Blog - Sensory Stepping Stones

My child is a mess.

December 6, 2022Executive Functioning

Do you feel your blood pressure rising every time you go into your child’s bedroom? Are there more clothes on the floor than there are in the dresser drawers? What about his backpack? Is it jammed with crumbled papers and missing homework assignments? Have you taken a look in her desk or locker at school? Warning…it’s not for the faint of heart!

If your child seems to be “a mess” it may be beyond their control. Many young people and adults are struggling with a lack of executive functioning skills. Executive function is a set of mental skills that include working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control. We use these skills every day to learn, work, and manage daily life. When you have trouble with executive function, it makes it hard to focus, follow directions, and handle emotions.

Some experts describe executive function as “the management system of the brain.” The thinking skills involved let us set goals, plan, and get things done. When people struggle with executive function, it impacts them at home, in school, and in life.

If your child is having trouble with the following, they may be struggling with a lack of executive functioning skills:

Paying attention
Organizing, planning, and prioritizing
Starting tasks and staying focused on them to completion
Understanding different points of view
Regulating emotions
Self-monitoring (keeping track of what you’re doing)
Completing homework and studying for tests

We offer group classes, as well as individual coaching to help your middle school or high school student gain the skills they need to be successful in life!

Check out our website or give us a call today to get more information.

Top 5 Signs Your Child Needs OT

November 30, 2022News

What exactly is OT? It’s short for Occupational Therapy…you may have heard that term over the years but aren’t quite sure exactly what it entails. Simply put, OT can help kids successfully play, improve their school performance, and aid them in their daily activities.

It also boosts their self-esteem and gives them a greater sense of accomplishment. With OT, kids can begin to develop the skills they need to find success in school, relationships and the overall world around them.

Here are the top five signs that your child may need OT:

1. Your child is struggling with fine motor skills like holding a small object, picking up a spoon, using buttons or tying his shoes. Her handwriting is not legible. She has a tough time with her pencil grip and cannot form letters, numbers and shapes properly.

2. You see frequent meltdowns. Your child is oversensitive to the world around them, especially sound, touch and movement OR he is under-reactive to the world, often seeking more by constantly jumping, bouncing, moving and bumping into objects and other people. Your child has a very challenging time adjusting to change and often has the inability to calm himself down when upset.

3. Gross motor skills such as going up and down stairs, balancing, jumping and playing with a ball are a struggle for your child. It seems like he is having a hard time coordinating both his left and right and often confuses the two sides. You’ve had him in different sports and activities but have found little success in any of them.

4. Visual processing (the process we use to make sense of what we see) is not consistent. Your child doesn’t understand appropriate spacing between letters and numbers when writing, has a difficult time copying from the board at school, mixes up letters and has difficulty tracking while reading. Poor eye contact is also a concern.

5. There are issues with oral motor/sensory skills which are the control of muscle movements in the face and oral areas, such as the lips, jaw, tongue, and soft palate. Your child has excessive drool, trouble using an age-appropriate cup, chews food in the front of the mouth rather than the molars, difficulty drinking from a straw, and is excessively picky about food textures.

If your child is experiencing any of the above behaviors, it may be time to schedule an OT evaluation. By addressing these concerns and working with an Occupational Therapist, a child can gain self-confidence, learn problem-solving, and develop social skills that will put them on the track to success.

Click here to read more about our Occupational Therapy services, as well as our OT professionals. Feel free to contact us to schedule your evaluation or individual sessions here at 𝙎𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙎𝙩𝙚𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨! (914-244-4101). We look forward to hearing from you!

Another call from the teacher?

November 2, 2022News

As parents, we all worry. We worry about how our child will do in school, sports, activities, friendships…but sometime we do more than occasionally worry. Some of us fear what the future will be like for our kid because every day seems like a roller coaster of emotion and chaos. Tantrums, fighting with siblings, emails from the teacher and calls from the principal, refusal to listen, eat, sleep- basically every single aspect of life with your child seems to be an argument or a fight and you are out of solutions. You are heartbroken and not sure where to turn to next.

The Sensory Learning Program at Sensory Stepping Stones is here to help you. This program is best for those who have unresolved medical or sensory issues and have tried medications and other therapies with little success. The program helps children process their environments more successfully as well as develop the skills to form meaningful relationships with others. It can also help parents and adults cope with the stress and overwhelm that comes with managing the demanding tasks of life.

Your child will benefit from the Sensory Learning Program if:

You are worried about the way your child is connecting with peers
Teachers are mentioning your child needs extra support
Family members have noticed something is off with your child
You have to control every aspect of your child’s life in order to avoid tantrums/meltdowns
You have tried traditional medications/therapies and they have not worked

You’ll be able to send your child to school knowing that higher grades and harder assignments will not intimidate him and that she will get invited to friends’ birthday parties. Ultimately, you’ll find relief knowing that your child will find ways to be successful no matter what challenges they face in life. Give us a call today to schedule your free consultation to see if the Sensory Learning Program is a good fit for your family!

