Twins, when one needs support and the other is doing ok, how to explain it to them?

[linspins]

Hi. I am after some advice about how a parent should explain something. One twin is going to have some sessions with an OT for his Sensory Integration Disorder, and also one to one support at school each morning. The sessions will be during school hours. What is the best way to explain to one twin what is going to happen, and also to the other? I don't want to make it sound too exciting to the one who will be staying at school...or too out-of-the-ordinary to the twin going for his sessions. He is not aware particularly that he has any different need to the rest of the class. Should we describe them as play sessions? And how will the twin left at school view this? We also don't want to give her ideas that her brother has something 'wrong'! I think it would be easier if they were plain siblings not twins...
Anyone? Thanks.

bump?

Hi,

Not sure I'll be much help, but how old are your twins? It'll partly make a difference as to how involved he is in his OT- if he's doing something like the ALERT programme, that's getting children to recognize if they're getting too high or too low etc etc and ways to self-modulate etc. He could of course be younger and it be literally more like a play session....

I think I'd probably say he's going to have some practice to help him X (and whatever simplified reason you can use so they can understand, as sensory things are quite complex ideas!) so be more gentle, or be more calm, or be more focused. If your DTD gets jealous, I think I'd explain she has her W (is there anything she does he doesn't, like a musical instrument, ballet, sport?!) but that her brother will be doing X and having help in the classroom with Y.

I'm not sure if thats any help-but there are many parents in your situation- I meet lots of twin children where I just see one, but I've never thought about how parents explain it to them... I don't have twins yet- mine are only half cooked and one DD so someone better equipped to answer might come along!

Thanks Dreamfeeder, that's really useful. They are 5. I think we'll go about explaining it in a 'sporty' way...as in 'this will help you move/balance/be stronger' etc, which will appeal to his active nature. I don't think he is ready yet to have an understanding of his sensory problems, they are very complex and even I am having problems with it all! Good advice, thanks again. x

Sensory problems are so complex, I struggle!! (I'm a paediatric physio). Haven't done any formal SI training mind as we're not commissioned to provide a sensory service so kids in our area get nothing unless parents can afford to pay privately . He's way too young to be doing something like the ALERT (think that's age 8 and up, though I tried some of it with a bright but autistic 6 year old once (which of course I may have to deny/play down if my manager ever asked! 'If you treat anyway we'll never get commissioned!!'). If it's any help, I find kids are very accepting of others doing different things, especially at that age, curious maybe but that's it, and other children and the kids themselves only start to notice differences themselves and in their peers from 7-8 ish, but it still doesn't tend to be a massive issue, they're just all more aware of it.