Rose does both physical and occupational therapy (gross and fine motor skills) to help her gain strength as she has inherently low muscle tone. Every six months she's given a few tests, and her therapists write up a progress report. This is for our records as well as to show the program First Steps, which funds the PT/OT she is currently a part of, what we're doing and what progress Rose is making.
My favorite line for her OT report? "She has decreased her drooling and
does not mouth all toys as before, other than crayons occasionally or when curious about an unfamiliar textured object." Bobby and I both laughed out loud when we read that. Rose used to be a drool monster, but part of her OT was teaching her how to hold her mouth closed and how to suck in her saliva - and it's worked! It's a crazy difference. Kids with low muscle tone tend to balance themselves by opening their mouths when working on something hard, but as she grows stronger, Rose is learning to keep it closed.
She is doing great in both OT and PT and we have decided to keep her in it for the next six months. We only pay $20 a month for four hours of one-on-one sessions, and both her OT and PT think there is a lot to be gained in increasing Rose's quality of movement. In OT we're going to be working on her bi-lateral mid-line crossing (think picking something up with her left hand to place on her right side, or - later, writing or reading) which she rarely does and in PT her core strength and her hip control.
I wonder what fun strides she'll make in the next six months!
Showing posts with label physical therapy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label physical therapy. Show all posts
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Monday, June 20, 2011
A Long...Break and Some Good News
I fell off the blogging train of late. I didn't realize my last post was three months ago! Many good things have happened to the Jamiesons since then, one of which is that Rose started walking!
This was actually about two months ago, and she is doing quite well now! She walks most everywhere (though she is still a bit unstable) and loves to explore. I think that is where you find me blogging less.
We are going to continue with physical therapy, though our beloved PT, Michelle, recently moved. Rose will be receiving PT 2-3 times a month through First Steps, and now we're going to be working on her abs, among other things. Rose is actually better at walking than she is at unsupported sitting - so her core has some muscle, but not much. We hope to build those up to increase her quality of movement and her ease of movement, especially as she grows.
We're super grateful for her progress! She's quite a tremedous handful, but we're very excited for it. To think than in January ( at 12 months) she couldn't stand or pull herself up....very exciting indeed!
This was actually about two months ago, and she is doing quite well now! She walks most everywhere (though she is still a bit unstable) and loves to explore. I think that is where you find me blogging less.
We are going to continue with physical therapy, though our beloved PT, Michelle, recently moved. Rose will be receiving PT 2-3 times a month through First Steps, and now we're going to be working on her abs, among other things. Rose is actually better at walking than she is at unsupported sitting - so her core has some muscle, but not much. We hope to build those up to increase her quality of movement and her ease of movement, especially as she grows.
We're super grateful for her progress! She's quite a tremedous handful, but we're very excited for it. To think than in January ( at 12 months) she couldn't stand or pull herself up....very exciting indeed!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Physical Therapy
A few posts down ("We're Going to the Zoo") you may have noticed Rose's new sneakers - the white and pink $26 dollar Nikes ones.
Rose got her new kicks because she has started physical therapy, and the shoes were recommended by her physical therapist, Michelle.
Why is Rose in physical therapy? Rose has something called low muscle tone (how her muscles are at rest), which basically means she is a very floppy, 'lucy-goosey' sorta kid. One of the results of this flexibility means her muscles have never been able or trained to function correctly, so Rose has spent all of her life developing 'compensations' (see: rolling to get everywhere from six months - one year). She almost never engages her abs (in any direction), has very wobbly legs, and when standing puts all her strength on her arms.
Our good friend (who is a pediatrician) noticed a couple key 'markers' of things Rose was doing in early January: the "W" sit, splits, hard time trying to crawl because her legs would sprawl out under her, and so forth. She told us what to tell our pediatrician, and we did so. At this point (third week in January), Rose had yet to pull herself up or crawl - both of which she began in the next few weeks.
She did qualify for 'First Steps,' a state-sponsored in-home physical therapy program. After working through questionnaires, meetings and evaluations, we began therapy with Rose two weeks ago. At this point it is for the next six months - Rose's low tone and flexibility will not, Lord willing, be a hindrance her whole life - the therapy is attempting to strengthen and work her muscles to the point where Rose is able to use them correctly, and from there the doctor and PT expect normal development.
So, it's just getting her there. Rose has to do exercises while sitting on an a big exercise ball. She does sit-ups, bounces, and is made to lean to the left and right (work out those obliques!). She also has to take a block from Daddy sitting in front of her, and turn around (while on the ball) to put it in the box held by Mommy.