Is your child NOT getting what they need at school?

October 18, 2022Education, Parenting

We love our children’s schools and teachers, but sometimes we need assistance when it comes to navigating our child’s needs and the special education/504 plan process. It is so overwhelming, and you do NOT have to face this alone!

Every child learns differently. There is no “one size fits all” approach to education. Often, when it comes to our kids, parents can have a tough time understanding what needs to be done to maximize their child’s education. At Sensory Stepping Stones, we have a team of professionals who will work with families to advocate for and protect the educational needs of their children.

This may include but is not limited to the following services:

IEP/504 review
Evaluation of tests results
Program placement evaluations
Classroom accommodations/ testing modification review
Attendance at meetings- Initial/Triennial/Annual team meetings
Communication with school personnel on behalf of you and your child
Empowerment for self-advocacy work with the child
Management of documents/records in an organized form

Call or text the clinic at (914) 244-4101

Is your child difficult?

October 12, 2022Parenting, Sensory Processing

Parenting is a roller coaster. Some days are easy and fun and we can just throw our hands up in the air and enjoy the ride. Other days we are holding on for dear life with a feeling of anxiety and dread, not sure where this ride will take us next. This is totally normal- life is a series of up and downs!

But if you are experiencing way more difficult days than successful ones, it is very possible that your child may have an undiagnosed processing or sensory issue.

Does your child…

Have difficulty focusing on a task/is easily distracted
Acts without thinking
Has trouble being still
Experiences difficulty getting along with peers
Is impatient, impulsive and/or lacking in self control
Not hear what people say
“Tune out” others frequently
Act overly or under-reactive to touch, movement, sights and/or sound
Possess an activity level that is unusually high or unusually low
Demonstrate physical clumsiness or apparent carelessness
Have difficulty making transitions from one situation to another
Not have the ability to unwind or calm self

If this sounds like your child or someone you know, let’s connect. We are experts on how to help YOUR child. Give us a call to set up a free consultation either in person or on Zoom today and we will get you on the path to enjoying this beautiful ride through life with your child, rather than living in fear of what tomorrow may bring. We can’t wait to chat!

Does your child need therapy?

October 3, 2022Parenting, Therapeutic Approaches, Trauma and Stress

Anxiety, depression, trauma, school avoidance, difficulties with emotion regulation, low self-esteem, social anxiety, anger management…kids and teens are dealing with so much today, especially as they begin to navigate how to find a return to normalcy as we emerge from a worldwide pandemic and the effects that “new normal” had on all of us.

If your child is dealing with any mental health challenge, or just having a tough time navigating through their days, you may have thought about finding a therapist, but may not have known where to start.

The word ‘psychotherapy’ can sound intimidating. If you have never gone to therapy before, the idea of sitting on that infamous couch and revealing your innermost thoughts to a stranger may sound embarrassing. You may question whether your child even need to see a therapist at all

But the fact is, engaging in therapy with the right provider can improve your quality of life. According to the American Psychological Association, about 75% of people who enter psychotherapy say they benefit from it, and research shows they’re better able to function in their day-to-day activities.

Therapy is not just for young people facing a mental health diagnosis. Regular therapy sessions can be beneficial for pretty much everyone dealing with life! Everyday stresses, social anxiety, school situations, family conflicts…a well trained and caring therapist can help your child/teen successfully get through whatever roadblocks they may encounter in everyday life.

We are proud to offer Psychotherapy sessions at Sensory Stepping Stones! We focus on early intervention of the problem and providing trauma-informed treatment to assist with areas such as self-awareness & self-esteem, coping strategies, emotion regulation skills for stress, anger, anxiety, and depression and building social supports and communication skills. Therapy is a game changer!

An extra benefit of working with a therapist here at Sensory Stepping Stones is that we have a professional working relationship with many schools and specialists. We DO NOT require a referral! Parents, guardians, or the client themselves (18 +) may call our office to schedule an appointment and discuss their needs.

Please call 914-244-4101 or click the link for a consultation zoom call to set up a consultation appointment. We look forward to chatting with you and helping your child!

“Where words fail, music speaks” -Hans Christian Andersen

September 27, 2022Parenting, Therapeutic Approaches

Music is a language we can all communicate in, even before we have the ability to speak! When I think about all of the music that we surround our infants and toddlers with, I realize it’s literally everywhere! Whether it’s a mom humming a lullaby before bedtime or a dad having a dance party in the kitchen meant to soothe a fussing toddler, music is one of the greatest gifts and tools of parenting!

As our babies gets older, sharing music with others to learn and play is a great opportunity to grow. This music therapy group session will provide opportunities for singing and playing instruments with friends while exploring different topics and themes each week! We will be using our voice and instruments to increase communication, movement, socialization, and self-expression.

