gdata.io.handleScriptLoaded({"version":"1.0","encoding":"UTF-8","feed":{"xmlns":"http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom","xmlns$openSearch":"http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/","xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","xmlns$georss":"http://www.georss.org/georss","xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","xmlns$blogger":"http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008","id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522593221428423055"},"updated":{"$t":"2020-08-26T08:12:09.894-05:00"},"category":[{"term":"homeschooling"},{"term":"IEP"},{"term":"liquid watercolor art activities"},{"term":"children's books"},{"term":"siblings"},{"term":"curriculum"},{"term":"OT"},{"term":"busy book"},{"term":"Testy Shop"},{"term":"Testy Homeschool \u0026 Teacher Shop"},{"term":"crafts"},{"term":"CEU Challenge"},{"term":"review"},{"term":"cardsets"},{"term":"quiet book"},{"term":"light box"},{"term":"preschool"},{"term":"language"},{"term":"therapy"},{"term":"Michael"},{"term":"supplements"},{"term":"weeklyreview"},{"term":"daily life"},{"term":"tidbits"},{"term":"blogging"},{"term":"audiofiles"},{"term":"app"},{"term":"giveaway"},{"term":"reference"},{"term":"car ride activities"},{"term":"Apraxia"},{"term":"Ava"},{"term":"SLP"},{"term":"articulation"},{"term":"Dala"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Testy yet trying"},"subtitle":{"type":"html","$t":"A Speech Pathologist Mother and Her Daughter Diagnosed with Childhood Apraxia of Speech"},"link":[{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2522593221428423055/posts/default/-/OT?alt\u003djson-in-script\u0026max-results\u003d6"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2522593221428423055/posts/default/-/OT?alt\u003djson-in-script\u0026max-results\u003d6"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://testyyettrying.blogspot.com/search/label/OT"},{"rel":"hub","href":"http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/"},{"rel":"next","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2522593221428423055/posts/default/-/OT/-/OT?alt\u003djson-in-script\u0026start-index\u003d7\u0026max-results\u003d6"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Dala"},"uri":{"$t":"https://www.blogger.com/profile/09390391982768152147"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"35","height":"35","src":"//lh3.googleusercontent.com/zFdxGE77vvD2w5xHy6jkVuElKv-U9_9qLkRYK8OnbDeJPtjSZ82UPq5w6hJ-SA\u003ds35"}}],"generator":{"version":"7.00","uri":"https://www.blogger.com","$t":"Blogger"},"openSearch$totalResults":{"$t":"18"},"openSearch$startIndex":{"$t":"1"},"openSearch$itemsPerPage":{"$t":"6"},"entry":[{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522593221428423055.post-4605538683418194766"},"published":{"$t":"2012-06-06T05:08:00.018-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2012-06-06T05:08:00.168-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"OT"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Article Response: 'Sensory Integration Therapies' Lack Evidence, AAP Says"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"I recently read a news article: \u003ca href\u003d\"http://abcnews.go.com/Health/sensory-integration-therapies-lack-evidence-aap/story?id\u003d16432703#.T83hUNVYt8F\"target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003e'Sensory Integration Therapies' Lack Evidence, AAP Says\u003c/a\u003e.  Recently the American Academy of Pediatrics has announced that there is little research-based evidence for Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) and sensory integration therapies designed to address SPD.  The article is well written.  It begins with an anecdotal personal story about a now-grown child with SPD who greatly benefited from therapy.  The article goes on to review the lack of quantitative research in the field.  However, the author interviews experts in SPD who discuss the work going on right now and progress being made and so overall the article is very well balanced.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eMy response to this article is personal - not professional.  I am not an expert in SPD in any way.  When Ava had just turned two, she was an essentially speechless and fearful child.  The few pseudowords she had been attempting were being abandoned as she turned to gesture to communicate.  She was scared to go to daycare and would only play at playgrounds and indoor playplaces when they were empty.  As an SLP, I focused in like a laser on the delayed speech and attributed everything else to side effects of her being unable to communicate.  \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe began speech therapy and she made great progress at first.  Her phonemic inventory expanded.  After using \u003ca href\u003d\"http://testyyettrying.blogspot.com/2011/04/apraxia-therapy-communication-boards.html\"\u003ecommunication boards\u003c/a\u003e and sign language as a bridge for a few months, her dependence on gesture began to decrease.  She began using words and then word combinations.  I was elated.  Then there was a significant plateau.  \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI finally began to pay attention to some other issues.  Even though we were getting lots of verbal communication at home, she was still silent at school.  At a noisy playground she wouldn't leave my side.  