Alex Lopiccolo: "The King of Swings"

Alex Lopiccolo:

A/k/a Mr. Alex is an experienced Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, Certified Personal Trainer, and Nutrition Consultant. Alex is well known as The King of Swings. When he is not treating as a full-time Sensory Integration Therapy practitioner he travels around the world sharing his knowledge of sensorimotor therapy with OTs and students at pediatric clinics and universities. He especially enjoys designing home sensory gyms to help his young clients at home. He is the owner of Sensory Digest and based out of Gig Harbor, Washington State.

What is sensory integration?

We receive information from our environment through our senses. Christine Robenhalt, PT discusses the senses in blog post-https://www.raisingkellan.org/the-sensory-system-and-its-relation-to-dyslexia-adhd-and-executive-function/ and in Episode 41 of the Raising Kellan podcast. https://anchor.fm/marsh-naidoo/episodes/Episode-41--Christine-Robenhalt--PT-talks-about-the-Sensory-System--Dyslexia-and-ADHD-eunp7a

Our brain at different levels organizes and codes this sensory information to produce meaningful responses. Sensory processing disorder describes when we are unable to interpret and organize this data in a consistent manner.

Benefit of Swings

Swinging is a multi-faceted treatment approach that increases spatial awareness by stimulating the vestibular and proprioception system. The vestibular system is a series of semicircular canals filled with fluid that tells us where we are in space while the proprioception system is made of mechanoreceptors within the joints, muscles spindles, and tendons that send information to the brain and creates a feedback loop system so that we can know for example how much pressure is needed to crack open an egg. Swinging helps with visual tracking, gross and fine motor activities including balance and coordination, and self-regulation which Alex talks about more on Episode 44 of the Raising Kellan Podcast. Here is your link https://anchor.fm/marsh-naidoo/episodes/Episode-44--Alex-Lopiccolo-The-King-of-Swings-e13k0h3

Alex Lopiccolo, COTA

Transcript

Marsh Naidoo (00:12):

Hi guys. My name is Marsh NAidoo and welcome to the Raising Kellan Podcast. I blog at raisingkellan.org where we curate resources for special needs parenting. Today on episode number 44, I am going to chat with Alex Lco, affectionately known as the "King of Swings". This episode is brought to you by First Citizens National Bank, who is our valued community supporter

Marsh Naidoo (00:50):

Alex LoPiccolo, AKA Mr. Alex is an experienced occupational therapy assistant, a certified personal trainer, and a nutrition consultant. Alex is well known as the "King of Swings" when he's not treating as a full-time sensory integration therapy practitioner. He travels around the world sharing his knowledge of sensory-motor therapy with OTs and students at pediatric clinics and universities. He especially enjoys designing home sensory gyms to help his young clients at home. Good morning, Alex. Welcome, welcome, welcome to the Raising Kellan Podcast.

Alex Lopiccolo (01:39):

Well thank you for having me.

Marsh Naidoo (01:41):

Alex, what in the world got you started on your OT journey? I'm really interested to find that out.

Alex Lopiccolo (01:50):

So I was first a certified personal trainer and I wanted to get into the therapy realm and at first I was gonna go for physical therapy and then I found out that OT was more of the creative type of functional therapy even though I loved pt. So I got it. I didn't even know about what sensory integration was and when I found it was more play based I was like that's right up my alley.

Marsh Naidoo (02:32):

When it comes to sensory integration, like a heads up for parents that are listening, what exactly would you say that sensory integration is Alex?

Alex Lopiccolo (02:44):

It's organizing the central nervous system for improved motor skills for that's gross and fine motor. Also sensory modulation, which is a lot of the kids that we see are either overreactive sensitive, hyperactive, lethargic, and they're not in that middle ground alert state where you're in your flow state where you're more alert, calm and collected. Also, children that have a hard time with executive functioning skills for academics and also just doing your activities at daily living that they have a hard time with. Maybe it's motor wise, maybe it's cuz they're alert level. Also children that have behavioral challenges, which we always wanna point the finger of their being a bad kid. It's not necessarily they're making bad choices that their nervous system is on overload and they're not getting the support or proper tools or they don't have the awareness of how to get into that gest Right alert state.

Marsh Naidoo (04:07):

Alex, during your career as a therapist, I'm sure that there was something about swings that led you to pursue it more as a treatment tool. What was that haha moment for you?

Alex Lopiccolo (04:22):

So the first time I found out about swings swing use for therapy is when I worked in Denver, Colorado at Unique Prince Therapy and they had a custom swing structure in a old historic mansion and it was made by South Paw, which is one of the leaders in the sensory therapy equipment realm. And I thought it was so cool that there's actually company out there making professional therapy equipment for sensory integration. So I decided why can't we expand more on the different types of swings and make it more powerful? So I started to write articles for South Paw and I saw that there's other companies out there that are trying to make different types of swings in. I started modifying my own swings about 11 years ago and ever since then I been on a journey to make the best sensory swings in the world.

Marsh Naidoo (05:32):

Do you have to have a certain square footage in order to put a sensory gym in? I mean how does that work?

