Tender Touch Therapy, LLC’s Post

Way back when I was still an Occupational Therapist, it could feel incredibly rewarding, but let’s be honest—sometimes it was isolating. While I absolutely love the work I do, there’s a deep emotional and physical toll that not many people outside our field understand. It’s hard to explain the sacrifices we make, the mental load we carry, or the emotional investment we put into our clients’ progress. And when others don’t fully get it, it can make the journey feel even lonelier. But here’s the thing—you’re not alone. There’s a whole community of OTs out there who do understand, who’ve walked that same path and are ready to support you. If you’re feeling isolated, know that connecting with others who get it can make all the difference. Together, we can navigate the demands of this profession and find support from those who truly understand. I’ve created the OT Yourself to Freedom community specifically for OTs like you, where we can share, support, and grow together. If you’re feeling isolated, know that connecting with others who get it can make all the difference. Join us today and let’s navigate this journey together https://lnkd.in/ecn8qG-j

📣 Today I want to highlight a recent blog post written by our new Occupational Therapist at WonderTree Child, Adolescent, and Family Practice, Kim Hanson. Kim's article summarizes for families her practice lens, and the valuable work that OTs can do to support neurodivergent youth achieve their goals. Give it a read and share! 🤗 https://lnkd.in/eyb3adwB

This week’s DSP (Direct Support Professional) Spotlight is Alyssa Aldrian. She has been with our weekend Respite Program since 2022 and a summer camp lifeguard. Learn more with a quick Q&A: Q: What brought you to Easterseals?  A: I worked as a caregiver for people with dementia in Wisconsin. So, I knew that caregiving was something I enjoyed. I came to Des Moines to pursue a degree at Drake University. Working on respite weekends at Camp Sunnyside fits well with my college schedule. This work has helped lead me to graduate school next year in Occupational Therapy. Q: What do you appreciate about your day-to-day work?  A: I love seeing the respite campers progress - behaviorally & emotionally. Our campers talk so positively about the Easterseals team and the impact we have on their lives; it’s easy to appreciate being part of the team. Q: Do you have any favorite memories or stories from your time with Easterseals?  A: The first time I saw campers ride the horses was so moving. Easterseals really makes their activities inclusive for every camper – it’s the Easterseals experience! Q: What have you learned about yourself?  A: Working here was my first experience with kids, so I was nervous and excited. It is a lot of fun, but setting boundaries is important for safety & making sure everyone gets long to enjoy their time. We really try to ensure everyone is treating each other with kindness, so all campers have fun. Q: Is there anything you wish more people knew about Easterseals?  A: The thing that sets us apart is the number of activities we have, the facilities, and the awesome staff to accommodate things like swimming, rock wall climbing, & horseback riding. On top of that, we are inclusive & make sure activities are accommodating for all who want to participate.

When you become frustrated with older people because of what they cannot do, think of how frustrated they must feel because they can no longer do it. It's easy to feel a surge of frustration when an older loved one struggles with tasks that once seemed simple for them. Watching them grapple with technology, forgetful moments, or physical limitations can test our patience. However, in these moments, it's essential to remember that our frustration is but a shadow of what they must be experiencing internally. In the grand tapestry of life, the roles we play often shift. Today, we may be the ones offering support; tomorrow, we might find ourselves in need of it. By approaching our older loved ones with empathy, we honor their journey and enrich our own, creating a legacy of compassion that transcends generations. If you have a loved one that would benefit from occupational therapy, we would be more than happy to have a chat about their care needs. Contact details are above.

🌟 Discover Why Adam's Camp Shines Bright! 🌟 At Adam's Camp, we're not just an organization; we're a community dedicated to fostering growth, joy, and inclusion for individuals with special needs and their families. Here's why we believe Adam's Camp is truly amazing: 1. **Tailored Programs**: We understand that every individual is unique. That's why our programs are carefully crafted to meet the specific needs of each camper, empowering them to reach their full potential in a supportive and nurturing environment. 2. **Expert Guidance**: Our team consists of passionate professionals and volunteers who are experts in their fields, including speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and more. With their guidance, our campers receive the specialized care and attention they deserve. 3. **Life-Changing Experiences**: Adam's Camp isn't just about therapy sessions; it's about creating unforgettable experiences. From outdoor adventures to creative arts and team-building activities, every moment at camp is filled with laughter, growth, and friendship. 4. **Family Support**: We understand that caring for a loved one with special needs can be challenging. That's why we're here to offer support and guidance to families every step of the way. Through workshops, counseling, and community events, we strive to ensure that families feel empowered and connected. 5. **Inclusive Community**: At Adam's Camp, everyone is welcome. We celebrate diversity and believe in the power of inclusion. By bringing people of all abilities together, we're fostering a more understanding and compassionate society. Join us on our journey to make a difference in the lives of individuals with special needs. Together, we can create a world where everyone is valued and supported. ✨ #Adam'sCamp #Inclusion #Empowerment #Community #SpecialNeeds #InclusiveCommunity

