At Casa Colina, John is taking swim with an occupational therapist. It has been so rewarding on so many levels. John is 5. In January, he was not water safe.
I've had private swim instructors for 3 years try to teach him in my parents pool. He is good at distraction and a master of manipulation. He was in charge more than the teachers, having them resort to baby games you'd play with toddlers or use in a mommy and me classes. He'd sit on the edge or on the step, they'd splash water on his legs and the two of them would sing silly water songs that would end with John being pulled into the pool. John would love this so much that they would do this over and over. He wouldn't attempt picking anything off the bottom of the pool, would get disorientated when his head would go under water, and could not hold his breath. He hated doing anything with the kickboard and refused to do "big arms". He'd swallow lots of water and most attempts to teach him to close his mouth just didn't work. We'd resort to him wearing a life vest every time he went in the water. He had no fear at other times and would want to jump off the edge, but then do nothing to try to swim to the side. The life vest made it more fun for him and put us at ease. But, that doesn't solve the problem.
This year, I talked to John's OT about moving an OT session into the pool. Casa Colina (where John is in OT) advertises an 8 week swim program that is taught by an Occupational Therapist. After speaking to her, I realized that this was the perfect fit for John. The water provides a sensory experience for him and they can work on motor planning, as well as water safety and swim.
Watching him progress so rapidly in this class has been so awesome. They work on strengthening his core, breath control, floating, swimming, motor planning, water games, swimming to bottom of pool, jumping in and swimming to the edge, etc. Having an OT teach John these skills was exactly what we needed to see improvement. He's on his second, 8-week session. He is holding his breath, swimming to the bottom and getting rings, swimming the length of the pool, and floating on his back. He used to avoid tipping his head back, but she got him to relax and float. She taught him that when he is swimming or feeling like he is sinking, he can roll to his back and float. She has worked with him, going from front to back and then back to swimming. He has some motor planning work to do on this skill, but it's a long way from sitting on the edge singing songs and being splashed in the legs! They work a lot on strength, endurance, muscle control, motor planning, etc., while playing games and swimming. It's a great fit and I'm so thankful for the programs we have found for John.
Showing posts with label OT/SI Therapy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label OT/SI Therapy. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Monday, September 13, 2010
Occupational Therapy -with an SI approach
John is attending OT (occupational therapy) two times a week right now at Casa Colina Rehabilitation Hospital. The therapists working with him are working with a SI (Sensory Integration) approach. To understand this a bit more, I thought I would define SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder), the treatment, and how it all affects behavior, emotions, social skills, and motor skills.
What is SPD?
First, to understand SPD, we need to look at what Sensory Processing (sometimes called Sensory Integration) is all about. According to the Sensory Processing Foundation, sensory processing is our nervous systems way of receiving messages from the senses and turning them into appropriate motor and behavioral responses. If you touch something that is too hot, your nervous system interprets that touch and you react accordingly, realizing it is too hot. If you hear something that is too soft, you are able to react by turning the volume up because the nervous system interpreted the sense of hearing and sent the message that the volume was too low.
SPD, or sensory processing disorder, is when the signals do not get interpreted correctly and therefore, responses are not organized appropriately. The brain receives the sensory information incorrectly and inappropriate responses in behavior, emotions, motor planning, social skills, etc.
Some people with SPD may over-react to one of their senses, while others under-react. Some people are bothered by textures, tags on their clothing, certain foods, loud noises, bright lights, etc. Some people with SPD have poor posture, low motor planning, low muscle tone, appear klutzy, etc. Others crave sensations in what appears to be "overdrive", where they can't seem to get enough of a particular texture, swinging on a swing, spinning in circles, etc.
MANY PEOPLE THAT HAVE SPD GET MISDIAGNOSED FOR OTHER PROBLEMS BECAUSE THE BEHAVIORAL, EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL, MOTOR PLANNING, ETC. ARE AFFECTED AND CAN APPEAR AS SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
There have often been times throughout our journey where I have wondered if the "at risk" for autism diganosis or the PDD-NOS diagnosis for John was really just SPD. Children on the Autistic Spectrum have Sensory Processing problems, so oftentimes, both SPD and an Autistic disorder are present. I hit a point a long time ago where the actual label didn't matter to me anymore. I know what John's current needs are and I'm addressing those as they come up. About 3 months ago, it was obvious that he needed OT above all other help.
