All Categories - Dragonfly Pediatric Therapy, Inc.

Applied behavioral Analysis or ABA Therapy

8/8/2019

Well, it has been entirely too long since I have posted a blog and I am so sorry. A lot has happened since I last wrote.

One of the big things is that I now have 3 clinics that I work at. I'm still at my main clinic and still at my school clinic but I have added a third clinic which is the reason for this blog post today.

My third clinic is located at Silver Linings Neurodevelopment and I am thrilled to pieces to be a part of such a unique and fabulous place! I work with several types of people, something I have not been used to as I have been solo for nearly 20 years, hence it was time for a change.

I have the privilege of working with psychologists, ABA therapists, speech therapy (ST), and psychometrists. Plus a well oiled front office who help me in all kinda ways. All of these people make up an incredible team that I am very proud to be a part of. A team that has become quite necessary especially with the autism epidemic and the rise is many other issues with our sweet kids.

Now, onto my point . . .

Several 'hundred' years ago, I was providing Occupational Therapy (OT) services to several facilities across my city, before I set up an official clinic, and I found myself working along side several ABA therapists. Now, we pediatric OT's tend to be very free spirited, kind of going with the flow, and I especially go with the flow of my OT kids as I find the more you force the less they tend to do. So when I came across this ABA stuff a 'hundred' years ago, I was taken back as the way it was done then seemed a bit harsh and not at all floated along my free spirited lines.

Fast forward to the present . . . now that I have been educated and have had the privilege of working around, talking about, and seeing the implementation of ABA therapy, I stand corrected and see the huge benefits of this therapy as part of the team approach to our special needs kids.

Let me explain it from OT terms . . .

The speech therapist that I get to work alongside is a gem to say the least and I love having impromptu discussions with her about mutual patients or patients we want to refer to each other. We have had many discussions about certain behaviors that can and have hindered our carefully planned out OT and ST treatment meant to meet the goals of the kids as well as their parents.

Some of the behaviors that we have come across can be so hindering to progress in our treatment sessions that we immediately turn to our ABA therapy people for help. It is not uncommon for my ST buddy and me to put our therapy on hold so that the behaviors can get sorted out with the ABA therapist so that the child can have the best shot at successful OT and ST sessions and I'm here to tell you, those ABA folks are awesome!

Ending the Autism Epidemic

10/28/2018

Click on the title below for a direct link to this awesome book!!

How to End the Autism Epidemic

Let me just say this from the start of this blog, I did not have to read this book to already know what is causing autism because it has been smacking us in the face for many many years. If it smells like poo, looks like poo, and feels like poo, than it is poo.

I will also say this, if I had to do it all over again, I would have asked my mom from the womb to keep vaccinations out of my body and I would have kept vaccinations out of my kid's bodies once I became a mother myself 19 years ago, I just didn't know until about 15 years ago.

There, I said it.

Now, is that to say that vaccinations are the only cause of autism, ADHD, and many other diagnosis, no, actually it is not the only cause, but it is a big huge cause and its time we adopt a brand new way of thinking. A new way of thinking that the vaccination trade off IS NOT WORTH IT, as it seems we are swapping a very minor reduction in a few acute illnesses for an epidemic in lifelong chronic illnesses, including autism, and yes, autism is now an epidemic.

Mr. Handley's book was written from a parent of an autistic child for other parents and was written very very well as this man did his research! What I mean by this is, the man brings to light all of the science that often goes unpublished because of the amount of money it takes to advertise it plus losing your butt over blowing a big ugly whistle (read the book and this will make sense), which clearly points a finger at vaccinations as a cause of autism. If you don't believe me, get his book and you will see the pages and pages of scientific proof. Its all there in black and white.

In his book, he has two distinct graphs that speak volumes if only you will look and think about the gravity of what you are looking at. The first one is the graph pointing out that back in 1970, when babies only got about 3 vaccinations, autism was at 1 in 10,000. Fast forward to today, when a baby is known to have up to 38 vaccinations and you will see that autism is 1 in 36 now. The other graph shows a jaw dropping linear increase in the number of vaccinations that babies are getting and the number of kids with autism.

The ingredients in the vaccinations causing many of the issues are aluminum and thirmerosal aka ethylmercury, which wreak havoc on our bodies and brains. Read the book to see why, its alarming.

