Table of Contents

Preface. 1. Introduction - The Importance of Play. 2. Promoting Gross Motor Skills. 3. Promoting Fine Motor Skills. 4. Promoting Visual Skills. 5. Promoting Sensory Skills. Appendices.

Promotional Information

Practical sourcebook full of activities that encourage the development of motor skills, coordination and sensory tolerance in young children with learning challenges

About the Author

Lisa A. Kurtz is a pediatric occupational therapist and educator, and has worked with children with special needs for over 39 years. She currently works in public schools in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, and was formerly Director of Occupational Therapy for the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the Children's Seashore House. For her contributions to training others about children with disabilities, Lisa has been placed on the Roster of Fellows and was awarded the Recognition of Achievement Award by the American Occupational Therapy Association. She is the author of How to Help a Clumsy Child, Visual Perception Problems in Children with AD/HD, Autism, and Other Learning Disabilities, Understanding Motor Skills in Children with Dyspraxia, ADHD, Autism, and Other Learning Disabilities, and Understanding Controversial Therapies for Children with Autism, Attention Deficit Disorder, and Other Learning Disabilities, all published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Reviews

Lisa Kurtz shares her expertise as a pediatric occupational therapist in this treasure chest of information written for anyone working or living with children. Enjoyment is the essential motivation for a child and is a major theme throughout the book. Charts of typical development and descriptions of skills can guide the reader's observations of specific children. The abundant, clear descriptions of no cost/low cost and highly motivating activities include purpose, materials, adaptability and additional resources. -- Dr Moya Kinnealey, occupational therapist and Fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association
This is an eminently readable book which can be easily used by parents and professionals alike. Lisa's book is full of exciting and stimulating ideas which are practical, affordable, easy to make and immediately available. It is a resource that could just be dipped into when needing inspiration. In times when budgets are tight and expectations are high, this is a book that every teacher or parent of a special needs child should have on their bookshelf. -- Tracey Beckerleg, Senior Portage Teacher, Southampton, UK and author of Fun with Messy Play: Ideas and Activities for Children with Special Needs

This book is a practical and easy to read resource that can be used by professionals and parents alike. It is full of ideas and activities to encourage gross and fine motor, visual, and sensory skills... Chapters can be read individually... There is a table at the end of the book summarizing how to select the appropriate activity according
to the child's developmental needs. The strengths of the book are the clear explanations of key terms and
how these are linked to learning and development... The activities can be described as highly motivating and inspiring for both children and adults. In addition, the appendices provide a wealth of information on how to make some of the equipment required at home, as well as free online resources and further reading... this book is highly recommended. It is suitable for anyone working with children and adults with sensory processing disorder and needs.

-- Kirsty O Driscoll, Student OT, University of Essex * British Journal of Occupational Therapy *
As a mother of a teenager with autism and severe learning disabilities, this book appealed to me as it contains a huge array of activity ideas that are cheap to make... The majority of the ideas could be easily used in mainstream settings and would provide excellent learning experiences... the beauty of the book is that it covers several different sections which promote Fine Motor, Gross Motor, Visual Skills and Sensory Skills... Overall, this is an excellent resource book to use as and when you need a little inspiration for new activities, but it would equally be useful for forward planning a more structured timetable. It will be useful to professionals as well as parents, and contains many activities that could be well suited to mainstream and special needs children alike. -- Special World