Therapists
Research
2005, Conveying the Message About Optimal Infant Positions (Optimal-Infant-Positions.pdf; 221KB)
Our research, “Conveying the Message about Optimal Infant Positions” is in print from Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics, Vol. 25, Number 3, Haworth Press. Since the “Back to Sleep” program started in 1994, many babies are positioned on the back both day and night. Our information supports other research that too much time lying on the back or reclined with pressure on the back of the head can cause flat spots making the head misshapen. Our programs help parents avoid or remediate flat spots and neck problems associated with flat spots. We found that many sessions of supervised play on the tummy for 1-2 minutes each starting the first 2 weeks after birth, positively affected gross motor skills of the babies in our study.
Professional CEU Presentations
- “Preventing, Resolving the Problems of Plagiocephaly, Torticollis, and Developmental Delay in Infants” 3-hour teaching course from HomeCEU Connections. Cost for purchase.
Ms. Jennings spends one hour explaining the consequences of less than optimum handling of a new baby, an hour teaching normal milestones, and an hour of stretching and exercise to fix a baby with a strong preferential positioning posture.
2. “Developmental and Sensory Motor Strategies in School-Based Programs”. 4-hour CEU course from HomeCeuConnection.Com. Judy T Jennings, PT, MA,, Candace Yates, OTR/L MS. Cost for purchase
Ms. Jennings spends two hours on research, explanation for explosion of children entering school with developmental delays, and strategies to integrate motor readiness for learning. Ms. Yates spends two hours on sensory motor strategies, and behavior modifications in the classroom.
Free Developmental Presentations
Clumsy Child Syndrome and School Success
Physical Therapy Techniques for the ‘Clumsy Child'” This teaching PDF will help new physical therapists understand how to get results with the minimally involved school age child. Appropriate strategies that emphasize developmental skill integration can give the school age child a better chance of academic success. The strategies have helped to integrate reflexes and build mature balance reactions and core strength. *Disclaimer: Parents reviewing this PDF should not use these techniques on equipment without supervision of a licensed PT.
Articles and Handouts from Ms. Jennings many years of lecturing:,/p>
Normal Development, First Year
(Normal-Development-Year1.pdf; 57KB)
With and Without Prone Positioning
(With-Without-Prone-Positioning.pdf; 94KB)
Residual Effects of Poor Reflex Maturation
(Residual-Effects-of-Poor-Reflex-Maturation.pdf, 25KB)
Home Suggestions
(Home-Suggestions.pdf, 12KB)
Learning Style Tips
(Learning-Tips-for-School-Age-Students.pdf, 20KB)
Crossing Midline Exercises
(Crossing-Midline-Exercises.pdf, 25KB)
Recommendation for Educators
Ms. Jennings recommends the teachings and learning strategies of Ms. Ann Anzalone, Teacher Consultant and Lecturer, for advanced information on how best to anchor learning and memory for all students. She has given in-services all over the country to help teachers understand that movement anchors memory. She has many suggestions for the classroom teacher, therapist, administrators and parents. Preventing academic problems is best, but one can never give up on a child’s ability to learn.,/p>
Her contact information is: www.annanzalone.com, 116 Hilltop Ave. Dayton, OH 45419 937-299-7706 email: a.anzalone@gmail.com
Bibliography of Interesting Books
Paul and Gail Dennison, “Edu-K for Kids!,” California, Edu-Kinesthetics, Inc. 1987, ISBN 0-942143-01-9
Sally Goddard, “Reflexes, Learning, and Behavior: A Window Into the Child’s Mind”. OR. Fern Ridge Press. 2002.
Carla Hannaford, “Smart Moves: Why Learning is Not all in your Head”. Virginia. Great Ocean Publishers. 1995.
Carla Hannaford. “The Dominance Factor, how knowing your dominant eye,ear, brain, hand and foot, can improve your learning”. Virginia. Great Ocean Publishers, 1997.
Carol Kranowitz, “The Out-of-Sync Child, recognizing and coping with sensory integration dysfunction.” New York, Perigre Books, 1998 ISBN 0-399-52386-3
Nancy O’Dell, and Patricia Cook. “Stopping Hyperactivity, A New Solution”. New York. Avery Publishing Group, Inc. 1997.
Robert Melillo, DC, “Disconnected Kids, Groundbreaking Brain Balance Program for Children with Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia,and other Neurological Disorders”,2009, ISBN.978-0-399-53475-1. New York, Perigree Books
Sally Goddard Blythe, “The Well Balanced Child, Movement and Early Learning”, 2009, Hawthorne Press, ISBN 978-1-903458-63-1