Today was Dylan's first official Occupational Therapy appointment. His OT's name is Amy. She comes to our house once per week to work with Dylan and show me things to help him with his gross/fine motor skills and Independence, along with other things. Today she brought three things for me to work with him with. First we played in a plastic bin of uncooked beans and noodles. This helps him with touch. He was fine to stick his hands in and play with toys in the noodles/beans but he DID NOT like his feet in! He pulled them out as quickly as I put them in! Second, she brought him something called his "fidget toy". It is a blue tube that bends, pulls apart and goes together (it reminds me of the bendy part of a straw). She said it is better than just a regular ol' toy for times when he really needs some distraction (e.i. the car, stressful, overwhelming situations, etc.) The third thing she gave me is two pressure brushes. They are very soft bristle brushes that are used to give Dylan pressure massages. I am to give him one every 2-4 hours (or as often as I can). She said that the reason for this is to apply firm pressure to his arms, legs and back to help him relax. A child with Sensory Integration Disorder responds positively to firm pressure rather than soft, smooth touch. The massaging helps his nervous system relax just as a massage would help an adult relax. And since he has a hard time relaxing, calming and self-soothing, this will hopefully help!
Amy wants him to learn to be independent in climbing and playing at home. Then once he is comfortable with that, maybe climbing and playing in public will be easier for him. So, here he is climbing on the couch cushions and the couch with his fidget toy, which he LOVES!
Amy and Dylan playing
Amy is giving Dylan a pressure massage. After his massage, I have to give him joint compressions. That just means that I have to push and pull gently, yet firmly, on his knees, ankles, shoulders, elbows and wrists. I know the message and compressions sound like alot but the whole process only takes 2-3 minutes.
He had a good visit today and seemed to respond positively to everything.
No comments:
Post a Comment