Functional Skills
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Considerations, strategies and suggestions to try
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Improving and sustaining upright postural control at a desk
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Check fit and height of desk/chair for proper foot support, position chair at direct angle and cue to slide in to approximate desk, try cushion/wedge/fidget, try different dynamic chair, alternate a standing desk position
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Improving and sustaining upright postural control on floor
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Try wedge or cushion, cue a different floor position - “mountain, criss cross, mermaid (side sit), engage in upper extremity activity to engage posture - reach high or action song midway in carpet time
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Reciprocal stair climbing - improving ability to fluidly and safely keep up with class
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Use color tape as a visual cue for alternating feet, demonstrate and model, provide hand held practice, try placing in different location in line - front/back/middle, verbally cue feet - “kindergarten steps, big steps, righty lefty”
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Safely transitioning or sitting at cafeteria table
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Practice first transitioning and sitting at the end portion of the bench (versus stepping over), provide foot support for upright positioning, cue to transition in/out with lunch resting on table
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Maintaining spacing with peers in line and hallways
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Instruct in proper spacing position while standing in place in hall, demonstrate with arm length, try different location in line - front/middle/back, use transition object temporarily to guide spacing (holding rope)
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Walking with direct forward progression in hall
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Provide a visual line to follow, cue to visually attend to object/child in front of them, try placing child in different location - front/middle/end, adult walk along side to guide position
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Skipping and galloping with peers
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Slow the movement down, label the actions “step, hop”, provide a side by side or hand held model
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Improved timing and coordination with movement videos and action songs
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Slow video speed down, provide adult or peer model, preview and demonstrate actions before the song
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Improved accuracy with catching and throwing activities with peers
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Move closer together, use softer or larger ball or stuffed animal, sit down, give larger target (box), cue “point, step, throw”, make the ball come from a predictable person, call name and get eye contact first
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