Therapressure

Since we've moved here, we've been blessed to find amazing care for Alex. We had dinner at the Bishop's house one evening and his wife started asking me about Alex's conditions. As it turns out two of their kids have had some struggles with development and she had taken them to a facility called Functional Kids. They have done wonders for her kids, so she invited me to come along the following week and see if I could get Alex an intake appointment. Long story short, Alex qualified and has started Occupational Therapy & Speech Thereapy FOUR times a week! In Utah we were only seeing someone about every other week. Amazing blessing....

As many of you know Alex has a lot of sensory issues and it's made the development of other areas really slow. This week we had a break through, and I can hardly believe how much Alex has grown in just a few short days. This OT started him on a therapy called Therapressure. When she first explained it to me, I'll be honest, I was kinda dreading it. It is a therapy that has to be done every 90-120 minutes (during the awake hours), needs to be done on bare skin, and it has the potential to temporarily mess us his set behaviors and routines. Sounds exciting hu? In my mind I was picturing myself out running errands with Alex and then realizing it was time for his therapressure session and having to undress him in the car and maneuver enough to get the session done, and then have a crying baby while I finish the rest of my shopping. Luckily it has gone much better. Let me explain a little about it--I'm no expert but I've tried to do a little research on it.

"...The proprioceptive sense refers to the sensory input and feedback that tells us about movement and body position. It's "receptors" are located within our muscles, joints, ligaments, tendons, and connective tissues. It is one of the "deep senses" and could be considered the "position sense."...It manifests itself as kids who are clumsy, uncoordinated, and have difficulty performing basic normal childhood tasks and activities. They don't experience the world like me and you." (http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/proprioceptive-dysfunction.html)

Signs Of Proprioceptive Dysfunction:

If they are under responsive to proprioceptive input (i.e. sensory seeking) they will...

walk to hard, push too hard, bang too hard write too hard, play with objects too hard, etc.

be the loud ones, rough ones, crashers, movers, shakers, runners, jumpers, and bouncers (i.e. an insatiable bundle of energy!)

shake his legs or constantly bang the back of his foot on the floor/chair while sitting in class

play too rough (often hurting himself or others), jump off of or crash into ANYTHING he can

crack his knuckles, chew on his fingers, bite his nails until they bleed, chew on pens, gum, pencils, clothing collars, sleeves, or strings, or inedible objects (i.e. paper clips, pieces of toys etc.)

enjoys TIGHT clothes (i.e. turtlenecks, tight belts, hoods, hats, jackets zipped ALL the way up, tight pajamas etc.)

If they have poor motor planning, body awareness, or motor control, they will...

have difficulty climbing, running, riding a bike, doing jumping jacks, hitting a ball, roller skating, etc.

have difficulty tying shoes or knowing how to move his body when you help him get dressed/undressed

frequently bump into objects and people accidentally trip and fall often have difficulty learning to go up and down stairs, and may be frightened by them (escalators too)

Signs of postural instability will include...

slumping at desk, dinner table etc.

appear to be "limp" and lethargic all the time

needing to rest his head on his hands or lay his head down on his arm on the desk/table while working

having poor posture during motor tasks

being unable to stand on one foot and have difficulty with any balancing tasks

(http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/proprioceptive-dysfunction.html)

So what is this amazing therapy that is making a breakthrough for Alex? Therapressure brushing! Below is a picture of the brush. It is made of malliable, plastic brushes. Using long strokes, you firmly rub the brush up and down the arms, legs, back, and feet. Then you finish the session by doing joint compressions in the hips, knees, ankles, toes, back, sturnum, back, shoulders, elbows, wrists, and fingers. It sounds like a long process but really it only lasts about 2-3 minutes. All of this input, as I understand it, allows the proprioceptive system to process and there is a release of seratonin throughout your body making your mind aware of the body and therefore more comfortable in it.

So Alex has been on this program for 3 full days now and here's what we've seen change:

• Less temper-tantrums
•  Better sleep
•  More stability with balance and seeking to walk
•  Learned to open cupboards, front door (not super thrilled about that), and work the VCR :-S
•  Lasts his whole therapy sessions without melt downs
•  More social
•  More curious
•  Wanting Mickey Mouse & Pillow less
•  Eating more and trying new foods
•  Learned to climb up couch and hesitates going face first (used to have no fear of falling)
•  Doesn't seek stimulation like banging head on wall, or trying to gag himself
•  Making new sounds & mimicking
•  Willingly given up morning nap and taking a longer afternoon nap
•  Letting me hold his hands and guide him
•  Trying to drink from a straw
•  Letting strangers pat him on the back

AMAZING!!!!!!! I can't get over it! And while some of you may be thinking, "poor you; now he's moving and getting into everything...you're life is going to be so stressful." On the contrary! I'm actually finding myself less stressed and happier through the day seeing that he is progressing! My worry about his development is the central cause of my major stress and worry, so as he progresses, yes the VCR may break, or I may have to baby proof my house but he's progressing! and that makes me so happy!