Could Your Child Benefit From More Support This School Year?
It’s normal for kids to be a little nervous about starting a new school year. After all, it’s a big change from what they’re used to, with new routines and an unfamiliar classroom environment. Many kids will adjust with time, especially as they make new friends and get comfortable with the changes. But some kids will benefit from a little extra support.
So how do you know if that’s the case for your child? Often, the signs are small. Small everyday struggles can indicate that your child might be having difficulty with sensory processing, emotional regulation, or motor skills. The key is knowing what to look for.
Difficulty Paying Attention or Following Directions
Throughout the school day, kids need to know how to listen and shift their attention where it needs to be. They’ll also need to follow multi-step directions for school assignments and daily routines.
If your child consistently struggles with these tasks, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re misbehaving. Some kids have difficulty paying attention for a variety of reasons. In some cases, sensory processing differences may make background noise, movement, or visual distractions difficult to focus on the teacher or complete assignments.
Signs to Look Out For
- Frequently needing directions repeated
- Losing track of multi-step tasks
- Appearing overwhelmed during classroom activities
- Struggling to transition between lessons or routines
Difficulties with Communication
Speech, language, and communication affect nearly every part of the school experience, from answering questions to making friends. Addressing these concerns early can make a big difference in your child’s school experience.
Signs to Look Out For
- Having trouble expressing their thoughts clearly
- Struggling to understand directions or classroom discussions
- Finding it difficult to participate in conversations
- Avoiding speaking during group activities
Fine Motor Skills and Handwriting Difficulties
Fine motor skills involve the small hand and wrist movements used for writing, arts and crafts, and picking up objects. They require adequate hand strength and coordinated movements. Difficulty with these skills can potentially limit your child’s classroom participation.
Signs to Look Out For
- Fatigue during writing assignments
- Difficulty holding a pencil comfortably
- Messy or hard-to-read handwriting
- Trouble using scissors, buttons, or zippers
- Avoiding drawing, coloring, or written work
Sensory Processing and Self-Regulation Challenges
Classrooms are lively, engaging spaces, which means they’re often filled with movement, bright lights, and loud noises. Some kids find this kind of busy environment overwhelming, which can leave them feeling overwhelmed, too. Conversely, some kids need extra sensory input, so while they might enjoy a bustling classroom, they struggle with quiet time.
In either case, a few simple modifications can help your child thrive in the classroom.
Signs to Look Out For
- Covering their ears during everyday sounds
- Becoming upset by clothing textures or crowded spaces
- Constantly moving, fidgeting, or seeking movement
- Having difficulty calming down after exciting activities
- Becoming overwhelmed during transitions
Emotional Regulation and Social Skills
School requires kids to manage plenty of big emotions, from excitement at meeting a new friend to disappointment at a low test score. They also need to interact with their peers and navigate new and unfamiliar situations.
Learning how to handle these challenges is an important part of childhood development for everyone. However, some kids will struggle more than others, which is a sign that they could benefit from a little extra help.
Signs to Look Out For
- Frequent frustration over small challenges
- Difficulty coping with changes in routine
- Trouble taking turns or sharing
- Avoiding group activities
- Emotional reactions that seem much bigger than the situation
Early Support Can Make a Lasting Difference
Every child will experience challenges from time to time. However, if these difficulties begin interfering with school, friendships, or daily routines, early support from the team at Flourishing Lives can help build the skills needed for long-term success.
Our speech and occupational therapists take an individualized, play-based approach that addresses the underlying skills children need to participate confidently at home, at school, and in the community. We also work closely with families to provide practical strategies that fit naturally into everyday routines.
If you’ve noticed any of the above signs in your child, schedule an appointment with us today. We’re here to help make this the best school year yet!
Sensory Strategies for a Successful School Morning
Busy school mornings can make it difficult for children to settle into learning. Fortunately, there are a few simple, fun activities you can incorporate into your routine to help prepare your child’s brain and body for the school day.
The foundation of these activities is movement, which activates the sensory systems that support attention, body awareness, and self-regulation. Setting aside a few minutes each morning for kids to engage in movement or deep-pressure activities can help them feel more prepared for their day.
Try These Sensory Breaks Before School
01
Go for an Animal Walk
Go for an Animal Walk
Bear walks, crab walks, or frog jumps all engage muscles and joints, promoting body awareness and helping some children feel more organized and ready for movement.
02
Carry Something Heavy
Carry Something Heavy
Lifting and carrying activities provide proprioceptive (“heavy work”) sensory input while also engaging muscles throughout the body. Many children find these activities calming or organizing. You can easily incorporate this activity into your routine by asking your child to carry their backpack to the car or push around a laundry basket.
03
Get Jumping
Get Jumping
Rhythmic movement may help increase alertness and prepare some children for learning. You might have your child do some jumping jacks before heading out the door or encourage them to hop like a bunny to the car.
04
Deep Breathing with Stretching
Deep Breathing with Stretching
If your child feels jittery before the start of school, breathing and movement can help them feel calm and ready for the day. Ask them to reach toward the ceiling while taking a slow breath in, then bend over as they slowly breathe out.
Ready for More Personalized Support?
Remember, every child responds differently to sensory activities. If you’re not sure which activities are best for your child, the occupational therapists at Flourishing Lives can help you create a practical plan that works for your family. Schedule an appointment to get started.
