OT includes Nintendo Wii in "Playroom" Based Therapy

Children who perceive sensory input differently than their peers, often struggle at home and at school. These kids face difficulties in day to day life, struggling not only with self care activities like with dressing and feeding, but also with classroom tasks such as attending to classwork, manipulating pencils and paper and absorbing instructions. Lindsey Stamper, an occupational therapist in Paducah, Kentucky works with many kids with neurological impairments, helping them to "slowly expand their capabilities." She provides this help in a SENSORY PLAYROOM.
Using balance balls, swings, a padded floor and Nintendo Wii & balance board activities Lindsey helps kids improve their ability to process sensory input and to engage in activities of daily living with less difficulty.
An approach utilizing sensory integration techniques proves successful in mitigating problems in children who experience neurological processing deficits. Many Wii applications either independently or in conjunction with other sensory diet components enrich a child's sensory experience while helping the child reach processing goals. The Wii, an increasingly familiar video gaming system, contributes therapeutic opportunities to address proprioceptive, vestibular, tactile, auditory and visual needs in a non-threatening and fun fashion.
Are you a parent or therapist interested in sensory processing disorders and in helping kids who deal with the resulting problems? Please post a comment and start a discussion. How do you think activities using Nintendo Wii games -"wii-hab" - can help a child you know?

NASCAR INTERSECTS WII THERAPY (WIIHAB) as KYLE PETTY, Racing's Renaissance Man, meets the "Wii" OT

Sometimes unexpected opportunity and inspiration find you. On a recent Tuesday evening in Williamsburg, Va. I met someone who offers both to anyone willing to make the investment. Kyle Petty, known to many through ever popular NASCAR racing, spoke to the attendees of the Electrical Utility Fleet Managers Conference. His engaging speech explained his family's role in building the sport of auto racing. First, he told of his Grandfather, Lee, who was drawn to racing as a way to provide for his family. Next, through engaging stories, he introduced the listers to his now famous father, Richard. Richard loved the sport and drove for the thrill. Kyle explained that he, personally, also loved the thrill of racing like his father. Both Kyle and his wife were excited that their son Adam dreamed of carrying on the Petty racing legacy. Shock and sadness swept over every listener as Mr. Petty explained how that dream would not be realized. As he continued, Mr. Petty transformed our shock and sadness into admiration and hope as we learned how this amazing family turned tragedy into a vision and then into the reality of helping kids with special needs as a way to honor the life and dreams of their son, Adam.
Victory Junction, a camp for kids with chronic medical conditions and serious illnesses operates near Randleman, NC. Since opening in 2004, over 11,000 children and families have been served by programs designed especially for them. Many different populations are served over the summer as well as throughout the year. One aspect that makes this camp so special is that each week is dedicated to a specific diagnosis category, such as autism, cerebral palsy, and burns, among others. Mr. Petty explained the importance of this model. By bringing individuals who struggle with similar problems together, they learn that they are not alone. As therapists, we recognize that grouping in this manner enhances opportunity for peer modeling and social support.
Hopefully, everyone who reads this blog post will consider becoming involved at some level with this great organization. Occupational and physical therapist and students could volunteer as cabin counselors or in another capacity. Your expertise would be appreciated and you would learn so much. Students considering applying for occupational or physical therapy school could also spend a week with the campers and gain valuable experience while giving back so much. Parents looking for something special for their child may find that this camp would provide the care and respite they seek. I plan to contact Victory Junction about volunteering myself. I want to work with these special kids in the fresh air while they involve themselves in real world golfing, bowling, swimming, driving and fishing ... all the things that in the school setting we are luckily able to do in the virtual world through Wii Therapy.