What is Leisure?: Leisure—“Nonobligatory activity that is intrinsically motivated and engaged in during discretionary time, that is, time not committed to obligatory occupations such as work, self-care, or sleep” (AOTA, 2020; Parham & Fazio, 1997, p. 250). This means you should ask yourself, “What is an activity, task, or doing that is something you do from the desire you have within”? This is an activity you don’t HAVE to do— an activity that you don’t complete to receive payment or acknowledgment for. You are not obligated to do this activity, and if you decide not to do it until you feel like doing it, no worries! Can you believe that April is here? Do you know that April is National Occupational Therapy month AND Autism Awareness!? Pfeiffer would like to inspire our beautiful OT community and those we serve to join us in a “Call for Leisure”. At the University, our lives as students and faculty may be stressful and demanding where we need occupational balance and fun! We would like to encourage you to do something leisurely and exciting each Wednesday in honor of OT and Autism Awareness month. Enjoy this time with your friends and family, make a TikTok or Reel out of it, and post it on our website (use Instagram to message @pfeiffer.msot). #happyotmonth #otmonth #happyoccupationaltherapymonth #whychooseot

Did you know that temporal orientation activity can improve the occupational performance of older adults? Yes! And it can improve their quality of life as well because it requires a lot of cognitive abilities. This activity isn’t only about asking which is today’s date. It’s about levels of awareness of themselves, place, time, space, and about others. Today’s activity was about remembering commemorative dates, talking about a specific time of the year, and how my client used to celebrate this time in the past. Through some questions, my client could talk about their memories, regional food and recipes, music and dancing, decorating, and more. Note: This activity respected my client’s culture and beliefs. #rehabilitation #mentalhealth #rehabilitationassistant #rehabassistant

Attention Support Coordinators! We know more than anyone that you play a vital role in enhancing the well-being of your clients. To celebrate next week's, OT Week! We’re hosting a FREE webinar created just for you - We’ll be answering all your burning questions from our very own Senior OT, Lesley Kier live! 📅 Date: 25th October 2024 ⏰ Time: 9:30 am 🕒 Duration: 15 minutes + Q&A 💻 Topic: The Role of Occupational Therapy in Active Aging In this quick 15-minute session, you’ll learn how OT's can empower older adults, promote independence, and support meaningful activities for seniors. Stick around for the Q&A to get answers on how OT's can make a difference for your clients! Key Takeaways: ✅ Unique role of OTs in the community ✅ OT interventions to keep clients safe at home ✅ How OTs and Physiotherapists work together 👉 Register now: https://linke.to/otweek Don’t miss this chance to ask questions and enhance your knowledge! Let’s work together to provide the best support for your clients.

Join us for a heartwarming tale! Discover how Occupational Therapy empowered a child to ride a bicycle. It's a beautiful example of how OT can transform lives and unlock a world of possibilities for children with special needs.⁠ ⁠ Here's how OT can benefit your child:⁠ ⁠ ⭐ Improves motor skills and coordination⁠ ⁠ ⭐ Enhances sensory processing⁠ ⁠ ⭐ Boosts self-care and independence⁠ ⁠ Share this reel and help raise awareness about the incredible benefits of Occupational Therapy. Together, let's create a world where every child can reach their full potential 🩵⁠ ⁠ [ Fragile X Syndrome, Autism, OT, Occupational Therapy, Fine Motor Skills, Sensory Processing, Coordination]

Occupational Therapy: Promoting Self-Care Independence: Dressing Skills 👚 YouTube content creator Enable Ireland talks though several dressing strategies in the following video. Here are a couple of fun ways practise getting dressed: • Pulling on or off a sock over the heel is tricky, try practising using some colourful scrunchies. Your child will learn how to use both hands and will increase their hand strength to pull the scrunchie band open. • Try opening and closing zip lock bags to simulate practise with zips. This will help with pinching strength and using one hand to stabilize as the other hand works! If you would like to look into occupational therapy for your child, don’t hesitate to reach out to us on (08) 7085 3999. [Image Description: Blue, orange and yellow background. To the right there is a white circle background with a cartoon boy putting a red shirt on, with a white tank top and yellow shorts. Next to him a cartoon girl is putting on a yellow shirt and wears blue skirt and yellow and blue socks. End Description] #ICanJumpPuddles #Services #NDISProvider #OccupationalTherapy #DressingSkills