Austism can also happen in the womb if a mom gets sick during a critical part of the baby's brain development. There are a few other ways but I'll keep it simple for now so I can urge you to read this book and when you do, question everything you think you know about your baby's medical journey.

The trick in all this is the fact that vaccinations are a $20+ billion industry and folks don't like to be seperated from there money but I say this to them, "You are messing with human children who have their whole life ahead of them, but you've altered it in a way to where it will never be the fullness that it could have been. In the process, you have thrown the parents under the bus who will struggle in caring for what you have ruined. Shame on you!"

Now, I realize that the initial intent of vaccinations was to help but now that the cat is out of the bag and it is hurting more than it is helping, step up and make changes.

I cannot tell you how many parents that I have worked with over the last 27 years that say this to me, "He/she was developing just fine and then after his/her vaccinations EVERYTHING changed."

Again, if it smells like poo, looks like poo, and feels like poo, than it is indeed just that, poo.

Read this book, I promise you that it is eye opening and you will agree that change is long overdue!

Guest Post by Dana Brown of Health Conditions

6/20/2018

Safe Summer Fun: Teach Your Children to Observe Water Safety Precautions

If there’s one summer activity that kids look forward to, it’s strapping on the swimsuit and splashing around in the nearest pool, lake, or pond with friends. It’s a beloved ritual of summer for kids of all ages, but enjoying the water means knowing how to stay safe. Approximately 1,000 children die each year by drowning, with most accidents taking place in home swimming pools. Drowning is also the second-leading cause of death for individuals between the ages of 5 and 24. So, before you get the pool noodles and floating rafts ready to go, make sure your kids understand the basics of swimming safety.
The Essentials
Children over 4 years old should learn how to swim, so look for a nearby recreation center, public pool, or individual instructor who can give lessons. It’s one of the most important safety precautions you, as a parent, can take. Even when your child has his swimming merit badge, don’t assume that you can turn him loose in the deep end of the pool and go work on your tan. Children, even those who can swim, can drown in just two inches of water, so keep an eye on what’s going on in the water. Crampingand hypothermia are dangers that can pop up unexpectedly, even under favorable conditions.
Water Safety Devices
Children under five should always wear protective swimming devices, such as a flotation vest or inflatable “floaties” or water wings they can wear around their wrists. However, be advised that such safety aids are not, by themselves, adequate protection. Water temperature is another safety factor that parents should pay close attention to; water under 70 degrees is generally considered too cold for comfortable swimming. The optimal range is from 80 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit.

Safety Fencing
A backyard pool, hot tub, or a clean pond can provide your children with hours of fun, but safety should always be a major concern considering the number of accidents that take place in the home every year. Most states require that a property with a swimming pool have a fencethat can be locked to secure the swimming area. A fence that separates the pool from your house is an ideal scenario. The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that pool safety fencesshould be at least four feet high with no rails that can be used for climbing. The gate should be self-latching and out of your children’s reach.
Pool No-No’s
Make certain your kids understand that no roughhousing is allowed in and around the pool. That means no running or jumping into the pool from the top of a fence or some other nearby object. And there should be no playing tag or rough games that could render someone unconscious. Make sure kids know that swim time is over if they get out of control, and keep the pool out of bounds until everyone settles down.
Chemicals
Swimming pools need disinfectants to keep dangerous pathogens like E. coli and salmonella from building up. Unfortunately, some pool chemicals represent their own dangers. Studies have shown that swimming in chlorinated watercan place children at risk for respiratory problems, hay fever, and asthma. Parents should be aware that chlorinated water can produce unhealthy by-products. A good rule of thumb is to avoid swimming in a pool where you can actually smell the chlorine. If your kids swim indoors, make sure the facility is properly ventilated. One of the most reliable precautions is to limit the time kids spend in a chlorinated pool.
Summer swimming should be a fun activity that everyone can enjoy. Play it safe by requiring your children to swim according to hard-and-fast, non-negotiable rules. Always keep them within reach and have a cell phone on hand in case of an emergency.

Image courtesy of Pixabay.com

A GUEST POST TITLED: HOW TO FIGHT CHILDHOOD OBESITY WITH WELLNESS-FOCUSED ACTIVITIES

5/16/2018

By: Dana Brown of Health Conditions

Losing weight is hard at any age, but there are specific challenges for kids. For starters, junk and fast food seem more acceptable for children than adults, and are oftentimes given as rewards. Activity levels in children have decreased over the years as technology has increased. Statistics also suggest that isolated or bullied kids, as well as those in single-parent, low-income, or domestic violence households, tend to overeat (or eat poorly) in response to stress.

