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Original poster

INPP retained reflex/sensory integration, how do you get a non-compliant child to do the exercises?

73 replies

Sops · 12/07/2011 12:59

We are wanting to start some RR/SI for our ds (5.3).
I've read around a lot and I'm convinced he would benefit. However, he is VERY demand avoidant and I wonder if we would actually be able to get him to do the exercises.
It's a massive struggle to get him to get dressed/clean teeth/walk to school/get in the car- everything. So how we would get him to do a series of exercises every day is a real concern. It won't work if he won't do them will it?
Anyone else got any experience of getting a non-compliant child to do this sort of thing?
Also, we think we might go to INPP in Chester. Can anyone tell me about their experience there?

OP posts:
Becaroooo · 12/07/2011 13:12

Ds1 is undergoing RRT at INPP since March.
They are very good and I am sure they will have tips/ideas to help.
Ds1 moans a bit about them but always does them...also remember its only literally 3-4 mins per day.

Ben10isthespawnofthedevil · 12/07/2011 13:15

If you find the answer please let me know. We have vision therapy, RRT and OT to do and we haven't done it for a week Blush. I'm hoping that the holidays will give him the rest that he needs to do it.

I have also asked the school to include a sensory diet as part of his day. Am meeting the HT on Friday to see if she will agree.

Becaroooo · 12/07/2011 13:21

We do miss the odd day tbh....only missed about 4 days since march though which I think is good going Smile

It costs so much! I am determined to get my money's worth! Grin

Ben10isthespawnofthedevil · 12/07/2011 13:24

Wow, you're doing well Becarooo! Our RRT and vision therapy is NHS but the OT is private (paid for by a grant). Maybe that is why I don't push him as much as I should because it isn't my hard earned money Blush

Becaroooo · 12/07/2011 13:29

Wow! RRT and vision therapy on the NHS? Whereabouts are you ben

I just know that it is helping him and I want it to keep helping him IYSWIM? I am sure missing a few days wouldnt hurt but I can be a bit anal about these things Blush

Original poster
Sops · 12/07/2011 13:30

Becaroooo, have you noticed improvements in your ds?

Ben10, I have just read disconnected kids (basically an at home si/rr program) and it has loads of exercises in it. The only way I got ds to do any of them was to ask dd to do it then he would join in- I know he would never do it if I asked him! Pretty sure that the novelty would wear off quickly though.
Normally I have a lot of patience but I know that if I'm trying to get him to do (very expensive) exercises that have the potential to hugely benefit him and he won't join in, it will drive me totally loopy!
I'm guessing that I would be OK with ones that I could do to him, and maybe could slip some others in by stealth, but if I have to get him to actually do something very specific I think there'll be no chance.

OP posts:
Becaroooo · 12/07/2011 13:35

Yes, we have.

Its not like "ta da" he's better! or anything Smile but the last couple of times we have been for his assessment he has shown improvement.

He currently does 3 exercises atm - takes about 5 mins - but stated with 1, then moved up to 2 etc

Original poster
Sops · 12/07/2011 14:03

Oh damn- I was hoping for 'ta da!' myself Grin
Is it showing in his day-to-day behaviour though or just at assessment?

OP posts:
Ben10isthespawnofthedevil · 12/07/2011 14:03

Becarooo

We started in March and we go to the Essex County Hospital Vision Therapy and Multi Sensory Clinic. He has also been doing SIT as well privately. We have definitely seen improvements ie he can go on a swing without being sick and doesn;t get car sick anymore.

The problem for us really is the vision therapy as it takes him so much concentration that he doesn't have after school as he is too tired - TBH I'm not sure that we will get much further. He has to work on eye tracking and convergence and he has 10 eye tracking exercises to work through only moving on to the next once he has mastered the other. We are now on exercise 3 - SINCE MARCH Confused

The RRT and OT he sees as fun as it is bean bags and gym balls.

