Stages Connect
Ilana Danneman, PT
ContributorIlana (or “Miss Ilana” as her clients refer to her) is a pediatric physical therapist and the owner of Special Needs in Motion. She works in Atlanta, Georgia and produces a bimonthly special needs podcast for parents, teachers and therapists. Ilana enjoys, writing, walking, biking, working with special needs children and their families and podcasting!
Articles by Ilana
8 Tantrum Taming Skills for Helping Autistic Children
As I enter the house, she’s screaming. A 3-year-old with a full-blown meltdown meets me at the door. Well, her mom meets me with the I’m-going-to-pull-my-hair-out look with her sweet, beautiful, screaming child rolling on the floor behind her. A little background. We had ordered
Ilana Danneman, PT
Jun 14, 2021 · 7 min read
Using Sensory Solutions to Encourage Motor Skills in Autistic Children
Six sensory tools to use from an Occupational Therapist’s toolbox Autistic children often have over or under-responsive sensory systems that can impact the development of motor skills. The good news is we can use these deficits in sensory systems to help motivate autistic childr
Ilana Danneman, PT
May 30, 2021 · 6 min read
Delaying Gratification: An Essential Skill for Autistic Children to Learn
Delaying gratification is an essential skill for autistic children to learn in order to help them learn new skills.
Ilana Danneman, PT
May 1, 2021 · 6 min read
Our Top Picks for Encouraging Gross Motor Skills for Autistic Children: Let the Great Outdoors Be Your Natural Playground!
Use these therapist-selected, parent and teacher-approved, and kid-tested ideas to help your autistic child continue to develop gross motor skills! Spring has sprung! Tired of being inside? Spring is a great season to step outside with your autistic children and reap all the ben
Ilana Danneman, PT
Mar 28, 2021 · 7 min read
ABA & Therapy Kid Friendly Household Chores For Developing Gross Motor Skills for Autistic Children
Household work or chores are great for developing motor skills, motor planning, coordination, work ethic, responsibility, and well-being for autistic children. You might not be a big fan of household chores, but we therapists like to think of those activities that require bendin
Ilana Danneman, PT
Mar 6, 2021 · 7 min read
Physical Therapy and Autism: Questions and Answers
Autistic children can often benefit from physical therapy. What does working with a physical therapist entail? And how can I work collaboratively with a physical therapist to best help my child?
Ilana Danneman, PT
Feb 7, 2021 · 5 min read
Autism Resources 10 Gross Motor Skills for Your Autistic Child
Gross Motor Skills 101 Ready, set, let’s go! Walk, run, jump, swim, climb. There are so many ways we can move our bodies. Gross motor skills are those skills that we need to move, skills that are designed to help us survive, but also to thrive. As a baby develops they learn to r
Ilana Danneman, PT
Jan 23, 2021 · 7 min read
ABA & Therapy Using Sensory Tools to Help Kids Focus and Concentrate
Using sensory tools in your practice can provide a more focused, content and alert individual. Whether you are a specialist using ABA, speech and language techniques, occupational therapy interventions or teaching lessons, keeping the sensory needs of your children in mind while
Ilana Danneman, PT
Aug 30, 2015 · 2 min read