Could you describe your relationship with your child's OT please (specifically for sensory)?

I'm not sure what is typical or how it's supposed to go....

Riley did not qualify for EI, though the evaluators noted her sensory seeking behaviors and gave me a few 'tips.'

I decided to go to an outside OT. She was great, opened my eyes about a lot of stuff and pretty much said "She's not that bad." I knew that going in. But she did say it's something that we need to take care of now cuz it could get worse.

The meeting was about an hour- not an official evaluation. She watched Riley interact with lots of things, and interacted with her with different games and such. She noted Riley's issue with staying with tasks (her lack of patience for anything that takes time and effort to do and how easily frustrated she gets - she doesn't give herself enough time, though she has the motor skills). We also discussed the biting issue. But next thing you know, it was over and she had another patient in, so it felt rushed.

She briefly showed me brushing (not a really good demonstration), but didn't exactly give me a schedule. She never told me what our next step was (when we'd meet, talk, etc...). Never even mentioned a sensory diet, though maybe she feels it's not necessary, who knows.

I emailed her regarding the brushing, she explained it for me, and said I could add joint compressions (which she did not demonstrate) and said I could call her any time.

Is this a typical OT relationship? What's your relationship like? How often do you see them? Am I just not getting the typical attention because Riley is 'not that bad?' Or do I just need to keep searching for the right person?

Riley has been off the wall hyper since I started the brushing. We're only doing it about 3 times a day- twice when she's in daycare. I just feel like I have soooo many questions left unanswered. Is that just what happens through phone calls and more appointments?

Thanks for any feedback!

Message edited 10/4/2011 7:38:46 PM.

Re: Could you describe your relationship with your child's OT please (specifically for sensory)?

My son had a wonderful OT (she came to the home through EI) now he's in DDI so sadly we get no OT. But yes it was totally different. She took a good 2 weeks getting to know him and then would take a few minutes at the end to give me insight on what they were working on. Brushing (I was told) she only be done in calm soothing moments. Then you can follow with massage/lotion and compressions. My son is a huge sensory input kid, always stepping on stuff and jumping. I'm telling you working with her he hardly jumps anymore. Again just lots of input and she would do these things with his arms and legs to make him realize they were there. (it's really hard to explain through typing but basically she said that he isn't aware of his body parts so she did this fast motion jiggling to 1 arm for a few minutes and then move on to the rest of the body) So yes, my experience was good. Sorry you didn't get much out of yours. Do you have a follow up?

Message edited 10/4/2011 9:46:05 PM.

Re: Could you describe your relationship with your child's OT please (specifically for sensory)?

My DS has been with his OT since he was 9 months through EI. We have a lot of therapists and in my experience it usually takes 4-6 sessions for them to really get to know your child. Usually they ask lots of questions and try different tasks and then sort of figure out the child. I don't think one session is enough of a chance to try someone new. Our OT evaluator suggested "brushing" but once our actual therapist got to know my son she said that wasn't needed. He needed a different sort of input and got hand braces instead. I would give it a few more sessions.
We had to get a new speech because all she talked about was what her child was doing (they were the same age and the constant comparison was very difficult). And we had to get a new PT but it took me almost 6 months to realize this because my son was 3 months when he started so I didn't really know what to expect. She just didn't have high enough expectations.

Re: Could you describe your relationship with your child's OT please (specifically for sensory)?

We haven't been with our current OT very long, so I'm still not sure about her, but I can tell you about his last OT. She worked with him three or four weeks before giving me a sensory diet or recommending therapies to do at home. He also has fine motor delays, so right from the start she recommended fine motor activities. But she wanted to get to know him and what his issues are before she recommended sensory activities. If you choose the wrong ones, they can cause problems. He had 2 sessions a week, and her final diet was also based upon input from me and his SEIT re: behavior in his classroom. He has a lot of heavy work in his diet, along with activities that help with motor planning. So far, his current OT is continuing the heavy work--she was also pretty emphatic that he needs this.

Brushing has not been recommended for DS by either his last OT or his current OT. From what I've read about it, it can do wonders for some children if done correctly. But others, it does nothing--it all depends what input your daughter needs. My thought about therapies is that if you see behavior become worse rather than better, or if you don't feel like you know what you're doing, it's probably best to discontinue them. Maybe brushing would help your daughter, but you haven't been shown how/when to do it appropriately yet.