Considering one-third of American kids are overweight or obese, it’s about time to recognize the fact that any changes that need to be made should become lifelong habits — especially considering two-thirds of obese children end up being obese in adulthood, which can potentially lead to diabetes, liver disease, bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and cardiovascular disease. So, if your child is struggling with a weight problem, here’s how to get the whole family to start living a healthier lifestyle.

Address Any Mental Health Issues
Obese children are more apt to be depressed, have low self-esteem, and have a negative body image, but whether or not that’s because of their weight or vice versa should be explored in order to get to the heart of their condition. All the carrot sticks in the world aren’t going to solve a deeply-rooted mental condition, so consider talking to your child’s doctor about the possibility of individual or group/family therapy.

Get Moving
Instructing your kid to get on a treadmill or run laps around the block may be met with resistance, so start by sneaking in exercise through playtime. Family Living Today has lots of great ideas on how to do this. For example, install a swing set in the backyard to help your child develop strength, agility, and various motor skills while contributing to their daily dose of physical fitness. If they show interest in a particular sport, encourage them to try out for a team at school or in a local community league. Make family activity sessions a regular thing — like taking nightly walks after dinner or setting up a volleyball net for an impromptu game.

Involve Your Kids In Mealtime
Despite the fact that you want to encourage healthy food choices, don’t label foods as either “bad” or “good,” as doing so can promote a long-term eating disorder. Instead, slowly introduce healthier foods into their lives by trying out a different recipe once a week while continuing to prepare familiar foods in limited, controlled quantities — eventually, the goal is to phase them out. Involve your kids in the shopping and mealtime planning so they can start to understand the importance of nutrition. Get them involved with the cooking process by assigning them age-appropriate tasks — just make sure you have safe equipment such as a good knife set to safely cut your fruits and veggies. Teach your kids to establish a healthy relationship with food by encouraging them to describe what they’re eating using words like “energized” or “happy.”

Establish A Bedtime And Stick To It
There’s copious evidence floating around with regard to lack of sleep and obesity, and kids are no exception to this rule. Studies indicate that children who sleep fewer than 10 hours a night are three and a half times more likely to be overweight than those who sleep for 12-plus hours. To ensure your kids get enough shuteye, establish a bedtime and wake up time and stick with it seven days a week.

The only way your child is going succeed is if you set a good example by adopting the same habits. Making health and fitness fun can make it feel less like a chore without losing any efficiency. Set goals as a family, but make the rewards non-food based so that you’re separating eating and emotions.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

A must read!

4/15/2018

Over the last several months, I have been studying and researching why there is autism, leaky gut, the poisons in our food, the rise of autoimmune diseases, the rise of genetic disorders, and how all of this relates to diet.

I myself have leaky gut and it hurts like heck if I don't stay on my incredibly strict diet because I have inadvertantly done so much damage by eating the foods that I buy at the grocery store, I have decreased what I can eat to very minimal.

I cannot eat foods with gluten, casein, sugar, GMO'S, and all the other poisons that have been added so that the food industry can make more money. Thanks y'all, I don't appreciate it. Pesticides are used to keep the bugs away, GMO'S or genetically modified organisms scare the heck outta me and hurt my gut a lot, hormones aka GMO'S, and probably loads more that I am unaware of to hurry up the growth process of the animals and plants that I have been eating for the last several years put in my food to hurt me.

I also have discovered why I have trouble losing and keeping weight off as my gut flora is so low in some areas that I fear my gut will never be repaired. I am part of a study with the company called UBiome and after getting my results today from my first fecal sample, I have a heck of a lotta work to do to heal myself and it scares me.

If I eat the wrong things, I have gas, bloating, severe pain, diarrhea, and joint pain. This has caused me to miss work, decline lunch and other outings as I fear the paralyzing pain and frequent visit to the restroom, and many other areas of enjoyment that have been affected by my leaky gut.

Leaky gut is rampent in kids with autism and causes a lot of pain, confusion, and brain fog in these kids. They already have enough to deal with without having this too.

