Go, Brain, Grow!

Strokestra and Occupational Therapy Bring Stroke Survivors Confidence, Joy, and Hope Through Beautiful Music | VA Orlando health care | Veterans Affairs For many stroke survivors, the journey to recovery extends beyond physical healing—it’s about regaining confidence, rebuilding connections, and rediscovering joy in life.

“Our goal in occupational therapy is to support the whole person—body, mind, and soul,” said Perez. “Strokestra aligns perfectly with that mission. It promotes healing, connectedness, and a renewed sense of purpose for our Veterans.” ❤️

“Among staff who were caught up in the first wave of layoffs: Ph.D.-trained scientists tasked with helping local and state officials respond to outbreaks; employees who ensure that medical devices for patients with cancer and diabetes are safe…”

Text on graphic: Barriers to Care: Navigating the U.S. Mental Health Crisis. A discussion about the systemic barriers to accessing mental health care, which leave many without critical treatment. Thursday, Feb. 20. 4 p.m. Eastern time. Register at propublica dot org slash events. Image: A woman in a floral blazer stepping through the entryway of a therapist office.

The United States is reckoning with a mental health crisis. Yet ProPublica found that health insurers have created barriers for people trying to access this critical care at every step of the process.

🗓️ Join us Thursday, Feb. 20 for a virtual discussion.

The history of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in America This Black History Month, explore the origins of DEI in America with News Hour's “Hidden Histories” series

PBS @pbsnews.bsky.social Classroom Daily News Lesson:

The history of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in America

Ask students: What do you think are the goals of DEI programs?

#EduSky #sschat #apush #BlackHistoryMonth #civicsED bit.ly/3CRdk6l

ATTN: Pre-K — higher ed educators 📣

Share your thoughts on PBS @pbsnews.bsky.social Classroom's Educator Voice blog ✍️

Topic: Dismantling of the Dept. of Education and how it may affect you/your students.

Share by Fri., 2/21 here: bit.ly/40Q0vRw #EduSky #DOE

YouTube video by Association of American Universities Facilities and Administrative (F&A) Costs Explainer

There is a lot of misunderstanding and misrepresentation of what “indirect costs” from the NIH are and what expenses they cover

This video has a nice explanation

www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxTD...

Why is it important to teach kids about self-love and self-acceptance? Self-love means accepting and appreciating yourself. Self-love is important for nurturing happiness, well-being, and ability to take on challenges for our personal growth. Promotes: Healthy relationship with self & others, mental health, self-esteem, boundary setting, growth mindset Practice self-care, model self-love & positive self-talk, try compliments that encourage character, validate insecurities. “Love is an inside job” - Unknown “Be yourself because an original is worth more than a copy” - Suzy Kassem

Help kids love and appreciate themselves - it is *tough work* growing those neurons! 💗 #gobraingrow #mentalhealthishealth #kidsmentalhealth #pediatricot

Are we practicing hand hygiene? Because every time I hold your hand, I feel safe.

Clean your hands properly so you can hold your #valentine safe and tight ❤️🫰

#HandHygiene is one of the most important measures to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, including bacterial, diarrhoeal & respiratory diseases 🔗 bit.ly/4hSsYgz #ValentinesDay

Calling all Pre-K — higher ed educators! Share your thoughts on PBS @NewsHour Classroom's Educator Voice blog.

Subject: Potential dismantling or transformation of the Dept. of Education ✍️ and how it affects you/your students. Share by Thurs., 2/13 here: bit.ly/40Q0vRw | #EduSky #sschat #DOE #edchat

Additionally, Pathways.org is a great resource for parents and guardians on infant and child development.
“Our milestones are from American Academy of Pediatrics materials.”

Social & Emotional Skills Development in the first year (@GoBrainGrow) 2 Months: - Cries when hungry, wet, tired & to be held - Looks directly at you & starts to smile - Self-soothes (sucks on hands, fingers) - Calms when spoken to and picked up 4 Months: - Smiles spontaneously & to get attention - Engages by imitating faces, making sounds - Cries when you stop playing - Smiles, coos at self in the mirror 6 Months: - Knows familiar people - Enjoys looking at self in a mirror - Responds to emotions by crying, smiling or laughing 9 Months: - Stranger anxiety - Starts to show toy preference - Shows different facial expressions responds to name 12 Months: - Plays games (patty cake, peek-a-boo) - Shows preference/favorite play with familiar people - More interactive (makes sounds to get attention, hands you a toy)

Little infographic on what social emotional development looks like in the first year (0-12 months). It’s so amazing to see them grow! #socialemotional #socialemotionaldevelopment #childdevelopment #pediatricoccupationaltherapy

Valentine's Day is just around the corner! These kids are making their valentines with a little support from EaZyHold 💌 How are you spreading love this year?

15% off on eazyhold.com right now with code EAZY2LOVE. They're the most useful gift ever!