OT with an SI (sensory Integration) approach is when an occupational therapist works with the child in a "sensory rich" environment in an OT gym. The therapist will guide the child through play activities that challenges the child in areas where he/she need improvement. For John, they are currently working on fine motor skills (buttoning buttons, writing, hand games), motor planning (using yoga positions to challenge him to manipulate his body to match a photo and hold position without falling, using obstacle course where he crawls through tunnels, climbs over obstacles, hits a baseball, kicks a soccer ball, bounces on a trampoline, jumps in a ball pit, swings on a trapeze bar, etc), stengthening posture by having him use his upper body more (this week they had him lying on his stomach on a skateboard and had to use his hands, arms, and upper body to move the skateboard through the bases of baseball).
John has a problem with organization in his brain. There are days where he becomes over-stimulated through the day and can no longer organize his body, his responses, etc. There are times you will see him slumped over in a chair---standing facing the chair, with his head in the chair--- constantly moving to get comfortable or he might appear "tired" where he wants to be carried and slumps over ones shoulder like a young infant. He sometimes throws his head back and shakes his head so his eyes move back and forth. These are all signs that his brain is "disorganized" and he can't appropriately focus or react to what is going on around him. Occupational Therapy teaches him how to regulate himself when he gets that way, as well as helps him learn everyday activities through play therapy.
What is SPD?
First, to understand SPD, we need to look at what Sensory Processing (sometimes called Sensory Integration) is all about. According to the Sensory Processing Foundation, sensory processing is our nervous systems way of receiving messages from the senses and turning them into appropriate motor and behavioral responses. If you touch something that is too hot, your nervous system interprets that touch and you react accordingly, realizing it is too hot. If you hear something that is too soft, you are able to react by turning the volume up because the nervous system interpreted the sense of hearing and sent the message that the volume was too low.
SPD, or sensory processing disorder, is when the signals do not get interpreted correctly and therefore, responses are not organized appropriately. The brain receives the sensory information incorrectly and inappropriate responses in behavior, emotions, motor planning, social skills, etc.
Some people with SPD may over-react to one of their senses, while others under-react. Some people are bothered by textures, tags on their clothing, certain foods, loud noises, bright lights, etc. Some people with SPD have poor posture, low motor planning, low muscle tone, appear klutzy, etc. Others crave sensations in what appears to be "overdrive", where they can't seem to get enough of a particular texture, swinging on a swing, spinning in circles, etc.
MANY PEOPLE THAT HAVE SPD GET MISDIAGNOSED FOR OTHER PROBLEMS BECAUSE THE BEHAVIORAL, EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL, MOTOR PLANNING, ETC. ARE AFFECTED AND CAN APPEAR AS SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
There have often been times throughout our journey where I have wondered if the "at risk" for autism diganosis or the PDD-NOS diagnosis for John was really just SPD. Children on the Autistic Spectrum have Sensory Processing problems, so oftentimes, both SPD and an Autistic disorder are present. I hit a point a long time ago where the actual label didn't matter to me anymore. I know what John's current needs are and I'm addressing those as they come up. About 3 months ago, it was obvious that he needed OT above all other help.
OT with an SI (sensory Integration) approach is when an occupational therapist works with the child in a "sensory rich" environment in an OT gym. The therapist will guide the child through play activities that challenges the child in areas where he/she need improvement. For John, they are currently working on fine motor skills (buttoning buttons, writing, hand games), motor planning (using yoga positions to challenge him to manipulate his body to match a photo and hold position without falling, using obstacle course where he crawls through tunnels, climbs over obstacles, hits a baseball, kicks a soccer ball, bounces on a trampoline, jumps in a ball pit, swings on a trapeze bar, etc), stengthening posture by having him use his upper body more (this week they had him lying on his stomach on a skateboard and had to use his hands, arms, and upper body to move the skateboard through the bases of baseball).
John has a problem with organization in his brain. There are days where he becomes over-stimulated through the day and can no longer organize his body, his responses, etc. There are times you will see him slumped over in a chair---standing facing the chair, with his head in the chair--- constantly moving to get comfortable or he might appear "tired" where he wants to be carried and slumps over ones shoulder like a young infant. He sometimes throws his head back and shakes his head so his eyes move back and forth. These are all signs that his brain is "disorganized" and he can't appropriately focus or react to what is going on around him. Occupational Therapy teaches him how to regulate himself when he gets that way, as well as helps him learn everyday activities through play therapy.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Why Occupational Therapy Works for Kids on the Spectrum
Occupational Therapy is one of the treatments for kids on the Autism Spectrum. The main reason for occupational therapy is that children can work on fine and gross motor skills, as well as overcome some of their sensory processing difficulties.
A developmental delay in gross motor skills might mean the child can't ride a bike, may run in an awkward manner, or may have difficulty kicking a ball. Therapists use organized play to work on these gross motor skills. If a child has severe delay with gross motor skills, then physical therapy would work better.
A developmental delay in fine motor skills might mean the child has trouble feeding themselves, getting dressed, or writing.
