Hippymom Business Spotlight
Tonia Bultrowicz

Morning Whispers

If you're in New Brunswick, Canada you should consider stopping at the OFN Fuels on the Oromocto First Nation Reservation.

There you will find Native arts and gifts designed by Kathleen Gates. Kathleen is a Maliseet Native who taught her self how to create these wonderful gifts for the last forty years. Her artistry has traveled to homes in Australia, Japan, Europe and now available to you.

Kathleen tells HippyMom that her inspiration comes from nature and listening to the beautiful native music. On any given day you may come to her home and see her embracing the gifts of nature or inside creating one of her designs.

She understands the importance of her Maliseet culture, has taught her beaded work to elementary school children as a Native Culture teacher, and is now is passing the tradition on to her granddaughters. One day, we may be showing pictures of a second generation of Native gifts.

Her wonderful gifts have come together in her Internet store called "Morning Whispers" located on HippyMom.com's Bazaar. Displayed will be items available to purchase. In addition, you may contact her at: sp28forever@yahoo.ca or kaydaisy46@yahoo.ca.
if you're interested in having an item designed just for you. (discuss this article)

photo by Carline Sitterud

Definition of Sensory Integration Dysfunction
Tonia Bultrowicz

The inefficient neurological processing of information received through the senses, causing problems with learning, development, and behavior. Also called Sensory Integration Disorder.

Carol Stock Kranowitz, M.A., author of the book "The Out of Sync Child"
explains it wonderfully. The central nervous system has many parts and it doesn't work alone. Messages go back and fourth. Touch can aid vision, vision can aid balance, balance can aid body awareness and more...

When the sensory messages come in, the motor messages go out, in a synchronized manner. This allows us to accomplish the task we're attempting. The more efficient our brain is processing the sensory information, the more effective our behavior output will be. It then continues with the effectiveness of our output, the more feedback we receive to help us take in new sensory information we are in the full process of sensory integration.

Some of the basic terminology when your child gets this diagnosis is essential to learn. Here are a few I came across when being introduced to this health issue with my son.

Sensory Integration Treatment: a technique of occupational therapy, which provides playful, meaningful activities that enhance an individual's sensory intake and lead to more adaptive functioning in daily life.

Specialization: the process whereby one part of the brain becomes most efficient at a particular function.

Sensory Diet: the multisensory experiences that one normally seeks on a daily basis to satisfy one's sensory appetite; a planned and scheduled activity program that an occupational therapist develops to help a person become more self regulated.

Sequencing: putting movements, sounds, sights, objects, thoughts, letters, and numbers in consecutive order, according to time and space.

Obviously this is only a few definitions that may be presented when you begin addressing your issues with an Occupational Therapist. In the months to come I will continue to share information on this topic and show pictures on techniques used by our treatment facility and therapist.

In addition to the book "The Out of Sync Child", the author wrote an activity book called "The Out of Sync Child Has Fun". In the book you will see a suggestion on taking art and using it during potty training. This came from Susan Keely of Chicago. I used this very method while training my youngest son and it is an ingenious method.

Toilet Training

Supplies Needed:
*Plastic Bag
*Marker
*Large Metal Washer of Fishing Weight
*String, about 2 feet long

Preparation:
*Slip the plastic bag over the toilet seat lid.
*Tape one end of the string to a marker, then tie the washer to the other end of the string. Lift the toilet tank lid and drop the washer in. (This will prevent the marker from dropping into the toilet.)

What your Child Can Do:
*Sit backward on the toilet seat, facing the lid.
*Doodle on the plastic bag
*Meanwhile, your child will actually be learning the concept
of going to the bathroom without fear, and doodling.

This activity makes potty training very relaxing. Your child will not have the need for a potty chair and they will lose the fear of almost falling in. Of course you have to understand they will need to undress from the bottom down. But, your giving them the confidence they need to learn the signals that come while trying to accomplish toilet training. While they are "doodling on the toilet" they are also having a unique experience making some "doo doo!" (discuss this article)