The most we stimulates the brain with the right sensory stimulation, the most calm Tommy will be (Tommy's anxiety levels are extremely high because the cortisol is too high according to the last lab) and the better he will process sensory information, so he will begin to sense his body as it should be in any environment. So the following to toys/tools are helping in this process:
- Peanut Sensory Ball. I got the peanut ball for Tommy, fallowing his lead. He used to take the big therapy ball and bounce on his belly, but it wasn't save. So I took it a way and replace for a small ball, but still, it wasn't save. One day, I saw a peanut ball in the therapy center and I asked to his private OT, if she could try work on the peanut ball. It was a success! At school the use the peanut ball with him.
- Bumpy Ball. There is some issues in Tommy's ocular muscles, which I think it maybe relate to the overall muscle weakness he shows after the hospitalization, which could be related to the side effects of the medications. We are making arrangement for Tommy to be part of Pupil Project (I will explain when I have time). Meanwhile, I am trying to work on Eye-hand coordination activities.
- Weighted Ball. This is not a fun activity for Tommy, so I keep it very short. We do about 3 throws and we are done. It is just to tone his arms and shoulders muscles.
- Ribbons. It is a very easy home-made toy and my kids likes them! You just need ribbons, sticks and tape to put them together. I am practicing doing simple shapes such as, circle and triangle. But the main focus that Tommy moves his arms, rather than he imitating the shapes.
- Hula Hoop. We have a cheap hula hoop that I got on sale, but it doesn't have a rounded shape anymore. So I did a quick search about hula hoops and a weighted hula hoop pup up and I got it. Working with the hula hoop It is perfect for working on Tommy's proprioceptive system in his upper-body. But the best of this activity is that Tommy, Francis and I work together as team. Francis and I hold the hoop and pull Tommy.
- Trampoline. Tommy's favorite toy is the trampoline, but he enjoys it better if he jumps to the tune of his favorite pop songs "I got a Feeling" or "Eye of a Tiger." As sson as, he listens to the music he comes to the trampoline. This trampoline has been well used and it will be passed to Francis because Tommy is ready for a more challenging trampoline.
I am trying to brake the stimming behaviors that Tommy does, as much as possible, by keeping him busy and physically active. I realized that the stimming behaviors can be breakable when we were in our vacation last summer. He didn't engage in repetitive/stimming behaviors because we were so busy. Usually, kids with sensory processing struggles traveling and with change of routine. But for Tommy is the opposite. He gets so engaged and leave the sensory issues in the suitcase every time we are on vacation. How this can happen? As we all are different and unique, kids with sensory processing disorder have different type of sensitivity, under and over responsive. So Tommy gets the right sensory stimulation that his body needs in these environments due to they provide movement, which it is perfect for a child that it is under-responsive to movement. I found medical information that supports what I thought it was one more of my theories. This has empowered me to try even harder in stopping stimming behaviors. It is hard to keep him busy because it is a 24/7 effort on my end; howsoever, I am determinate to do it.
There is a biochemical component to treat sensory issues, which is crucial to protect the brain in an non-invisave way because stimming behaviors cause the same damaging effects than consuming illegal drugs. Therefore, Tommy is currently in a treatment based on neuroscience that I will explain when I get a chance. So far, we are noticing positive changes on him and he suddenly is beginning to enjoy and do small things he used to. Read the email his teacher sent on Monday, January 14, 2013:
Whoop whoop moment: Tommy in the motor room at 9:20 a.m. independently jumping on the tramp for over 5 minutes then 5 plus independent climbs up to the top of the bolster to grab on to the trapeze swing. The rest of the day we saw increased affect, social awareness, a completely independent transition and the word applesauce to request in combo with a picture card over 3 times. I also saw cause/effect toy exploration with no stimming. Big Day!! Wow, whatever you are doing to keep him so healthy, keep on keepin' on!
I will never let him down, I will never stop fitting for him!
THE SKY IS THE LIMIT!
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I will upload photos of our working out routine later.
