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Original poster

We've started OT!!!!

63 replies

lou33 · 12/07/2003 14:48

Yipee!!! Ds loved it. He's already met the OT as she has made sure she has popped in during physio sessions to say hi, and done a home assessment, but yesterday she did her first session in combination with ds's physio. Ds was brilliant the whole time with both, and loved the finger painting most of all. So we are now getting a block of 6 lessons, to be fitted in with his phsyio every week, then she will check him again and see if he needs more. Am so pleased ,

OP posts:
fio2 · 16/07/2003 09:07

lou the nursery nurses at dd's school sing to them in the hydro pool to make them relax and apparently it works! It must be quite overwhelming for a small child to go into a pool with a stranger.

Original poster
lou33 · 16/07/2003 09:13

They did all that too Fio, but he was screaming anyway. They even tried putting him and dh at one end of the pool with a load of toys and just letting him play , but as soon as the physio came within 10 feet he was off again! I do think he's a bit better now though. Yesterday we went to visit an opportunity playgroup in the children's opd at the hospital. They want him to start there in september. Usually he gets very clingy and won't be put down, won't let anyone near etc, but instead he was off and playing. Even let one of the helpers pick him up to put in a chair for a drink and a snack! I think it helped because he found his latest obsession there (a toy yellow american style school bus), and they just let him have it the whole time. The only problem was prying it from his fingers when it was hometime.

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fio2 · 16/07/2003 09:18

I dont think your ds is alone with his fear of the hydro, but at least he likes his donkey riding as this will give him similar benefits hydro anyway. Glad he enjoyed his oppurtunity playgroup, they sound really good(dont think they know what they are up here!) Will you have to leave him there or will you be able to stay?

Original poster
lou33 · 16/07/2003 09:26

I seem to be following you around today!

We can stay as long as we want to settle him in. When we are ready we can leave him, but they have 2 rules. You must say goodbye, so your child doesn't start getting anxious when he/she looks around and can't see you, and when you say goodbye you have to go straight away, so they don't get confused signals. I think it will take a while before ds is able to be left the whole time, but even 5 mins would be a start.

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fio2 · 16/07/2003 09:34

no lou I think Im following you, infact I read one thread just and you were the last post, I was going to contribute and thought oh no lou will think Im stalking her!!!

Original poster
lou33 · 17/07/2003 16:48

Sorry Jimjams, PT/OT has been cancelled because the pt is sick, and OT needs to do it with her. So now we won't be seeing them until 5th August due to their holidays. If you remind me closer to the time I will ask her for you though.

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Jimjams · 17/07/2003 16:56

awww sorry lou- I know you were really looking forward to that. Honestly its so frustrating isn't it- when there's so long between appointments anyway

DS1 did pick up a penny whistle today. I was trying to encourage him to blow- sort of puffing and saying "blow"- but he kept trying to put it to his nose....... hmm there's an idea- maybe if he finds that blowign something through his nose makes a sound then he could transfer to his mouth. Do I really want to go down this route????

eidsvold · 17/07/2003 19:45

If it works jimjams - why not!! I have visions of you sterilising the whistle!! Sorry to make light - it must be very frustrating. What about blowing maltesers across a table with a straw - or anything small like that - thought he might then be able to have the sweet?!?! Party whistles where the paper extends and inflates as you blow?!?

fio2 · 17/07/2003 19:47

jimjams have you tried the feather thing??

Jimjams · 17/07/2003 19:54

I missed that first time fio- I'll try it. What sort of feather do you use? Pillow type? I'm not sure he's allowed maltesers eidsvold. I'll check the ingredients (i can't think what would be in them that he can't have, but I can't understand why I haven't given them to him if he can have them iyswim). Tried the party whistles.

Just reminded me- ping pong balls.......

fio2 · 17/07/2003 19:58

we used craft feathers because they are lightweight(you can get them brightly coloured from Hobbycraft etc). They are really good for other things too like art pictures-sticking and glueing and stuff. I suppose pillow feathers would be light enough thoughSmile

hope it works I am all exicited nowSmile

Original poster
lou33 · 17/07/2003 20:02

You can buy nose flutes you know! They come from South America. We used to know someone who had a few.

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fio2 · 17/07/2003 20:04

nose flutes!Grin

Jimjams · 17/07/2003 20:26

ooh I know where to get craft feathers- right next time I'm in town. I'm excited now as well.

Nose flutes- no I don't even want to go there!

Caroline5 · 17/07/2003 21:05

Sorry, changing tack again - but does everyone else find that everything stops for the summer - ie today had last portage until 15th September and next physio will be on 10th Sept (and last two weeks were cancelled as well), next nursery session in Sept as well (which I can understand as it's part of a school). Aaagh!! Just hoping that dd doesn't regress masses over the summer - we do all sorts of exercises daily but it's just not as good as the actual therapists.

PS Jimjams, hope you have some luck with the feathers!!

fio2 · 17/07/2003 21:12

yes Caroline everything stops here tooSad and then people spring things on you like my dd is using PECS at school and we've been told to use Makaton with her at home- day before the holidays. That gives me six weeks to get even more angry about it!! Sorry you most probably haven't got a clue what Im going on aboutSmile

Original poster
lou33 · 17/07/2003 22:20

Mums and tots has stopped until 9th September, and the Opportuntiy Playgroup finishes tomorrow until then too. I don't have another PT/OT appointment until 5th August, which isn't too bad , and just caught wheelchair services before my lady went on holiday. Am going to ask for portage for ds tomorrow when i see the paediatrician. Next week I have an entire week free from medical appointments, yay!!!!!

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Original poster
lou33 · 17/07/2003 22:22

Fio I know what you mean, you haven't quite lost it yet .

Can't believe they expect you and mini fio to chop and change like that. Idiots.

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MABS · 18/07/2003 12:27

Guess what Lou - we got an appt today for next Thursday - can't believe it!!

Original poster
lou33 · 18/07/2003 14:58

Wow that's great news! Good luck.

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eidsvold · 18/07/2003 22:05

the only reason I suggested maltesers are they are light?!? What about blowing bubbles in his drink?!? not very appropriate in terms of manners but if it works?!?!

eidsvold · 18/07/2003 22:07

I just remembered - this is going back but you used to be able to buy bird shaped whistles that you put water in and when you blew they made a bird sound. I am sure I saw them somewhere in a catalogue just recently... might try and see if I can track them down for you.

Jimjams · 19/07/2003 08:57

tried the drink eidsvold. Ping pong balls should work in the same way as maltesers and I do need to try them. I thought about blow painting butthink he'll end up drinking the paint! Bird whistles sound good!

Davros · 19/07/2003 10:44

ELC sell blopens, also Woollies, maybe they would work?

eidsvold · 19/07/2003 16:54

you could even start with having him possible decorate the ping pong balls?!?! What about a sports whistle - you know like a ref's one?!?! If he likes football - might be a help. Will try and find those whistles.