practicespotlight


your feet; the dirt sifting through your fingers as you work the earth; the contraction of your mus- cles as you kneel to pull weeds from the soil; these sensations come naturally for most people, but for others are more difficult to sense. This disconnection of the senses is an every- day reality for the group of children taking part in a pilot project called Working Hands. By helping these kids to work with the earth, Julia Grover, OTR/L, CHT, and Sue Schroeder, OTR/L, who run Working Hands, expect changes in the physical, social and sensory functions of the children in their care. “These kids usually have immaturity of their vestibular apparatus, which sets the child up for impairments in all of their other sensory systems,” explained Grover. “Having an inner ear which functions normally is important to having core strength, control over the tension of your muscles, and processing both visual and auditory information. Integration of all of the senses is necessary to fully engage in life.” Working Hands uses farming tasks to help these children develop sensory


Working Hands Connects Bodies and Minds T


he feel ing of the ground, solid beneath


integration and gain control over their bodies. “The earth is grounding and the rhythm of the work calms and organizes, promoting all the senses. This sort of work is therapeutically ideal for this age group. It gets children engaged with their peers, working for the satisfaction, as well as the rewards, and gets them out of the house and into nature,” says Grover. Working Hands takes place at River Road Gardens and is open to children


ages 8 to 13 years with sensory impairment, Autism Spectrum Disorder, a history of poor performance in academics, physical coordination issues and/or emotional disturbance, after they have been evaluated for participation in the program by Central Hand Therapy/SACOTA.


For additional information go to centralhandtherapy.com, call 520-321-1495 or email jeanette@centralhandtherapy.com.


When you dance, your purpose is not to get to a certain place on the floor. It’s to enjoy


each step along the way. ~ Wayne Dyer


January 2011 7


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