Kids Master Skills BLOG

How to Write Neurodiversity-Affirming OT Goals

Aug 282 min read

How to Write Neurodiversity-Affirming OT Goals

Today, many occupational therapists want to embrace a neurodiversity-affirming practice. But HOW do we do this exactly? We need to...

Dr. Lisa Marnell, OTD, MBA

Mar 275 min read

Repetitive Actions in Autism

Let's talk about REPETITIVE ACTIONS in autism. Like OPENING and CLOSING doors. Like looking through a book OVER and OVER and OVER again....

Intense Reactions in Autism . . . and How to Provide Support

Dr. Lisa Marnell, OTD, MBA

Dec 1, 20237 min read

Intense Reactions in Autism . . . and How to Provide Support

"A jar of jam on the dinner table set him off." "Her chicken nuggets were cut in half and not whole." "The teacher wore a baseball hat...

Dr. Lisa Marnell, OTD, MBA

Nov 7, 20233 min read

The Very Excited Autistic Child

When it comes to supporting autistic children, one question I am often asked by occupational therapists is this: “How do I work with an...

ABA in Autism: Short-Term Changes and Long-Term Trauma

Dr. Lisa Marnell, OTD, MBA

Sep 6, 20235 min read

ABA in Autism: Short-Term Changes and Long-Term Trauma

As an autistic occupational therapist who has worked extensively in schools, I have often seen behaviorist approaches used in classrooms....

Non-Speaking Versus Non-Verbal: What is the Difference in Autism?

Dr. Lisa Marnell, OTD, MBA

Apr 24, 20232 min read

Non-Speaking Versus Non-Verbal: What is the Difference in Autism?

The terms non-speaking and non-verbal may sound identical to many people. But there is a different and important distinction which is...

Black and White OR Categorical Thinking in Autism

Dr. Lisa Marnell, OTD, MBA

Mar 25, 20232 min read

Black and White OR Categorical Thinking in Autism

As an autistic person, one of the most CHALLENGING concepts I deal with every day is the following: Things are not Black and White. There...

Support the Autistic Sensory Seeker with Dyspraxia

Dr. Lisa Marnell, OTD, MBA

Dec 9, 20223 min read

Support the Autistic Sensory Seeker with Dyspraxia

I often see children’s actions labeled as “sensory seeking” when in fact they are truly reflecting difficulties processing and...

3 Ways to Support Autistic Children as they Transition INTO School

Dr. Lisa Marnell, OTD, MBA

Sep 4, 20224 min read

3 Ways to Support Autistic Children as they Transition INTO School

Today I will address a challenging transition for many children, namely walking INTO school at the start of a new day. This transition...

Dr. Lisa Marnell, OTD, MBA

Jul 2, 20222 min read

"Special Interests" in Autism

An important topic is “special interests” in autism. A question frequently asked is about how school professionals, OT included, should...

A Strengths-Based Approach in Autism . . . for Auditory Sensitivity

Dr. Lisa Marnell, OTD, MBA

Apr 10, 20222 min read

A Strengths-Based Approach in Autism . . . for Auditory Sensitivity

Celebrating an autistic child’s strengths is key to develop their self-esteem and sense of agency. But how can we shift gears and see...

So . . . What Is Sensory Integration Therapy?

Dr. Lisa Marnell, OTD, MBA

Jan 25, 20223 min read

So . . . What Is Sensory Integration Therapy?

As a pediatric occupational therapist, this is one question I am asked frequently. Although people have often heard the term sensory...

How to Support Children During Transitions

Dr. Lisa Marnell, OTD, MBA

Dec 12, 20215 min read

How to Support Children During Transitions

When you speak with parents, teachers, or therapists about challenges they face when working with kids, there's a good chance that the...

Visual Supports and Autism: 5 Must-Know Categories To Support Self-Regulation and Skills Acquisition

Dr. Lisa Marnell, OTD, MBA

Nov 29, 20217 min read

Visual Supports and Autism: 5 Must-Know Categories To Support Self-Regulation and Skills Acquisition

Before we think about visual supports, let's think about day-to-day verbal interactions. Conversations serve many purposes, whether...

Typing Speed in "Touch Typing" vs. "Self-Taught" Typists

Dr. Lisa Marnell, OTD, MBA

Oct 20, 20213 min read

Typing Speed in "Touch Typing" vs. "Self-Taught" Typists

My husband, a marketing professional, is one of the fastest typists I know. I hear him on the keyboard cranking out e-mails faster than...

Quick Assessment of Kindergarten Fine Motor Skill

Dr. Lisa Marnell, OTD, MBA

Sep 6, 20212 min read

Quick Assessment of Kindergarten Fine Motor Skill

As an occupational therapist I often work with kindergarten teachers. (One of my favorite parts of this job!) At the start of the school...

How to cope with TOUCH SENSITIVITY in summer . . .

Dr. Lisa Marnell, OTD, MBA

Jun 24, 20212 min read

How to cope with TOUCH SENSITIVITY in summer . . .

Are you happy that it's summer? For kids, summertime means sunny days at the beach, the park, the playground, and the pool. Yet, these...

Dr. Lisa Marnell, OTD, MBA

Jun 21, 20212 min read

What is Masking in Autism?

"MASKING" in autism may be a relatively new term, yet it is far from a novel concept. But what is masking, exactly? Masking is a strategy...

Transitions in Autism: Moving From Place to Place

Dr. Lisa Marnell, OTD, MBA

May 27, 20213 min read

Transitions in Autism: Moving From Place to Place

Autistic individuals often struggle with transitions. Physical transitions may involve moving from one space to another space, stepping...

Dr. Lisa Marnell, OTD, MBA

May 16, 20212 min read

What Does CALM Mean in Autism?

We are all familiar with the usual demands: "Calm down!" "Quiet hands. Quiet Feet." "Please, show me you are listening with your whole...