I also discovered that I have damaged my bodies ability to produce the proper enzymes to break my food down, which makes things even worse because with leaky gut, the gut wall becomes too permeable and allows my not-all-the-way processed food to escape into my body/bloodstream. That ain't good news for health.

Did you know that 80% of immunity is located in the gut? Given that, you better darn well take care of that gut or you will be sick all of the time eventually leading to an autoimmune disease, which basically means your body starts attacking itself.

The book above is a must read if you find yourself or your kids dealing with painful stomach/intestinal trouble, diarrhea, inflammation, joint pain, muscle pain, autism, ADD/ADHD, brain fog, and load of other symptoms/diseases.

Dr. Amy Myers is a functional medical doctor whose goal with each and every one of her patients is to get to the 'why' of the symptoms and does not throw body destroying pills at folks as a quick fix for the complaints.

As a fellow holistic practitioner whose goal is also to get to the 'why' of what I see in my clinic with my OT kids, I appreciate what she is preaching.

I highly recommend this book to all of you. She also has a quiz on her website, which I have taken, that will pinpoint what might be going on and what to do about it.

I do not know Dr. Amy, but I feel connected to her because she is on the same path that I am of giving our patients the best care and the proper care possible.

Much of my book, that is out on Amazon called 'The Dragonfly Approach,' talks about diet and gut health. Her book just hits this point further home.

Here's to health! Cheers!

stop letting people tell you how or who you are supposed to be!

3/29/2018

I had a lovely conversation with one of my OT mom's today during therapy and it brought up a thought that has been on my mind quite a lot lately.

She confessed to me that she had a hard time getting rid of things, especially things that belonged to her growing children. She said she guessed she was a hoarder. I was quick to say, "No you're not, unless it is caving in on you or you can't get into your home." She responded that no, it wasn't like that at all. I followed up by saying, "I am so sick and tired of the world giving everyone a label and putting them in a box so everything is nice, neat, and tidy. If you want to save your kid's things because you have an emotional tie and a memory to it, then just do it and don't worry about the box or the label you will be put in or given."

She smiled and exclaimed, "You know what? You're right!"

I had another OT mom tell me today that although her son has autism, she expects him to be polite, respectable, and courteous because she refuses to allow his label of 'autism' to keep him from being a good human being. Her child was wildly polite and it was amazing!

When we put ourselves or let others put us or our kids in a box with a label, it may cause limitations to what could be possible. For example, I was put in the box with the label of 'special ed' when I was in grade school. Later on, I decided that I was more than this and refused to be held down by a label or held in a box and I didn't. I busted right out and have never stopped.

If you want to keep your Christmas tree up all year, do it. If you want to wear white shoes after Labor Day, do it. If you want your child or yourself to rise above a label or box, than allow this!

One of the things that I have learned over my many years of study is this: If you tell yourself you can't or shouldn't be capable of doing something because of your label or your box, guess what happens? Your subconscious literally says, "Oh, okay, I can't do that and now I believe it and I will now hold you or your kids back from endless possibilities." Not kidding, y'all!

Labels and boxes=limitations!

Anything is possible if you believe it and convince your subconscious. I see it everyday in my OT practice and it amazes me every single day!

Just another reason . . .