Intergenerational Value: Wii for Fun - Therapy in Itself

A child who visits his Grandma in an assisted living facility decides the residents need a bit of excitement. He raised funds and purchased a Wii system for that facility. Now the residents keep themselves busy with bowling and baseball.
In my workshops, therapists hear about ideas for finding funds to help them bring the benefits of Wii into their facilities. Just recently, the executive director of Twilight Wish Foundation spoke at a meeting I attended. She suggested that perhaps her organization could work with community groups, such as Little League Teams or other sports organizations, interested in helping to purchase Wiis for elders in group living arrangements. This idea promotes interaction between generations and communities.
The intergenerational benefits the Wii brings benefits not only to grandparents and young children but also to parents and children with special needs. The Wii provides a great tool for parents who strive to help their children who struggle with sensory integrative issues, social issues as well as motor challenges.
One motor skill that families can address using the Wii is balance. Challenge the child's balance skills by playing games they love while placing them in creative positions. Since many Wii games can be played while standing or sitting, Wii provides an activity many are able to enjoy. Whether for therapy or fun, Wii provides a way for members of various generations to interact, improving quality of life for each participant.

Wii therapy in Columbus: From rehabilitation to special education

Dr. Tim Barrett writes for Examiner.com in Columbus, Ohio. Recently he posted an article explaining the many benefits of using Wii in therapy for a variety of problems. In this article, Dr. Barrett mentions Lon Thornburg. Lon's blog offers so much information to help therapists and families as they care for children with special needs. Robbie Winget, an occupational therapist also shares his enthusiasm about using Wii in therapy with Dr. Barrett.
Soon, this blog will give readers a chance to share their opinions and experiences using Nintendo Wii with those they care for. Keep following and when the survey posts take a little time to complete it.

Wii Purchases Bring Therapeutic Benefits Into Homes

New Wii Consoles flew off the shelves at retail outlets during the pre-holiday shopping sales. During one week in December, Walmart offered a $50 gift card for lucky customers who found Wiis in stock. So now many have a chance to experience Wii at home. In a UK paper an article explains ways to avoid injury when playing new games in the comfort of your own home.
New Wii owners, including those with chronic conditions express various ways they hope to use Wii in 2010. One Wii enthusiast with a spinal cord injury uses Wii to build arm strength. In an article entitled Wiiiiii!: Adaptive Exercise That’s Actually Fun the author offers good suggestions for therapeutic uses of Wii applications as well as suggestions for simple ways to make Wii applications more user friendly for this population.
New Wii owners with Multiple Sclerosis also recognize therapeutic value in Wii Sports and Wii Fit activities. Having Nintendo Wii in one's home allows the participant to pace themselves to avoid fatigue while playing many great games. Many Wii games increase flexibility and endurance.
Families with special needs children bought Wiis for home use. These families look forward to increased social interaction with their children. Social interaction in a safe environment may help improve social skills for these children. Wii activities offer opportunities for spontaneity; this area often challenges children with autism and other developmental delays. Also, during these cold winter months, the Wii offers an easy way to add more physical activity into a child's routine, providing an outlet for energy and the possibly of reducing negative behaviors such as tantrums.
While playing Wii participants need to follow safe practices to avoid injury. Players might also want to add wrist weights to increase the challenge. Parents might also want to speak with their child's occupational therapist for ideas for increasing challenge by altering positioning while playing certain Wii Sports activities.

High School and Middle School Special Needs Students in Oregon To Benefit from Wii-Hab Pilot Program

As planned, Lon Thornberg, along with the occupational and physical therapists who he works with in Oregon, spent two days observing ways that activities and exercises available through Nintendo Wii might benefit children with special needs. The article posted on No Limits to Learning describes the program designed to help these three dedicated individuals develop a program for their students that will incoroparte the most effective Wii programs for their student population.

Activities offered through Nintendo Wii Sports provide opportunities to improve :

1. motor skills, especially gross and fine coordination,
2. cognitive skills, especially sequencing, memory and recognition

as well as many other areas.

If you have used activities offered through Nintendo Wii in a school based setting, please let Lon and me know about your experience.