At a relatively quiet playground, she'd go play only until another child approached her.  Then she'd retreat.  She loved the bath, but hair and face washing was terrifying for her.  Brushing teeth was a nightly screaming and wrestling match.  She was an extremely picky eater and getting worse fast.  She was also extremely sensitive about touch.  She always, even as an infant, preferred to eat with silverware rather than her hands.  She wouldn't touch (and definitely wouldn't eat) messy foods.  She wouldn't fingerpaint or otherwise engage in messy media.  It wasn't until I brought up some of these issues at an IFSP meeting that our case manager and speech therapist noticed the huge red flags that were, in retrospect, extremely obvious.  At that point we got an OT evaluation and began receiving services to address sensory issues.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe change in Ava following six months of sensory-based therapy was nothing short of life altering for our family.  Ava is still a picky eater, but well within a typical range for a 3 year old.  She plays normally on a playground and interacts typically with her peers.  She enjoys participating in art activities even when that involves fingerpainting or helping me mix up a salt dough with her hands.  We can wash her hair and brush her teeth without pinning her down while she screams.  And those things are just items on a checklist.  \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eFundamentally, she is no longer overwhelmed by her world.  It is a profound relief to watch my daughter experience her world comfortably rather than through the defensive shield she was trying to erect to try to protect herself from overstimulation.  Not coincidentally, her communication improved at the same time.  She began to use her speech in school and in social settings.  The additional practice and carryover skills resulted in functional improvements and also broke the plateau in terms of learning new speech skills as well.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI know we are not the only family to experience profound changes as a result of therapy designed to address sensory issues.  I talk to other parents who have had similar experiences regularly.   I sincerely hope the specialists in this area continue to do quantitative research and begin to publish.  \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eMy recommendation at this time would be that an OT evaluation couldn't hurt.  If sensory issues are an issue for your child do a trial period of therapy with an occupational therapist experienced in the area of SPD.  Judge for yourself whether or not you are seeing changes.  For us, I knew significant changes were in the works after about 2 months of therapy and we were discharged after six months of therapy.  Post-therapy, Ava interacts with her world in a much more typical fashion.  I also continue to use some techniques and strategies taught to me by our OT to maintain that progress (particularly in the area of eating).  That six months of sensory therapy with an amazing OT was absolutely one of the best things we've done for Ava and I have no regrets or doubts about the therapy's effectiveness."},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https://testyyettrying.blogspot.com/feeds/4605538683418194766/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https://testyyettrying.blogspot.com/2012/06/article-response-sensory-integration.html#comment-form","title":"2 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2522593221428423055/posts/default/4605538683418194766"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2522593221428423055/posts/default/4605538683418194766"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https://testyyettrying.blogspot.com/2012/06/article-response-sensory-integration.html","title":"Article Response: 'Sensory Integration Therapies' Lack Evidence, AAP Says"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Dala"},"uri":{"$t":"https://www.blogger.com/profile/09390391982768152147"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"35","height":"35","src":"//lh3.googleusercontent.com/zFdxGE77vvD2w5xHy6jkVuElKv-U9_9qLkRYK8OnbDeJPtjSZ82UPq5w6hJ-SA\u003ds35"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"2"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522593221428423055.post-3553783074249516728"},"published":{"$t":"2012-02-07T05:22:00.007-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2012-02-07T05:22:00.068-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"OT"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"crafts"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"No-Cook Oatmeal Playdough Treasure Hunt"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Today, during our occupational therapy session we made oatmeal play dough.  It is a no-cook recipe and requires only three ingredients.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NDg5KQN97Mo/TzB5o250bsI/AAAAAAAABew/L-R9GKGPmyA/s1600/oatmeal%2Bplaydough%2Btreasure%2Bhunt.JPG\" imageanchor\u003d\"1\" style\u003d\"margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em\"\u003e\u003cimg border\u003d\"0\" height\u003d\"286\" width\u003d\"320\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NDg5KQN97Mo/TzB5o250bsI/AAAAAAAABew/L-R9GKGPmyA/s320/oatmeal%2Bplaydough%2Btreasure%2Bhunt.JPG\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOatmeal Play Dough Recipe\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e1/2 cup oatmeal\u003cbr /\u003e1 cup flour\u003cbr /\u003e1/2 cup water\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cb\u003eStep 1\u003c/b\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOur purpose in making and playing with the oatmeal playdough is to decrease Ava's tactile sensitivity by having her use her hands with a messy activity.  