Kelley Balmer, Author at North Shore Pediatric Therapy

About Kelley Balmer

Kelley Balmer graduated from Midwestern University with a Master's in Occupational Therapy. Prior to graduate school she attended Purdue University and received her Bachelor's in Movement and Sport Sciences with a minor in Spanish Language and Literature. While attending Midwestern she participated in both observations and clinical rotations in a variety of pediatric settings, including a hospital, special education academy and outpatient clinic. Kelley's passion for pediatric occupational therapy continued to grow when she worked privately with a family who has two children with special needs while forming everlasting bonds with the entire family. Kelley also participated in a yearlong research project targeting the potential role of occupational therapy in the foster care system. Pediatric therapy is a passion for Kelley and she hopes to continue expanding her knowledge, education and role in the field.

Entries by Kelley Balmer

5 Tips to Keep Your Child’s Backpack Organized

in ADHD, Behavior, Education, How To, Kindergarten-5th Grade, Living Skills, Middle School, Occupational Therapy, Parenting, Preschool, School

Ever wonder how your child’s backpack goes from looking like it belongs in a museum exhibit on the first day of school, to looking like there was an explosion of school supplies, snacks and nick-knacks thrown together a few weeks later? Read on for 5 tips to help your child keep his backpack organized throughout […]

How to Make School Breaks Easier on Your Child and Your Family

in Behavior, Birth-3, Camp, Family, Holidays, Occupational Therapy, Parenting, Play, Preschool, Summer, Winter

School breaks can be a fun and exciting time for children, but they may be chaotic, stressful and dysregulating for them as well. The school day is full of structure and predictability. While some kids may enjoy the continuous free time that vacations offer, other children may thrive during the school year and may regress […]

Finding a Gift that Has Therapeutic Value

in Development, Education, Family, Holidays, Inspiration, Kindergarten-5th Grade, Middle School, Milestones, Occupational Therapy, Parenting, Play, Preschool, Winter

When buying presents for kids these days, it may be difficult to find a toy or game in which the value will last longer than the amount of time it takes to unwrap it. It can also be challenging to find a gift that will remain valuable throughout any of the “fads” and “trends.” With […]

Executive Functioning Activities At Home

in ADHD, Around Town, Behavior, Birth-3, Development, Diagnostics, Education, Family, High School, Kindergarten-5th Grade, Living Skills, Middle School, Milestones, Neuropsychology, Occupational Therapy, Parenting, Play, Preschool, Reading, School, Teachers, Teens, Therapy

Many kids have difficulty mastering skills such as problem-solving, organization, sequencing, initiation, memory, attention, and breaking down tasks. These skills (and many more) fall under the category of executive functioning. As children get older and begin middle school, these skills are expected to advance quickly. It is usually in about 5th grade where teachers and […]

Developmental and Therapeutic Uses for Playdoh

in Around Town, Birth-3, Development, Education, Exercise, Family, Friends, How To, Kindergarten-5th Grade, Living Skills, Middle School, Milestones, Occupational Therapy, Parenting, Physical Therapy, Play, Preschool, Sensory Integration, Therapy

There are so many common household items and children’s toys that have great therapeutic value when used or played with in certain ways. Playdoh may seem like an item that children use solely for creative play, but it can be a therapist’s and parent’s go-to activity that is both fun and extremely beneficial to a […]

Sensory Strategies and Other Ideas for Kids with Autism

in Around Town, Autism, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Behavior, Birth-3, Development, Exercise, Health Topics and Conditions Database, High School, How To, Kindergarten-5th Grade, Living Skills, Mental Health, Middle School, Milestones, Neuropsychology, Play, Sensory Integration, Teens, Therapy

Sensory strategies are associated with a variety of diagnoses and conditions through childhood, adolescence and adulthood. These strategies are non-invasive accommodations that can be made in any context, to all daily activities in all environments. Sensory strategies are often referred to as “movement breaks,” or other similar titles, but provide the same suggestions and are […]

Sensory Strategies for Kids with ADHD

in ADHD, Behavior, Birth-3, Development, Diagnostics, Health Topics and Concerns, Kindergarten-5th Grade, Mental Health, Neuropsychology, Occupational Therapy, Parenting, Preschool, School, Sensory Integration, Sensory Processing Disorder

Sensory strategies are one of the most common and least invasive suggestions made to assist children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) function more successfully in their day to day lives. Because of the increased awareness surrounding ADHD, it has become a popular topic for many professionals. While this means that there is an ever-growing […]