The way many children with autism perceive the world around them is often distorted. What may seem like an ordinary smell, sight, sound, touch, taste, or movement to you and me might go unnoticed or seem threatening and noxious to…
The importance of good handwriting can be easy to overlook in the digital age. Writing by hand, however, is an important skill for our children because it engages the brain in a different way than typing on a keyboard or…
Constantly on the go. Difficulty focusing. Touches everything. Impulsive. Difficulty following directions. Most of us know a child (or have a child) with some of these tendencies. These children are often believed to have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or…
Body awareness is an important part of the developmental process, but it’s not a milestone we pay much attention to. For many of us, body awareness is not something we have to think about as we go about our day.…
A few hours at a local pizza restaurant with singing animals on stage, screaming kids, and the incessant pings of arcade games is enough to put me over the edge. I can usually hold it together, but as soon as…
Our children’s fear and anxiety can often lead to behaviors that leave us scratching our heads and asking ourselves, “Why is my kid doing that?” Anxiety is easier to spot and diagnose, but sensory issues can get overlooked. That’s why…
A child’s day is filled with transitions. They transition from sleep to wakefulness, from pajamas to clothes, from home to school and back home again, from playtime to mealtime, from quiet to loud, and from one activity to another. For…
Proprioception (proh-pree-o-sep-tion) isn’t a word we hear every day. Often referred to as our “sixth sense,” proprioception gives us an awareness of where our limbs are and how our bodies are positioned in space. In other words, proprioception gives us…
Identify the behaviors in children who seek touch and the ways you can help
3 reasons why your child is a wiggle worm
Tips and tricks to avoid overstimulation during the holidays
Tips and tricks to help your child stay on task during remote learning
Occupational therapist and author Cindy Utzinger kicks off a new series for Charlotte Parent and Carolina Parent
