The most valuable teachings come from real-life experiences. Wisdom, clarity of what's important, and connections appear.  All along I've learned we are all more the same than different!

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• I'm the sister of David, who had a diagnosis of Down syndrome: he taught more than I can put into words, but I keep trying. David passed away January of 2023. 

• My mother's tribe is St. Croix Chippewa of Wisconsin. Culture filled with art & nature.

• Work in rural Alaska in 10 villages of the Yupik tribe for 3 years. Where first used skills at teaching complex OT subjects on the fly! (see video below)

• Spent 20 years providing OT services, training and consultation with the Salish, Kootenai and Pend d'Oreilles Tribes Early Childhood Services program in Montana. 

• Invitated to Reggio inspired Training in Italy by the director of the Ministry of Canada. Stories soon to come. Mind BLOWN by the love of nature, art, and respect of innate teachings from children with different-abilities! 

• 5 week trip to India, Nepal, & Thailand. Sensory Processing training in an orphanage 

• Consulting architects to add sensory, nature, and art into education environments 

• Sculpted 8 characters (in my book) to express my appreciation & love to my brother and a handful of private practice clients.

• A passion for helping people understand sensory processing skills and how the skills can be more fully developed and, therefore, "behaviors" dropped.

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Some signals kids need more sensory input:

• picky eating 

• chewing on clothing

• mouthing toys/items post 2 year old 

• hitting out at others

• climbing shelves and tables 

• walking on their toes

• w-sitting (opposite of criss cross sitting, legs fan out to sides)

• roaming room during choice time & missing out on fine motor

• trouble staying seated

• bumping or crashing into others

• breaking items often & accidentally 

Kids show us what they need!

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Cyndi

Life is so very interesting! I have learned so much from the many people I was trained to support and help. From my little brother, David and the many children I’ve had the honor to spend time with as their occupational therapist, I’ve learned to be brave, to sit, to enjoy the moment, to laugh, to play, to observe, to be curious, to forgive, to try, and to overlook obstacles and straight into the things one learns from challenges. These are all gifts I would of never expected as I worked so diligently all those years ago to prepare to help children with disabilities. Life is so very interesting! I have learned so much from the many people I was trained to support and help. From my little brother, David and the many children I’ve had the honor to spend time with as their occupational therapist, I’ve learned to be brave, to sit, to enjoy the moment, to laugh, to play, to observe, to be curious, to forgive, to try, and to overlook obstacles and straight into the things one learns from challenges. These are all gifts I would of never expected as I worked so diligently all those years ago to prepare to help children with disabilities.