So we began by putting a half cup of oatmeal into a mixing bowl and letting her explore the dry oatmeal with her hands.  She enjoyed the oatmeal and took several tastes of the oatmeal.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cb\u003eStep 2\u003c/b\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThen we added the cup of flour into the bowl.  Again, Ava explored the flour with her hands and tasted it.  Then she thoroughly mixed the two dry ingredients with her hand (one hand is in a cast, so we were doing this activity one-handed).  \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cb\u003eStep 3\u003c/b\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eNext we poured in the half cup of water.  At first we just observed it.  We watched the water pool on top for a few minutes and some oatmeal float on the top like tiny boats.  We talked about how they would be perfect boats for ants.  Then the water was slowly absorbed into the dry ingredients and we began to mix with our fingers.  The mix was extremely sticky.  This is part of why it makes such a great occupational therapy activity for children who are ready (if your child is still demonstrating extreme tactile defensiveness this isn't the right activity). Once the mixture seemed evenly sticky we removed it from the bowl and started to work with it/play with it on the table.  (Note: Over the next 10-15 minutes, the oatmeal continued to absorb the excess water and the texture became much less sticky.)\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cb\u003eStep 4\u003c/b\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eTo extend the activity and continue to keep Ava's hand engaged in the dough we played a buried treasure game with the ball of play dough.  I took several glass marbles and gems and a penny and hid them inside the play dough.  Then Ava would dig around in the play dough to find the treasures.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOverall, the activity went extremely well.  The oatmeal play dough has several advantages.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003eIt is a no-cook recipe.\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eIt is made with a small number of inexpensive, easy to find ingredients.\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eIt goes through a variety of textures (dry, wet and sticky, traditional play-dough like).\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eThe end product is pretty stiff making it a great medium for increasing hand strength as a bonus.\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https://testyyettrying.blogspot.com/feeds/3553783074249516728/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https://testyyettrying.blogspot.com/2012/02/no-cook-oatmeal-playdough-treasure-hunt.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2522593221428423055/posts/default/3553783074249516728"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2522593221428423055/posts/default/3553783074249516728"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https://testyyettrying.blogspot.com/2012/02/no-cook-oatmeal-playdough-treasure-hunt.html","title":"No-Cook Oatmeal Playdough Treasure Hunt"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Dala"},"uri":{"$t":"https://www.blogger.com/profile/09390391982768152147"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"35","height":"35","src":"//lh3.googleusercontent.com/zFdxGE77vvD2w5xHy6jkVuElKv-U9_9qLkRYK8OnbDeJPtjSZ82UPq5w6hJ-SA\u003ds35"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NDg5KQN97Mo/TzB5o250bsI/AAAAAAAABew/L-R9GKGPmyA/s72-c/oatmeal%2Bplaydough%2Btreasure%2Bhunt.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522593221428423055.post-1840781473308634525"},"published":{"$t":"2011-12-07T05:31:00.000-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2011-12-07T05:31:00.827-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"OT"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Ava"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"crafts"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"daily life"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"therapy"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"One Activity - Many Skills"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"I've been wanting to do this \u003ca href\u003d\"http://alittlelearningfortwo.blogspot.com/2011/03/mini-pin-boards.html\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003ecork/pushpin activity\u003c/a\u003e ever since I wandered across the idea.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ch3\u003ePinning Shapes\u003c/h3\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eGlAuYUMZSM/Tt0ui4mbHwI/AAAAAAAABJs/NB_WumOGDK0/s1600/pinning%2Bshapes.JPG\" imageanchor\u003d\"1\" style\u003d\"margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em\"\u003e\u003cimg border\u003d\"0\" height\u003d\"230\" width\u003d\"320\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eGlAuYUMZSM/Tt0ui4mbHwI/AAAAAAAABJs/NB_WumOGDK0/s320/pinning%2Bshapes.JPG\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eDisclaimer/Warning:  Only use this activity with children you are sure aren't putting things in their mouth any more.  