Navigating the World Like an Astronaut

Lauren Anderson,

MOT, OTR/L

We’re always reaching for the stars and trying to find the best and most innovative ways to support the children and families we serve. Recently, we’ve launched something truly out of this world: Astronaut Training.

Right now, you might be furrowing your brow and wondering “what does that have to do with the development of my child?” I get it, I hear it all the time. But Astronaut training isn’t just for NASA anymore —it’s a powerful, scientifically-backed therapy that helps children improve their sensory processing and movement control. It’s called “Astronaut Training” for a reason because it’s just like the tests and procedures used to train astronauts. I’m an Occupational Therapist who has recently added Astronaut Training to my resume and here is how this may benefit your child at Prairie Grit Therapy.

What Is Astronaut Training?

Astronaut Training is a structured therapeutic program designed to target and enhance the vestibular, visual, and auditory systems—some of the key components of sensory processing. By engaging in specific, carefully planned activities, children strengthen these systems, leading to improvements in balance, coordination, and sensory processing. It’s like giving their brain a workout, tailored to meet their individual needs.

Navigating the World Like an Astronaut

 Think of your child’s sensory systems as the control center of a spaceship. Just like astronauts rely on their navigation system to stay on course, your child depends on their vestibular system to maintain balance and spatial orientation. The vestibular system is often referred to as the “master controller” of our sensory systems. When it functions well, everything else tends to fall into place. However, if the vestibular system is out of sync, it can lead to a range of challenges, including poor balance, difficulties with motor planning, and sensory processing challenges. Astronaut Training works to address these by enhancing the vestibular function, ultimately helping children feel more confident and in control of their movements and interactions.

 In Astronaut Training, we use movements like spinning to help calibrate this system. It’s as if we’re fine-tuning your child’s internal spaceship, ensuring they feel steady and balanced as they navigate their world.

Your visual system, much like an astronaut’s star map, is crucial for interpreting and interacting with the environment. Through activities that involve tracking moving objects or focusing on visual targets, we help children enhance their ability to navigate their surroundings—whether it’s recognizing a face in a crowd, copying from the board, reading a book, or catching a ball on the playground.

And let’s not forget the auditory system—the communication system of our spaceship. In therapy, we might engage your child in activities that involve listening to different sounds or rhythms. This helps tune their auditory processing, so they can better interpret and respond to the sounds around them, whether it’s a teacher’s instructions in the classroom or the voice of a friend in a noisy playground.

How Can Astronaut Training Benefit Your Child?

Astronaut Training can offer a wide range of benefits for your child, including:

•  Enhanced Motor Skills: Improved vestibular function leads to better balance and coordination, which can boost your child’s confidence in physical activities.
•  Improved Sensory Processing: By refining how the brain processes sensory information, children become more comfortable in their environment, leading to better focus, behavior, and social interactions.
•  Boosted Confidence: As children master new skills and feel more in control, they often experience a significant increase in self-esteem.

Why Choose Prairie Grit Therapy for Astronaut Training?

 At Prairie Grit Therapy, we’re committed to providing the highest quality care for your child. Our team is continually expanding our expertise to bring you the latest and most effective therapies. With my new certification in Astronaut Training, we’re excited to offer this innovative therapy as part of our comprehensive approach to pediatric care.

We believe in working closely with parents, physicians, and other healthcare providers to create a collaborative, supportive environment for each child’s growth. Whether your child is already receiving services at Prairie Grit or you’re considering starting therapy, we’re here to help you navigate this journey.

Astronaut Training is an exciting addition to our services at Prairie Grit Therapy, and we’re thrilled to offer this innovative approach to support your child’s development. If you’re curious about how this therapy could benefit your child, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re here to answer your questions, provide guidance, and help your child reach for the stars. Let’s work together to make this school year—and beyond—a time of growth and success for your child.

Lauren’s other areas of speciality include feeding disorders, executive functioning, self-care tasks, emotional regulation, and sensory integration. Lauren is a Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Feeding Approach trained therapist, who enjoys helping children explore foods.