Department updates and recommendations for activities from our Physical Therapists.
May 2025 - High School Spring Concert Practice
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In the High School, our Physical Therapy team is proud to be actively involved in this year’s spring concert preparations. This exciting collaboration allows us to support students not only with their physical development, but also in showcasing their hard work and creativity on stage. It has been a joy to witness our students fully engaged in dance routines, practicing with focus and determination. Each student brings their unique style and personality to the performance, and we are there to help ensure everyone feels confident and successful in their role.
As we prepare for the concert, students are working diligently to follow choreography and remain in sync with the music. For some, this includes learning to navigate the boundaries of the stage or understanding spatial awareness in relation to their peers. Others are building endurance, coordination, and confidence in their movements. Our role as Physical Therapists is to provide just the right amount of support—stepping in when needed and adapting routines when appropriate to maintain safety and maximize independence. This integration into concert practice also allows us to reinforce key movement patterns and motor skills during students’ regularly scheduled therapy sessions and in our Related Service groups. From refining timing and posture to practicing transitions and balance, each session is tailored to support both the performance goals and the student’s physical development. |
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We’re incredibly proud of the growth we’ve seen and can’t wait for the final performance. It’s sure to be a celebration of teamwork, perseverance, and joy!
- Physical Therapists at Celebrate the Children
- Physical Therapists at Celebrate the Children
April 2024 - Outdoor Activities!
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Spring is here! This month, the physical therapists in the middle school are taking advantage of the nicer weather. We are promoting physical wellness by taking our students outside as much as possible to continue working on their individual goals. Strengthening and coordination activities are worked on by using our outside campus and planning creative ways to get everyone motivated to move. We are utilizing our new rock climbing wall and hills on campus to work on gross motor skills, motor planning, balance and proprioception.
The physical therapists also bring workout equipment outside for strengthening, playing group games like T- ball and kickball (to understand and learn the game rules, as well as increase their peer to peer interactions), and getting the students to ride bicycles and scooters as much as possible, while also incorporating executive functioning by teaching road safety. The sessions are tailored to the outdoor activities that they enjoy doing to increase motivation and participation! - Joelle Callahan, Elizabeth Foye, and Alisa Nosti, Physical Therapists at Celebrate the Children |
March 2025 - Skiing and Surfing!
Do you love to travel? Sharing travel opportunities and leisure activities with family is an important part of children’s experiential development and lives. For some children, finding these activities that contribute to social and motor skill development, while also making memories to last a lifetime, can be more limited. Some destinations that provide these opportunities for accessible shared experiences can be found in the northeast and locally.
Less than 4 hours away in the car and you can be in Vermont. Vermont is a destination for all ages, abilities, and seasons, from a winter wonderland to crisp summer days. But what about the adventure?! Look no further - the Bart Adaptive Sports Center offers inclusive sport lessons for children and adults with special needs. Started out of the love and memory of a young man who had a passion for skiing in Vermont, the Bart Adaptive Sports Center offers skiing and snowboarding during the winter months and many options, including cycling, golf, tennis, swimming, and rocking climbing during the summer season. The winter season is in full swing at this time, but it is not too late to start thinking about that summer vacation and marking your calendar to register for next winter’s season.
But what if you don’t know how to rock climb or ski … no problem! Your child or young adult just needs the interest and to bring their sense of adventure and smiles to the mountain. The Bart Adaptive Sports Center provides instructors who have specialized training and adaptive equipment to make this adventure happen. As they say, “No limits”!
If Vermont isn’t your style of vacation and you prefer the sand and surf, we’ve got you covered and adventures right in our own backyard. The Best Day Foundation and Life Rolls On both offer inclusive surfing adventures at the Jersey Shore. The Best Day Foundation has not announced their Summer 2025 dates yet; however, the adapted surfing event is highly sought after and fills up quickly. Life Rolls On, which was founded by surfing champion Jesse Billauer, has announced their summer events, with a surfing adventure in Wildwood, NJ for August 3, 2025. Registration for this event opens on Wednesday, June 18th at 9 am.
I personally know local families who have participated in both the Bart Adaptive Sports Center and the Best Day Foundation adventures and both experiences were amazing for the entire family and not to be missed! Please let us know if you decide to participate or know of any other events and share photos of your adventures!
