A Cool Screen-Free Toy, Floor Is Lava & Freelancin’ Ain’t Easy

Kiri is one of those rare battery-powered toys that isn’t completely obnoxious. It’s a matching game for animals and colors, but I can think of a million ways to use it with my non-verbal and semi-verbal kiddos.

That said, it’s probably most useful for early intervention and preschool patients.

It supports English, Spanish and Chinese, which makes it a dream come true for those of us working in culturally diverse communities. Right now you can pre-order it for $99.

Here’s a link to the video demo.

After scouring the internet for new teletherapy and sensory gym ideas, I came across this oldie-but-goodie: Floor is Lava.

I have no idea what goes on in popular culture these days, so I completely missed the Netflix show based on the game.

This is the perfect activity for my patients with hyperactivity and low ideation. Movement always helps idea generation, and this game is a hit with a lot of different age groups.

Kids love constructing pretend lava fields with pillow rocks to jump on. You’d be surprised how elaborate the game can get. And learn from my mistake: always get permission from the parents BEFORE the child starts taking the cushions off the sofa.

Therapy freelancing is difficult when the economy is good. In times like these, it can cause a daily earthquake of anxiety (speaking from experience). This article is a good reminder that you still have control over a lot of things, even if some aspects of your practice have evaporated.

Overcoming the badness of a situation is ten times easier when you figure out ways to take back some of your control.

Some key take-aways:

• Take another look at the little things you’ve been ignoring about your practice. Are you dressing like a professional? Is your website attracting the right kind of patients?
• “Lazy freelancers take the work that’s offered them; energetic freelancers know the work they are looking for, and where and how they want to work, and go out and get it.”
• Can you join or start an organization for other freelance therapists in your area? What about a Facebook group? You could create a place where other therapists in your position can share war stories and trade referrals. Chances are, if you’re struggling so is everyone else.
• Rethink your private practice. What if you branched out temporarily? If you provide home-based therapy for children, could you also offer home-based therapy for adults part of the time? It may not be ideal (trust me….been there, done that), but diversifying your practice is likely to keep you afloat for much longer.