An Ideal Setting & Environment for Occupational Therapy
S.M.I.L.E.S. is the ideal setting and environment for occupational therapy. Our Cincinnati therapy center provides children with a comfortable setting to work in. Our OT environment is setup in a highly beneficial way that allows children to not only develop excellent independent living skills, but it’s also ideal for movement, self-care, fine motor, sensory integration skills and a variety of specialized programs.
Occupational Therapy for the Job of Living
Occupational therapy (OT) teaches skills for the job of living! For a child, this involves addressing the “work” of a child, namely moving, playing, and learning. OT focuses on the barriers that are impeding a child from fully experiencing and enjoying these vital activities of daily living. Through working on natural play-based activities together, barriers are removed that allow children to develop new skills and excel at simply being a child!
Areas of focus include:
- Fine motor coordination activities to improve:
- Grasping
- Hand strength
- Dexterity
- Activities to help develop age appropriate gross and fine motor skills
- Self-help strategies for greater independence in daily activities such as:
- Dressing
- Self-care
- Using utensils
- Strategies to cope with and manage anxiety
- Treatment to improve visual perceptual skills
- Cognitive training to help children improve:
- Attention
- Ability to follow directions
- Problem solving
Occupational Therapy Specialty Programs
S.M.I.L.E.S. is passionate about taking a multifaceted approach to therapy. In fact, we believe that the best therapeutic outcomes are a direct result of this perspective and practice. Our ultimate goal is to always ensure the best possible treatment and outcome for each child individually. With this in mind, in addition to traditional developmental therapy, we also incorporate the BRAIN GYM, S’cool Moves, and Bal-A-Vis-X programs.
BRAIN GYM & Sensory Processing Disorders
S.M.I.L.E.S. provides occupational therapy services specializing in BRAIN GYM and sensory processing disorders. The phrase BRAIN GYM usually modifies a noun. Whether used by itself or as a modifying phrase, it describes a specific set of movements, processes, programs, materials, and educational philosophy. Simply put, BRAIN GYM is a program of physical movements that enhance learning and performance in ALL areas. For more information, visit BRAIN GYM.
S’cool Moves
S’cool Moves is an educational company that provides training and materials for schools wanting to enhance collaboration between teachers, therapists, parents, and other school staff. The company grew out of Debra Em Wilson’s vision to provide foundation skills for students whose families did not have the financial capability to pay for private therapy clinics, behavioral optometry sessions, or expensive learning intervention programs. For more information, visit S’cool Moves.
Bal-a-Vis-X (Balance, Auditory, Vision, and Integrative)
Bal-A-Vis-X is a series of some 300 exercises developed by Bill Hubert, most of which are done with sand-filled bags and/or racquetballs, often while standing on a Bal-A-Vis-X balance board. Requiring multiple thousands of mid-line crossings in three dimensions, these exercises are steadily rhythmic, with a pronounced auditory foundation, executed at a pace that naturally results from proper physical techniques. Bal-A-Vis-X enables the whole mind-body system to experience the symmetrical flow of a pendulum.
This carefully modulated system of exercises can become increasingly complex OR increasingly simplified/modified for those with severe special needs. In group (school) settings the program demands cooperation, promotes self-challenge, fosters peer teaching. For more information, visit Bal-A-Vis-X.