For reference, please visit the Bart Adaptive Sports Center, Best Day Foundation, and Life Rolls On at the following websites:
- Dr. Danielle Guldner, Physical Therapist at Celebrate the Children
Less than 4 hours away in the car and you can be in Vermont. Vermont is a destination for all ages, abilities, and seasons, from a winter wonderland to crisp summer days. But what about the adventure?! Look no further - the Bart Adaptive Sports Center offers inclusive sport lessons for children and adults with special needs. Started out of the love and memory of a young man who had a passion for skiing in Vermont, the Bart Adaptive Sports Center offers skiing and snowboarding during the winter months and many options, including cycling, golf, tennis, swimming, and rocking climbing during the summer season. The winter season is in full swing at this time, but it is not too late to start thinking about that summer vacation and marking your calendar to register for next winter’s season.
But what if you don’t know how to rock climb or ski … no problem! Your child or young adult just needs the interest and to bring their sense of adventure and smiles to the mountain. The Bart Adaptive Sports Center provides instructors who have specialized training and adaptive equipment to make this adventure happen. As they say, “No limits”!
If Vermont isn’t your style of vacation and you prefer the sand and surf, we’ve got you covered and adventures right in our own backyard. The Best Day Foundation and Life Rolls On both offer inclusive surfing adventures at the Jersey Shore. The Best Day Foundation has not announced their Summer 2025 dates yet; however, the adapted surfing event is highly sought after and fills up quickly. Life Rolls On, which was founded by surfing champion Jesse Billauer, has announced their summer events, with a surfing adventure in Wildwood, NJ for August 3, 2025. Registration for this event opens on Wednesday, June 18th at 9 am.
I personally know local families who have participated in both the Bart Adaptive Sports Center and the Best Day Foundation adventures and both experiences were amazing for the entire family and not to be missed! Please let us know if you decide to participate or know of any other events and share photos of your adventures!
For reference, please visit the Bart Adaptive Sports Center, Best Day Foundation, and Life Rolls On at the following websites:
- Dr. Danielle Guldner, Physical Therapist at Celebrate the Children
February 2025 - P.T. Zones of Regulation
The Zones of Regulation can become an important component of a student’s day. The framework can be utilized in both the classroom and in therapy sessions to ensure success. Physical and occupational therapists utilizing this framework would consult a student’s speech therapist for strategies on individualized communication modalities and preferences. Understanding a student’s communication helps therapists identify which zone the student is in at a particular moment in time. With observation and communication from the student, the therapist is able to utilize specific strategies for each student and assist the child into a more regulatory zone. Once regulated, children are ready for therapy or an activity in the classroom.
The goal of the framework is to make children aware of their emotions, help students identify which zone they are in, and recognize how to get to a more regulatory zone. Showing the students a visual of the Zones with colors and pictures will help them identify and differentiate between the zones. Depending on the student, such strategies may be sensory-related (swinging, pressure, squeezes, reducing lights or sounds, movement activities) or biologically need-based (eating, drinking, using the bathroom). According to students’ individual profiles, physical therapy can support students’ movement into the green zone.
In one example, a student participating in their therapy session might not prefer movement. As a result, the physical therapist would communicate with the student during the session to ensure breaks so they do not become dysregulated. Other students may require sensory supports to remain in a functional zone during therapy such as a weighted vest to improve body awareness and help with grounding. Utilizing the Zones of Regulation framework allows the students to be more productive and successful in therapy sessions, in addition to supporting the student in the classroom and at home.
The picture attached displays the zones and which coping skills you can utilize for each zone. For more information, please visit: https://www.pheamerica.org/2021/building-relationships-through-the-zones-of-regulation/
-Alisa Nosti, Physical Therapist at Celebrate the Children
The goal of the framework is to make children aware of their emotions, help students identify which zone they are in, and recognize how to get to a more regulatory zone. Showing the students a visual of the Zones with colors and pictures will help them identify and differentiate between the zones. Depending on the student, such strategies may be sensory-related (swinging, pressure, squeezes, reducing lights or sounds, movement activities) or biologically need-based (eating, drinking, using the bathroom). According to students’ individual profiles, physical therapy can support students’ movement into the green zone.
