Guest guest Posted May 2, 2002 Report Share Posted May 2, 2002 My son is 5 (he'll be six in October). We began the Wilbarger brushing program last August. It was shown to us by his OT. The goal is to do it every two waking hours for two to three weeks for it to be effective. I was able to do it five to six times a day for three weeks followed by twice a day (morning and night) for a couple of months. The results were miraculous and undeniable. He is calmer and had less sensory issues especially those related to clothes. He now wears blue jeans almost every day when he wouldn't wear them for several years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 28, 2004 Report Share Posted December 28, 2004 Hi Kyra, Here's a pretty good description of the Wilbarger Brushing Technique although I agree it would be better if you were working with an OT who is experienced with Sensory Integration Dysfunction who could show you how to do it and give you some brushes. The brushes we use look like the disposable scrub brushes surgeons use to wash their hands before they operate but without the sponge attached. Here is a picture of a brush and also some brushes with handles: http://www.beyondplay.com/ITEMS/E555.HTM An OT would have a stack of brushes and would be happy to give some to you. Where do you live? The Wilbarger approach " Brushing Technique " Consult an Occupational Therapist before trying this approach. 1. Many people call it a brushing technique because it uses a brush, but it's really much more than that and it doesn't involve brushing. Instead the key to successful results is pressure touch. The technique requires a specific kind of surgical brush that does not scratch, tickle, or itch when stroked firmly against the skin. The pressure on the stroke must be firm enough to bend all the bristles of the brush and press all the tactile receptors in the area. 2. The " brushing " should be quick, moving all over, avoiding repeated strokes to the same area. The objective is to cover a large area quickly and then follow it immediately with compression/traction to all joints. 3. It is important to smoothly and evenly apply deep pressure. Therefore, hold the brush in a horizontal direction when going over the skin. Keep it moving. It is best to brush over the skin directly. It can be done through clothing if necessary, but the effectiveness will be diminished i.e., slower less dramatic change. 4. Never " scrub " back and forth over the same area. Take long strokes, turning the limb or moving around so you're stroking all over. 5. Brush all of each arm, leg, back, and buttocks, usually starting at the top and working your way down. Be sure to brush the palms of the hands, and if possible, the soles of the feet. 6. Never brush someone's stomach, and don't let the person brush this area either. There are lots of nerve ganglia located around the visceral organs. When we brush over muscles and skin we know what happens to the receptors and what nervous system loops are involved. We don't know what happens when we brush over the stomach except that brushing to the stomach can drive the nervous system into acute distress. 7. Also leave the head and face alone because these are personal and protected spaces that most people don't like others to touch under most circumstances. If the individual brushes his or her own face, that's okay. 8. When done correctly the brushing doesn't feel like brushing. Instead it feels like pressure with a flush of tactile sensation spreading quickly over the area. To accomplish this the brushing must be done quickly and over large areas, moving constantly. 9. Brushing must be followed immediately with compression. Compression is given as 10 quick presses to the key joints of the upper and lower extremity. It is especially important to give compression into the shoulders, elbows and wrists, and into the hips, knees and ankles. What happens with compression is that the brain thinks the bone is going to be displaced, so all the proprioceptors in the immediate area fire at once to stabilize and protect the joint. This proprioceptive firing provides a flood of strong (epicritic) calming or inhibitory input to balance the effect of the brain centers that are firing so much excitatory flow. 10. Repeat the regimen every 90 minutes to 2 hours according to the schedule set up by the responsible occupational therapist. The input you are providing is known to last in most systems about that long, that's why it has to be repeated. The objective is to keep the calming input in the person's system to help the individual remain in the optimal zone of sensory modulation (that is calm and alert but not overly aroused). 11. If this is going to help the individual, we should see positive change within several days. It may be evident on the first day. In most people, it is evident within the first few days. If there is no positive change after several days, the benefit of the technique should be evaluated by the responsible occupational therapist. It is important not to discontinue the technique prematurely once it has been started. That's why it is absolutely essential that the Wilbarger technique not be used indiscriminately and that it's appropriateness for a specific individual be determined by an occupational therapist who is knowledgeable about sensory processing disorders. Precautions: 1. Avoid brushing over skin lesions, burns, rashes, or other obviously tender or sensitive skin areas. 2. Pay close attention to the person who is getting this input for the first time to quickly detect any unexpected responses. This technique can trigger seizures in children who are prone to them. 3. If the skin turns red while you are brushing you are probably seeing a histamine reaction. This may indicate that you're spending too much time on the same area. Keep moving, avoiding red area. Try to cover a big area fast. 4. If anything unusual or unexpected happens notify the occupational therapist as quickly as possible. > > I'm trying to find someone, anyone, who knows how to do the " brushing " > technique so I can do this with my son. I'm happy to pay someone for > their time as long as they do know what they are talking about. I've > looked on line and in books for a description but can't find a good > one. Any ideas? Thanks!!! kyra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 31, 2004 Report Share Posted December 31, 2004 Brushing should be instructed and monitored by a trained professional. I have seen a number of times where " brushing " didn't work or actually made the child worse because it was instructed by very good, but untrained OTs. I am very surprised to see the document on FASEI's website, as Bonnie Hanschu was one of the biggest advocates of proper training for brushing protocols - which is why she designed her own program, the Protective Response Regimen. http://littlestarrealmyth (DOT) net Message: 6 Date: Wed, 29 Dec 2004 15:34:15 -0000 From: " danasview " <danasview@...> Subject: Re: " Brushing " Technique > > I'm trying to find someone, anyone, who knows how to do the " brushing " > technique so I can do this with my son. I'm happy to pay someone for > their time as long as they do know what they are talking about. I've > looked on line and in books for a description but can't find a good > one. Any ideas? Thanks!!! kyra I have this link on my site http://www.facei.org/ot-brushingprotocol.doc Dana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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