3/17/2018

I cannot stress to y'all enough, what an honor it is doing a job that I love to bits and enjoy every day. I am equally honored meeting the families and the OT kids as they teach me something each and every moment as well.
Here's what I mean . . .
I had a phone conversation with a new OT kid's mom this morning wich further drove home my utter justification in writing 'The Dragonfly Approach' and here's why.
As I listened to her tell me all about her OT kid and her other two that have issue as well, she repeatedly said, "I wish that after I was given the diagnosis (in her case her son has autism) that someone would have told me what the next step was, what therapies he needed, what could I do with him at home, help him with school, etc. Just some starting point. I would have been so grateful."
The desperation in her voice moved my heart and this type conversation is one of the thousands that I have had with parents who have a child that is/has been diagnosed with any number of issues like autism, sensory processing disorder, a genetic disorder, ADHD, dyslexia, etc. over the last 25+ years.
One of the other things she proudly told me is that once her son was diagnosed, she got online trying to find out anything and everything only to be completely overwhelmed at where to start, which way to go, and many other questions she told me about.
This is why 'The Dragonfly Approach' was written. Written for the aftermath of finding out that your child has a special need and what in the heck to do about it now. The information out there is all over the place and goes in a million different directions and when you are a parent trying to weed through and tease out what in the heck to do, it can be completely overwhelming and very defeating, indeed.
The other day, one of my own kids asked me this, "Why did you write this book? What were you hoping accomplish? Do you hope you get rich?" I chuckled at the last question as wealth is and never has been on my mind. I actually cannot stand money although my mom says not to look at it as an enemy but as a tool. Its hard for me because money=greed in my heart and mind and comes from many years of suffering because of it. I'll stop there.
So, I looked at my wonderful child and I said this, "Imagine that I had the secret to how you could be the best baseball player around but I chose to keep it to myself. How would that make you feel?" He looked at me and said, "Well, I'd be pissed of course."
"What if I had the secret to curing cancer, but I kept it to myself?" He answered, "Mom, get to the point already."
"I have valuable information that I have gleaned from living with it from the moment I was born, in addition, you and your sister had your own issues and I have had the honor of working as an OT for many years with these cool kids. The information I have learned, I cannot keep a secret and I will not keep it a secret. It must be told so that families can get the direction they need early on to help their special needs kids. I hope to accomplish a successful journey for these kids and their families to prevent the frustration and sadness I hear from them every day by 'not knowing.' As for the money, I could care less. That is so far removed from my motivation, you know that about me."
My son took a deep breath and then blew it out saying, "Mom, God has made this possible you know," and with tears in my eyes I said, "Yep, He's had a plan for me from the time I was 8 years old. He let me know that now was the time. I'm one lucky person to have such an awesome God."
We hugged and I had a bit of a come apart because my passion for what I do and this book must be told and as I learn more, I will write another one and another one as things progress and change in my field.
I love all you folks who battle with this thing called special needs and know that each night I am praying for all of you. Every single night!
Love y'all!!♥

the power of prayer

2/22/2018

You may wonder why on earth an OT would write about the power of prayer . . . well, because I believe in it and it is a HUGE part of my practice.

In a world that looks as if it has gone crazy, prayer has become more necessary than ever in my professional and Christian opinion.

In addition to studying and doing anything and everything I can to help my OT kids and their families soar, one of my greatest super powers is praying for each and every one of them in addition to the treatment that I provide each week.

When I can't seem to figure out what is next in helping a child to move to the next level of developmental advancement, I lean heavily on prayer to help me get to the bottom of what needs to be done and I'm here to say, it works. I have seen it time and time again.

Prayer is a bridge of hope when you feel frustrated about what to do in a situation that seems overwhelming. I tell my families and kids all the time that I am praying for them and some seem quite surprised by this and others seem comforted and that makes my heart sing.

So I challenge each and every one of you that are a part of the population of health care providers, throw some prayer into your expertise and I dare say, you WILL succeed and help the ones that need it the most.

Prayer and compassion are a winning combination not only in life, but in your practice so use it and pray without ceasing. You WILL see results!

A Team Approach

12/14/2017

As an OT, I realize that I cannot accomplish everything on my own for each of my OT kids and that's why a TEAM approach is critical to meet the kid's personal goals, the parent's goals for their child, as well and goals related to the classroom and daily living.

Now, in some cases this team involves a physical therapist and maybe even a speech therapist as well as doctors and counselors. However, in addition to these disciplines, there are a couple of others that I am referring to and I am very excited to be working with them.

My team consists of my nutrition coordinator, my horse owners, my nutritional store, my naturopathic doctor, my parents, and of course God.

I have talked a lot about the need for the blending of Western and Eastern medicine or practice in order to treat each individual in a way that will be the very best for them and the outcomes that everyone has in mind. Not one entity can accomplish this on their own and if they think they can, they are doing a HUGE injustice for the child or adult, depending on who you are treating.

Throwing pills at people is just masking the underlying cause of what is going on and in many cases, creates secondary side effects that seem to outweigh the very thing that was the problem in the first place.

In order to treat the whole person/child, one must start with nutrition because yes, this makes a huge difference as it is necessary to have a solid foundation in which to work off of. If you are putting junk in, junk will come out. In fact, a lot of the additives that are in foods can create 'syndrome' looking outcomes and if you change your eating habits, your 'syndromes' just might go away. An example of this was one of my OT kids who looked like he was on the rather severe side of the autism spectrum but with a lot of study, talking to folks, and faith, this kid's parents changed his diet and now you would be hard pressed to see him as autistic at all on most days. I applaud these folks and all of you parents out there that realize the importance of good nutrition.

