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Mommy2Boys
My Boys!!!!
Member since 6/06 14437 total posts
Name:
C
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Resistant/emotional during therapy sessions
Occasionally I sit in on DS's therapy sessions. Hehas been making good progress in speech, although his attention span is sometimes lacking and he tires easily. However, in OT he sometimes just flat out refuses to do certain things such as coloring (something he HATES). The therapist does the best she can to coax him, reason with him, reward him, etc. but still feel he is not making the progress he can/should be because he just shuts down.
He will repeatedly say "I dont want to" "I can't" "Leave me alone" and things of that nature if it's too hard. The therapist, along with us at home, ALWAYS give positive reinforcement. Now he has started saying "I'm bad" "I'm not a good listener" "It's too hard"  He is so incredibly hard on himself, even when he does a good job. He will sometimes put his hands over his face and cry "It's too hard. I just can't do it" and he will just break down and cry during sessions
I'm not sure what to do and it seems the therapists are also at a loss 
Does anyone else's DC do this? What did you do or what did the therapist do to modify it?
Message edited 2/2/2011 3:46:22 PM.
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Posted 2/2/11 3:39 PM  |
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dpli
Daylight savings :)
Member since 5/05 13973 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: Resistant/emotional during therapy sessions
Can the OT try some other activity that is not coloring, but may work on the same fine motor skills? Coloring is not my DS's favorite, but he doesn't resist as much as your DS. I know his OT spends time getting him to draw lines and circles, though, because I think that is one of the things they use to assess skills at his age.
I might also step out and see if that changes things. I hardly ever sit in on sessions because I know he does much more for all the therapists when I am not there.
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| Posted 2/2/11 4:39 PM |
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Mommy2Boys
My Boys!!!!
Member since 6/06 14437 total posts
Name:
C
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Re: Resistant/emotional during therapy sessions
Posted by dpli
Can the OT try some other activity that is not coloring, but may work on the same fine motor skills? Coloring is not my DS's favorite, but he doesn't resist as much as your DS. I know his OT spends time getting him to draw lines and circles, though, because I think that is one of the things they use to assess skills at his age.
I might also step out and see if that changes things. I hardly ever sit in on sessions because I know he does much more for all the therapists when I am not there.
I never sit in on his sessions, I have twice since September when he started. I sat in to day to speak with his therapist and also to go over things I may be able to carry over at home with him.
She does mix things up a bit. Usually starts out on the swing. Than activities that include gross motor and fine motor skills like an obstacle course, pushing himself up a ramp on a scooter than hammering nails into styrofoam while still on the scooter, etc. After that she tries to go into find motor (coloring, dot art, cutting, circles and lines on the chalkboard) and than finishes up in the ball pit.
Some activities he loves, others not so much. He also tires easily because some things are more difficult for him.
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| Posted 2/2/11 4:53 PM |
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dpli
Daylight savings :)
Member since 5/05 13973 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: Resistant/emotional during therapy sessions
Does she always start with a sensory activity? Can she start with the fine motor stuff before he tires out?
I know my DS usually wants the input and his OT will start with the therapy ball or the trampoline. For him, if he gets some of that energy out, he can sit and focus for a longer period of time. Maybe your DS is the opposite? Has she tried the seated activities first and then the sensory stuff to see if he would be more receptive?
It's tough, I know. Hang in there. 
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| Posted 2/2/11 9:26 PM |
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Mommy2Boys
My Boys!!!!
Member since 6/06 14437 total posts
Name:
C
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Re: Resistant/emotional during therapy sessions
Posted by dpli
Does she always start with a sensory activity? Can she start with the fine motor stuff before he tires out?
I know my DS usually wants the input and his OT will start with the therapy ball or the trampoline. For him, if he gets some of that energy out, he can sit and focus for a longer period of time. Maybe your DS is the opposite? Has she tried the seated activities first and then the sensory stuff to see if he would be more receptive?
