Re: sensory integration & apraxia/brushing

[Guest guest]

It's funny you mentioned that, Sherry, because I just pulled Tjpmas' brush

out again and am going to start using it whenever we have a moment without

guilting myself out when I can't get to it. His OT still uses it before each

therapy session (2x per week) and she told me early on that even if I couldn't

do it every 2 hours it was OK, just to get to it when possible. I was being my

own critic when it came to, " If you can't do it right, just don't do it. "

Anyway, I appreciate the feedback as it's given me another push to reintroduce

it. Thanks!

In a message dated 1/23/2006 10:31:09 AM Pacific Standard Time,

sherrymilner@... writes:

I have to say, I know the actual protocal for brushing is every 2 hours,

BUT!!!!!!

We did this with Will 2 - 3 times a day and it made a huge difference! Even

on the days I only did it once, I could tell a difference. You don't have

to tell your OT you didn't do it every 2 hours. LOL

SHErry

bellaboo625@... wrote:

I have to chime in here with something that's been very helpful for my son

in dealing with vestibular issues and even building strength in the upper

body.

We bought a " Fun Ride Deluxe " which is basically a trolly ride with a cable

that attaches to two trees in the backyard. has to hold onto the

trolley unit with both hands and then he glides through the air about 30'.

Prior

to using it, he could barely hold onto the monkey bars. Now he sees it as a

fun challenge. His OT thinks it has helped a lot with vestibular processing

and upper body strength. She's also given us homework assignments to

incorporate into our use of it - for example, we throw a blanket on the

ground and he

has to try to jump off when he gets to the blanket, which helps with timing

and rhythm issues. We bought it from _www.hearthsong.com_

(http://www.www.hearthsong.com)

, which offers lots of other great OT-related items that aren't actually

billed as OT items - for example, a ladder that you can attach to a tree,

some

great whistles and wind up toys, and lots of cool back to basic items that

most kids love.

, if you're reading this, I hope you'll keep us updated on the

" brushing " protocal. Our OT gave us a brush many months ago and explaiend it

to me,

but I felt like the every 2 hour requirement was just not going to happen

given how busy our schedules are - have to sort of pick and choose my

battles.

When I was researching it, though, I read an interesting article about thow

the rock singer Sting attributed his son's recovery from dyspraxia

(primarily

motor) to the brushing. My husband and I theorized that he probably had

plenty

of people around to help out with that. Anyway, I admire you for trying it

and would be grateful if you'd keep us posted on how things are going.

[Guest guest]

I have to say, I know the actual protocal for brushing is every 2 hours,

BUT!!!!!!

We did this with Will 2 - 3 times a day and it made a huge difference! Even

on the days I only did it once, I could tell a difference. You don't have to

tell your OT you didn't do it every 2 hours. LOL

SHErry

bellaboo625@... wrote:

I have to chime in here with something that's been very helpful for my son

in dealing with vestibular issues and even building strength in the upper body.

We bought a " Fun Ride Deluxe " which is basically a trolly ride with a cable

that attaches to two trees in the backyard. has to hold onto the

trolley unit with both hands and then he glides through the air about 30'. Prior

to using it, he could barely hold onto the monkey bars. Now he sees it as a

fun challenge. His OT thinks it has helped a lot with vestibular processing

and upper body strength. She's also given us homework assignments to

incorporate into our use of it - for example, we throw a blanket on the ground

and he

has to try to jump off when he gets to the blanket, which helps with timing

and rhythm issues. We bought it from _www.hearthsong.com_

(http://www.www.hearthsong.com)

, which offers lots of other great OT-related items that aren't actually

billed as OT items - for example, a ladder that you can attach to a tree, some

great whistles and wind up toys, and lots of cool back to basic items that

most kids love.

, if you're reading this, I hope you'll keep us updated on the

" brushing " protocal. Our OT gave us a brush many months ago and explaiend it to

me,

but I felt like the every 2 hour requirement was just not going to happen

given how busy our schedules are - have to sort of pick and choose my battles.

When I was researching it, though, I read an interesting article about thow

the rock singer Sting attributed his son's recovery from dyspraxia (primarily

motor) to the brushing. My husband and I theorized that he probably had plenty

of people around to help out with that. Anyway, I admire you for trying it

and would be grateful if you'd keep us posted on how things are going.

