Occupational Therapist (OT) therapy

totoro

Mom? What's a difficult child?
My difficult child's Occupational Therapist (OT) is starting her on Cranio-sacral therapy. Has anyone one else tried this??? She really dug it, the calming effect didn't last more than 10 minutes on her, Occupational Therapist (OT) wants to go a full hour on her next time. Just curious if anyone else has tried it with little ones.

Also we are getting a weighted blanket per our Occupational Therapist (OT)'s suggestions and my sister in law. She is an OTA.
Any thoughts on those as well???
difficult child loves it when I stack heavy pillows on her, I thought this might help her sleep???

Thanks
 

SRL

Active Member
Don't know about the CS therapy.

We have a weighted blanket and it's been great. Check the sizes very carefully when you order because ours turned out not to be very wide and as pricey as they are I wish I'd shopped around a little more.
 

tiredmommy

Well-Known Member
We haven't done CS therapy, either. We have done massages for Duckie. husband is particularly effective with this; he has a knack for kneading her muscles deeply without causing discomfort. You may want to search online for instructions on how to make a weighted blanket, this way you get what you want. I think OTE posted how to do it awhile ago, I'll pm her. The other thing that helps Duckie is long soaks in the tub, it relaxes her immensely.
 

totoro

Mom? What's a difficult child?
TM-our difficult child's sound a little alike-
I have to put a timer near the tub because after an hour...or longer. She now lays on the shower floor also. She like the deep joint massage, luckily I am a PTA and had to take massage way back when.

We got a blanket big enough for her to sleep, hide etc. not sure of the measurements. Also 10% of her body weight. Plus a couple of extra for her to grow.
I would love to make one. But being a single mom most of the time and just starting all of this... buying one was easier on my mind. lol
thanks
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O

OTE

Guest
Sorry, TM, I didn't have those instructions but I do remember the thread a very long time ago. Can't remember who it was though either. It's common to those of us with Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) kids so I'd have to guess it's one of us with a Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) kid.

I did suggest a rice bag (heated if you choose) for weight on muscles, for arthritis, bad back, etc. Rice only because it's easy to heat in the microwave and retains the heat for some time. Wouldn't be washable though unless you put the rice is smaller bags to take them out before washing. Then could make the blanket with pockets or channels for the bags. Also could then control the weight by how many rice bags you put in the pockets or channels. Would also be easier to heat individual bags of rice than a whole blanket if your child is particularly cold in bed. Mind you, devil that I am I'd be turning down the heat in the house and heating blankets to get mine into bed. LOL. Same principal could be used to make a weighted jacket. I have my rice in a flannel pillow case for my back. Think I have 10 lbs in there.

For a kid who responds to a weighted blanket I have to suggest a "kid taco"... a name my kid's created. LOL. But also used in Occupational Therapist (OT). Roll the child up in a carpet, obviously only below the head for breathing. Mine could lay in this for an hour happily watching TV.

Keep in mind that all of this is similar in concept to Temple Grandin's "hug machine".

As mine are older now I don't visit PZ anymore. So I don't know the whole story here.... has this child been evaluated by a Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) specialist? Obviously many markers of Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) from what it seems.

"Cranio-sacral therapy"

Found this on it.
http://www.craniosacraltherapy.org/Whatis.htm

Obviously it falls into the domain of "alternative medicine", not the Occupational Therapist (OT) we all know. Also not clear to me as to why this would be called Occupational Therapist (OT). Certainly it's a form of alternative therapy but in fact here's what the non-profit group to promote it says it's for...

"Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy takes a whole-person approach to healing and the inter-connections of mind, body and spirit are deeply acknowledged. It is an effective form of treatment for a wide range of illnesses helping to create the optimal conditions for health, encouraging vitality and facilitating a sense of well-being. It is suitable for people of all ages including babies, children and the elderly, and can be effective in acute or chronic cases."

Can't say I see this as a substitute for Occupational Therapist (OT), but that's only MHO,.... from a person who knows nothing about this kind of therapy. Guess I'm just saying that little kids have a closing window of chances to improve in some areas, Sensory Integration Disorder (SID) being one. Personally I wouldn't put all my eggs in the basket of this kind of therapy. I would use more traditional therapies designed to address the specific issues of my child... but I'm not generally an alternative medication person either.
 

totoro

Mom? What's a difficult child?
She sits with her in a calm darkened room and basically rubs her head and face and tries to re-direct her energy and teach her to control her energy and calm herself. This is after the Occupational Therapist (OT) plays hard with her and does all of her other therapy, she is trying to help her learn how to calm her engine... this is what she told me. I had CST when I was pregnant for my migraines, it felt pretty good.

At this point I really like the Occupational Therapist (OT) and she is really good with difficult child so I am willing to try anything!!!
 
O

OTE

Guest
Anything that teaches her to control anger, to calm herself, etc gets my vote. As long as she's getting traditional Occupational Therapist (OT) also I think it's great.
 

MissVic

New Member
Hi there,
Glad to hear that things are going well for you guys!

Can I ask, what is an "OTA" ????????
 

SRL

Active Member
OTA is probably occupational therapy assistant. A certified Occupational Therapist (OT) has a master's degree while an assistant is a 2 year degree.
 
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