Therapy Love

Today was our second time to go to our new therapy place.

This place is AMAZING.  After only two sessions of sensory therapy we are already seeing changes in Dean.  Actually, I saw changes after the first session last Thursday.  Last Thursday night he was so focused and just “tuned in”…like never before.  During our story recap of the day that we do at bedtime he was telling me what he did at therapy instead of just repeating what happened during the day.  That was a first for him.  It was clear that his brain was stimulated in ways it never had been before.  And on Friday at school his teacher said he was just so focused and “on”…that she had just never seen him like that before.

All weekend he was so busy jumping and playing.  Dean doesn’t jump.  So jumping is new for him.

I was excited for them to go again today.  We were also going to be learning our home program today.  Both of them did great in both their OT and speech sessions.  Dean actually touched peas to the inside of his mouth 3 different times!  He didn’t eat them but he put them in his mouth!  HUGE!  And during OT she said he was so verbal and active and doing so many things.  It was just so exciting.

After nap we (my mom and I) could tell a definite difference in Dean’s speech pattern.  It was more clear and conversational instead of just phrases repeated at the appropriate time.  It was so noticeably different it was startling.

Emory, for his part is a bit more calm.  We are hoping the home program will help with that.  The home program consists of brushing and joint compressions and an oral part where we rub their gums and roof of their mouth.  They LOVE it and are so relaxed during and after it, especially Emory.  We are supposed to do it every 60-90 minutes for the first month….that is going to be hard.  Especially on school days.  But we are going to get it in as much as we can because I can already see the effect it is having just after doing it 5 times today.  It is kind of difficult to explain the brushing thing…after a few days…probably one day this weekend I am going to try and get Nathan to video without them really noticing he is videoing…or I will video while Nathan is doing the brushing and compressing so you can see what we are doing.

As a caveat here…you should not do brushing or joint compressions without instruction and guidance of an occupational therapist.  Sensory therapy done incorrectly can cause harm to the child and his/her nervous system.  I am sharing this information simply as information for other parents who may be going through similar situations and have questions.  If you think your child has SPD or might benefit from sensory therapy feel free to email me and I can tell you where we are receiving therapy and help you with contact information.  I am not a doctor or an OT or an expert and you should not take anything I say on this blog as medical advice.

Oh…another thing that has improved for Dean is that he is willing to tilt his head back in the bath now when I rinse his hair.  He hates to tilt his head back and it has always been a horrible ordeal.  Tonight I asked him to lean his head back and he leaned it all the way back with no hesitation.  AMAZING!  Two 45 minute therapy sessions!  I cannot imagine where we will be in 1 month…3 month…6 months…or even a year’s time….

The boys have always excelled in therapy and progressed quickly.  I feel so excited and filled with hope after just two visits to this new place.  2012 is going to be a great year for Dean and Emory…a very great year!

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