[Guest guest]

My OT put Landon on the brushing. He doesn't like it though, and I

didn't see any changes in him. He said he was putting Landon on it

because he likes to push his big trucks, and he likes to move

around. He can sit still for periods of time though. For those

that are doing the brushing... Why did your OT tell you to brush?

What were your children doing that made the OT think it would help?

How are they different now after the brushing?

Back to the vestibular system... I did read that movement

stimulates speech. A lot of the examples of activities i was

reading about are jumping, swinging, walking, anything that has to

do with movement. I just thought that was so interesting that the

vestibular system can affect speech.

Tina

>

> I have to chime in here with something that's been very helpful

for my son

> in dealing with vestibular issues and even building strength in

the upper body.

> We bought a " Fun Ride Deluxe " which is basically a trolly ride

with a cable

> that attaches to two trees in the backyard. has to hold

onto the

> trolley unit with both hands and then he glides through the air

about 30'. Prior

> to using it, he could barely hold onto the monkey bars. Now he

sees it as a

> fun challenge. His OT thinks it has helped a lot with vestibular

processing

> and upper body strength. She's also given us homework assignments

to

> incorporate into our use of it - for example, we throw a blanket

on the ground and he

> has to try to jump off when he gets to the blanket, which helps

with timing

> and rhythm issues. We bought it from _www.hearthsong.com_

> (http://www.www.hearthsong.com)

>

> , which offers lots of other great OT-related items that aren't

actually

> billed as OT items - for example, a ladder that you can attach to

a tree, some

> great whistles and wind up toys, and lots of cool back to basic

items that

> most kids love.

>

> , if you're reading this, I hope you'll keep us updated on

the

> " brushing " protocal. Our OT gave us a brush many months ago and

explaiend it to me,

> but I felt like the every 2 hour requirement was just not going to

happen

> given how busy our schedules are - have to sort of pick and choose

my battles.

> When I was researching it, though, I read an interesting article

about thow

> the rock singer Sting attributed his son's recovery from dyspraxia

(primarily

> motor) to the brushing. My husband and I theorized that he

probably had plenty

> of people around to help out with that. Anyway, I admire you for

trying it

> and would be grateful if you'd keep us posted on how things are

going.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

WE brush 2 times a day and it seems to be helping. Amber has some

major sensory issues and the limited brushing really seems to be

helping wtih that (she will even now keep headphones on-I couldn't

get them near her a month ago!!). I did ask our PT about increasing

the amount of brushing but she didn't think it was necessary at this

point (I should mention that although she is a PT and not an OT< she

is trained in sensory integration and quite frankly is better than

any OT we ever had).

>

> I have to chime in here with something that's been very helpful for

my son

> in dealing with vestibular issues and even building strength in the

upper body.

> We bought a " Fun Ride Deluxe " which is basically a trolly ride with

a cable

> that attaches to two trees in the backyard. has to hold onto

the

> trolley unit with both hands and then he glides through the air

about 30'. Prior

> to using it, he could barely hold onto the monkey bars. Now he sees

it as a

> fun challenge. His OT thinks it has helped a lot with vestibular

processing

> and upper body strength. She's also given us homework assignments

to

> incorporate into our use of it - for example, we throw a blanket on

the ground and he

> has to try to jump off when he gets to the blanket, which helps

with timing

> and rhythm issues. We bought it from _www.hearthsong.com_

> (http://www.www.hearthsong.com)

>

> , which offers lots of other great OT-related items that aren't

actually

> billed as OT items - for example, a ladder that you can attach to a

tree, some

> great whistles and wind up toys, and lots of cool back to basic

items that

> most kids love.

>

> , if you're reading this, I hope you'll keep us updated on

the

> " brushing " protocal. Our OT gave us a brush many months ago and

explaiend it to me,

> but I felt like the every 2 hour requirement was just not going to

happen

> given how busy our schedules are - have to sort of pick and choose

my battles.

