Over the years, I have noticed that OT's and PT's are treated differently. Little things such as no budget for supplies, no prep or paperwork time, not getting paid for absences, not getting included in staff meetings to even bigger differences in pay, no supervision, no mentorship, no ability to advance my career.

If we all have the same level of schooling and address the students educational goals in similar ways...how come we are treated so differently? We deserve to be treated the same and the time has come to educate and advocate for our career.

If you are interested in learning more and joining me in advocating for OTP's and PT's please join my facebook group and watch my free webinar. Webinar with free CEUs expires at the end of the month.
https://missjaimeot.com/product/advocacy-webinar-ceus/

FREE webinar coming up soon! The 3 Keys to Overcome Inattention, Anxiety, and Sensory Disorders.
April 19 at 7:00PM EST on Facebook

The Asymmetric Tonic Neck Reflex is one of many reflexes babies are born with. As they grow up, they *should* integrate into the body.

Free Printable Chart of 22 Infant Reflexes. Swipe to check out this chart of possible long-term effects that can be resolved through using the innate primitive and postural reflex movements. These calming movements drive brain, body, and sensory maturity and are important for children and adults with anxiety and neurodevelopmental challenges. The chart helps parents and professionals recognize challenges related to development, and offers hope for using innate movements to unlock motor, learning, and social-emotional skills.

Grab your free chart here:
https://missjaimeot--moveplaythrive.thrivecart.com/brain-and-sensory-foundations/5f5d69e7237d1/

If this sounds like your child or student and want to learn more check out our free webinar! Want to dive in and learn even more, Move Play Thrive has an in depth course just for you. Use coupon code: MISSJAIMEOT for $39 off

Course sign up:
https://missjaimeot--moveplaythrive.thrivecart.com/brain-and-sensory-foundations/

Webinar sign up:
https://miss-jaime-o-t-p-c.ck.page/acfb974ea0

Before and After gallery: https://missjaimeot--moveplaythrive.thrivecart.com/brain-and-sensory-foundations/6241ee9656a3c/

ABCs of OT: Letter M is for Mess-free fun! Our young kiddos need time to get messy but as parents and therapists, we do not like the mess. Here's a hack: use a cookie sheet to contain the mess. Whether it's paint, play dough, or glitter. You can keep it contained within a cookie or baking sheet.

Any other ideas you have for some mess free fun? Comment below.

FREE webinar coming up soon! April 19 at 7:00PM EST on Facebook

Studies show that children with poor visual development, balance, and academic performance who participated in a repetitive reflex movement program show decreases in retained primitive reflexes and headaches as well as improvements in balance, ocular-motor skills and reading fluency.

Wahlberg T, Ireland D. Can Replicating Primary Reflex Movements Improve Reading Ability? Optom Vis Dev 2005;36(2):89-91

If we want our children to focus, develop strength, achieve stillness, grow emotionally, and learn with ease—then we need to provide the innate movements that are already designed to effectively de-stress and optimize the brain, body, and sensory systems.

Interested in learning more? Sonia Story from Move Play Thrive and I have a free webinar coming up called The 3 Keys to Overcome Inattention, Anxiety, and Sensory Disorders.

https://miss-jaime-o-t-p-c.ck.page/acfb974ea0

Signs of retained primitive reflexes can affect a child in all areas of development and can display itself in similar symptoms associated with anxiety, sensory processing disorders, and ADHD. What if there was another way to help these children?

If we want our children to focus, develop strength, achieve stillness, grow emotionally, and learn with ease—then we need to provide the innate movements that are already designed to effectively de-stress and optimize the brain, body, and sensory systems.

Interested in learning more? Sonia Story from Move Play Thrive and I have a free webinar coming up called The 3 Keys to Overcome Inattention, Anxiety, and Sensory Disorders.

April 19, 2022 at 7PM EST, LIVE on Facebook

https://miss-jaime-o-t-p-c.ck.page/acfb974ea0