Occupational Therapy

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/8/01 6:53:37 PM Central Daylight Time, kathy@...

writes:

> (16 DS) was evaluated for Occupational Therapy through our local

> Easter Seals, with the focus primarily on her fine motor skills (improving

> handwriting so that it will be able to fit within the lines on job

>

You mean you actually got something from Easter Seals? I have tried

on several occasions to get help for other people with no success. I was

told on one occasion that they had to qualify for welfare to get any help.

In one case a man had his leg amputated and he couldn't work so his

insurance ran out and he couldn't get an artificial leg so he could work

again. I called Easter Seals and was told the person I needed to talk to

would call me back but he never did. This was in Missouri, can't even get in

touch with them on the Kansas side. They ask for donations but just try to

call them. I'm glad someone is getting something. Has anyone else? Jessie

[Guest guest]

Perhaps the difference is that the school district is picking up the tab -

Easter Seals is not offering nor providing for free - but since it was " the

desire of the IEP team " that she be provided the services, the school district

is paying.... I am in California, by the way - don't know if that makes a

difference!

Mind you, it has taken me YEARS to get the IEP team to this point. is a

Freshman in High School.

Kathy

> You mean you actually got something from Easter Seals? I have tried

> on several occasions to get help for other people with no success. I was

> told on one occasion that they had to qualify for welfare to get any help.

> In one case a man had his leg amputated and he couldn't work so his

> insurance ran out and he couldn't get an artificial leg so he could work

> again. I called Easter Seals and was told the person I needed to talk to

> would call me back but he never did. This was in Missouri, can't even get in

> touch with them on the Kansas side. They ask for donations but just try to

> call them. I'm glad someone is getting something. Has anyone else? Jessie

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Are you saying your daughter was NEVER offered occupational therapy while in

school prior to high school? My son, has always needed occupational

therapy and it was always provided by an outside agency and paid for by the

school. I thought if you had that the service was needed in the IEP the

school must provide it.

By the way....I'm back! I've missed you all!

Jackie, Mom to 13ds, 10, and Bradley 7

[Guest guest]

<<By the way....I'm back! I've missed you all!

Jackie, Mom to 13ds, 10, and Bradley 7>>

Where have you been? I'm glad you are back! How

is doing? He must love having and Bradley

to play with. Ted's 2 brothers are way older and out

of the house. He loves to come home to a houseful of

kids that are here though! (I do daycare in my home )

Gail, mom to 20, 17, and Master Ted! age 9

gboughton@...

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 05/08/2001 11:16:00 PM US Mountain Standard Time,

kathy@... writes:

<< They ask for donations but just try to

> call them. I'm glad someone is getting something. Has anyone else? >>

When Maverick was younger there was a program called LeKoTec.....or somthing

like that through Easter Seals. They had theraputic toys. Once a month they

would come to my house and we'd swap toys. It was cool. I don't think they

have it any more.

Later, I got a computer for Maverick for $40 through them. They get old

computers, fix them up, then donate them for $40 to people with sp needs. It

was helpful for some of the games at the level he was at at the time. Now it

is too SLOW!

[Guest guest]

Jessie,

Actually, went to Easter Seals in Florida for early intervention. I

lived there about 8 months. We started a parent support group there and

ralph, (dh) and amanda and I were even on their telethon! It was a really

great experience for us. The staff was very caring and amanda did very well

there also.

I have no qualms about Easter Seals what so ever!

[Guest guest]

When I went to OT/PT, I hurt for 2 days after.

I can not do any exercises.

BUT! the water stuff is great. There is no pool around

me, but I have a new ski boat, and my and I go to the

lake twice a week. I put on a life jacket (to keep my

balance) and run in place, light swimming. I can only

do the excersises in the water. None out of water, OH

well... I guess I have to keep going to the lake :-)

Keep up the water exercises they are great.

in Atlanta,GA

--- messerj89 <messerj1@...> wrote:

> Has anyone been to OT for their PA? I was given a

> slip by my rheumy

> for 4 weeks of OT 2-3 times per week. On my first

> visit they said I

> would only need to attend two more times, once per

> week for the next

> two. On my second visit nothing was done, their

> fault, they were not

> prepared at all. After the first visit night splints

> were supposed to

> be ordered. Of course after the second visit someone

> dropped the ball

> and didn't put in the order.

>

> Anyway, has anyone attended therapy and been happy

> with it? My best

> therapy so far has been swimming, on my own, at the

> " Y " .

> Unfortunately it isn't covered by my insurance

> carrier.

>

> Janine,OH

>

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/4/03 1:04:31 PM Pacific Standard Time, GundulaME@...

writes:

>

> Stacey

>

> I am an OT and what you describe is actually the way OTs should be working,

> integrating the therapy goals into games and activities that the children

> enjoy doing, into daily activities, into things the child will repeat by

> himself because he likes to and not because he has to. If an activity is

> only done once a week for at the most an hour it is not going to help much.

> If you tell parents to repeat the exercises umptine times a week, they won't

> because they can't, the days are full anyway. It has to be integrated into

> things that are going to be repeated because they are fun, because the child

> wants to do it. Only then will the activity bring results.

> Gundula

>

>

My daughter had an OT for several years who would split the time between

taking my daughter out to the playground fro gross motor work (which she

loves) and fine motor & handwriting (which she does not love). I had the IEP

written to include " consultation " time so that the OT could meet with the

aide & go over my daughter's work, make suggestions, review positioning, etc.