In one example, a student participating in their therapy session might not prefer movement. As a result, the physical therapist would communicate with the student during the session to ensure breaks so they do not become dysregulated. Other students may require sensory supports to remain in a functional zone during therapy such as a weighted vest to improve body awareness and help with grounding. Utilizing the Zones of Regulation framework allows the students to be more productive and successful in therapy sessions, in addition to supporting the student in the classroom and at home.
The picture attached displays the zones and which coping skills you can utilize for each zone. For more information, please visit: https://www.pheamerica.org/2021/building-relationships-through-the-zones-of-regulation/
-Alisa Nosti, Physical Therapist at Celebrate the Children
January 2025 - Winter Activities
Wheelbarrow walking: Make a straight or zig-zag path (painter’s tape, belt, scarf, dog leash). Have your child wheelbarrow walk while following a straight or zig zag path. Provide assistance at your child’s waist.
Don’t Let the Balloon Touch the Ground: Use a balloon to hit it up in the air and don’t let it touch the ground. To make it more challenging, perform this game with more than one balloon. Make this a fun game or friendly competition with family members.
Paper Plate Skating: Grab paper plates, have your child step on them, and have fun skating around the house.
Polar Bear Walk: Feet and hands are on the ground with your bottom up. Pretend to walk through an arctic trail (use pillows, cushions, blankets, laundry basket to creating an uneven terrain)
Snow Angels: Snowing? Go outside and make snow angels by using your upper and lower body to open and close your arms and legs in sync. Not snowing? Don’t worry! You can still practice snow angles inside on the carpet or rugs.
Bobsled Race: Utilize a big box from the left over deliveries or an empty laundry basket. Have a sibling sit inside the box or laundry basket while the other child pushes the box. Take turns.
Long Jump Competition: Make a starting line with painter’s tape, belt, scarf or dog leash. Practice broad jumping as far as possible. Measure the distance to make a fun competition. To increase the difficulty, perform the competition jumping backwards or hopping as far as possible.
Don’t Let the Balloon Touch the Ground: Play balloon volleyball don’t let it touch the ground. To make it more challenging, perform this game with more than one balloon. Make this a fun game or friendly competition with family members.
Snowball Fight: If mother nature has provided us with snow, go out and have a snowball fight or toss. If not, crumple paper and have some indoor fun. Give your child a bucket of these indoor snowballs and toss at a target or play catch.
Snow Angels: Snowing? Go outside and make snow angels by using your upper and lower body to open and close your arms and legs in sync. Not snowing? Don’t worry! You can still practice snow angles inside on the floor.
New Year’s Fitness Goal: Make a resolution to participate in fitness activities. It is okay to start small. Walk 15 minutes outside or at an indoor mall, complete 10 wall push-ups with the family, or perform 10 jumping jacks before brushing your teeth.
Snowball Fight: If mother nature provides us with snow, have a snowball fight or toss. If not crumple paper and have some indoor fun. Give your child a bucket of these indoor snowballs and toss at a target or play catch.
Knock ‘em Down: Build a pyramid out of plastic cups. Use white pom poms or bean bags to throw at the cups to knock them down.
Long Jump Competition: Make a starting line with painter’s tape, belt, scarf or dog leash. Practice broad jumping as far as possible. Measure the distance to make a fun competition. To increase the difficulty, perform the competition jumping backwards or hopping as far as possible.
Postural Positioning: Have your child spend extra time on their stomach. They can do a puzzle or watch a video in this position. This will help stretch out their hips, and help strengthen their postural muscles. If possible they can perform a few push-ups or planks as well while in this position.
New Year’s Fitness Goal: Make a resolution to participate in fitness activities. It is okay to start small. Perform dumbbell exercises two times a week, walk 15 minutes outside or at an indoor mall, or perform 10 jumping jacks before brushing your teeth.
- Written by the Physical Therapy Department at Celebrate the Children
Don’t Let the Balloon Touch the Ground: Use a balloon to hit it up in the air and don’t let it touch the ground. To make it more challenging, perform this game with more than one balloon. Make this a fun game or friendly competition with family members.
Paper Plate Skating: Grab paper plates, have your child step on them, and have fun skating around the house.
Polar Bear Walk: Feet and hands are on the ground with your bottom up. Pretend to walk through an arctic trail (use pillows, cushions, blankets, laundry basket to creating an uneven terrain)
Snow Angels: Snowing? Go outside and make snow angels by using your upper and lower body to open and close your arms and legs in sync. Not snowing? Don’t worry! You can still practice snow angles inside on the carpet or rugs.
