April is Autism Awareness Month! Individuals with autism have many different symptoms, so it is usually referred to as a “spectrum” of qualities or varied behaviors associated with autism. As time progresses, we find more and more individuals each year are diagnosed with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). Today, approximately 1 in 59 children is diagnosed with ASD. Autism is broad in its diagnosis, and its characteristics range from social skills and behavior to physical aspects like seizures or sleep disorders.

Many people have heard of Occupational Therapy, but often are not sure of exactly what it is. It is important to understand what OT is, who benefits from it, and the history of how it came to be. The first thing to know is that occupational therapy does not have to do with jobs and occupations.

As children develop, parents and healthcare professionals monitor their progress in different ways. They will gauge how their development meets or differs from the average timeline of milestones a child’s growth tends to follow. The assessment and comparison of developmental milestones differs with every child, as they will develop skills at different rates.

Most parents, caregivers, teachers, babysitters, and guardians of children understand that there are typically difficult behaviors that can become a challenge to manage. The most common are things like having a meltdown, screaming, and crying to get something they want or need.

One way to practice mindfulness is through breathing exercises. Many occupational therapists and physical therapists will use deep breathing techniques like diaphragmatic breathing to assist in their goal of creating the highest level of independence possible for the lives of their patients.

For families with children, keeping them active during this #stayhomefornevada time is so important for everyone! When the local parks or school jungle gyms or equipment are closed, we have some ideas to share to keep kids active.

On average, 4.3 million children are reported as victims of child abuse and neglect. According to Childhelp.org, child abuse is reported every ten seconds in the United States. Interestingly, the CDC reports that there are about 4 million births per year are the result of in vitro fertilization (IVF). Knowing that there are almost 400,000 children in our foster care system, what is happening to cause the increase in abuse cases?

April is the month where we focus on the amazing work of occupational therapists! An OT or an OTA (occupational therapy assistant) assist others through therapeutic intervention to live their life with the maximum level of independence. Occupational therapists work with children during development and work with children with different learning or developmental abilities and we can celebrate them all year!

The National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) recognizes March as developmental disabilities awareness month. During this month, they highlight the facts and aim to raise awareness about inclusion for those who are differently abled.

Healthy eating is a component of a healthy lifestyle at any age. National Nutrition Month takes place every March and provides us the opportunity to check in on our nutrition and food choices.

Typically bleeding disorders involve blood clotting. During the process of coagulation (blood clotting), many factors come into play. Some individuals have an imbalance in their clotting process.

For those who have Down Syndrome, there are significant things to focus on through early childhood development. Here are some ways you can focus depending on your child’s age or stage of life.

March is Epilepsy Awareness Month, a time to educate people about the challenges faced by those with epilepsy and to raise awareness of the impact of this neurological disorder on individuals and their families.

What do Jim Carrey, Michael Phelps, Dan Ackroyd, Temple Grandin, and Orville Wright have in common? They are all very well-known and successful individuals. But it is interesting to note that each one of these people also has a developmental disability.

Developmental milestones are things we consider to be important or meaningful learned behaviors in early childhood. We are familiar with the most major developments, for instance, our first words, first steps, first smile.

You’ve probably been told to visit a dentist every six months for routine cleaning. During these visits, your dentist will check for tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral hygiene-related issues. It is recommended to visit the dentist every six months to catch potential problems early — before it becomes a serious procedure or life-altering problem.

Statistically, a baby is born with a congenital heart defect (CHD) every 15 minutes. This amounts to roughly 1 in every 100 births resulting in a congenital heart defect. This February, we are bringing awareness to congenital heart defects as part of American Heart Healthy Month.

The American Dental Association promotes National Children’s Dental Health Month during the month of February. During this month, professionals and healthcare providers in the industry aim to provide and promote the benefits and impact of good oral health for children.

Depression in children is not an entirely uncommon diagnosis, especially in teens. ADHD, behavior problems, anxiety, and depression are the most commonly diagnosed mental disorders in children (cdc.gov). Approximately 1.9 million kids between the ages of 3-17 have been diagnosed with depression. When a child is diagnosed with a different disorder, the likelihood of depression may increase.

Our hearts are so important for our overall health; the heart is the force that allows our blood to circulate and keep us going. During the month of February, the American Heart Association projects the message about promoting heart healthy habits and awareness of how you can prevent heart disease.