Honestly, I would look for another OT, especially if this one is not returning calls.

Re: Could you describe your relationship with your child's OT please (specifically for sensory)?

Message edited 10/5/2011 10:08:53 AM.

Re: Could you describe your relationship with your child's OT please (specifically for sensory)?

The wilbarger brushing protocol should be taken seriously. It should be done with a surgical scrub brush with firm, non scratching bristles. You should "brush" the child every 2 hours, but not too close to bedtime. it should always be followed by joint compressions. It's best to "brush" directly over skin and not clothes. Only persons trained by an OT or even PT should use the brushing protocol. It shoul take approximately 5 minutes to complete. The OT should spend several sessions working with a child prior to prescribing a sensory diet. A sensory diet is custom made for a child so we really have to get to know what their needs are before recommending something. I always give a written copy of the brushing protocol and sensory diet to parents/teachers this way there can be no confusion. I include the surface areas tone rushed along with the joints to target during joint compressions.

Re: Could you describe your relationship with your child's OT please (specifically for sensory)?

Thanks so much everyone.

Yeah, it did bother me that she said I could do all this, without really showing me HOW to do it properly.

I just wasn't sure what is typical, as to what follows a consultation. Because that's pretty much all it was.

We had the appointment at her space, which I think is best for Riley. Riley is so different in strange spaces- at home, she exhibits similar behaviors, but she takes them to an extreme in unfamiliar places. With her EI eval, she definitely was on her best behavior. It was like a world of difference seeing her in a new space for this type of eval.

So I get the feeling I probably should shop around, no? But how do I know when it's right? Will I be better suited to someone on a 'smaller' scale? (I have a feeling this therapist has a big business) One that comes to my house? What is a typical OT relationship like?

Thanks for your advice!

Re: Could you describe your relationship with your child's OT please (specifically for sensory)?

Tara, Shane's OT just got reinstated (thank god). Hasn't started yet but when it does, I can ask if they do private consults, if you want.

Re: Could you describe your relationship with your child's OT please (specifically for sensory)?

Thanks so much, Mama So glad he's getting OT again!!

Re: Could you describe your relationship with your child's OT please (specifically for sensory)?

I will be sending you a FM:)

I just wanted to say that a therapist should be what you need them to be. If the therapist has a tremendous amount of knowledge but doesn't share it, it can't work, since you are a parent that is eager to learn and move your dc forward.

Brushing, like all the other pp said, should not be taken lightly because it "isn't" for every child. It's moreso but not always for children who have tactile defensiveness. (some seekers as well). For my dd, it was the "worst" thing that could have been suggested. I was brushing for so long activating one of her most "intact' senses", ...(not good).

Joint compressions I believe should always follow the brushing. Joint compressions do help my dd, so we do that w/o brushing. Knowing how to do joint compressions is also really important.

The same goes for compression vests. My dd's original OT (who was the nicest person but I am so disappointed in how little she did for my dd, after meeting some amazing OTs) was going to have my dd wear a compression vest all day ...which now I know "is absolutely wrong". There has to be a protocol. (so many minutes on, so many minutes off).

Bottom line, the work the OTs and any therapist does with your child should be explained to you in detail, so you can carry it over. They should give you the reasons why your dd is doing what she is doing and how these things can be treated.

Re: Could you describe your relationship with your child's OT please (specifically for sensory)?

Thanks so much. She has told me I can call her with any questions- but her schedule is tough with my schedule. She says mornings, but I'm teaching, and she is tough to meet with after school because she has so many patients after school.

Kinda funny- last night I started to email OTs in NJ hoping to find one that specializes in SPD. One wrote back and referred me to the OT we went to (the person I emailed also gives therapy at her office)....guess who emails me to check in this morning?

Was it fair that I judged her after a quick eval? I'm not sure where I should go with this. She asked me if the brushing is still making her hyper, and told me they're working on her sensory diet and want to see her to make sure it's carried over correctly. Okay...but the damn eval was so rushed, I honestly wasn't sure where to begin, except with brushing, and trying to keep her in my lap for manipulating activities.

I just want answers already- I feel pretty lost. I guess I just have to tell her that.

Thanks everyone!