And even then, closely supervise.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI found cork squares at Joann Fabrics for about $2.  Use a marker and draw shapes on the coasters. You could use cookie cutters to trace simple shapes.  (I did dots, but if I were to do it again I would just trace lines.) Bring cork, pushpins, and the children to the table.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIntroduce pushpins to children.  Explain that pushpins are for grown-ups and children only get to use them during very special activities because they are sharp.  Remind them that if they ever find them at any other time they should carefully bring them to a grown-up to put them away.  This introduces basic safety rules and also has the side benefit of making the children very excited about the activity.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eLet them use the pushpins to fill in the shapes.  \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSkills/Objectives addressed here:\u003cbr /\u003eVocabulary/Concepts:  Shapes, colors (we only had red pushpins, but if you had many colors you could address colors and patterns), patterns\u003cbr /\u003eOT:  Fine motor / pincer grasp / hand-eye coordination\u003cbr /\u003eSpeech:  Use this activity as a motivator.  The child gets to push a pin in after every X repetitions.\u003cbr /\u003ePragmatic:  Listening to directions, turn taking, attention span, eye contact"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https://testyyettrying.blogspot.com/feeds/1840781473308634525/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https://testyyettrying.blogspot.com/2011/12/one-activity-many-skills.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2522593221428423055/posts/default/1840781473308634525"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2522593221428423055/posts/default/1840781473308634525"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https://testyyettrying.blogspot.com/2011/12/one-activity-many-skills.html","title":"One Activity - Many Skills"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Dala"},"uri":{"$t":"https://www.blogger.com/profile/09390391982768152147"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"35","height":"35","src":"//lh3.googleusercontent.com/zFdxGE77vvD2w5xHy6jkVuElKv-U9_9qLkRYK8OnbDeJPtjSZ82UPq5w6hJ-SA\u003ds35"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eGlAuYUMZSM/Tt0ui4mbHwI/AAAAAAAABJs/NB_WumOGDK0/s72-c/pinning%2Bshapes.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522593221428423055.post-6538915957882718052"},"published":{"$t":"2011-11-20T05:47:00.010-06:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2011-11-20T05:47:00.583-06:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"OT"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Ava"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"daily life"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Hospital Visits as a Measure of Progress?"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Ava and I were back at the ER Friday night for croup again.  Friday was Michael's birthday.  I sent Daddy home to spend the evening trying to make Michael's (small family) birthday celebration as much like it would have been as possible.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eCons:  Well, those are pretty obvious.  First, Ava couldn't breathe and needed a steroid to calm things down. Second, it was happening on Michael's birthday.  \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003ePros:  It was a mildly interesting fact that I was spending the evening in the exact same hospital that I had been in four years earlier.  \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAlso, it gave me a chance to really see how much progress Ava's made with her sensory issues since our last trip to the hospital (almost exactly 7 weeks ago).  Wow!  The difference was amazing.  \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eLast time Ava screamed when they weighed and measured her.  She screamed when they took her temperature and measured her oxygen levels.  She screamed when they took her blood pressure and examined her.  She screamed when taking her medicine.  \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThis time she was great.  She was a little nervous and wiggly, and cried a little occasionally, but overall she handled everything fairly well.  She was even charming with strangers.  She was being cute and trying to be funny and enjoying the attention.  This is the same child that used to act like direct eye contact from a stranger was an assault.  Oddly enough, this trip to the ER was a huge way to track some pretty amazing OT progress.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e(And we were sent home without an overnight stay or breathing treatments necessary, so this trip was much more successful than the last one.  Hurray for not waiting until things were absolutely critical this time.)"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https://testyyettrying.blogspot.com/feeds/6538915957882718052/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https://testyyettrying.blogspot.com/2011/11/hospital-visits-as-measure-of-progress.