Alex Lopiccolo (05:40):

So it doesn't necessarily mean the space, it's the way that you modify the space. So a closet can be turned into a small sensory space where I've put a hammock inside of it. I've also done doorway pull-up bars are a way you can have a movement space in between a doorway also play rooms, living rooms hallways, you name it. You could do some type of movement or relaxation space in there.

Marsh Naidoo (06:24):

So for that parents wanting to find out more on how to engage with you to get a sensory gym set up for the child, what does that look like or how does that process begin?

Alex Lopiccolo (06:39):

So usually I have the client take pictures of their room or multiple rooms of the house all different angles measure the space length, width ,and height. Also draw a rough blueprint of what the space looks like with where the windows, the door, the lighting is. Also any other types of things in the room that could impact the movement space. So I usually will go for the living room if possible cuz that's usually the largest space in the house and kids usually hang out in the living room while the parents are in the kitchen or the family room. So I like to look at it as where will a child use the swings or the sensory equipment most frequently because in order to change the central nervous system, you want to do it frequently throughout the day to get the most beneficial therapeutic benefits from it.

Marsh Naidoo (07:54):

So I often see your post on LinkedIn and in my mind I'm thinking are these swings necessarily something that's gonna be suspended from the ceiling? How does that work Alex?

Alex Lopiccolo (08:10):

So I would say majority of the time it's hanging from the ceiling where you can change out the swings very easily at different heights. Also, I do things that are off the walls so it doesn't necessarily have to be from the ceiling. I use bungee rope lyrca off the walls and it really depends on the space and what works with the family dynamic.

Marsh Naidoo (08:46):

Got you. So in order to integrate the senses and to get better interpretation at that cortical level, you mentioned that the exercises or the swinging rather needs to be done through regular intervals during the day. I mean obviously with kids returning back to school now most of them returning back to in- person classes. How would that look for a parent or a mom that wants to integrate the swinging through the day? Is it something more or less done like at morning and they repeat it again in the afternoon?

Alex Lopiccolo (09:31):

So I recommend morning, afternoon, evening and you wear five to 20 minutes of movement activity. Even if you get in one to five minutes, it's better than nothing. Right? So it's the frequency of uses, what's important in the morning. Sometimes just doing an obstacle course with your kids or doing maybe some even jump rope, it doesn't even have to be suspended. I know some families can't do it because say they live in an apartment or they're renting a house. So outdoor or indoor movement is really important and the thing with swings is that you're working body and space and body and space is with a vestibular input and rhythm is really helps kind of sink your body into getting into that flow state. So rhythm equals regulation, so doing it frequently throughout the day, you'll maintain that flow state and you'll have less behavioral challenges and more focused and improved happiness.

Marsh Naidoo (10:59):

Okay. So for example, say if our kid is in the swing and is any other therapies incorporated into that or are they just allowed to swing and absorb that state of rhythm and flow that you described?

Alex Lopiccolo (11:17):

Sometimes the child has to get in some passive input in order to get their body in sync where some others wanna be more active and kind of do it theirselves and be independent. So it really depends on that child and also their cognition level, I mean their motor skills. So that's always a factor. So I like to try to go passive and then move to active independence.

Marsh Naidoo (11:55):

So it can be used to up-regulate and involve a little bit of heavy body work to as prep work to get the child started off before their day therapy or as a means to calm the sensory system down maybe towards the later part of the day. Okay.

Alex Lopiccolo (12:21):

Yes, exactly. So for children that are lethargic, you can do things that are more fast-moving pace or say more vertical where it'd be bouncing that would be more upregulating where the passive rhythmic movement would be more downregulating cuz the parent or the therapist could paste the child. Also nighttime if you're looking like a lot of times kids will skyrocket with their adrenaline or their arousal state at bedtime. It is great to get in that movement, but you have to, it's good to have structure at night for a bedtime routine and it's good to be like, okay, do this type of let the child pick of input, but always work on that down-regulation at the end. So maybe it's not only swinging but it might be blowing some bubbles in the bathtub with some tubing.

Marsh Naidoo (13:36):

I know we love the rocking. Rocking is something usually that we like using to as a pre-bedtime activity. Alex, for the therapist listening out there day I mean if they wanna get a sensory system set up in their practice or a sensory room how can you help in that endeavor? Tell us a little bit more about that.

Alex Lopiccolo (14:08):

So with therapy clinic designs, what I typically do is same thing with the home gym is I try to get as many pictures of the space ahead of time and then also what their existing equipment is. Either if it's a swing structure or sensory swings or ball pits slide platform. And then I try to incorporate what they already have into their new treatment space. So sometimes it's just modifying an existing space or it's moving to a new clinic and they would like to try to amp it up. So contacting me via WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger or Instagram or LinkedIn, those are the best channels for me. And just messaging me info on the space is really critical. Sometimes I do will design it ahead of time, then I modify the space a day ahead of time and then I teach a workshop the King of Swings workshop the day after. So you can get the whole service of from beginning all the way to and completed project and then you have a therapy clinic ready to treat in the day after the workshop.