She sits on an overturned underbed storage bin (a big plastic box) and needs to lean down sideways to grab a cookie or toy. She has to cruise all the way around the coffee table. She sits on the ground with her legs straight out, and sometimes curved in, stacking rings or working on a puzzle.
Sounds pretty simple right? Well, Rose is an easy kid - except for PT time. Michelle, her therapist, comes for one precious hour every week. Bobby and I need to do 15-20 minutes of assigned exercises with Rose every day between those visits. Right now we're working on teaching Rose to persevere, that therapy time means work, and that we mean that, really. So today - the little pass the block game between Mommy and Daddy on the ball? Complete and total melt-down. I had seen glimpses during Rose's last meeting with Michelle - she got angry real fast, and only worked if I left the room (she couldn't then try to crawl to me for sanctuary!). However, on our own it's pretty tough. Michelle has rightly said we can't stop an exercise if Rose gets mad - that just shows her melt-down = end of therapy. We just make the exercise a bit easier.
So please pray for us and Rose's progress. We're planning a couple longer Mom/Dad/Rose sessions, allowing time for the inevitable melt-down and long time it takes to get just a little done - hoping in time Rose will learn to do the exercises, that it's work, and it'll be done soon. We pray that she will continually develop, and her mad temper won't hinder that too badly. Michelle encourages us that Rose has great mind/body connection and a strong motivation to move - it's just getting her strong enough to do so!
Updates as they come...
Rose got her new kicks because she has started physical therapy, and the shoes were recommended by her physical therapist, Michelle.
Why is Rose in physical therapy? Rose has something called low muscle tone (how her muscles are at rest), which basically means she is a very floppy, 'lucy-goosey' sorta kid. One of the results of this flexibility means her muscles have never been able or trained to function correctly, so Rose has spent all of her life developing 'compensations' (see: rolling to get everywhere from six months - one year). She almost never engages her abs (in any direction), has very wobbly legs, and when standing puts all her strength on her arms.
Our good friend (who is a pediatrician) noticed a couple key 'markers' of things Rose was doing in early January: the "W" sit, splits, hard time trying to crawl because her legs would sprawl out under her, and so forth. She told us what to tell our pediatrician, and we did so. At this point (third week in January), Rose had yet to pull herself up or crawl - both of which she began in the next few weeks.
She did qualify for 'First Steps,' a state-sponsored in-home physical therapy program. After working through questionnaires, meetings and evaluations, we began therapy with Rose two weeks ago. At this point it is for the next six months - Rose's low tone and flexibility will not, Lord willing, be a hindrance her whole life - the therapy is attempting to strengthen and work her muscles to the point where Rose is able to use them correctly, and from there the doctor and PT expect normal development.
So, it's just getting her there. Rose has to do exercises while sitting on an a big exercise ball. She does sit-ups, bounces, and is made to lean to the left and right (work out those obliques!). She also has to take a block from Daddy sitting in front of her, and turn around (while on the ball) to put it in the box held by Mommy.
She sits on an overturned underbed storage bin (a big plastic box) and needs to lean down sideways to grab a cookie or toy. She has to cruise all the way around the coffee table. She sits on the ground with her legs straight out, and sometimes curved in, stacking rings or working on a puzzle.
Sounds pretty simple right? Well, Rose is an easy kid - except for PT time. Michelle, her therapist, comes for one precious hour every week. Bobby and I need to do 15-20 minutes of assigned exercises with Rose every day between those visits. Right now we're working on teaching Rose to persevere, that therapy time means work, and that we mean that, really. So today - the little pass the block game between Mommy and Daddy on the ball? Complete and total melt-down. I had seen glimpses during Rose's last meeting with Michelle - she got angry real fast, and only worked if I left the room (she couldn't then try to crawl to me for sanctuary!). However, on our own it's pretty tough. Michelle has rightly said we can't stop an exercise if Rose gets mad - that just shows her melt-down = end of therapy. We just make the exercise a bit easier.
So please pray for us and Rose's progress. We're planning a couple longer Mom/Dad/Rose sessions, allowing time for the inevitable melt-down and long time it takes to get just a little done - hoping in time Rose will learn to do the exercises, that it's work, and it'll be done soon. We pray that she will continually develop, and her mad temper won't hinder that too badly. Michelle encourages us that Rose has great mind/body connection and a strong motivation to move - it's just getting her strong enough to do so!
Updates as they come...
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