Mason’s Therapy Update

Big day for Mason…he got his hair cut, which he hated…and is sleeping in his big boy bed.

Mason starts seeing two therapist next week.  He will continue to see an occupation therapist for the Sensory Processing Disorder and will start seeing a speech therapist for feeding and swallowing issues.

In addition, we have started brushing therapy, joint compression and an oral tactile procedure at home.  Every 2 hours (waking hours) for the next 10 days we will complete these routines.  At the end the hope is that Mason will become less sensitive and develop personal filters for things that irritate him, like food on his hands.  Specifically, “To decrease [Mason’s] adverse reactions to tactile stimulation and to provide increased organization of the central nervous system”

WHAT, is Brushing Therapy, you may ask? 

“Therapeutic body brushing is often used on children (not infants) who overreact to tactile stimulation. A specific non-scratching surgical brush is used to make firm, brisk movements over most of the body, especially the arms, legs, hands, back and soles of the feet. A technique of deep joint compression follows the brushing. “

Joint Compression – is what it sounds like we compress his wrists, shoulders, knees, hips, etc.

Finally, Oral Tactile Technique – I HATE THIS ONE!!!! And SO DOES MASON!!!

“Used to decrease oral defensiveness” you sweep your finger across the roof of Mason’s mouth(3 times) AND then press down twice on his lower front teeth. 

He bites me every time…he drew blood this afternoon.  Finally, David stuck a wooden spoon between his teeth, so that I could perform the procedure.

We have completed day one of our therapy.  He likes the brushing, tolerates the joint compression and hates the oral technique.  Check back in 10 days and I will try to update everyone if this is working.

Mason playing in blue jello