The other thing that I feel is important is emotional health. This is the cornerstone of the whole person. If you see your child having a lot of anxiety for whatever reason, this can cause the over-release of cortisol and adrenaline into the system, which not only taxes the adrenal glands but can also decrease your immunity welcoming a lot of sickness. Many of the autoimmune system diseases that we are seeing these days can be linked backed to over-taxed adrenal glands, though there are other reasons to consider as well.

So, getting a good handle on your nutrition and emotional health is essential for your foundation of human-ness. I myself am gluten free, sugar free, and processed food free. If I get a hold of these foods, my gut kicks my tail and I find myself frequenting the bathroom as well as a very gassy and painful gut area. I have also added the Muse to my daily routine to help me decrease my anxiety and become more mindful. The Muse is a biofeedback system that can be found on Amazon. I highly recommend this daily for at least 5-12 minutes. I have been able to lower my blood pressure quite nicely since using it.

Going back to nutrition for a minute, did you know that the gut is the area of 70% of our immunity? This is why it is essential to take care of that gut, y'all. If that percentage of immunity is hanging out in there, you owe it to yourself and your children to change that nutrition for the better. Your quality of life will thank you.

In order to address nutrition, I am currently working with my coordinator, who is also a life coach and a physical therapy assistant, as well as a place here in my town called Ruth's Nutrition. Ruth's Nutrition is the bomb and has a whole mess of healthy alternatives because although I believe in lean protein and plant based eating, not every person or child can tolerate this as they might have texture issues or other food related issues and its just not possible. Ruth's Nutrition is my bridge for this issue with my OT kids and I am thrilled to be working with them as well as my nutrition coordinator.

I get a lot of raised eyebrows when I talk about the next part of my team because a lot of folks don't get exposed to this let alone heard of this. My farm and ranch owners allow me the benefit of horse assisted therapy in the form of Hippotherapy, which is OT using a horse and this is my riding part as well as my horse assisted therapy, which is ground work with no riding.

Horses are preyed upon animals and when this is your mindset, you are given incredibly heightened senses because you have to be able to immediately decipher if a situation is going to eat you or kill you. It makes one a bit jumpy as you can imagine but not jumpy in a way you might think.

Horses have managed to survive in herds for thousands of years and because of their heightened sense of awareness, they feel everything. Given this, they are the best animals for the job of helping people and children. My ranch owner told me a story one time that she had a mom, dad, and child out at the ranch doing a guided family session where they stood in the arena with a few horses and a pony. The family seemed edgy each time they came. The horses would go up to the daughter but not really pay any mind to the mom and definitely not the dad. Here's the interesting part...the pony would go up to the man, turn his rump at him, and poop on his shoes. The man never moved, never wiped the poo from his shoe, he would just stand there. They would leave and then come back the week after for their next session. This happened a few more times with the same response from the man after getting pooped on, not moving or wiping his shoes off. On one visit the daughter timidly blurted out after getting pooped on maybe the 3rd or 4th visit, "The pony knows." To which the mother whipped around and scowled at the girl as if to tell her to shut up. This got the attention of the woman directing the session. Long story short, the dad was sexually abusing the daughter while the mom looked the other way and the horse knew that the man was bad. The authorities were called and the parents were arrested. The daughter went to live with extended family. This is a true story, people. Horses know. They might not understand sexual abuse, but they sense bad in people. As my ranch friend says, "They will either walk up to you or not. If you are bad, they might poop on your shoes." Horses know.

They also sense anxiety, anger, and depression to name a few, which is something you may not even realize that you had standing in an arena with a group of horses. If your try moving towards a horse and the horse moves away from you, it senses something uneasy in you. Horses are used in all kinds of psychological treatment and my ranch friend has a War Veterans program that she works on as well. Horses know, y'all, and they can heal. I know my time with them has healed me in many ways.

My Hippotherapy program utilizes the horse for its central nervous system organizing gait pattern, core strength, crossing the mid-line, confidence building, and a ton more therapeutic benefits that would take too long to list. Kids make such wonderful gains if you can add a horse to their OT sessions.

