Hippotherapy as part of Physical Therapy Treatment
Physical Therapy Vicky Moroz Physical Therapy Vicky Moroz

Hippotherapy as part of Physical Therapy Treatment

Hippotherapy is the use of equine movement as part of physical, occupational, or speech therapy. It is a strategy or tool to incorporate within traditional PT, OT, or Speech treatment; it is not a standalone treatment. It is beneficial to both pediatric and adult patients. Hippotherapy involves cooperation from the therapist, horse handlers, and even volunteers. It is even possible to cotreat during hippotherapy. Regardless of how hippotherapy is conducted, it will not be just the therapist and child; it will be an operation calling for teamwork.

Read More
What is Hippotherapy?
Physical Therapy Vicky Moroz Physical Therapy Vicky Moroz

What is Hippotherapy?

Believe it or not, hippotherapy has nothing to do with hippos! It is actually a strategy used by occupational, physical, and speech therapists where treatment involves the aid of horseback riding. It is a strategy or tool to incorporate within traditional PT, OT, or speech treatment and is not considered a type of therapy in itself. It is beneficial for both children and adults, and can be used in cases of Down Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, developmental delays, and more.

Read More
Balance as a Part of Child Development
Physical Therapy Vicky Moroz Physical Therapy Vicky Moroz

Balance as a Part of Child Development

Did you know that balance is integral to your child’s development? It is the foundation for all motor skills. Balance is the ability to maintain a body position. It allows your child to sit at a table, lets them participate in sports and activities, and helps prevent injury. It is considered a foundational motor skill because all motor skills require some aspect of balance. It is a building block that allows other motor skills to develop.

Read More
What are the Important Gesture Milestones for Your Child?
Speech Therapy Vicky Moroz Speech Therapy Vicky Moroz

What are the Important Gesture Milestones for Your Child?

Gestures are one of the earliest forms of communication. They are a good indication of how your child’s language will develop.

Your child learns gestures by watching you and your reactions. The earliest gestures serve as a way to get attention and communicate the child’s needs. Gestures are what lay the foundation for language development.

Read More
How to Make Puffy Paint
activity Vicky Moroz activity Vicky Moroz

How to Make Puffy Paint

Puffy Paint is an excellent tool to have in your toolbox. This is a fun medium for teaching your kids how to draw lines and shapes or even trace letters. It’s also great entertainment if they like to free draw. The paint dries puffed up, so it brings their creations to life! What’s great about this is that it’s easy to make at home with ingredients you probably already have.

Read More
Handwriting Interventions for Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapy Vicky Moroz Occupational Therapy Vicky Moroz

Handwriting Interventions for Occupational Therapists

The American Journal of Occupational Therapy published “Interventions Within the Scope of Occupational Therapy to Improve Children’s Academic Participation: A Systematic Review.” This systematic review looked at OT interventions to improve components, including educational participation, literacy participation, and handwriting. Since occupational therapy interventions often target handwriting, it is crucial to use evidence-based and best-practice interventions.

Read More
What Does Occupational Therapy Have to Do with Handwriting?
Occupational Therapy Vicky Moroz Occupational Therapy Vicky Moroz

What Does Occupational Therapy Have to Do with Handwriting?

Handwriting is a daily occupation for most, involving a series of fine motor and even some gross motor skills. This makes handwriting an area of expertise for occupational therapists. Writing builds on each other or, in other words, is a progressive skill. Basic shapes, like lines, circles, and crosses, make up the alphabet. As your young child begins to doodle, their scribbles eventually become more refined until they build the fine motor skills that are required to learn how to write letters.

Read More
Research-Based Suggestions for Teaching Joint Attention to Children with ASD
Speech Therapy Vicky Moroz Speech Therapy Vicky Moroz

Research-Based Suggestions for Teaching Joint Attention to Children with ASD

Children with autism often have trouble with joint attention. They may not respond to people around them and seem aloof. This can become harmful when this lack of interaction leads to a delay in language and learning. The lack of joint attention causes this delay as children learn to communicate verbally and nonverbally by watching and interacting with others.

Read More