> When I was researching it, though, I read an interesting article

about thow

> the rock singer Sting attributed his son's recovery from dyspraxia

(primarily

> motor) to the brushing. My husband and I theorized that he probably

had plenty

> of people around to help out with that. Anyway, I admire you for

trying it

> and would be grateful if you'd keep us posted on how things are

going.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Supposedly you only need to do the every 2 hours brushing for the first 3

weeks. Then you can cut back. We're almost there. I was told I could go down

to just 5-6 times a day now (so with every diaper change) and have shown my

babysitter how to do it as well. My son actually coos when you do his back.

It literally takes 2-3 minutes (if even). My son is tolerating his shirt

sleeves being rolled up, and hasn't said " oueeee " when touched lightly in

over a week. He is also processing painful stimuli more appropriately (like

when he walks into the walls he now acknowledges that it hurts his head - as

opposed to before when he sort of bounced off of things and it didnt' phase

him - though it should have if he saw the bruises). He is really falling

less and less, though, and is now climbing stairs - the biggest issue I had

since stairs were such a safety issue. He still needs to be watched closely,

but he's doing it on his own!!! I have been working daily on stairs for

months without any improvement. He just didn't get it and his little legs

would just go all over the place.

The other thing that really made a difference is this concept of " hand over

hand " - literally showing him how to do things like put on his socks or pull

up his pants. He has seen his siblings do it - and we have " shown him " - by

doing it for him, but did not literally take his hands and make him do it

with physical assistance. He is responding to this brilliantly. But it makes

sense...motor processing. " I see you do it, but can't figure it out. Once I

literally DO IT myself - I get it " . He is now putting on his own socks,

trying to get on his shoes, and pulling up and down pants (key for toilet

training). This has worked with puzzles and shape sorters that he has

struggled with also for months. Instead of demonstrating to him how it is

supposed to go it, I now literally put my hand over his and help him do it.

Such a simple concept. So more progress in 2 weeks with a good OT than

months of us trying to show him things and him just not getting it. Many of

you are probably already doing this - but no one ever told us to try

it. -

Re: [ ] sensory integration &

apraxia/brushing

I have to say, I know the actual protocal for brushing is every 2 hours,

BUT!!!!!!

We did this with Will 2 - 3 times a day and it made a huge difference!

Even on the days I only did it once, I could tell a difference. You don't

have to tell your OT you didn't do it every 2 hours. LOL

SHErry

bellaboo625@... wrote:

I have to chime in here with something that's been very helpful for my son

in dealing with vestibular issues and even building strength in the upper

body.

We bought a " Fun Ride Deluxe " which is basically a trolly ride with a cable

that attaches to two trees in the backyard. has to hold onto the

trolley unit with both hands and then he glides through the air about 30'.

Prior

to using it, he could barely hold onto the monkey bars. Now he sees it as a

fun challenge. His OT thinks it has helped a lot with vestibular processing

and upper body strength. She's also given us homework assignments to

incorporate into our use of it - for example, we throw a blanket on the

ground and he

has to try to jump off when he gets to the blanket, which helps with timing

and rhythm issues. We bought it from _www.hearthsong.com_

(http://www.www.hearthsong.com)

, which offers lots of other great OT-related items that aren't actually

billed as OT items - for example, a ladder that you can attach to a tree,

some

great whistles and wind up toys, and lots of cool back to basic items that

most kids love.

, if you're reading this, I hope you'll keep us updated on the

" brushing " protocal. Our OT gave us a brush many months ago and explaiend it

to me,

but I felt like the every 2 hour requirement was just not going to happen

given how busy our schedules are - have to sort of pick and choose my

battles.

When I was researching it, though, I read an interesting article about thow

the rock singer Sting attributed his son's recovery from dyspraxia

(primarily

motor) to the brushing. My husband and I theorized that he probably had

plenty

of people around to help out with that. Anyway, I admire you for trying it

and would be grateful if you'd keep us posted on how things are going.

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the feedback on this. I had no idea it was possible to cut down

to every 5-6 hours - that seems all at once very reasonable. And 3 weeks of 2

hours brushing seems very doable all of a sudden. The only time when T is not

with me is during pre-K, and that's 3.5 hours 3x per week. So I think we'll

give it a go too.

