therapists and what they do with a child

[MommyUpNorth]

I feel like I should already know the answer to this, but I'm going to ask anyway. When a therapist comes to see your child, what do they do?

We have OT/PT/SALT/play therapist, and the first 2 usually ask me if I have any questions or concerns, make a few suggestions, maybe show me a couple of things and then go away for a few more months. I have their email addresses & numbers if I want to get in touch.

Our SALT we saw a number of times over the summer (when she is probably less busy with the schools) and she introduced a picture system which we can't really use as DS is obsessed with eating plastic. Currently waiting for a new SALT to start at the end of the month.

Another SALT who was only temporary recommended that we use Intensive Interaction and gave a brief summary, but then we had no follow up with it and she's no longer working up here.

Play therapy seems to be the only one that actively works with ds doing a range of activities mainly to do with SALT or OT rather than PT.

We've just been down at the CE school for our 3rd week there and the therapy seems so much more hands on. They actually interact with ds and he responds brilliantly, but we don't have this service near to us, and it's nothing at all like what our therapists use.

When people on the board mention that their child has the therapists coming weekly, do they do the therapy with your child, or just check what you're doing? We've been 'on the books' of the therapists since ds was 5 months old (now nearly 2) and I don't think we're actually receiving 'therapy'...

The therapists DS2 has had work hands-on with him, and sometimes try to show me how to work with him myself at home. Some have provided handouts, others I have practically had to beg.

I find the physios more "practical" than the OT and SALTs - the SALTS are very keen for me to incorporate their therapy into everyday activities (eg lots of feedback on what he is doing, while feeding him encouraging eye-contact, etc).

We have seen the OT the most and she (in conjunction with the SALT) came up with 3 or four goals that we are supposed to work on (but how for instance you teach a child to stack blocks when all he wants to do is eat them, I have no idea.))

Ideally they would see you at least weekly, and give you a home-based program that you can follow.

Not practical I know :-(

Thanks for that mm22bys. I have a funny feeling that we haven't actually had as much therapy as I thought. When we were down at the CE place it was very intense, but I could see so many ways to make it work on a day-to-day basis, especially the communication side of things.

I suppose since I've never known another child going through this, I have no idea what is the norm is. My dd has selective mutism, and is in school where the SALT (same one who sees my ds) came in and worked out a program which a learning support teacher does every day with her, and then they do another games based thing weekly which is all co-ordinated by an adult. That's what really got me thinking that we're missing something at home.

I do loads of things with ds, and whenever the therapists come, they always say that we're doing whatever they suggest... or it's just common sense things. I thought they'd be putting in place some actual programs by now. The OT talked about a sensory diet a long time ago, but hasn't given us anything more than 'brushing' him with various things. He's not adverse to any textures that we know of, so not sure why we're in this program. We're also wanting practical help like teaching him to hold his bottle or try to feed himself, but they just say things like 'it will come with time' or suggest a different cup, etc. Do they try a hands on teaching??

Our SALT suggested Makaton, and wanted us all to learn it and gave me all the signs to start out, etc. It was a one off thing. The following week I mentioned to the play therapist that I didn't think he was taking any of it in, but getting very excited when I moved my hands. Also he wasn't looking at anything I was signing about, so I didn't think it was the best approach. She agreed, so then came the PECS, but we've stalled there too... The stories go on I'm afraid... I do realise that ds's understanding is way behind, but I was hoping that people were actually going to help!

I think I'm just a little fed up of researching everything myself and then doing it all everyday. I'm never quite sure then when to actually phone the therapists as there doesn't seem to be anything that they help with. The physio will bring out any equipment needed, but still the hands on time is minimal.

With all this in mind, they're keen that he goes to the ms playgroup next year and will have all the 'support' in place. If it's like this, then I can't imagine how he'll cope there at all...

MommyupNorth

I think we all have days like this. I think the difficult thing is that no single thing is going to be the magic solution and what works for one child won't work for another.

Try and keep faith in yourself and continue to follow your guiding instinct.

Is there any way you can do anything for yourself to give yourself a boost? (Have had a couple of half-glasses of wine tonight ) When you're feeling a bit better maybe it's time to start asking around in your area - other mums / internet - to find out what else you could be doing or give you a few ideas to prod your therapists with.

FWIW I feel stuck in Groundhog Day too. But unlike you I have no faith it will all be alright when he goes to preschool / nursery / reception.

It's where places like this are invaluable.

FWIW our private therapist spent weeks checking we were doing ds's exercises and the follow-on play properly. Now he increasingly just gets on with doing what he's taught us - but seems to do it much more effectively than I ever manage. He also always comments on what has changed over the last week which is a really positive viewpoint to have.

Hope you have a better day tomorrow.

I have a similar grouse re:DS's SALT. The group sessions have at least followed a planned pattern of work, but one on one sessions are sporadic, and seem to be more assessment/observation with the odd bit of advice than hands on therapy.

It does sound like you've not had good SALT continuity - seems a shame that SALT didn't properly review signing and/or PECs. To do PECs properly Moondog (a SALT) and other ladies on here usually recommend doing a proper course run by an organisation called pyramid.

yomellamoHelly thanks for the message. I don't think I'm really looking for a solution to anything, I just want the help and reinforcement for all the things we're supposed to be doing. There is only 1 of each of the therapists up here, so we have to take what we are given, so no second opinions either.

Our play therapist set up some sessions with other children 'similar' to ds, but the truth is that they are miles ahead of him in all areas. They wouldn't be needing the same type of therapy he does. The couple of parents I have spoke to all have older children at school, so everything is done there.

Is this something to bring up at a Child Development Review meeting? I don't really want to upset everyone we're working with, but also don't want to feel like we never asked for more support. Or is there another way to approach this?

Thanks TotalChaos. I have looked into the pecs course for myself, and also makaton. I was hoping to become familiar with it before we needed it... but the courses aren't run anywhere near us, so I'm not sure how easy it would be to attend one.

I think the end result here is that we're going to push for more sessions at the CE school where the therapy actually happens... just wanted to get a feel for what others were getting before launching into this.