It's tough, I know. Hang in there.
I will ask her to switch it up. He goes to OT after speech so he is sitting and doing quiet activities for the half hour before. I guess she figures the swing helps him get some energy out before she starts.
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| Posted 2/2/11 9:30 PM |
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Jackie24
~We Did it~
Member since 7/06 6718 total posts
Name:
Jackie
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Re: Resistant/emotional during therapy sessions
Not an OT, but I would definitely start the session with something really quick and easy to warm him up, as well as boost his confidence (with consistent praise on how well he is doing). Then let him choose a reward for finishing the less desirable activity. Good luck!
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| Posted 2/2/11 9:58 PM |
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sapphire
LIF Adolescent
Member since 6/06 568 total posts
Name:
Elizabeth
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Re: Resistant/emotional during therapy sessions
Not an OT, but I would definitely start the session with something really quick and easy to warm him up, as well as boost his confidence (with consistent praise on how well he is doing). Then let him choose a reward for finishing the less desirable activity. Good luck!
ITA with Jackie
The OT may actually be overstimulating his system so he can't attend easily to a calm fine motor activity.
Maybe she is putting too many demands on him in one session ? (even though they appear to be 'fun' things, it may be overload)
Coloring shouldn't be associated with anything negative since it could deter his interest in it completely. Drawing is such an important prewriting skill.
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| Posted 2/3/11 12:08 AM |
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Re: Resistant/emotional during therapy sessions
My son did this also. For him it was a bit of an act, he said those things more to get out of doing what he didn't like. We always just said "you can do it, keep going" and pushed him though.
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| Posted 2/3/11 11:34 AM |
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Mommy2Boys
My Boys!!!!
Member since 6/06 14437 total posts
Name:
C
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Re: Resistant/emotional during therapy sessions
Posted by KerriSteve
My son did this also. For him it was a bit of an act, he said those things more to get out of doing what he didn't like. We always just said "you can do it, keep going" and pushed him though.
This is what I feel the problem is. Apparently today he was practicing coloring and his way of getting out of it was coloring on the walls  His OT put him in time out and than said "He did so great there. He didnt complain at all". No kidding...he didnt have to color 
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| Posted 2/7/11 5:25 PM |
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Re: Resistant/emotional during therapy sessions
. You are right. Now he knows what to do next time he doesn't want to color.... I will be honest. It sounds like this therapist needs some basic behavior training. Time out is a punishment procedure. She needs your permission before implementing any punishment procedure!
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| Posted 2/7/11 10:03 PM |
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smdl
I love Gary too..on a plate!
Member since 5/06 32461 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: Resistant/emotional during therapy sessions
OT and PT should be FUN!!!
Ice breakers. Vastibular input, dancing/music therapy, etc... would get DS going. Like really engaged.
You ask DS to go from free range in the house to sitting and coloring... yeah... no tears of joy for him. He HATES coloring. So we had to have him engaged with new toys, fun activities THEN allow a few minutes of sensory work in a less "fun" setting. But it worked with him. Oh and there is no reasoning. The OT should know better.
We had an AMAZING OT. To the point that some of my therapists wanted her on their other cases. We miss her a lot after we phased out of EI. If you get home services (and depending where you are located) I could ask her to contact you if you wanted to.
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| Posted 2/7/11 10:10 PM |
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Re: Resistant/emotional during therapy sessions
It's amazing how clever they are. 
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| Posted 2/7/11 10:20 PM |
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Mommy2Boys
My Boys!!!!
Member since 6/06 14437 total posts
Name:
C
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Re: Resistant/emotional during therapy sessions
Posted by lipglossjunky73
. You are right. Now he knows what to do next time he doesn't want to color.... I will be honest. It sounds like this therapist needs some basic behavior training. Time out is a punishment procedure. She needs your permission before implementing any punishment procedure!
I sent you a message on FB
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| Posted 2/8/11 1:41 PM |
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