We had our first OT session today. I was really pleased because Bug remembered going there and didn't make any fuss about going into the office or heading back with our OT, Geri. While we were waiting in the waiting room, he kept asking for the plane, because there was a Little People plane there when we came for his eval. I was prepared for a bit of a struggle, but there none! :) Way to go, Bug!
Bug tried a little bit of everything, but didn't seem particularly drawn to any certain activity. He did the swing he did during his eval, slide down a slide into the ball pit (which he wasn't too sure about), tried another swing that he seemed to like a lot, and even held on to the ropes so he could help move the swing. Another COOL activity that he enjoyed was bouncing on an huge innertube that was hung from the ceiling. He was a little unsure about it at first, but I think he didn't know how to get on and whether he'd be safe. I worked with Geri to assure him that he'd be ok and she helped him on and then things were ok.
(I will have to ask next time if I can take pictures, so you can see what I'm talking about)
Probably my favorite moment was when she set up bowling pins for him to knock down. She helped Bug roll the ball a couple of times then tried to have him do it himself. He kicked the ball (which he NEVER EVER DOES!) and then walked over and knocked all the pins down himself. Had to laugh at that, he did knock the pins down, just not the way we expected him to. :)
He also did some simple (non-jigsaw) puzzles but was very resistant to a fine motor game where he'd "feed" a dog bones.
I was glad I got to sit in on his session. I got a few good ideas on activites (like bowling and a bean bin) I can incorporate at home. I need to encourage him a little bit more to do more than read books, but it can be really difficult. Also a lot of times he needs help being physically shown how to do activities. When they were rolling the bowling ball, Geri put her hands over his so they could do it together. I definitely feel like I need to work more on one-on-one activities with him.
The other thing Geri and I talked about today (that I've discussed a bit with her before and with Lauren, our old OT) is starting a therapeutic listening program with Bug. They use a program called Vital Links. Basically the child wears special headphones and listens to a cd that has music that is enhanced and designed to trigger brain activity that helps the child better regulate themselves. The list of benefits on the website is pretty extensive. Our goal is to start him off in therapy with it and then possibly do it at home as well. The biggest challenge for a young child is that they typically don't want to keep the headphones on. It'll be a slow process, but hopefully very beneficial!
I thought was pretty neat was that Geri mentioned that Bug was talking a lot more this time than at his eval. It's funny how when you're in the thick of it every day you don't notice it, but when she said that I realized that yeah, actually he's making really good progress talking to us to communicate wants. We still have struggles, but we're at a much better point now than we were even a month or two ago!
I tried to not get too involved today and let Bug establish a relationship with his therapist. A few times I helped her understand him or assure him but mostly he worked with her, which is great. I'm so proud of how much work he does and how much he's accomplishing!
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