What is Music Therapy? Music Therapy is an established health profession in which music is used within a therapeutic relationship to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals.Through musical involvement in the therapeutic context, clients’ abilities are strengthened and transferred to other areas of their lives. Music therapy also provides avenues for communication that can be helpful to those who find it difficult to express themselves in words. Research in music therapy supports its effectiveness in many areas such as: overall physical rehabilitation and facilitating movement, increasing people’s motivation to become engaged in their treatment, providing emotional support for clients and their families, and providing an outlet for expression of feelings

Come join board certified music therapist, Ashley Barton of Duet Music Therapy as we explore music and movement for young ones, ages 1-2 and 3-5! Classes kick off October 17th and are filling up fast. Register for either class here – Music Class Registration

Forgetful…Disorganized…Unfocused…

September 23, 2022Executive Functioning, Parenting

Does this sound like your child? Now that it’s the middle of September, life is in full swing! The kids are back to school and there is so much to keep track of- classwork, homework, supplies, activities schedule, sports equipment…is your child able to handle it all or do you find yourself picking up the pieces constantly, trying to help hold it all together?

You used to think it was cute that your child was a little forgetful. The way you’d innocently remind her of what she was supposed to do next would tug at your heartstrings and make you feel needed. But as he grew, you noticed his memory wasn’t growing in proportion to his size, and though he was more mature in other ways, he still needed a lot of reminding of basic details.

You notice it at home when it’s time to do chores or finish homework and teachers have also commented that they often have to intervene and keep your child on task.

Life is only going to get busier and more complex as your child grows up. It’s distressing to see your child struggle to recall the basic steps of simple tasks. There are so many expectations to reach certain achievements and you just don’t know how he’s going to meet these requirements without being able to concentrate.

But the truth is, kids can grow and adapt and there are ways to help them better navigate the demands of their lives. Increasing mental clarity and focus is not a one size fits all approach. It requires specialized evaluation and individual plans to ensure you are meeting your child where is and addressing their particular struggles.

At Sensory Stepping Stones, the Cognitive & Memory Training Program is a process of exercising the brain and is designed to enhance your child’s ability to process and learn through the stimulation of his nervous system. After completing this program:

Your child will improve thinking and processing skills
Your child will develop stronger reasoning skills and a better memory
Your child will experience quicker hand-eye coordination
Your child will feel more capable of remembering tasks and details
Your child will build skills to regulate emotions
Your child will express more self-confidence

The Cognitive & Memory Training Program can also be used with children without a specific diagnosis to tune out distractions and better control their emotions.

We would love to tell you more about this program! To schedule a free consultation (Zoom or in person!) with Sensory Stepping Stones, click here

Are you losing hope?

September 23, 2022Parenting, Sensory Processing

As an expecting mom, you had all sorts of hopes and dreams for your child. The first time you held your baby, his life flashed before your eyes. You imagined a wall filled with his scholastic awards, shelves overflowing with tournament trophies, and even his first date with his very first girlfriend.

You promised yourself that you would do everything in your power to make each of these dreams come true and you even went so far as to save four years’ worth of Harvard tuition before his 10th birthday.

But here you are, just a few short days after that birthday and you’re starting to wonder if any of these plans will ever become a reality. Your everyday life with your growing child seems more like a bad dream than the fantasy you had envisioned.

School is a struggle and you know there aren’t any achievement awards coming home this year. Sports trophies are a distant memory since the coach has suggested that your child not return next season. It feels like everything you ever wanted for your newborn baby is slipping further and further away.

That’s not to say you want your child to be perfect. In fact, you want the opposite. A normal child who has her ups and downs like every other kid. You know there are things that will come more easily than others or things she will find difficult. You believe that all children are unique and have strengths and weaknesses that shape them into individuals. You want to help your child capitalize on her exceptionality and thrive.

But what you didn’t expect was how difficult some of the most basic tasks might be. You never predicted your child would have massive meltdowns over schedule changes or fidget so much he distracts his entire class from concentrating on their standardized tests. You had no idea you’d become so sensitive to sleep patterns and clumsiness. And you certainly didn’t expect to have to face outright defiance when you made a simple request.

We understand your child and the stress you are feeling every single day. We work with parents and kids daily to create solutions to these issues that are impacting every aspect of your family’s life.

It is our mission to enhance your child’s mental, emotional, physical, and functional performance so he or she experiences greater self-awareness, understanding, and growth. Our clinic insists upon creating an atmosphere that encourages your child to learn, discover, mature, and develop positive self-esteem.

We would love to chat with you and help you to learn more about Sensory Stepping Stones. To schedule a free Zoom or in-person consultation with Sensory Stepping Stones, click here

Art and Mental Health for Children

June 21, 2021Parenting, Therapeutic Approaches

When I was a child in school, I was so excited to go to art class. Art class allowed me to rest my mind because I had the chance to play with paper-Mache and paint.
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When I was a child in school, I was so excited to go to art class. Art class allowed me to rest my mind because I had the chance to play with paper-Mache and paint. Read More

Family Fun Day!

When I was a child in school, I was so excited to go to art class. Art class allowed me to rest my mind because I had the chance to play with paper-Mache and paint.
Read More