About Me
Kim Arzillo, OTR/L
Hello, I'm Kim!
I’ve been an occupational therapist for over 12 years. I am passionate about supporting the development of every child I work with, using a family-centered approach based on a child’s specific needs. I specialize in the following:
@kimtheot From an occupational therapy perspective, having a footrest that provides support to the entire foot is crucial for a baby's high chair. Here's why it’s such an important feature: 1. Optimal Posture🦶: A footrest that supports the entire foot promotes proper postural alignment in babies. It helps distribute their weight evenly, prevents dangling feet, and will help your child build up their tolerance to sitting by giving this crucial support. 2. Sensory Feedback🦶: A footrest that supports the entire foot offers sensory input to all of a baby's foot. This plays a significant role in their sensory development, as it contributes to coordination, and knowing where their body is in space. By prioritizing a high chair with a footrest with a wide base of support, you're investing in your baby's posture, stability, motor skills, and sensory development. #pediatricot #occupationaltherapistsoftiktok #pediatricoccupationaltherapist #parentshelpingparents #babyhighchairs #besthighchairs #highchairfootrest #feedingtherapyathome ♬ original sound - Kim the OT
@kimtheot Having an extra plate or bowl on the table for foods your kid isn’t ready to eat to reduce anxiety at mealtimes is a great idea imo as a pediatric OT! 🍎Language is really important! Neutral language at meal times, especially as it relates to the extra plate, gives kids the autonomy to decide what foods feel right for their body and safe for them to eat, while helping them to consider the idea of trying new foods they’re unsure of in the future. 🍎Discussing foods and their properties in a neutral way: “crunchy, smooth, cold, warm” etc. can help kids understand how the foods might taste and feel in their mouth. #pediatricot #pediatricoccupationaltherapy #occupationaltherapyforkids #feedingtherapy #pickyeating #pickyeatingtips #parentshelpingparents #nothankyouplate #toddlermealtips ♬ original sound - Kim the OT
@kimtheot Pre-writing skills are important fine motor skills children need to develop before they have the ability to write. These skills can also be worked on using a multi-sensory approach, making these strokes using play doh, sand, mud, chalk. Whatever your child likes! 🎉 As an occupational therapist I try to help kids work on fundamental skills by building on a child’s interests as much as possible! ❤️ #pediatricot #occupationaltherapistsoftiktok #pediatricoccupationaltherapist #parentshelpingparents #finemotorskillspractice #preschooleractivities #preschooleractivity #handwritingpracticeforkids ♬ original sound - Kim the OT
@kimtheot Potty training is not for the faint of heart! According to the American Academy of Pediatrics website: “Toilet training may come up during children's 18-month, 2-year, 2½-year, and 3-year well-child visits. The average age toilet training begins in the United States is between 2 and 3 years of age. Most children in the United States are bowel and bladder trained by 4 years of age.” BUT, all kids are different! If your kid is showing distress and anxiety during potty training, imo it’s best to wait until they’re more ready. Going to the toilet takes so many more skills than just sitting and going pee or 💩. One big skill a child needs that can be challenging to learn is “interoception”, or what it actually feels like inside their body when they need to go. Also, as an occupational therapist, I try to understand if there are any environmental factors that impact potty training. Is the bathroom fan too loud? Is the light too bright? Is the toilet too high/too low? All things to think about when potty training. #pediatricot #occupationaltherapistsoftiktok #pediatricoccupationaltherapist #parentshelpingparents #pottytrainining #howtopottytrainatoddler #pottytraininngtips #toilettrain ♬ original sound - Kim the OT