Schedule an Appointment
Patient Spotlight: DeSean
We’re excited to recognize DeSean for the wonderful communication breakthroughs and progress he has been making in speech and occupational therapy!
Over the past several months, DeSean has made meaningful gains in communicating for different purposes. With support, modeling, and encouragement, he is becoming more consistent in communicating his wants and needs, labeling items, making comments, and navigating transitions between activities. One area of exciting growth has been his increasing ability to ask for help when trying new or challenging things – a big step toward building confidence and independence!
One of DeSean’s favorite parts of therapy is exploring our shared gym spaces in speech and OT sessions. He especially loves traversing the equipment and ziplining into a crash pad, which helps him work on the motor planning skills, body awareness, safety awareness, and regulation needed to engage in play and participate in daily activities.
These fun activities have also created opportunities to practice communication while interacting with others. For example, he has been building important social communication skills by taking turns with peers, participating in shared play, and following directions, all while staying engaged in activities that motivate him.
Staff Spotlight: Debbie
Helping children learn, grow, and discover their unique strengths has always been at the heart of Debbie’s career. With experience as both a preschool teacher and preschool director, she has spent years creating warm, supportive environments where children feel encouraged to explore, build confidence, and thrive. Her background has given her a deep understanding of child development and a passion for making learning engaging, meaningful, and fun.
That knowledge and experience have also enabled Debbie to build strong connections with families as they begin their journey at Flourishing Lives. She enjoys helping families navigate the treatment process, coordinating all the pieces from start to finish, and ensuring they feel informed, supported, and confident every step of the way. Her compassion, organization, and dedication make her an invaluable asset to both our families and our team.
Outside of the clinic, family is Debbie’s greatest joy. She is a proud wife and mother of two wonderful daughters, and her rescue dog and cat make sure life is always filled with plenty of love (and a little extra excitement!). When she has time to unwind, you’ll often find her in the kitchen trying new recipes and enjoying the creativity that cooking brings.
Build a Backpack Sensory Toolkit
Another way to support your child’s sensory needs is to keep a small sensory toolkit in their backpack. This gives kids easy access to simple tools that help with self-regulation when things get tough at school.
Ideas for What to Include
Remember to check with your child’s teacher to ensure items are appropriate for their classroom.
- A small fidget toy to provide gentle hand movement that can improve attention and reduce restlessness.
- Therapy putty to help strengthen hand muscles while providing deep-pressure sensory input that many children find calming.
- A chewable pencil topper to offer a safe way to satisfy oral sensory input.
- A visual reminder card with different calming strategies that work for your child, such as “Take three deep breaths” or “Ask for a movement break.” This also encourages kids to become more independent with their self-regulation skills.
- Noise-reducing headphones to help reduce overwhelming background noise and make it easier to concentrate.
Trail Mix Banana Bread
Trail Mix Banana Bread is a hearty, sweet quick bread that combines moist, classic banana loaf with the crunchy and chewy textures of a standard trail mix. It features mashed overripe bananas, warm spices like cinnamon, and folded-in nuts, seeds, dried fruits, or chocolate pieces.
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3/4 cup mashed overripe bananas (about 2 large bananas)
- 1/4 cup plain full-fat Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups trail mix, chopped to ensure everything is bite-sized
- Preheat the oven to 350 F and line a muffin pan with paper liners.
- Whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.
- In a large bowl, whisk the bananas, yogurt, brown sugar, granulated sugar, oil, vanilla, and egg until lightened and smooth.
- Add the flour mixture to the banana mixture and gently whisk until combined, scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula as needed.
- Fold in 1 cup of the trail mix.
- Divide the batter evenly into the muffin pan. Top each muffin with a heaping tablespoon of the remaining trail mix.
- Bake until golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean, 16 to 18 minutes. Allow to cool 5 minutes before removing from the pan.
Community Events
Community Event
We’ll be at the Macomb Intermediate School District on Saturday, September 12th, 2026, from 10 AM to 2 PM.
Where: 44001 Garfield Road, Clinton Township, MI, 48036
World of Possibilities Special Needs Expo
The World of Possibilities Special Needs Expo is a free event for:
- Individuals with special needs
- Parents and caregivers
- Adults and children of all ages
We’re proud to highlight this community event and encourage local families to learn more and get involved.
When: Saturday, September 26, 10 AM – 2 PM
Where: 44001 Garfield Road, Clinton Township, MI, 48036
We’re Hiring!
Flourishing Lives is growing, and we’re looking for passionate occupational therapists, certified occupational therapy assistants, speech-language pathologists, SLP fellows, and mental health professionals to join our team! If you value connection, play-based learning, and helping children feel confident in their communication, we’d love to meet you. Our unique approach includes:
- Play-based, child-led sessions that build trust and engagement
- Sensory-informed strategies to support attention and regulation
- Strong collaboration with families and other team members
- Focus on functional communication in real-life situations
If you’re looking for a supportive, team-oriented environment where you can make a meaningful impact, we encourage you to apply today.
Feel Confident at the Table Again—Without the Power Struggles
- You’re doing everything you can—cutting food just right, offering all the favorites, reading every tip online.
- And still, your child refuses to eat. Or cries. Or gags. Or throws their plate.
- You’re not failing. You’re just missing the right support.
Let’s change that.