As for hand over hand, that's a great concept too. still occasionally

struggles with his socks at almost six - in fact, I know it's going to be a

bad day when he yells " this is hard " while he's putting them on. I'll see

what happens if we work on that together. I'm also really curious to see if it

might help with letter writing problems. We've been using Handwriting Without

Tears and, while he fully grasps big lines/little lines and can place them

exactly where they're supposed to go on the model from the pre-K book, he cannot

then independently use the big lines/little lines to put together a letter F

without the " model " - even when the model is within view. So maybe hand

over hand will be of some help there, although I continue to think that vision

therapy might be necessary to help him " see " what he seems incapable of

seeing, even though his vision is perfect.

Anyway, interesting stuff. Thanks for sharing!

In a message dated 1/23/2006 1:28:18 PM Pacific Standard Time,

claudiamorris@... writes:

Supposedly you only need to do the every 2 hours brushing for the first 3

weeks. Then you can cut back. We're almost there. I was told I could go down

to just 5-6 times a day now (so with every diaper change) and have shown my

babysitter how to do it as well. My son actually coos when you do his back.

It literally takes 2-3 minutes (if even). My son is tolerating his shirt

sleeves being rolled up, and hasn't said " oueeee " when touched lightly in

over a week. He is also processing painful stimuli more appropriately (like

when he walks into the walls he now acknowledges that it hurts his head - as

opposed to before when he sort of bounced off of things and it didnt' phase

him - though it should have if he saw the bruises). He is really falling

less and less, though, and is now climbing stairs - the biggest issue I had

since stairs were such a safety issue. He still needs to be watched closely,

but he's doing it on his own!!! I have been working daily on stairs for

months without any improvement. He just didn't get it and his little legs

would just go all over the place.

The other thing that really made a difference is this concept of " hand over

hand " - literally showing him how to do things like put on his socks or pull

up his pants. He has seen his siblings do it - and we have " shown him " - by

doing it for him, but did not literally take his hands and make him do it

with physical assistance. He is responding to this brilliantly. But it makes

sense...motor processing. " I see you do it, but can't figure it out. Once I

literally DO IT myself - I get it " . He is now putting on his own socks,

trying to get on his shoes, and pulling up and down pants (key for toilet

training). This has worked with puzzles and shape sorters that he has

struggled with also for months. Instead of demonstrating to him how it is

supposed to go it, I now literally put my hand over his and help him do it.

Such a simple concept. So more progress in 2 weeks with a good OT than

months of us trying to show him things and him just not getting it. Many of

you are probably already doing this - but no one ever told us to try

it. -

[Guest guest]

Tina,

Our OT wanted us to try brushing because it's commonly used for kids with

dyspraxia to develop body awareness. It's also supposed to impact the

neurologival system - however, I have no idea how this actually occurs. If you

keep

in mind that many kids with dyspraxia are described as having an immature

neurological system, I think the idea behind brushing is it sort of compensates

for what didn't happen naturally by artificially awakening the child's

senses/neurological system. I have also read that it can have an impact on

kids

with sensory defensiveness - kids who don't like being touched, have high pain

tolerance, etc. - although that has never been one of my son's issues. But

this is just lay person's speak, and completely unscientific, of course. The

brushing protocol was created by someone named Wilbarger or Wilberger, I think,

and if you Google that you should be able to get a lot more information.

In a message dated 1/23/2006 1:32:39 PM Pacific Standard Time,

trmckenna1@... writes:

My OT put Landon on the brushing. He doesn't like it though, and I

didn't see any changes in him. He said he was putting Landon on it

because he likes to push his big trucks, and he likes to move

around. He can sit still for periods of time though. For those

that are doing the brushing... Why did your OT tell you to brush?

What were your children doing that made the OT think it would help?

How are they different now after the brushing?

Back to the vestibular system... I did read that movement

stimulates speech. A lot of the examples of activities i was

reading about are jumping, swinging, walking, anything that has to

do with movement. I just thought that was so interesting that the

vestibular system can affect speech.

Tina

[Guest guest]

That is exactly the way I think about things. I was so frustrated with school

about them unable to do brushing every 2 hours as I was doing home. However, OT

reassured me that it was OK. I still do brushing every 2 hours - I chose to be a

stay at home mom so I can do all the therapies and housework can wait 2 minutes

every 2 hours Our biggest issue - braces on both feet - its quite a task

taking those on and off constantly but well worth it. I can see difference when

brushing done regularly or not - he is much less resistant to do things. I also

change brushes at least once a month, bristles become flat and may scratch his

skin - we have enough problems with his skin as it is.

