Parent & Caregiver Resources
We understand the journey can sometimes be difficult, especially with children and adults with different abilities and needs. We will always do what we can to support parents and caregivers. Here at Southpaw we have a wide range of tried and tested products, but we understand that before a product can be effective, you must understand the users' sensory needs and preferences. Here is a lot of information which may help.
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How Do I Know If My Child Has Sensory Processing Disorder
Sensory processing is used to describe how the nervous system receives information from the body’s senses and then turns that information into a response. When discussing Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), individuals who are affected by this present with disorganized or inappropriate responses. The sensory system is made up of seven areas, tactile, olfactory, auditory, visual, taste, vestibular, and proprioception (sense of body/joint movement and knowing where the body is in space). Read More...
Getting Started with Occupational Therapy
Has your child just been diagnosed with Autism? Don't know what to do? Follow these 10 easy steps to begin Occupational Therapy services to increase your child's independence with daily tasks, problem solving skills, core strength, handwriting, self-regulation tools and much more. Your child will be asking to go therapy because OT is so much fun from the play based therapeutic and motivating activities. Read More... **This advice may only apply to clients seeking services in the USA.
Online Articles & Communities
- Sensory Ladders - Developed by Kath Smith OT, are tools designed to assist in managing sensory integration difficulties. These ladders create a personalised approach to help individuals be in the right space and state to optimally perform tasks and engage in their environment. They are versatile, applicable in various settings such as homes, schools, and hospitals, and focus on building a shared understanding among caregivers, educators, and therapists. Sensory Ladders foster awareness of self-states and promote the use of sensory strategies for self-regulation, thereby enhancing participation in daily life activities.
- Autism Speaks 100 Day Tool Kit
- Autism Speaks Autism Response Team
- A Child’s View of Sensory Processing – Explaining Sensory Processing Disorder from a Child’s Point of View (YouTube Video)
- Core Strengthening Exercises for Kids
- 7 Tips for Troubleshooting a Special Needs Playdate
- Sensory Rooms Gaining In Popularity
- National Institute for Mental Health
- Reduce the 'Noise' - Help Loved Ones with Sensory Overload Enjoy Shopping
- Resources for Military Families
- Academic Accommodation Resources
- Worry Wise Kids
- Estate Planning for Parents of Kids with Autism
- Caring4OurKids - A resource for parents of kids with ASD, CFS, or Fibromyalgia