How Assistive Technology Can Help Your Child Thrive
At Skills on the Hill Pediatric Therapy, we understand that every child learns, communicates, and explores the world in their own way. For some kids, special tools and devices can make these activities easier. Known as assistive technology, these tools can help kids build independence and confidence.
Use Your 2025 Benefits Before They Expire
As the year winds down, it’s a great time to take advantage of your health insurance benefits. If you’ve already met your deductible, your physical therapy visits at Skills on the Hill Pediatric Therapy may cost little, or even nothing, out of pocket. Many patients are surprised to learn how much they can save on care before benefits reset in January. Whether you’ve been meaning to start therapy or want to continue progress on your recovery, now is the perfect opportunity. Don’t let your coverage go unused – schedule your appointments today and finish the year strong!
Everything You Need to Know About Assistive Technology
The term “assistive technology” refers to any equipment, software, or system that supports a child’s ability to participate more fully in school, home, and community life. Assistive tech can range from something as simple as an adapted utensil to advanced speech-to-text technology. What matters is that it helps your child engage with the world around them.
Examples of Assistive Technology for Kids
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Devices
For children with difficulty speaking, AAC tools allow them to express their thoughts, needs, and feelings. These tools range from simple picture cards or symbol boards to sophisticated apps that speak when a child selects words.
Adaptive Seating and Positioning Systems
Some children need extra support to sit safely and comfortably. Specialized chairs, cushions, or harnesses improve posture, stability, and focus during play or learning. These tools can be invaluable for children with cerebral palsy or low muscle tone.
Switch-Activated Toys and Tools
If a child has limited mobility, switch-activated tools make it possible for them to turn on a toy or use a computer simply by flipping a switch. These tools give children the power to interact independently and build motor learning.
Feeding Tools and Utensils
For children with oral motor or sensory challenges, specially shaped spoons, weighted cups, or textured handles make eating safer and less frustrating. They also encourage self-feeding, which boosts independence.
Visual Supports and Apps
Children with attention, learning, or executive functioning challenges may benefit from visual schedules, timers, or reminder apps. These supports help with organization, transitions, and daily routines.
Five Reasons Assistive Technology Matters To Kids
Sometimes, parents are uncertain about providing their kids with assistive technology, often due to concerns around stigma or over-reliance. However, it’s important to recognize that assistive tech offers significant benefits for kids, including:
- Improved Communication: Children who cannot rely on speech gain a reliable way to express themselves. AAC tools reduce frustration and help them build relationships with peers, teachers, and family members.
- Greater Independence: With the right tools, children can feed themselves, join a classroom activity, or make choices on their own. This independence fosters pride and self-esteem.
- Enhanced Participation In Learning: The right tools can help children participate in classroom discussions, complete assignments, and demonstrate their knowledge in ways that match their strengths.
- Better Social Connections: Social participation is critical to development, and tools like AAC devices and visual supports make it easier for children to participate in play, conversations, and group activities.
- Family and Caregiver Support: A more independent child often means less stress for their caregivers! With assistive technology, families can more easily enjoy shared activities.
How Our Therapists Support Kids with Assistive Technology
At Skills on the Hill Pediatric Therapy, our pediatric therapists play a key role in making assistive technology useful and meaningful for children.
We begin with an assessment to identify each child’s strengths, needs, and goals so we can match them with the right tools. In therapy sessions, children practice using the technology in ways that feel natural and motivating. We also include parents, teachers, and caregivers in the process to ensure kids are using their tools consistently out of the clinic.
As your child grows and their abilities change, we can adjust strategies and equipment to ensure their needs are still met.
Every child deserves the chance to shine. Assistive technology allows children to show their strengths and engage more fully with the people and activities they love. With the right support, these tools can help children climb to their fullest potential.
Encouragement for Families at Skills on the Hill Pediatric Therapy
We know that it can be overwhelming for parents to consider new tools, but it’s important to remember that assistive technology is meant to support—not replace—what a child can already do. Even better, these small changes often lead to big progress. If you think your child might benefit, schedule an initial assessment with our team! We’ll help find the right options for your child’s goals.
Feeding Therapy 101:
Transforming Mealtime Battles into Adventures
Mealtimes can feel like a showdown, especially when your child is a selective eater, avoids new textures, or turns sugar-plum eyes at broccoli while eyeing the dessert. That’s where feeding therapy steps in: it helps children build confidence, broaden food experiences, and turn eating into a positive adventure. According to pediatric resources, feeding therapy supports children who struggle with chewing, swallowing, sensory food aversions, and stressful mealtime behaviors.