My team would not be complete without the addition of a fascinating woman who is a board certified naturopathic doctor. She embraces Eastern medicine practices and natural healing because after all, our bodies can heal themselves, we've just been convinced that this isn't possible in some cases, so not true. This brilliant woman is an honor to work with and I recommend her to my OT kid families often when Western medicine just isn't working on its own.

Family is also an important part of the team as the kids spend the most time with them. I tell my parents a lot to help their child perform the exercises that are sent home so gains can be made quicker. I have some of the most incredible families, y'all.

Finally, and yes, I'm unconventional and you don't have to agree with me, that's your choice . . . God and prayer. If you leave out nutrition, emotional health, OT/PT/ST, counseling, and any other healthcare provider and then leave out God, well, you're good as gone as far as I'm concerned.

The pentafecta of health is nutrition, emotional health, movement, being outside in the fresh air, and of course, God and prayer. Leaving any of this out will hold anyone back from a good quality of life and if you are holding it back from your kids, well, step back and reassess, okay?

To all my sweet families and everyone else too, the most important thing you can do is listen to your heart and your gut, they tell you things that you need to know. God built us to be great, we just have to help the process, ya know?

Horses heal

11/17/2017

Ever since I was a child, I was always drawn to animals. My mom had a love affair with dogs so we always seemed to have one around. At one point, she started breeding Dachshunds to earn money for Christmas, she was quite the savvy stay at home mom and was always coming up with ways to help my father support the family.

Many years ago, while in Illinois where I lived until I was 13 years old, my dad and his brothers owned a farm. There were share croppers that would work the land but back then, a 20 minute drive seemed like an eternity so we never had any animals on the property much to my sadness because my parents reasoned that it was too far to care for them plus, we didn't have a lot of money starting out. However, there was one little nugget that I got to enjoy on the farmer's land next to ours, her name was Gold Dust and she was the most beautiful Palomino colored horse you have ever seen. Because of her, my love affair with horses took off and never went away.

One of the things I noticed and still remember years later, is how being with her made me feel. I can only describe it in simple words like calm, respectful, grateful, and happy but there are so many other feelings that she conjured up simply standing there in her presence that I don't think words can do justice to.

My desire, of course, was to own my own horse some day but dreams have a funny way of being strung on for reasons that I may not understand at the time, only to be relieved years and years later.

Fast forward to the present and I can only describe this to you in a spiritual way as I know that the good Lord above has led me on this path that I am on right now. It's not always been easy, but now I know without a doubt why He chose this route.

As a Pediatric Occupational Therapist of over 25 years, I have always been overjoyed seeing the many different therapies go in unheard of directions. I am so happy that SOMEBODY finally figured out that using animals around people and kids is some of the most 'healing-ist' stuff out there. I can attest to this as I use my dog Scout in therapy all of the time and that little fella can get kids to do stuff I would have never dreamed could be pulled out of them.

By the grace of God, I have run across several horsewomen over the last few years that I have connected on so many levels with and now I have the honor of offering Hippotherapy and Horse Assisted Therapy as part of my practice because y'all, horses heal and that book I have pictured up there is probably one of the most profound books I have ever read in my life and I thank Tim Hayes for taking the time to write it. If you think you know all about horses, well, test yourself reading his book and I'll bet you'll learn a thing or two. I know I did and I feel that his book answered and verified all of the thoughts I have always had about horses like:

1. They know more than you think

2. They only behave in the here and now and feed off of what you are giving off so if you are angry, they may not come up to you, but instead, walk away because you are freaking them out and they have to protect themselves

3. They are hypervigilent in order to survive as they have for thousands and thousands of years

4. Their eyes and ears can work separately from each other and boy can you tell a lot from their eyes, ears, and tail-you just have to watch

5. Their goal in life is to not be eaten so things like a bag blowing across their pasture will freak them the heck out because they go into, "Is that going to eat me," mode

6. Horses heal and that's all I need to say about that

7. No, you don't have to enjoy a horse by riding him/her, they are great to enjoy on the ground, in fact, that's what I prefer, just being with them

I am so honored that I have the opportunity to offer Hippotherapy and Horse Assisted Therapy to the kids that I get the privilege of working with everyday. In my quest to treat the whole child, I was divinely guided and I and thankful everyday!

Check Tim's book out y'all, it is something else.