#ValentinesDay #AssistiveTech #DisabilityCommunity

Image with yellow to blue gradient background with star and cloud borders with text that reads “All meaningful, organic, and foundational learning is at heart playful and ludic.” - Marcelo Suárez-Orozco

Learning through play is the way! #play #importanceofplay #childdevelopment #occupationaltherapy #pediatricoccupationaltherapy

A red graphic overlayed by a black, high-contrast image of the Capitol building. Over the image white text in bold sans serif font states: "Congress Don't Play Politics with Our Health Care. STOP THE CUTS TO MEDICAID"

Medicaid is a lifeline for people with complex medical needs & disabilities – it covers therapy, medical equipment, and care at home instead of institutions.

Join us: call 202-224-3121 to tell Congress #HandsOffOurMedicaid – don't cut our kids' lifeline to cover GOP tax breaks for the rich!

ICURehab *In-Person* Conf

14th Johns Hopkins @ICURehab

Registration OPEN

Latest updates on #ICURehab!

Nov 6-7, 2025
Johns Hopkins Hospital,
Baltimore, MD

Register NOW! https://buff.ly/42Lg2Vt

Setting the record straight on AAC and speech In which we refute the myth that AAC hinders oral language development. Hang on, though… slinging citations won’t convert most skeptics. Bring your curiosity and empathy, too.

Today in Hell Yes, Research: "While we can’t say with any certainty whether a particular child will ultimately become an oral communicator, we can be pretty confident in saying that AAC [Augmentative and Alternative Communication] won’t hurt."

www.theinformedslp.com/review/setti... #neurodiversity

Healthcare is a human right.

“…would erode the coverage of tens of millions of people who get their health insurance from their employer or through Obamacare’s marketplace, removing requirements insurers cover the full cost of everything from birth control to vaccines to mental health screenings”

A yellow and blue puzzle piece each with smiling expressions fit together on a red background. Text underneath reads “Be the kind of person who makes everybody feel like they’re somebody! Kindness rocks.”

Hope there’s something good in your day today! ❤️

Encouraging Workers to Embrace Ergonomic Work Strategies -- Occupational Health & Safety Effective ergonomic training should focus on practical skill development to ensure workers adopt and apply ergonomic strategies.

Effective ergonomic training should focus on practical skill development to ensure workers adopt and apply ergonomic strategies.
ohsonline.com/Articles/202...

#ergonomics

A picture graphic of a volcano exploding with the text Volcano Breaths. Start by taking a deep breath in and push hands together. Hold your breath and raise your hands up over your head. Breathe out and let your arms fall to your sides!

🤯…It’s a Volcano Breath kind of Monday. Be kind to yourself! 😮‍💨 #occupationaltherapy
#pediatricot #mentalhealth #mentalhealthishealth #regulation #deepbreath

Please share with your occupational therapy practitioner colleagues working in pediatric settings. #occupationaltherapy #OT #pedsOT #schoolbasedOT #earlyinterventionOT

We knew this attack was coming…it’s just so upsetting to think how many children are going to be harmed by these decisions.

Quietly observing the Winter Honeymoon - Hanna Perkins Center for Child Development Somewhere in late January the sweet spot begins in preschool – the Winter Honeymoon. It’s one of those hidden gems that most adults don’t notice.

It's that time of year when things slow down, and young children make developmental leaps. Find out why here: https://www.hannaperkins.org/quietly-observing-the-winter-honeymoon/

Image with yellow to blue gradient background with star and cloud borders with text that reads “Our brains are built to benefit from play no matter what our age.” - Theresa A. Kestly

Hope you find time to get out and play this weekend! Play can even help adults — play helps us relax, be more productive, have better quality sleep, and be better problem solvers! #occupationaltherapy #pediatricot #play #powerofplay #importanceofplay #mentalhealth #mentalhealthishealth

A puzzle with each piece a different color. Puzzles a GREAT for…Fine motor skills, eye-hand coordination, visual perceptual skills, independent play, self-regulation, problem solving, cognitive development, self-esteem.

I missed international puzzle day yesterday. I’ve especially been enjoying doing sticker puzzles with my students lately - great way to work on fine motor skills, visual skills, and number/letter recognition! #occupationaltherapy #pediatricot #puzzles

Valid coping strategy. I’m with you. ❤️

Coloring picture all colored in with greenery, two trees and a leopard lying on a tree branch. The words BITE ME are printed in the middle.

May delete this later. But I have a cursory coloring book that I’ve been revisiting heavily the last couple weeks. 🙈

The words “We have two strategies for coping; the way of avoidance or the way of attention.” - Marilyn Ferguson. What are your favorite coping strategies? Text surrounded by pictures of possible coping strategies including cleaning, writing a to do list, communication bubbles to indicate talking or texting a trusted person, setting a timer, a dog to indicate playing or caring for a pet, meditation, flowers in a vase to indicate smelling the flowers or spending time with nature, workout equipment (yoga mat, water bottle, kettle bell weight), coffee, cinnamon roll to indicate having a sweet treat, books, cooking utensils (cooking spoon, spatula, whisk), and colored pencils to indicate spending time on a hobby or doing something creative.

Coping tools come in all shapes and sizes. These strategies evolve with us as we grow, and we use different strategies for different circumstances, depending on what our nervous system needs. What’s your favorite coping strategy? #mentalhealth #mentalhealthishealth #occupationaltherapy #pediatricot

OT’s putting the fun in function since 1917! 🙃