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2522593221428423055/posts/default/6538915957882718052"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2522593221428423055/posts/default/6538915957882718052"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https://testyyettrying.blogspot.com/2011/11/hospital-visits-as-measure-of-progress.html","title":"Hospital Visits as a Measure of Progress?"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Dala"},"uri":{"$t":"https://www.blogger.com/profile/09390391982768152147"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"35","height":"35","src":"//lh3.googleusercontent.com/zFdxGE77vvD2w5xHy6jkVuElKv-U9_9qLkRYK8OnbDeJPtjSZ82UPq5w6hJ-SA\u003ds35"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522593221428423055.post-1755421888912110753"},"published":{"$t":"2011-10-28T05:28:00.000-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2011-10-28T05:28:00.486-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"OT"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"weeklyreview"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"The Weekly Review: Week 32"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ch3\u003eBlog Post with an Outstanding Description\u003c/h3\u003eThis week Amalah wrote about a situation at her son's school where several parents of children with special needs felt they needed to advocate for their children.  \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.amalah.com/amalah/2011/10/and-on-third-thought.html\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eThis post\u003c/a\u003e contains an outstanding description of the variety of personalities and responses that make up that population of parents and how they all ended up in the same place anyway.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWeekly Blog Post that Made Me Want to Cook:\u003c/h3\u003eWeelicious.com featured a \u003ca href\u003d\"http://weelicious.com/2011/09/14/crock-pot-veggie-lasagna/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003ecrockpot vegetable lasagna recipe\u003c/a\u003e a while ago.  I liked the idea so much I decided to try it.  It was so easy and turned out really well.  And, all four members of the family liked it.  That's a major success around here.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWeekly Entertaining OT Activity:\u003c/h3\u003eThis week our OT arrived with three things.  She brought powdered sugar, peanut butter, and honey.  We didn't measure anything, so I can't give you an exact recipe.  We put several tablespoons of peanut butter in a large bowl (for each child) and let them taste the peanut butter with their fingers for a while.  Yummy and good sensory experience rolled into one.  Then we put some honey (a tablespoon or two?) in another spot on the bottom of the bowl and tasted that with our fingers too.  We talked about how the peanut butter and the honey tasted and felt different from each other.  Finally we sprinkled powdered sugar (lots) on top of both and let the children taste that too.  Then we encouraged them to pat the sugar down into the honey and peanut butter using their hands.  Patting turned into pushing.  Pushing turned into stirring with a finger.  Stirring with one finger turned into mixing enthusiastically with both hands (tasting frequently all the while).  Eventually, with much stirring and adding lots of powdered sugar the mixture reached a play-doh like consistency.  We made peanut butter play-doh.  Lots of fun, yummy, and a great sensory experience.  The end.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ch3\u003eThe Weekly Michael\u003c/h3\u003eMichael's continued theme is exploring destruction.  Please tell me this is a phase.  This week he deliberately pulled up his floor vent and stuffed random objects inside (multiple times).  He popped Ava's balloon - with his teeth.  He pulled a well attached canvas wall print off his wall and then pulled the 3M wall hangers off both the wall and the picture as well.  He attempted to cut a hole in the side of a bottle of glue with his scissors (right in front of me).  I have actually told him that he needs to stop and think about whether his actions will destroy or harm something before doing it and decide to stop if the answer is yes.  The next time he destroyed something he just informed me that he had forgotten to think.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAva this Week:\u003c/h3\u003eBaby Kitty has been replaced.  At the store the other day Ava passed by a bin of $4 baby dolls.  She found a pink one with a kitty embroidered on its bib and a pacifier in its mouth.  She cradled that doll in her arms for at least half an hour before we left and asked so nicely if she could take it home.  I couldn't resist.  Certainly not for four dollars.  Mama Kitty and Baby Kitty are still in bed with her, but Bitty Baby (as we call her because she's small) takes the place of honor tucked in Ava's arm as she falls asleep."},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https://testyyettrying.blogspot.com/feeds/1755421888912110753/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https://testyyettrying.blogspot.com/2011/10/weekly-review-week-32.