Original poster
Sops · 12/07/2011 14:15

Ben10, how is your ds' behaviour since starting?

OP posts:
IndigoBell · 12/07/2011 14:16

Sops - my DS complained at the beginning, but now it is part of his routine he complains if we don't do it.

The other option is this: www.davidmulhall.co.uk/mulhall-integration-programme

Which is far as I can tell is a RRT based on you brushing your child rather than based on your child doing exercises. Over the years I have heard people on MN saying it works - but I've never tried it.

Ben10isthespawnofthedevil · 12/07/2011 14:19

He has become "more NT" in general since starting the various therapies but I don't know which one is working as we are doing various thing at the same time:

Sensory Integration Therapy
RRT
Vision Therapy
Behaviour Balance supplement - this has been really good
Fizzy at school
OT at home

However we have also had a shift in our understanding of him ie we don't use irony or sarcasm or teasing, we try to reduce sensory problems, lots of exercise and have started trampolining club. We've pushed and pushed school to be more understanding as well.

Ben10isthespawnofthedevil · 12/07/2011 14:22

I have the brush as well. He really likes it. I don't know that it does anything for his behaviour but it is relaxing for him and he likes the pressure. We were told to do it firmly.

Ben10isthespawnofthedevil · 12/07/2011 14:22

I have the brush as well. He really likes it. I don't know that it does anything for his behaviour but it is relaxing for him and he likes the pressure. We were told to do it firmly.

Ben10isthespawnofthedevil · 12/07/2011 14:23

Whoops Blush

Original poster
Sops · 12/07/2011 14:34

Where do you buy your behaviour balance ben10?
Is body brushing literally just brushing with a common or garden paintbrush? I think he might tolerate that.

OP posts:
Original poster
Sops · 12/07/2011 14:36

Thanks Indigo, I have looked at David Mulhall before, but it does all get very very confusing. Which is the best option? I have no idea!

OP posts:
Original poster
Sops · 12/07/2011 14:37

Another question ben10, is fizzy some sort of reading/writing program?

OP posts:
Ben10isthespawnofthedevil · 12/07/2011 14:41

The body brush was given to us by our OT but it has soft plastic bristles with sponge to hold. I think it is a standard one that is used by OTs as my friends DS was given one by the NHS OT. I'll see if I can find one online

I bought the behaviour balance from here There is a long thread here

Ben10isthespawnofthedevil · 12/07/2011 14:45

The brush is like this

I don't know if you can buy them at the chemist?

Ben10isthespawnofthedevil · 12/07/2011 14:48

Fizzy is a schools based occupational therapy programme. DS has a TA and one other child who is at the same level. They build core strength, play games for fine motor and gross motor skills, and have even got him walking down the stairs properly rather than one step at a time. He only does 20 minutes a week but has improved hugely - he started this 6 months before the rest so I know that it was only the fizzy!

LeninGrad · 12/07/2011 15:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

IndigoBell · 12/07/2011 15:19

Ben10 - do you know what age group Fizzy is best for? Or do you have a link to it?

Sops - I don't know which is the best option :) INPP does require your DS to actively do stuff. The David Mulhall stuff ( I think ) requires him to let you brush him - for quite a long time each day I believe.

I think the INPP stuff takes less time overall, and if you think you can convince your DS to do it I think it's a good choice. Does he like routine?

LeninGrad · 12/07/2011 15:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Ben10isthespawnofthedevil · 12/07/2011 15:54

Indigo I found [http://www.ekhuft.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/information-for-patients/a-z-of-patient-information/f/fizzy-leaflets/ this]] which is very helpful - although not my PCT. DS is year 1 but I can't see any reason why it can't be done with older children as it is just OT after all.

My OT said that you are ideally meant to brush 2 hourly but that as it was completely unrealistic to aim for 3 times a day.

OMG Lenin - 3 miles?! DS would moan if I asked him to run to the end of the road!