Dandy Walker Syndrome

Dandy Walker Syndrome is a congenital brain malformation involving the cerebellum and the fluid filled spaces around it. This syndrome involves an enlarged fourth ventricle (a channel that allows fluid to flow freely between upper and lower areas of the brain and spinal cord), a partial or complete absence of the cerebellar vermis (the area between the two cerebellar hemispheres), and cyst formation near the internal base of the skull. There can also be an increase in the fluid space sizes surrounding the brain, known as hydrocephalus. (information found at http://dandy-walker.org/). 

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Costello Syndrome

(Image Retrieved from here)

According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, Costello syndrome is "characterized by delayed development and intellectual disability, loose folds of skin which are most noticeable on hands and feet, flexible joints, and distinctive facial features."

Pencil Grasp Development in Children

A review of pencil grasp development in children is critical as an Occupational Therapist to understand where the child is in pencil grip development and how to best help them to be successful in writing and eventually holding the pencil in the best way they can.

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Infantile Reflexes

In order to better understand children with severe cognitive impairments, I need to understand infancy development. A huge part of development are reflexive movements which are involuntary movements that an individual makes in response to specific stimuli. However, an infant does not have to think about making reflexive movements because they happen automatically and they are important!

October: Rett Syndrome Awareness Month

I had never heard of Rett Syndrome (also known as RTT) before until coming across students with this diagnosis. I received really great advice from a professor during OT school to look at a person's function/what they can do and not at their diagnosis. I still stand by this advice and put it into practice however being a curious student, I wanted to dig further into what Rett Syndrome was so I can better understand some of my students and their families. 

According to the NIH, Rett syndrome is "a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects girls almost exclusively. Based on Rettsyndrome.org, it is rare in males but does occur at a low prevalence. It begins with normal early development and growth but then turns into a slowing of development, loss of purposeful use of the hands, slowed brain and head growth, problems with walking, seizures, and intellectual disability." 

Weight Bearing

Weight Bearing: Sensory input to the muscles/joints to help us know where our body is in space 

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, "physical activities work bones and muscles against gravity. This occurs with any weight bearing exercise. These activities cause bones to build more cells and become strong." 

Importance of Weight Bearing:

-Promotes increased body awareness

-Increases strength 

-Promotes calm and organized behaviors which can increase attention 

-Increases coordination and balance

-Improves joint/muscle integrity 

(UAB Pediatric Neuromotor Clinic PDF)

Dianne Craft & Biology of Brain and Behavior-Compensation or Correction?

According to Dianne, there is typically a debate amongst educational experts about which approaches are best to use with a child, compensation or correction.  Dianne argues that it is possible to pursue both simultaneously.  She believes that compensation makes the learning task easier while the correction reduces the stress in the child's learning system so that learning can flow.  She calls this "opening up the child's learning gate." 

For more about the learning gates watch this video,