If you have one, how much do you actually do your BIBIC / Brainwave / other home-based program?

[mm22bys]

Hi,

I came across an old thread the other day about how much people are actually doing their BIBIC etc program, and I am wondering how much you actually do it?

We have a 20 minute program that we are supposed to do twice per day, plus speech and language, vision, and positioning, and I am finding it takes up nearly the whole day. DS2 has gone backward with his gross motor skills (can't even support his head when he sits up - he's all crunched over), and I feel like his life is just one big therapy session.

To get through the program I have to do a lot when DS1 gets home from nursery, so I feel like I am ignoring him.

How long is your BIBIC (or other) program supposed to take, and do you actually do it?

Mine (BIBIC) is 20 mins 2 times a day but we havent done it for the last two days because Ds is not well. Its just not easy to fit it in with everything else. We havent even been doing it very long. I feel like life is one long therapy too. I spend so much time just trying to get Ds interested in things that when he actually approaches me for my attention I feel too tired to use the opportunity properly.

It is hard to fit it in, isn't it? We've only had ours for four weeks, but DS2 has been sick on and off since then, or he's had grommets put in, or we want to have some tiny semblance of a life, and another day goes by and it isn't done. I really feel for DS1. He is in nursery full-time now, and because I am busy with DS2 when he comes home, he just sits and watches Bob or Thomas for hours. That's going to be really good for him too isn't it?

Im gonna make an effort to get it all started again tomorrow. We havent even tried to fit in twice a day yet. On the days I work I just dont think I can manage it. There is just so much else to do as well There needs to be extra hours in the day for us SN mums. Im hoping it will get easier when we get into a proper routine.

Its very veery hard to fit everything in. My day off is wednesday so usually weds is our appointment day portage and alternate SALT, physio or OT but Ive cancelled them all tomorrow....I just thought sod it, me and ds are going out for the day, no appointments or anything to come back for, I cant wait!!!

We have brainwave and we havent done it the past few days as ds isnt his usual self. We dont do it everyday to be honest, i used to stress about that but I try not to so much now. the nursery staff do it 2 days a week and we maybe do it another 2-3 times. We do so much other stuff with him that we try not to pur too much pressure on ourselves if we find the week has zoomed past and we havtn managed to fit everything in

I did some this morning, but decided that after DS1 got home from nursery that we would just have a "normal" afternoon - dinner had been made for DS1, so I just reheated that, I fed DS2 (which took AGES), then they both had a bath. DS1 was in bed before 7, I have done a bit more of the program tonight, but I just can't see it being finished today.

We are all so much happier and less stressed than we normally are!

your ds needs normal family life just as much as he needs his programme and he need a stress free mummy too!!!

we do extras with my ds likes take him swimming and he loves being out so whenever its dry enough thats what we do...the programme is still important to us but we dont let it rule our day. we have enough stresses as it is so dont be putting more pressure and stress on yourself than needed!!

BIBIC is supposed to take 30 minutes, twice a day X 2 kids

ds1 has been 'discharged' for the time being unless he needs further support, so we do it really when he needs re-centreing, but we use an awful lot of the techniques in his day to day care now- the spinning in a chair, smells, sausage roll thing

DS3 we try and do mroe foten because its at rpesent all he gets- and it does seem to help. Not twice a day though: whenever I can would seem a better dewscrition- sometimes often, sometimes not a for a bit. We may ahev special kids, that doesn't mean we get extra hours in the day!

Didn't know you did brainwave Lou (I always notice as Mum lives in bridgwater so there's always the chance of a meetup with BIBIC / Brainwave people LOL)

Yes, weve been there 3 times now...next visit booked for easter time. Staff were due here to teach nursery staff ds programme at beginning of week but they had to cancel duw to staff sickness....hopefully we can re-arrnage soon though.

I love going, its like a little holiday

We're going back right at the end of March, week after Easter.

I loved going there too. It was so nice getting out of London, and it was so nice just getting "away" the three of us, me, DH, and DS2 - haven't had nearly enough of the "special" alone times that we got with DS1.

It was like a little holiday....

It is like that, I feel the same- a little oasis of sanity LOL.

Plus I get to stay at mum's and my best mate lives in the village behind BIBIC which is fab

(I would suggest comparing dates for a meet up but maybe later in the year- I'm due to give birth then LOL)

I just feel that i come away feeling so positive......!! my ds nursery staff love it too and have found brainwave coming and teaching them ds programme to be so beneficial not only to ds but theyve been able to use some of the ideas on the other kids..!!

Were at Brainwave on the 18th and 19th March i think...itll be here before you know it

Oh don't say that, i've got a dissertation and independent study to do before then!

Peachy- dont do what i do and leave it right tot he last minute....!