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2522593221428423055/posts/default/1755421888912110753"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2522593221428423055/posts/default/1755421888912110753"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https://testyyettrying.blogspot.com/2011/10/weekly-review-week-32.html","title":"The Weekly Review: Week 32"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Dala"},"uri":{"$t":"https://www.blogger.com/profile/09390391982768152147"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"35","height":"35","src":"//lh3.googleusercontent.com/zFdxGE77vvD2w5xHy6jkVuElKv-U9_9qLkRYK8OnbDeJPtjSZ82UPq5w6hJ-SA\u003ds35"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2522593221428423055.post-1954779944573933167"},"published":{"$t":"2011-09-26T05:49:00.012-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2011-09-26T05:49:00.362-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"OT"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Ava"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"therapy"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Wilbarger Deep Pressure and Proprioceptive Technique (Brushing Technique)"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"I have to admit, when our OT first introduced the \"brushing technique\" to us I thought it seemed a bit questionable.  And yet I think it is working wonders.  \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eFirst, some background.  Ava seems to have a fair amount of tactile defensiveness. Prior to beginning occupational therapy she hated tags in her clothes.  She never allowed me to fix her hair with barrettes or hair bands.  She barely tolerated brushing her hair.  For months, brushing her teeth involved pinning her down and brushing them as she screamed.  She panicked every time she needed a band-aid.  She is an extremely picky eater and her pickiness seems to be related to food texture.  She doesn't like to get her hands messy and even as a very young toddler taught herself to use utensils rather than have to touch her food.  Art activities were only tolerated when a paint brush or some other tool kept the paint from her hands.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSeveral weeks ago our occupational therapist gave me a surgical brush and showed me the brushing/deep pressure technique.  At first it felt awkward and I was self conscious.  Ava was a bit intolerant at first as well.  After only a few sessions it became something we both enjoy.  I tell her it is time for brushing and she hops right into my lap.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eNow, you are supposed to do the technique every 90 minutes to 2 hours all day long.  We don't.  We do the technique twice a day before nap and before bedtime.  I am going to try to incorporate it right after morning dressing as well.  However, even with a twice a day schedule I have noticed changes.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAva now lets me fix her hair.  She is more tolerant of a wide variety of clothing situations.  She is more adventurous with touching art materials, sticky foods, and muddy or dirty things.  She's allowing band-aids without much of a fight.  For Ava, the brushing technique has worked wonders.  \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eShe's also having a bit of a speech and language and social developmental spurt and I'm not sure that is all coincidence.  I think that she's feeling more comfortable in her own skin and less overstimulated by her environment.  That translates into more mental resources left over for communication.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ch3\u003eSo what is the Wilbarger Deep Pressure and Proprioceptive Technique?\u003c/h3\u003eThis technique of brushing the skin and joint compressions was developed by Dr. Patricia Wilbarger, an occupational therapist and clinical psychologist with 30 years of experience working with children with sensory processing issues.  The technique involves running a soft surgical brush (it reminds me of the brush the hospital uses to clean newborn babies) over the arms and hands, back, and legs and feet of the child with a firm pressure.  The brushing is followed by a sequence of gentle joint compressions of the fingers, elbows, shoulders, hips, knees, ankles, and spine.  The entire process takes only minutes and is often soothing and enjoyable for both parent and child.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eHere is a link to a youtube video of \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v\u003dlrqciJXVkYM\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003ean OT using the brushing technique\u003c/a\u003e with a young toddler.  The video is pretty different than the way we do it.  Our way separates the brushing from the joint compressions and is smoother, slower, and more relaxing.  \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ch3\u003eInstructions for the Wilbarger Deep Pressure and Proprioceptive Technique (brushing technique)\u003c/h3\u003eBefore I explain how we do the technique I should say that this is just the way that we do it as shown to us by our particular occupational therapist for our child.  The technique may vary in other situations.  Also, I highly recommend that you only perform this technique after being shown how to do it by a certified occupational therapist (which I am not).\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cb\u003eBrushing\u003c/b\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eUse a soft surgical brush.  Use pressure firm enough that the bristles on the brush bend.  You may do the technique through clothes.  