Marsh Naidoo (15:41):

Now for those therapists that might be already working in the clinic, but wanna know more about the sensory education, I mean there are courses out there I know by Jane Ayers, but I mean those that are wanting a more practical hands-on approach, what resources would you suggest or can you give us a heads up on that?

Alex Lopiccolo (16:06):

Outside of my workshops and webinars, my favorites would be probably Vital links. They show more videos in then treatment videos, and then they talk about the clinical observations after Sheila Frick, Mary Coir, one of my favorites. Also Integrative symposium they have some really good webinars out there right now. Thera Moves, they have webinars and upcoming workshops, they're outta New York. I also like there may Benson's work from the Spiral Foundation. She has lots of webinars on sensory integration therapy The Star Foundation, The the Star Institute. They also have really good sensory integration therapy continuing ed webinars.

Marsh Naidoo (17:13):

Tell us about the webinars that you offer addicts.

Alex Lopiccolo (17:17):

Sure. So I usually teach them either per country because the reason I divide it up into countries is because there's different things you can different styles of treatment and also what accessible equipment wise in each country. Also the way rooms are set up are different in each country and the language barrier. So there's a lot of things that go into that. And then also I like when therapists can connect from different parts of the country and be able to network together. So I'll do it per country or I'll also do it for say just a therapy clinic that wants to host it, just private for staff. I also have a few of them online that parents can purchase. Say if they have a camping hammock and they have one to four suspension points at home, then they can buy the webinar and then use all the different types of sensory diet interventions at home.

Marsh Naidoo (18:49):

Sensory diet, I'm kind of curious about that. What is it that you kind of call a sensory diet?

Alex Lopiccolo (18:56):

So a sensory diet would be it was created by the Will barks, which I got trained in by the therapressure technique that they use. The sensory diet is eight to 12 minutes of movement sessions including proprioceptive , vestibular and tactile three to five times a day with that high intensity. So frequency, intensity, and generation of sensory-motor input throughout the day to help with sensory modulation.

Marsh Naidoo (19:36):

Alex, you mentioned your mentorship program. Can you tell us more about that please?

Alex Lopiccolo (19:43):

So the two-day sensory gym practitioner mentorship will be out of my house in Gig Harbor, Washington State, just an hour outside of Seattle. And I'll be going through different sensory-motor activities and how to set them up in home indoors and outdoors. And you get to explore all different sensory therapy activities and it's experiential learning for yourself. So you get to try them hands on. It will be a nine-to-five workshop and you get to network with therapists from all around the world in the sensory integration realm and it will be a blast. I've been doing it for the last two years and it's always a really fun time for education.

Marsh Naidoo (20:46):

How do they find out more about the mentorship program?

Alex Lopiccolo (20:52):

So it's at the end of June and July on a Saturday and Sunday and if you go to sensory digest.com you'll be able to see the exact dates and then if you just message me I can get you signed up and have you out here in Gig Harbor.

Marsh Naidoo (21:13):

All right. Thank you for your time, Alex. This has been amazing and you've given so much of value and you've given an opening for folks to contact you and find out more about how to utilize a swing in the space that they have available. So guys I am going to ask Alex to please run through the ways that he can be contacted. If you don't mind, Alex, as a point to finish off with, if you can let our parents or therapists know how to contact you. Once again,

Alex Lopiccolo (21:57):

That's Alex LoPiccolo L O P I C C O L O on Facebook. You can direct message me. There's also, you can direct message me on Sensory Digest on Facebook, also Sensory Digest on Instagram and then also Alexander LoPiccolo on LinkedIn. You can click on my social media links on sensory digest.com, go to the bottom of the page and click on the social media links. Also you can check me out on YouTube. I have some videos of different treatment activities and also just some fun things to show your kids of what sensory integration therapy can be about because it can kind of be a little scary of going to a therapist as to do ot and you can get them excited about them going to therapy.

Marsh Naidoo (23:04):

Lovely. Alex, thank you so much for your time. I sincerely appreciate it. And if you are in my nick of the woods anytime soon, that's Tennessee, please. I would love to see that posting. I would definitely wanna take up one of your courses.

Alex Lopiccolo (23:22):

Well, I'll be traveling a lot this year and forward, so I will definitely be in Tennessee within the next year.

Marsh Naidoo (23:29):

Okay, well and I will be at that course, <laugh>. Thank you Alex.

Alex Lopiccolo (23:34):

Thank you Marsh.

Marsh Naidoo (23:35):

Thanks. Take care Alex. Bye now. Bye.

Marsh Naidoo (23:39):

Hi guys. We have come to the end of another podcast and we sincerely appreciate you listening along. As always, remember the opinions expressed today are solely our opinions and not intended as medical advice. You can reach us anytime at raisingkellan@aoichgmail.com. We would love to hear from you. And also remember that the podcast is actually now available on YouTube as well. So leave a comment, let us know what you think about you hear and subscribe to be notified of when the next podcast jobs. Today's episode was brought to you by our community sponsor, First Citizens National Bank here in northwest Tennessee. And we are really grateful for their support. As always, remember guys, get to the top of your mountain. This is Mosh Naidu signing off.