Tactile Ball Basketball

Tactile balls that feel good to squeeze or pull apart are fun to use during toss activities. They are often calming to squeeze helping kids to focus. Some kids may not like a particular texture but will tolerate it when using it in a basketball game. The girl in the video has a bit of gravitational insecurity so I love activities that promote reaching out of her base of support.

Bilateral pin removal activity

I came across this battery operated toy in the discount bin. It has flashing lights on the top and when you grasp the base and raise your arm - it reminds me of the statue of liberty. (Its supposed to be a July 4th  celebration novelty item). I found that the orange cone fit perfectly and I taped it in place. Next I clipped on the clothespins for the kids to remove and drop into the basket attached to the tack. some kids did this as the horse walked. One girl did this while squatting on top of the horse. Another faced backwards and had nice trunk rotation as she reached behind to drop the pins in the basket.

http://www.pediastaff.com/blog/ot-corner-choosing-a-therapist-for-hippotherapy-4889

http://recyclingot.blogspot.com/2011/09/manipulating-buckles.html

Rotating Ball to develop motor planning

This ball rewards children who manipulate it by making a squeak. One boy enjoyed doing this repeatedly laughing while I counted 30 squeaks. This little girl is working on using her hands together and motor planning.

Connecting Rings to Toss

I was pleased to find that this client was able to easily fasten the ends of the rings. She enjoyed tossing them and placing them on our heads ! and then

Color Matching Activity

You'll hear me yapping away throughout this short video, trying to get my client to speak. He was actually too busy thinking about how to color match and manipulate the cord.
Sometimes I think that I talk too much and therefore, the child doesn't have an opportunity to talk, but when I want them to do a motor activity, I find that the kids who avoid using their hands by talking- become better focused on the task if I talk nonstop -then they can't talk and they end up doing the activity.  Hope this makes sense.....