I am also having my child on Listening Therapy - great therapy!

bellaboo625@... wrote:

" If you can't do it right, just don't do it. "

---------------------------------

Photos

Ring in the New Year with Photo Calendars. Add photos, events, holidays,

whatever.

[Guest guest]

OT got my son on brushing because SI dysfunction. He hates hair cuts and tactile

diffensive, he also has some perception issues such as certain car movements.

Its all had improved within first 2 months of consistent (or aggressive as

school call is) brushing, meaning every 1,5 to 2 hours. He was on summer

vacation when I started brushing and starting school messed up the whole

routine. I saw inconsistency in behavor and frequent meltdowns. I then gave up

brushing for about couple of weeks because I believe that things have to be done

right or never started. OT talked me into starting brushing again even with

school's inconsistency. I can still see results and brushing had been part of

our life since June of 2005, I am pretty much feeling uneasy every two hours

even without looking at the clock.

My son is now sitting quietly through the hair cuts and he is more tactile

adventureous. He doesn't like taking his braces off through the day to have them

place right back on but brushing had become more than a therapy for us. My son

loves hugs and kisses so he gets extra during brushing which followed by loads

of jumping and bunch of laughs

PS my son loves to push his trains. I don't think brushing would help with

that.

trmckenna1 <trmckenna1@...> wrote:

My OT put Landon on the brushing. He doesn't like it though, and I

didn't see any changes in him. He said he was putting Landon on it

because he likes to push his big trucks, and he likes to move

around. He can sit still for periods of time though. For those

that are doing the brushing... Why did your OT tell you to brush?

What were your children doing that made the OT think it would help?

How are they different now after the brushing?

Back to the vestibular system... I did read that movement

stimulates speech. A lot of the examples of activities i was

reading about are jumping, swinging, walking, anything that has to

do with movement. I just thought that was so interesting that the

vestibular system can affect speech.

Tina

---------------------------------

Photos

Ring in the New Year with Photo Calendars. Add photos, events, holidays,

whatever.

[Guest guest]

Great!!! I hope it helps!

Sherry

bellaboo625@... wrote:

It's funny you mentioned that, Sherry, because I just pulled Tjpmas' brush

out again and am going to start using it whenever we have a moment without

guilting myself out when I can't get to it. His OT still uses it before each

therapy session (2x per week) and she told me early on that even if I couldn't

do it every 2 hours it was OK, just to get to it when possible. I was being my

own critic when it came to, " If you can't do it right, just don't do it. "

Anyway, I appreciate the feedback as it's given me another push to reintroduce

it. Thanks!

In a message dated 1/23/2006 10:31:09 AM Pacific Standard Time,

sherrymilner@... writes:

I have to say, I know the actual protocal for brushing is every 2 hours,

BUT!!!!!!

We did this with Will 2 - 3 times a day and it made a huge difference! Even

on the days I only did it once, I could tell a difference. You don't have

to tell your OT you didn't do it every 2 hours. LOL

SHErry

bellaboo625@... wrote:

I have to chime in here with something that's been very helpful for my son

in dealing with vestibular issues and even building strength in the upper

body.

We bought a " Fun Ride Deluxe " which is basically a trolly ride with a cable

that attaches to two trees in the backyard. has to hold onto the

trolley unit with both hands and then he glides through the air about 30'.

Prior

to using it, he could barely hold onto the monkey bars. Now he sees it as a

fun challenge. His OT thinks it has helped a lot with vestibular processing

and upper body strength. She's also given us homework assignments to

incorporate into our use of it - for example, we throw a blanket on the

ground and he

has to try to jump off when he gets to the blanket, which helps with timing

and rhythm issues. We bought it from _www.hearthsong.com_

(http://www.www.hearthsong.com)

, which offers lots of other great OT-related items that aren't actually

billed as OT items - for example, a ladder that you can attach to a tree,

some

great whistles and wind up toys, and lots of cool back to basic items that

most kids love.