Occupational Therapy can help with self care issues and academic skills. They may work on writing, cutting with scissors, as well as developing the muscles required for those skills by playing with play dough, stringing beads, and squeezing sponges.
The goal of Sensory Integration Occupational Therapy is not to teach behaviors or skills, but to help with neurological processing deficits, teaching them to adapt to the environment around them. This could include teaching tolerance to different textures, loud noises, and bright lights. It involves determining what kind of sensory issues a child has and helping him/her get the sensory input they seek in a controlled environment.
With Sensory Integration, the therapist will be helping the child manage his/her body in space. An OT can also help the child with communication and interaction with others through therapy known as Floortime, where the therapist gets down on the floor and Plays with the child. The therapist works on transitions from one activity to another if transitioning is an issue with the child. Determining strategies that work can help outside of the therapy session when the child is at home, at school, and in the community.
A developmental delay in gross motor skills might mean the child can't ride a bike, may run in an awkward manner, or may have difficulty kicking a ball. Therapists use organized play to work on these gross motor skills. If a child has severe delay with gross motor skills, then physical therapy would work better.
A developmental delay in fine motor skills might mean the child has trouble feeding themselves, getting dressed, or writing.
Occupational Therapy can help with self care issues and academic skills. They may work on writing, cutting with scissors, as well as developing the muscles required for those skills by playing with play dough, stringing beads, and squeezing sponges.
The goal of Sensory Integration Occupational Therapy is not to teach behaviors or skills, but to help with neurological processing deficits, teaching them to adapt to the environment around them. This could include teaching tolerance to different textures, loud noises, and bright lights. It involves determining what kind of sensory issues a child has and helping him/her get the sensory input they seek in a controlled environment.
With Sensory Integration, the therapist will be helping the child manage his/her body in space. An OT can also help the child with communication and interaction with others through therapy known as Floortime, where the therapist gets down on the floor and Plays with the child. The therapist works on transitions from one activity to another if transitioning is an issue with the child. Determining strategies that work can help outside of the therapy session when the child is at home, at school, and in the community.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Occupational Therapy
I am often asked what Occupational Therapy is, so I thought I'd go into detail in today's blog post.
Occupational Therapy, also known as OT, (according to Wikipedia) incorporates meaningful and purposeful occupation to enable people with limitations or impairments to participate in everyday life.
According to About.com, Occupational Therapy actually deals with strengthening fine motor skills, like writing, cutting, shoe-tying and using utensils. For adults recovering from an accident or stroke, that may include work-related skills; for children, whose "occupation" is school and play, it will focus more sharply on developmental milestones and skills required for playground and academic activities. Occupational therapists working with children typically use techniques and routines that may seem like play, but are designed to target areas of delay and difficulty. Some occupational therapists are also trained in therapy with a sensory integration approach (SI), which uses play-like activities to help children better process and tolerate the information they get through their senses.
John would spend his hour of OT swinging on different types of swings, climbing, working through obstacle courses, hanging on a trapeze bar, jumping in ball pit, jumping on trampoline, walking on different textures, riding a tricycle, throwing balls, working on fine motor skills, and sometimes, working on eating issues.
Occupational Therapy, also known as OT, (according to Wikipedia) incorporates meaningful and purposeful occupation to enable people with limitations or impairments to participate in everyday life.
According to About.com, Occupational Therapy actually deals with strengthening fine motor skills, like writing, cutting, shoe-tying and using utensils. For adults recovering from an accident or stroke, that may include work-related skills; for children, whose "occupation" is school and play, it will focus more sharply on developmental milestones and skills required for playground and academic activities. Occupational therapists working with children typically use techniques and routines that may seem like play, but are designed to target areas of delay and difficulty. Some occupational therapists are also trained in therapy with a sensory integration approach (SI), which uses play-like activities to help children better process and tolerate the information they get through their senses.
John would spend his hour of OT swinging on different types of swings, climbing, working through obstacle courses, hanging on a trapeze bar, jumping in ball pit, jumping on trampoline, walking on different textures, riding a tricycle, throwing balls, working on fine motor skills, and sometimes, working on eating issues.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Recognizing Sensory Processing Disorder
I am continuing to read the book, The Out-of-Sync Child, by Carol Stock Kranowitz and am positive that an OT evaluation will reveal that John has Sensory Processing Disorder. (SPD)
According to Carol Stock Kranowitz, SPD is the inability to use information received through the senses in order to function smoothly in daily life.