Here’s how you can help your child enjoy the feast (literally) and make this Thanksgiving memorable:
- Make the table fun and inviting. Let your child help set the table or choose a fun place-mat. You’re creating an atmosphere where eating isn’t just about finishing the turkey; it’s about exploration. In feeding therapy, playful food interactions like “smell, touch, lick, then taste” are encouraged so kids build trust with new foods rather than being forced.
- Use the Thanksgiving menu as your playground. Pick one or two new items for your child to try, maybe a small square of roasted sweet potato or a cranberry sauce dollop. Pair it with something familiar (favorite roll or mashed potatoes). Celebrate the small wins: “You touched the cranberry sauce … that’s fantastic!”
- Encourage curiosity, not pressure. Avoid saying, “You must eat this or no dessert.” In feeding therapy the emphasis is on being child-led and making food fun; forcing the issue can create negative food associations.
- Keep the spirit light. Use the Thanksgiving theme: give new foods fun names (“turkey tree”, “garden carrots”), invite your child to “discover” flavors, or have them help with a safe food task. These little moments help shift mealtime from stress to shared experience
Wishing you and your family a joyful and adventurous Thanksgiving dinner.
At the end of the day, feeding therapy is less about “getting your child to eat everything” and more about helping them feel safe, curious, and empowered at the table. With the festive twist of Thanksgiving, you’re not just serving a meal, you’re offering a warm, playful start to a healthy relationship with food. Let the adventure begin!
Did you know we have a monthly Brace Clinic at SOTH?
What is Brace Clinic? SOTH and Amy from Infinite Technologies meet on the 1st Thursday of each month to screen children who might be in need of a “brace”. Examples of braces might be a helmet, an ankle-foot orthosis, shoe orthotics, or a vest.
Who can come to Brace Clinic? The easiest answer is ANYONE! Brace clinic is open to families in the community who may have thought about a brace in the past or want to learn more. You do not need to be a current client of SOTH or Infinite Technologies.
How much does Brace Clinic cost? It is free!
New Tween Social Skills Group
– Using the PEERS® Model!
We’re thrilled to introduce our Tween Social Skills Group, designed for ages 10-13 and based on the evidence-based PEERS® social skills curriculum.
In this fun, therapist-led group, tweens learn how to:
- Start and maintain conversations
- Join group activities and games
- Handle disagreements respectfully
- Work together to solve problems
- Build confidence and meaningful connections
Each session combines structured teaching, interactive practice, and teamwork challenges to make learning engaging and relevant. Our goal is to help tweens strengthen real-world social skills that carry over to school, friendships, and beyond. Space is limited—complete the form below and we will set up a phone call to learn if your child is a good fit for our program.
Upcoming Free Events from the International Spy Museum
We’re excited to share two opportunities from the International Spy Museum designed specifically for the neurodivergent community. These programs provide a welcoming and sensory-friendly environment, making it easier for participants to explore and enjoy everything the museum has to offer. Both events are free with registration required.
Access to SPY: A Morning for the Neurodivergent Community: December 7, 2025 | 8:00–10:00 AM
A special morning designed for neurodivergent individuals and families to enjoy the museum with smaller crowds and a more relaxed environment.
Meet Our Team
Recipe of the Month: Pumpkin Pie in a Cup
Ingredients:
- 1 vanilla pudding cup per child
- 2 graham crackers per child
- 2 tablespoons of pumpkin pie mix per child
- Whipped cream
- Cinnamon
- Clear plastic cup
- Spoon
- Zip lock bag
Instructions:
- Start by giving each of your students 2 graham crackers in a zip top plastic sandwich bag. You can use cinnamon graham crackers if you want to give your mini-pumpkin pie snacks a bit of extra flavor.
- Next, secure the top of the bag to contain the crumbs and invite your students crush the graham crackers inside the bag.
- Then, invite students to sprinkle the crushed graham cracker crumbs into the bottom of their clear cups.
- Now you can use a spoon to scoop the vanilla pudding on top of your crushed graham crackers.
- To transform this simple snack into pumpkin pie, invite your students to add two tablespoons of pumpkin pie filling to their cups. Invite them to use their spoons to mix the pudding and the pie filling together.
- Finally, you can invite your kids to add a squirt or dollop of whipped cream to the top of their creations and sprinkle with cinnamon.
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