, if you're reading this, I hope you'll keep us updated on the

" brushing " protocal. Our OT gave us a brush many months ago and explaiend it

to me,

but I felt like the every 2 hour requirement was just not going to happen

given how busy our schedules are - have to sort of pick and choose my

battles.

When I was researching it, though, I read an interesting article about thow

the rock singer Sting attributed his son's recovery from dyspraxia

(primarily

motor) to the brushing. My husband and I theorized that he probably had

plenty

of people around to help out with that. Anyway, I admire you for trying it

and would be grateful if you'd keep us posted on how things are going.

[Guest guest]

For Will, the brushing is for his sensory issues. He was VERY sensory

deffensive. He didn't like to touch more things than he would touch. He's MUCH

better now. He tollerates all kinds of different textures now. He'll even play

outside on the ground. Not grass yet, but sidewalks etc.

SHerry

trmckenna1 <trmckenna1@...> wrote:

My OT put Landon on the brushing. He doesn't like it though, and I

didn't see any changes in him. He said he was putting Landon on it

because he likes to push his big trucks, and he likes to move

around. He can sit still for periods of time though. For those

that are doing the brushing... Why did your OT tell you to brush?

What were your children doing that made the OT think it would help?

How are they different now after the brushing?

Back to the vestibular system... I did read that movement

stimulates speech. A lot of the examples of activities i was

reading about are jumping, swinging, walking, anything that has to

do with movement. I just thought that was so interesting that the

vestibular system can affect speech.

Tina

[Guest guest]

I just wish there was some way that I could get ph to " see " the wall or

table corner right in front of him...even though his vision is perfect. It

really is so odd.

Let me know if hand over hand helps you too. -

Re: [ ] sensory integration &

apraxia/brushing

Thanks for the feedback on this. I had no idea it was possible to cut down

to every 5-6 hours - that seems all at once very reasonable. And 3 weeks of

2

hours brushing seems very doable all of a sudden. The only time when T is

not

with me is during pre-K, and that's 3.5 hours 3x per week. So I think

we'll

give it a go too.

As for hand over hand, that's a great concept too. still

occasionally

struggles with his socks at almost six - in fact, I know it's going to be a

bad day when he yells " this is hard " while he's putting them on. I'll see

what happens if we work on that together. I'm also really curious to see if

it

might help with letter writing problems. We've been using Handwriting

Without

Tears and, while he fully grasps big lines/little lines and can place them

exactly where they're supposed to go on the model from the pre-K book, he

cannot

then independently use the big lines/little lines to put together a letter

F

without the " model " - even when the model is within view. So maybe hand

over hand will be of some help there, although I continue to think that

vision

therapy might be necessary to help him " see " what he seems incapable of

seeing, even though his vision is perfect.

Anyway, interesting stuff. Thanks for sharing!

In a message dated 1/23/2006 1:28:18 PM Pacific Standard Time,

claudiamorris@... writes:

Supposedly you only need to do the every 2 hours brushing for the first 3

weeks. Then you can cut back. We're almost there. I was told I could go

down

to just 5-6 times a day now (so with every diaper change) and have shown my

babysitter how to do it as well. My son actually coos when you do his back.

It literally takes 2-3 minutes (if even). My son is tolerating his shirt

sleeves being rolled up, and hasn't said " oueeee " when touched lightly in

over a week. He is also processing painful stimuli more appropriately (like

when he walks into the walls he now acknowledges that it hurts his head -

as

opposed to before when he sort of bounced off of things and it didnt' phase

him - though it should have if he saw the bruises). He is really falling

less and less, though, and is now climbing stairs - the biggest issue I had

since stairs were such a safety issue. He still needs to be watched

closely,

but he's doing it on his own!!! I have been working daily on stairs for

months without any improvement. He just didn't get it and his little legs

would just go all over the place.

The other thing that really made a difference is this concept of " hand over

hand " - literally showing him how to do things like put on his socks or

pull

up his pants. He has seen his siblings do it - and we have " shown him " - by

doing it for him, but did not literally take his hands and make him do it

with physical assistance. He is responding to this brilliantly. But it

makes

sense...motor processing. " I see you do it, but can't figure it out. Once I

literally DO IT myself - I get it " . He is now putting on his own socks,

trying to get on his shoes, and pulling up and down pants (key for toilet

training). This has worked with puzzles and shape sorters that he has

struggled with also for months. Instead of demonstrating to him how it is

supposed to go it, I now literally put my hand over his and help him do it.