There are 3 categories within Sensory Processing Disorder and 5 sub-categories under those 3 main ones. The three Disorders are:
1. Sensory Modulation Disorder
2. Sensory Discrimination Disorder
3. Sensory Based Motor Disorder
Under the Sensory Modulation Disorder, the subgroups are :
1. Sensory Over-responsivity
2. Sensory Under-responsivity
3. Sensory Seeking
Under the Sensory-Based Motor Disorder, the subgroups are:
1. Postural Disorder
2. Dyspraxia
John falls under the Sensory Modulation Disorder as a Sensory Seeking Child, based on my own evaluation using Carol Stock Kranowitz' checklists.
This kind of child wants "more" -- wallows in mud, dumps out toys (rummaging through them for the texture), chews on objects and shirt collars, runs and 'crashes' into furniture on purpose, moves constantly, fidgets, loves being upside down, takes bold risks, craves bear hugs, loves being squeezed, seeks heavy work and vigorous playground activities.
With sound, I see John having aspects of all 3 main categories -- he covers his ears to close out normal everyday sounds (microwave and hair dryer) -- overresponsive child
He ignores ordinary sounds and 'turns on" to exagerrated sounds -- underresponsive child
He loves crowds and places with noisy action --- sensory seeking child
I also notices some motor skills issues -- low muscle tone and fine motor planning with his mouth (although with speech therapy, this is getting so much better -- this week, he can now blow bubbles consistently!)
Many issues can arise because of sensory processing issues. Such as:
Self Regulation - inability to adjust mood (calm down once aroused)
Sleep Issues - want or need to sleep with parents, difficult falling asleep, staying asleep, and waking up
Eating Issues - picky eater, texture issues, lack of coordination to chew, swallow, and breathe
High Activity Level
Inattention
Impulsivity
Poor Communication
Other issues like Autism, ADHD, Selective Mutism, Down Syndrome, etc may accompany SPD
So, to sum it up for the day, Sensory Processing Disorder is difficulty in the way the brain takes in, organizes and uses sensory information, causing a person to have problems interacting effectively in the everyday environment. Through OT/SI (Occupational Therapy Sensory Integration), children learn to develop their nervous system. A professional evaluation and diagnosis is necessary to begin OT/SI therapy. John has had a primlimary screening through Casa Colina, in which they determined he needed a full evaluation.
*This information was taken from Carol Stock Kranowitz' book, The Out-of-Sync Child.
According to Carol Stock Kranowitz, SPD is the inability to use information received through the senses in order to function smoothly in daily life.
There are 3 categories within Sensory Processing Disorder and 5 sub-categories under those 3 main ones. The three Disorders are:
1. Sensory Modulation Disorder
2. Sensory Discrimination Disorder
3. Sensory Based Motor Disorder
Under the Sensory Modulation Disorder, the subgroups are :
1. Sensory Over-responsivity
2. Sensory Under-responsivity
3. Sensory Seeking
Under the Sensory-Based Motor Disorder, the subgroups are:
1. Postural Disorder
2. Dyspraxia
John falls under the Sensory Modulation Disorder as a Sensory Seeking Child, based on my own evaluation using Carol Stock Kranowitz' checklists.
This kind of child wants "more" -- wallows in mud, dumps out toys (rummaging through them for the texture), chews on objects and shirt collars, runs and 'crashes' into furniture on purpose, moves constantly, fidgets, loves being upside down, takes bold risks, craves bear hugs, loves being squeezed, seeks heavy work and vigorous playground activities.
With sound, I see John having aspects of all 3 main categories -- he covers his ears to close out normal everyday sounds (microwave and hair dryer) -- overresponsive child
He ignores ordinary sounds and 'turns on" to exagerrated sounds -- underresponsive child
He loves crowds and places with noisy action --- sensory seeking child
I also notices some motor skills issues -- low muscle tone and fine motor planning with his mouth (although with speech therapy, this is getting so much better -- this week, he can now blow bubbles consistently!)
Many issues can arise because of sensory processing issues. Such as:
Self Regulation - inability to adjust mood (calm down once aroused)
Sleep Issues - want or need to sleep with parents, difficult falling asleep, staying asleep, and waking up
Eating Issues - picky eater, texture issues, lack of coordination to chew, swallow, and breathe
High Activity Level
Inattention
Impulsivity
Poor Communication
Other issues like Autism, ADHD, Selective Mutism, Down Syndrome, etc may accompany SPD
So, to sum it up for the day, Sensory Processing Disorder is difficulty in the way the brain takes in, organizes and uses sensory information, causing a person to have problems interacting effectively in the everyday environment. Through OT/SI (Occupational Therapy Sensory Integration), children learn to develop their nervous system. A professional evaluation and diagnosis is necessary to begin OT/SI therapy. John has had a primlimary screening through Casa Colina, in which they determined he needed a full evaluation.
*This information was taken from Carol Stock Kranowitz' book, The Out-of-Sync Child.
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