Critical Mass’ Post

🧠💥 Understanding Sensory Meltdowns: They're not tantrums! Sensory meltdowns result from sensory overload, with triggers ranging from loud noises to unexpected textures. Let's spread awareness for a more understanding and inclusive world. To know more about Sensory Meltdowns read our blog: https://lnkd.in/g2JwXitk #SensoryAwareness #UnderstandingMeltdowns #InclusivityMatters #paediatricoccupationaltherapy #happydotsot #happydotsotmedowie #occupationaltherapyforkids #children #OT #play #kids #sensory #sensoryprocessingawareness #sensoryprocessing

I'm reading Your Money or Your Life as we speak, and the authors reference the "gazingus pin" - the thing you can't resist whenever you see it online or in a store. Or as @khe hy says in this lovely post on RadReads, "an impulse arising from our 'early programming that discomfort can be alleviated by something external.'" Mine are things that hold things. Wallets. Dopp kits. Backpacks. Fanny packs. Camera bags. Lens cases. Whenever someone talks about everyday carry, I go "oooooo." Learning these kinds of concepts - and putting names to certain ideas or feelings - is one of the many joys I gain from reading. So, what's your gazingus pin?

🤔 Where are your captions? If you’re not including captions in your videos, you’re excluding millions of disabled people. @RNID estimates there are 12 million people in the UK who are deaf or have hearing loss. 12 million potential customers, followers, or supporters that countless brands shut out from their content when they post video without captions. It’s not just people with hearing loss that captions benefit either. Captions help all of us, including many people with cognitive conditions and anyone that watches with sound off. 💬 It’s easier than ever to add branded, accurate captions to every bit of video we put out, whether it’s an internal bulletin, a news feature, or something fun and engaging for social. It’s time for brands to step up 👏 Image description: A white box with purple text, which says: “When you don’t use captions your message doesn’t reach us”.

🌈 𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐛𝐨𝐰 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐞 I've often looked at the activities on Pinterest with colourful water beads but the choking and general safety concerns around using these beads with young children has always made me avoid them as a safe sensory option. I really loved the sensory aspect to them though so I decided to try and make my own version of rainbow beads that I would feel comfortable allowing the children to really explore and create with. They turned out to be a huge success...see how you can make them too in this blog post.

🌈 𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐛𝐨𝐰 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐞 I've often looked at the activities on Pinterest with colourful water beads but the choking and general safety concerns around using these beads with young children has always made me avoid them as a safe sensory option. I really loved the sensory aspect to them though so I decided to try and make my own version of rainbow beads that I would feel comfortable allowing the children to really explore and create with. They turned out to be a huge success...see how you can make them too in this blog post.

🌈 𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐛𝐨𝐰 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐞 I've often looked at the activities on Pinterest with colourful water beads but the choking and general safety concerns around using these beads with young children has always made me avoid them as a safe sensory option. I really loved the sensory aspect to them though so I decided to try and make my own version of rainbow beads that I would feel comfortable allowing the children to really explore and create with. They turned out to be a huge success...see how you can make them too in this blog post.

🌈 𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐛𝐨𝐰 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐞 I've often looked at the activities on Pinterest with colourful water beads but the choking and general safety concerns around using these beads with young children has always made me avoid them as a safe sensory option. I really loved the sensory aspect to them though so I decided to try and make my own version of rainbow beads that I would feel comfortable allowing the children to really explore and create with. They turned out to be a huge success...see how you can make them too in this blog post.

I have perfected the slow blink. I use this when I am trying to figure out what someone is talking about that I have quite understood. It slows everything down and gives me a few moments to ponder what is going on. I'm not referring to technical clarification. I'm talking about slang and I use this slow blink with my teenagers. We caution our team members to be aware of the use of acronyms all the time. When speaking with someone, throwing out the liberal use of industry acronyms is confusing. "You know, if you don't use the TXV in the HJQ port, you are in a heap of trouble." You never want your client to have to ask what on earth you are referencing. The same can be said of slang. We have generational differences in the slang that we use. The added challenge that we don't see as often with acronyms- not understanding slang can come with judgment and criticism. Take it from my teenagers. "Seriously, Mom? You don't know what that means?". For extra shame, they will throw in an eye roll and snicker. Be aware of your language when creating rapport. The poor use of slang can derail your best efforts. If you see someone staring intently and blinking slowly, you may have to back up and provide some clarity. Check out this article from Forbes on the different generations and slang use. https://lnkd.in/gk463kTd

🌈 𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐛𝐨𝐰 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐞 I've often looked at the activities on Pinterest with colourful water beads but the choking and general safety concerns around using these beads with young children has always made me avoid them as a safe sensory option. I really loved the sensory aspect to them though so I decided to try and make my own version of rainbow beads that I would feel comfortable allowing the children to really explore and create with. They turned out to be a huge success...see how you can make them too in this blog post.

🌈 𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐛𝐨𝐰 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐞 I've often looked at the activities on Pinterest with colourful water beads but the choking and general safety concerns around using these beads with young children has always made me avoid them as a safe sensory option. I really loved the sensory aspect to them though so I decided to try and make my own version of rainbow beads that I would feel comfortable allowing the children to really explore and create with. They turned out to be a huge success...see how you can make them too in this blog post.