Craniosacral therapy (CST) is a gentle hands-on approach that may be helpful for children with certain issues, even if traditional treatments haven’t fully worked. So how does craniosacral therapy work? Here’s a simple way to understand it:

Dura mater consists of 3 layers of tissue that surround the brain, spinal cord, and nerve roots as they exit the central nervous system. It acts as a barrier to keep the brain and spinal cord safe and holds the fluid (called cerebrospinal fluid) that allows for lubrication and movement. Additionally, many blood vessels that supply the brain pass through these layers. If there are any tight areas or restrictions in these tissues, it can interfere with the brain’s ability to clear out waste, which can lead to dysfunction.

Craniosacral therapy (CST) leverages the surrounding tissue to help improve the movement of the dura mater. A skilled therapist, who is trained in CST, can find a restriction and restore mobility of these tissues.  Whenever other treatments fail, treating the Dura Mater may improve any residual symptoms that exist due to nervous tissue restrictions.

BDI Playhouse has Physical Therapists trained in CST. With a strong background in pediatric physical therapy, they are able to incorporate active movement following CST techniques. This allows the body to use the new motor patterns immediately after treatment. They are trained in movement analysis and are able to help families work towards functional outcomes. Home programs are also developed to further their gross motor skills.

Interested in finding out if CST would benefit your child? Contact us to schedule a free screening here or call our office at (708) 478-1820

Learn more about CST at BDI Playhouse here.

Written by: Lisa Wood, DPT

How Does Vision Affect Behavior?

Vision plays a pivotal role in shaping our behavior, influencing how we interact with and respond to the world around us. With approximately 80% of sensory input being visual, our perception of the environment profoundly impacts our actions and reactions.

There are two types of visual pathways focal and ambient:

• Focal vision:  visual attention to the “what”; central vision; focus on an object of interest; creates visual perception; requires efficient eye teaming (clear focus on image with both eyes simultaneously); active/conscious skill 
• Ambient vision: visual attention to the “where”; peripheral fields; creates spatial map of where our body is in relation to objects in our environment; assists with creating stability; inactive/unconscious skill

Perception leads to > prediction leads to > brain function: fight, flight, freeze or rest and digest response: 

• Perception: the active process of bringing meaning to an object; creates prediction for motor responses
• Prediction: expectation of events not yet to come 
• Fight, Flight, Freeze: The body’s stress/fear response
• Rest and Digest: The body’s calm/resting state

If there are deficits in visual function, deficits in visual perception occur which can lead to unpredictability and emotional instability 

• Children with developmental delays are commonly found to have deficits in visual function 
• Developmental obstacles disrupt critical voluntary and reflexive muscle responses and mental processes which impact behavior 
• When the brain perceives danger, fight or flight responses are activated 

What Can We Do to Help?

An Occupational Therapist can:

• Provide analysis on vision, somatosensory and vestibular (sensory) function
• Create multi-sensory interventions to rewire and fire neural responses 
• Identify specific deficits and implement a treatment plan and suggestions for home
• Educate children and families on calming strategies to de-escalate aversive behaviors 
• Facilitate fine/visual motor activities such as building with blocks, stringing beads, blowing bubbles, hitting a balloon, and more!

Written By: Jamie Blough, COTA

At any given moment when walking through BDI Playhouse, you may hear a therapist or child singing! Singing is great for both engaging with the child and improving language development! Here are a few benefits of singing for language development. 

Vocabulary

• Singing exposes children to lots of vocabulary! Lyrics often contain a wide range of words and phrases that may not be commonly used in everyday conversation. More exposure to vocabulary can improve expressive language skills. 

Articulation

• Singing requires clear articulation and pronunciation to match the rhythm and melody of a song. Practicing songs can help individuals work on their speech sounds. Add in target sounds your child is working on and you get lots of repetition! 

Memory and Recall

• Melodies and lyrics are easier to remember than spoken words alone. Try singing directions or modeling language to familiar tunes to improve language retention. 

Social Interaction

• Singing can be a social activity, whether in a choir, “mommy and me” classes, or as a family bonding experience. Social interaction is an important part of language development!

Attention and Focus:

• Singing requires concentration and attention to the lyrics, melody, and rhythm. This helps children develop their ability to focus, a skill that can benefit other areas of language and communication.

Auditory Discrimination:

• Singing encourages individuals to pay attention to many different sounds helping to improve auditory discrimination, which can help in recognizing speech sounds. 

Check out your local library or park district to see if there’s a music class available for you and your child! Check in with school to see if choir is an option at their age. Speak with an Speech Language Pathologist about ways to incorporate singing into your daily routines. You can schedule a free 30-minute screening here!

Written By: Shannon Okland, M.S., CCC-SLP