I'm thrilled to introduce our guest, Cynthia Heren, a mentor and team member behind the scenes, here at Homeschool OT. Cynthia's journey began when she discovered her family's neurodivergence through her child's occupational therapy sessions, leading to a broader understanding of autism, dysgraphia, and ADHD in her household.

In today's episode, we'll explore how Cynthia has used OT strategies to create a customized, supportive learning environment for her children. We'll discuss practical tips for managing handwriting, sensory processing, and executive functioning challenges, especially during the bustling holiday season.

Join us as we uncover the importance of building a knowledgeable support team, integrating children's interests into learning activities, and fostering their development through creative and adaptable methods. Get ready to be inspired by Cynthia's story and learn how to make homeschooling both effective and enjoyable for neurodivergent children.

In this episode you'll hear about:

• Discovery of Neurodivergence
• Noticing child's fine motor delays at age three and Autism Diagnosis
• Homeschooling Experience
• Impact of Occupational Therapy (OT)
• Homeschooling Strategies to accommodate for dysgraphia and ADHD
• Tools and Techniques: "Handwriting Without Tears", Kid-sized chalkboard
• Building a Support Team
• Collaboration within the homeschooling community
• Developing Skills Through Activities
• Handwriting and Sensory Processing adapting to holiday environments
• Direction-following and Writing Skills
• Vertical surface activities for core and eye-hand coordination
• Integrating Interests in Learning
• Using Interests like Legos for developing fine motor skills and improving visual scanning and perceptual abilities
• Core Strength Development: writing on vertical surfaces, activities like setting the table while bouncing on a yoga ball
• Use of Resources and Creative Learning Strategies
• Utilization of Special Needs Scholarships supporting creative learning methods
• Persistence and Executive Functioning
• Sensory Processing Management
• Keeping Activities Engaging
• Managing Dysgraphia and Learning Preferences
• Child’s Learning Preferences, Using of Primary Ruled Paper
• Math Adaptations
• Transitioning from Math-U-See to CTC Math
• Holiday Activities for Skill Development
• Holiday Baking: Strengthens hand muscles, memory-making and patience
• Crafts and Community Events
• Creating Christmas ornaments
• Participating in local community events
• Crafts and Educational Crafts
• Educational Benefits: Motor, cognitive, and social skills development
• Crafting Ideas: Popsicle stick ornaments, Window decorations with contact paper
• Alternatives to Messy Educational Activities
• Preference for Less Chaotic Activities: avoidance of traditional hands-on experiments, success of high school children in advanced courses
• Handwriting Development and Custom Resources
• Addressing Handwriting Challenges
• Customized Handwriting Resources with Star Wars and Minecraft themes
• Accommodating Different Learning Styles
• Separating Writing Practice from Content Comprehension

Links and Resources From Today's Show

• Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?
• Nurturing Creativity: Building Fine Motor Skills Using Handicrafts from Homeschool OT
• Baking as a Skill Builder – Workshop from Homeschool OT
• Christmas Crafts for Kids from OT Toolbox
• Christmas Fine Motor Activities from Empowering OT Resources
• Tips for a Struggling Writer in Early Elementary from Inside Our Normal
• Christmas Writing Bundle from Inside Our Normal
• Inside Our Normal on Teacher Pay Teacher
• Episode 24 Understanding the Handwriting Journey: Tools and Techniques for Homeschoolers
• Episode 8 Beyond the Pencil: Exploring Vision's Impact on Homeschool Handwriting Success