OT and BIBIC desensitisation for sensory matters

[debs40]

Has anyone been to BIBIC and followed their sensory programme? Has your OT commented on it?

DS' OT seemed to think the strategies were not evidenced based and I wondered what other people's experience was or whether there were any OTs out there with knowledge of this.

LOL, you need to ask your OT for the evidence on her strategies! Bet there is none.

There is some good theory that says that by forcing the connections between neurons by stimulating them opens them up, stops them closing and means that your child is able to engage more with the world. Afaik there is evidence of progress for people who have followed these programmes. However the research is patchy as to what it was exactly that caused the progress.

I'm absolutely not an expert though. Perhaps you could look up that OT that popped up here a couple of days ago.

HI there,
I have had similar experience -

My Daughter is next on the list for nhs OT. However, the OT cannot see us yet...!

Anyway we met up by chance at a physio session and mentioned the BIBIC sensory program - (Physio has been astonished at my dds progress and was positive about BIBIC)

OT felt concerned and that I need to show her what I am doing. Every time I explained an exercise she pulled a face making me feel really stupid.

She then asked if I was doing a few specific exercises and when I said 'no' she seemed to get more irritated.

Anyway I want dd to have nhs OT sessions so I suggested that her input would be valuable....and she is letting us have a one off session so that she can help me get the sensory program right?!!

Very bizarre - she also will not see me until I get her a copy of the sensory questionaire...

Anyway Sorry to ramble but in answer to your question - I have been following the BIBIC sensory program with my dd 2.4 who is non verbal. We have been doing it for approx 3 weeks but not consistently twice a day yet we are still getting the hang of it.

In that time my dd has stopped choking on her own saliva several times a day and can eat what she wants. This is the most noticeable thing which has just disappeared ( it used to sound like she was choking on something but with an empty mouth - it would freak everyone out)

She will choose to lie on her tummy and read a book or do a puzzle ( until 2 weeks a go she would never be on her tummy and got really upset about it)

She can now walk up stairs without holding on.

There are some other little things like she is making new sounds her dribbling is sometimes better. She has stopped hitting her head under the table and will crawl out then stand up - very new for us!

I have no idea what has contributed to the progress but I am enjoying doing the program and felt that after a 2 day assessment the comments and observations made about my dd were spot on - I am willing to try their ideas.

I have seen a private OT who was very positive about the BIBIC thing and gave me some extra ideas too for the feely tray and how to help dd with tactile stuff.

No one seems to know about BIBIC though.

I feel that waiting for a block of NHS OT sessions is not going to help dd. SO in the meantime I have looked elsewhere and found lots of positive and fun ideas to help dd.

I will keep and eye on this post to see what people say!

I have heard good things about the ALERT programme and I don't think you need an OT though the courses cost about £300.