Family Health Feature

CranioSacral Therapy

Craniosacral Therapy is a gentle hands on therapy, the aim of which is to support the release of restrictions in the body that may impact on the body’s health. The Craniosacral System consists of the membrane system that surrounds the brain and spinal cord known as Dural Mater. It also contains the Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) that bathes the brain and spinal cord with nutrients, provides lubrication and takes away waste products.

The production and absorption of this CSF creates a rhythm in the central nervous system which can be palpated anywhere in our bodies by a craniosacral therapist. These rhythms are evaluated and used as an indication as to how and where you may be treated. A therapist has a number of gentle ways of working to support the body to release the restrictions and improve function.  CST is suitable for adults and children and is also wonderful for babies with feeding or sleeping problems, reflux, colic or excessive crying.

Here is one mother’s story about her son Paul who had been diagnosed with Aperger's Syndrome and Dyspraxia.  Paul was having speech therapy, occupational therapy and nutritional therapy but was still having difficulties. After CST Therapy, there were marked improvements.

"Paul showed changes after the sessions, his speech improved and he was making better eye contact.  Our families were making comments on the difference in him and the O.T. found it easier to maintain his focus to tasks.  He was noticing what other children in playschool were doing and joining in.  His tantrums reduced and he became less frustrated.  I wished I had known about it when he was a baby when nothing or no one could settle him, but he was settling now and it felt great.  Any parent I meet whose child is experiencing difficulty, whether emotional, school related or diagnosed with a disability I tell them about CST. Craniosacral therapy has  played a valuable part in enabling Paul to participate in mainstream school. He is in the dark no more, CST is Paul's light to the world"

The names in this article are changed to take focus off the child, but if you would like to talk to Paul's mother please email us.

For more information contact Ger Swords CST-T and Mary Brady CST-T at Upledger Institute Ireland. Email: info@upledger.ie  Website: upledger.ie  Ph 045 898243

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ACTIVATE SPEECH

Support your child's speech and language skills using these new speech sound books, photo cards, posters and lotto games. May be used for children @ toddler stage up to 12yrs of age in the comfort of own home or at school. They are suitable for e.g. children with Down’s Syndrome, autism, learning disability, hearing impairment, language/speech delay/disorder, special needs, etc.  Irish design by an experienced Therapist. Simple to use, includes ideas/instructions. Work on verbs, vocabulary, sentences, prepositions, matching etc. The speech books cover the four most common speech sounds (in English) and two more for children who speak Irish e.g. Gaelscoileanna). To order, call 085 8554600, email: info@activatespeech.ie and order online at www.activatespeech.ie  Follow on Twitter/Facebook/Pinterest.

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Children’s Occupational Therapy

The Children's OT is a private Occupational Therapy practice, based in Enfield, Co. Meath. It is run by Niamh Mallon, an experienced, qualified Paediatric Occupational Therapist. Paediatric Occupational Therapy aims to help a child achieve/maintain their maximum possible level of independence in everyday activities and enable them participate to their full potential at home and/or at school. This is achieved through goal setting and partnership with the child’s family and/or teacher, within the child’s home or at school. Whatever a child’s age, Occupational Therapists can help children overcome physical or other difficulties in order for them to function and participate in their everyday environment.

The Children’s OT therapists assess and treat 0-19 year olds with a range of development difficulties who are struggling with everyday tasks. These include young people on the Autistic Spectrum, with Developmental Delays, ADD/ADHD, Sensory Processing Difficulties, Learning Difficulties, Cerebral Palsy, Developmental Co-ordination Disorder/Dyspraxia, organisational problems and handwriting difficulties. They run group sessions to work on developing certain skills e.g. handwriting, riding a bike, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, play skills and school readiness and also have after school, weekend and holiday group sessions. The Children’s OT also provides training for parent groups, schools and other groups. If your child is struggling at home and/or at school contact them today to see if they can help your child. Early intervention is the key. (086) 2727665 info@thechildrensot.ie www.thechildrensot.ie 

Sensational Kids

Sensational Kids charity in Kildare helps children develop their potential through subsidised clinical services, child development & learning tools & training. Having experienced lengthy waiting lists and a lack of affordable and accessible occupational therapy services for her own children, Karen Leigh founded Sensational Kids in 2007 with the help of family and friends with the aim to be the leading provider of accessible and affordable developmental and educational services to help the 1 in 5 children with special educational needs to realise their potential. Sensational Kids runs a child development and learning store which stocks a range of skill building toys and therapy products and books. They also run training workshops for parents and teachers – all proceeds from the workshops and the shop help towards funding subsidised occupational therapy & speech and language therapy services for children.  www.sensationalkids.ie 045 520900

Toys, Technology and Training (TTT)
Kildare Library’s Toys, Technology and Training is a free service that allows parents and teachers to borrow toys and technology specially designed for children with special needs through their local library in Co Kildare. Occupational Therapist Dorothy Armstrong, will be giving a number of training talks and workshops throughout the winter to support parents and carers including: Study Skills Workshops for teenagers with Dyslexia/Dyspraxia; and Transitioning for Secondary School for Children with Special Needs. For full details of dates and times, contact your local library or visit the website www.kildare.ie/library