My daughter often seems to be a little hot and sweaty and the technique seems to be easier to administer through clothing.  Never brush the tummy or face.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe sing a song as we do the technique.  At first I would modify the \"This is the way we wash our hands, wash our hands, wash our hands.  This is the way we wash our hands so early in the morning.\" song.  The first verse would be, \"This is the way we brush our arm, brush our arm, brush our arm.  This is the way we brush our arm, brush our arm with Mommy.\" (and so on for each body part).  Now I just sing the numbers 1-10 to the melody of a lullaby.  It is soothing and peaceful and helps us keep a calming rhythm during the entire technique.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSit down with crossed legs and invite your child to sit in your lap.  Their back is towards you.  Begin on whichever side of the body is most comfortable with you.  We begin on the right.  With a firm pressure, stroke up and down the full length of each body part in the sequence described from 3-10 times (as many as your child will tolerate) moving smoothly from one section of the body to the next.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003eRight arm and hand. (Both sides.)\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eBack. (Have child lean forward so you have room.)\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eLeft arm and hand. (Both sides.)\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eLeft leg and foot. (Both sides.)\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eRight leg and foot. (Both sides.)\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cb\u003eJoint Compressions\u003c/b\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eYou've now worked your way around the body in a circle with the brushing.  Set the brush down and move right into the joint compressions.  These are difficult to describe in text, which is why it is so important to have an OT demonstrate the technique for you.  I will try.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003eRight elbow.  Bend elbow 90 degrees supporting elbow from bottom with left hand and holding the wrist with your right.  Gently push elbow down into your left hand 10 times.\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eRight shoulder.  Straighten child's arm.  Place left hand on top of shoulder still holding wrist with your right hand.  Hold arm away from body and push straightened arm towards the shoulder 10 times.\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eRight hand's fingers and thumb.  Gently squeeze each finger and thumb between your thumb and finger (one at a time) starting at the base of the finger and sliding towards the tip.  Do this once per finger.\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eLeft elbow.  Same technique as before.\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eLeft shoulder.  Same technique as before.\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eLeft hand's fingers and thumb.  Same technique as before.\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eLeft hip.  Cradle the left hip from the bottom with your left hand.  This is kind of like having your child sit on your left hand with the left side of their bottom.  With their leg bent bring their leg towards their tummy almost like they are going to hug their legs.  Place your right hand on their left knee and press down toward their hip 10 times.\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eRight hip.  Same technique as before.\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eKnees and ankles. With the child still in your lap place both feet firmly on the floor with their legs bent at a 90 degree angle.  Place your hands on top of their knees and gently press down towards the floor 10 times.\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eBack. Set them down on the floor right in front of you and have them cross their legs and sit up straight.  Place one hand on their chest and the other on their back and press gently towards the floor 10 times.\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAva just melts into my arms by the end.  It is a really peaceful time where we are completely focused on each other and we both enjoy it.  The trick is to find the time in a busy day to work it into your routine."},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https://testyyettrying.blogspot.com/feeds/1954779944573933167/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https://testyyettrying.blogspot.com/2011/09/wilbarger-deep-pressure-and.html#comment-form","title":"2 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2522593221428423055/posts/default/1954779944573933167"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2522593221428423055/posts/default/1954779944573933167"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https://testyyettrying.blogspot.com/2011/09/wilbarger-deep-pressure-and.html","title":"Wilbarger Deep Pressure and Proprioceptive Technique (Brushing Technique)"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Dala"},"uri":{"$t":"https://www.blogger.com/profile/09390391982768152147"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"35","height":"35","src":"//lh3.googleusercontent.com/zFdxGE77vvD2w5xHy6jkVuElKv-U9_9qLkRYK8OnbDeJPtjSZ82UPq5w6hJ-SA\u003ds35"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"2"}}]}});