Such a simple concept. So more progress in 2 weeks with a good OT than

months of us trying to show him things and him just not getting it. Many of

you are probably already doing this - but no one ever told us to try

it. -

[Guest guest]

I have read what wrote below. Doesn't mean I understood it

when I was reading, but I am a determined person so I eventually

will understand it!!! I have also read it helps with the tactile

sensories. Which is the main reason I was confused about the OT

putting Landon on it because he doesn't have those problems. Thank

you all for explaining why each one of you are brushing. I greatly

appreciate the info and will have a little chat with the OT the next

time I see him.

Tina

>

>

> Tina,

> Our OT wanted us to try brushing because it's commonly used for

kids with

> dyspraxia to develop body awareness. It's also supposed to impact

the

> neurologival system - however, I have no idea how this actually

occurs. If you keep

> in mind that many kids with dyspraxia are described as having an

immature

> neurological system, I think the idea behind brushing is it sort

of compensates

> for what didn't happen naturally by artificially awakening the

child's

> senses/neurological system. I have also read that it can have an

impact on kids

> with sensory defensiveness - kids who don't like being touched,

have high pain

> tolerance, etc. - although that has never been one of my son's

issues. But

> this is just lay person's speak, and completely unscientific, of

course. The

> brushing protocol was created by someone named Wilbarger or

Wilberger, I think,

> and if you Google that you should be able to get a lot more

information.

>

>

> In a message dated 1/23/2006 1:32:39 PM Pacific Standard Time,

> trmckenna1@y... writes:

>

> My OT put Landon on the brushing. He doesn't like it though, and

I

> didn't see any changes in him. He said he was putting Landon on

it

> because he likes to push his big trucks, and he likes to move

> around. He can sit still for periods of time though. For those

> that are doing the brushing... Why did your OT tell you to

brush?

> What were your children doing that made the OT think it would

help?

> How are they different now after the brushing?

>

> Back to the vestibular system... I did read that movement

> stimulates speech. A lot of the examples of activities i was

> reading about are jumping, swinging, walking, anything that has

to

> do with movement. I just thought that was so interesting that

the

> vestibular system can affect speech.

>

> Tina

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I am sorry your school was not doing the brushing. Shame on them.

We did brushing with my son then 3 for the first time last April. We committed

to doing it every 2 hours he was awake for two weeks. I did not see much

improvement that first week but kept it up. I am so glad that I did. My son had

more awareness of his body in space after the brushing. He has more feeling in

his touch. This one is hard to describe, he did not want to touch messy things

at all. It was very offensive for him to touch anything mushy especially if it

stuck to his skin afterwards! The brushing helped with that. He will touch

playdoh, sand, shaving cream and actually play with it.

We kept it up for another two weeks with improvements in the third week to being

his first time telling us when he had a BM in his diaper. Now he will ask to be

changed. The 4th week we did not see additional improvements so we stopped. The

great thing is that we did not lose any of these gains upon stopping.

We did another two weeks of brushing in the summer (July) and saw some

additional small gains. More awareness.

Are you doing joint compression too?

I would love to hear more about the listening program.

son 4yrs 8 mo

Message: 2

Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2006 14:36:39 -0800 (PST)

From: <ioulia_99@...>

Subject: Re: sensory integration & apraxia/brushing

That is exactly the way I think about things. I was so frustrated with school

about them unable to do brushing every 2 hours as I was doing home. However, OT

reassured me that it was OK. I still do brushing every 2 hours - I chose to be a

stay at home mom so I can do all the therapies and housework can wait 2 minutes

every 2 hours Our biggest issue - braces on both feet - its quite a task

taking those on and off constantly but well worth it. I can see difference when

brushing done regularly or not - he is much less resistant to do things. I also

change brushes at least once a month, bristles become flat and may scratch his

skin - we have enough problems with his skin as it is.

I am also having my child on Listening Therapy - great therapy!