Bobsled Race: Utilize a big box from the left over deliveries or an empty laundry basket. Have a sibling sit inside the box or laundry basket while the other child pushes the box. Take turns.
Long Jump Competition: Make a starting line with painter’s tape, belt, scarf or dog leash. Practice broad jumping as far as possible. Measure the distance to make a fun competition. To increase the difficulty, perform the competition jumping backwards or hopping as far as possible.
Don’t Let the Balloon Touch the Ground: Play balloon volleyball don’t let it touch the ground. To make it more challenging, perform this game with more than one balloon. Make this a fun game or friendly competition with family members.
Snowball Fight: If mother nature has provided us with snow, go out and have a snowball fight or toss. If not, crumple paper and have some indoor fun. Give your child a bucket of these indoor snowballs and toss at a target or play catch.
Snow Angels: Snowing? Go outside and make snow angels by using your upper and lower body to open and close your arms and legs in sync. Not snowing? Don’t worry! You can still practice snow angles inside on the floor.
New Year’s Fitness Goal: Make a resolution to participate in fitness activities. It is okay to start small. Walk 15 minutes outside or at an indoor mall, complete 10 wall push-ups with the family, or perform 10 jumping jacks before brushing your teeth.
Snowball Fight: If mother nature provides us with snow, have a snowball fight or toss. If not crumple paper and have some indoor fun. Give your child a bucket of these indoor snowballs and toss at a target or play catch.
Knock ‘em Down: Build a pyramid out of plastic cups. Use white pom poms or bean bags to throw at the cups to knock them down.
Long Jump Competition: Make a starting line with painter’s tape, belt, scarf or dog leash. Practice broad jumping as far as possible. Measure the distance to make a fun competition. To increase the difficulty, perform the competition jumping backwards or hopping as far as possible.
Postural Positioning: Have your child spend extra time on their stomach. They can do a puzzle or watch a video in this position. This will help stretch out their hips, and help strengthen their postural muscles. If possible they can perform a few push-ups or planks as well while in this position.
New Year’s Fitness Goal: Make a resolution to participate in fitness activities. It is okay to start small. Perform dumbbell exercises two times a week, walk 15 minutes outside or at an indoor mall, or perform 10 jumping jacks before brushing your teeth.
- Written by the Physical Therapy Department at Celebrate the Children
December 2024 - Heart Healthy Heroes
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In the P.T. department, we encourage physical fitness and wellbeing. We have groups weekly called Heart Healthy Heroes run by P.T.s with students and Staff. This group focuses on the importance of a healthy lifestyle, as well as understanding and engaging in age-appropriate exercise.
Healthy Heart Heroes is a cardiovascular and strengthening program, led by Physical Therapists and primarily focuses on endurance, strength and physical fitness. H.H.H. is also designed to challenge balance, motor planning, graded muscle control and coordination skills. The students participate in a variety of stations, including weight training, the treadmill and Bowflex machine. |
Peer interaction and independence are encouraged throughout the group, while also providing exercises that can be carried over to home and in the community for lifelong health. In addition, the program embraces and incorporates all of the DIR principles!
-Joelle Callahan, Physical Therapist at Celebrate the Children
-Joelle Callahan, Physical Therapist at Celebrate the Children
November 2024 - Get Ready to Learn Program
Get Ready to Learn project is a program that supports students of all ages and abilities and targets a variety of skills to improve on areas such as:
Get Ready to Learn project is a program that supports students of all ages and abilities and targets a variety of skills to improve on areas such as:
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The exercises in the video can be played in the classroom with the support of parents, teachers, paraprofessionals, therapists and others. Several students at Celebrate the Children have participated in Get Ready to Learn and have shown enjoyment. Get Ready to Learn can help your student’s needs so they are able to focus on other tasks throughout the day.
For parent resources, please visit Get Ready to Learn’s website here: https://www.thegetreadyproject.com/family-resources
For access to the free at home series on youtube visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BR0ldHf80cc
For parent resources, please visit Get Ready to Learn’s website here: https://www.thegetreadyproject.com/family-resources
For access to the free at home series on youtube visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BR0ldHf80cc
