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Children with WS have low muscle tone, weak muscles, and difficulty with balance. With targeted interventions and individualized goals for these children, physical therapy can provide benefit in following areas:
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There are many different ways that physical therapy can be incorporated into the classroom as a tool for teachers to engage with students with WS in a meaningful learning environment. The following sections outline two ways that teachers can engage in a physical therapy to assist students with WS.
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1. Provide play-based learning activities that could improve gross and fine motor skills
Students with WS will find difficulties in sitting and staying focused for long periods in a classroom. While it is necessary for students with WS to learn how to sit upright on chairs to improve their posture, providing play-based learning activities will enhance their gross motor skills in a fun way. Therapists and teachers should introduce new sets of skills, tasks, or challenges gradually to minimize the frustration level by students with WS. Also, allow frequent breaks in-between different activities to sustain students' engagement level with each activity. Here are the list of suggestions on play-based activities in a classroom: USING PUZZLES/TOYS Spread out and place the puzzles on the classroom at a variety of heights and ranges. First, you can ask students to pick up one or two of puzzle pieces from the floor. Then, ask them to find other puzzles that are placed 2 inches off the floor. Afterward, you can ask them to find another puzzle piece that are located at their mid-thigh height as well as a different one at their chest height. Students with WS are able to practice from squatting to full standing with this varied instructions included in this puzzle activity. You can either replace or add toys or cards instead of puzzles. In addition, you can also modify the activity by writing down words on puzzles and students with WS can try to find the words around the classroom as you read them out aloud. |
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