The new OT likes to come in early before school, during the transition time

between the on-site before school daycare my daughter goes to & the beginning

of school. He has recruited other kids and works with them togehter to play

games (like tossing a ball, learning 4 square, etc) with my daughter. Very

cool.... it also works with another goals of developing social skills and

turn taking.

- Becky

[Guest guest]

Our son worked better with the OT if I wasn't in the room. Don't know

why, but for some reason if I'm present he brings out the opposition.

It's the same on field trips and school parties. Maybe he doesn't want

me to know what he can do independently because he knows I'll expect it

from then on.

Tonya

Occupational therapy

Hi! I'm new to the group and just had a couple of questions. My 4

yo son has just recently started occupational therapy (he had

his 3rd session yesterday). The problem is that he seems very upset

by it. He's been in speech therapy for a few weeks so far and is

making progress. When we're in the room he tries to get into

things, but for the most part simple redirection or distraction

seems to get him back on track without much complaining on his

part. In his last OT appointments he has thrown tantrums that are

unlike any he's had in as long as I can remember. It's the same

situation...he wants something, and when we say no, he collapses and

screams and fights me and nothing can distract him. The only thing

we could do to get him to calm down is blowing bubbles, but

obviously we need to be able to move beyond that at some point.

Have any of you had issues (positive or negative) in occupational

therapy? Any advice that you could offer? We're pretty new to all

of this therapy and I want to let the therapist know that I

understand she has a job to do, but I'd also like to be able to make

suggestions on how to help him enjoy the things she wants him to

do. The funny thing is that she's having him do things that he

enjoys at home. I'm not really sure why he's getting so upset. Any

suggestions?

[Guest guest]

, our grandson is 13 and since he was your sons age he seems to have rules about what he will do and where. He will read at my house but he won't read at school. He will color at my house, but he won't color at home. He will swim in some pools but won't swim in others. etc. Pat K

[Guest guest]

--Hi There!

When my sons (2-PDD) had therapy sessions at that age

and stage (just diagnosed, ages 3/4) so much of their

behavior and cooperation at the sessions depended on

1. the time of the day. Mine had a " peak time " of

cooperation, and concentration. Once we passed those

hours(which for us were mid-morning) It was really

hard for them to focus, although they were curious

all day, they didn't have the self-control to work

with the therapists nor the desire. Throughout their

toddler stages, there are just some things you can't

teach them an hour before bedtime. So I used quiet

play (puzzles, picture books) and tried to avoid

conflicts that I couldn't win, just because it was

asking too much of them at that hour, or whatever,

depending on the days events, (mine never slept from

ages 2 til 10.)

2.Also you could suggest to the therapist to do

activities " together " as opposed to her telling

him what to do, sometimes having a little control

helps the child cooperate. Also rather than just

watching, maybe you can join in. I got down on all

fours plenty of times, and eventually the boys

got up with me....(this validates their feelings

and behavior a little, helps them feel you accept

them as they are, and then together you try to

bring them towards where they should be.)

3. Be patient. Your child's behavior is usually

not premeditated. Autism is this monster inside

him, and he's as confused as you are. Just let

him know how loved he is this way, and try to move

ahead together.

Let us know how it goes..... Good LUck!

- In autism , " chadwerk "

<chadwerk@...> wrote:

>

> Hi! I'm new to the group and just had a couple of questions. My

4

> yo son has just recently started occupational therapy (he had

> his 3rd session yesterday). The problem is that he seems very

upset

> by it. He's been in speech therapy for a few weeks so far and is

> making progress. When we're in the room he tries to get into

> things, but for the most part simple redirection or distraction

> seems to get him back on track without much complaining on his

> part. In his last OT appointments he has thrown tantrums that are

> unlike any he's had in as long as I can remember. It's the same

> situation...he wants something, and when we say no, he collapses

and

> screams and fights me and nothing can distract him. The only

thing

> we could do to get him to calm down is blowing bubbles, but

> obviously we need to be able to move beyond that at some point.

>

> Have any of you had issues (positive or negative) in occupational

> therapy? Any advice that you could offer? We're pretty new to

all

> of this therapy and I want to let the therapist know that I

> understand she has a job to do, but I'd also like to be able to

make

> suggestions on how to help him enjoy the things she wants him to

> do. The funny thing is that she's having him do things that he

> enjoys at home. I'm not really sure why he's getting so upset.

Any

> suggestions?

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Can you access private OT with your insurance? Pam :)The year's hottest artists on the red carpet at the Grammy Awards. AOL Music takes you there.

[Guest guest]

Yes, with a co-pay.

>

> Can you access private OT with your insurance? Pam

>

>

>

> **************The year's hottest artists on the red carpet at the

Grammy

> Awards. Go to AOL Music.

> (http://music.aol.com/grammys?NCID=aolcmp00300000002565)

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 2/13/2008 8:49:10 PM Eastern Standard Time, jennifer_thorson@... writes:

Yes, with a co-pay.

I would definitely pursue private OT. Pam :)The year's hottest artists on the red carpet at the Grammy Awards. AOL Music takes you there.

[Guest guest]

Schools have to see the direct effect on the student's academic functioning. If the need is affecting the student's academics then they should be receiving OT for it (such as handwriting, self regulation, sensory diet, etc). Pam :)The year's hottest artists on the red carpet at the Grammy Awards. AOL Music takes you there.

[Guest guest]

I will if necessary but want services he is entitled to through the

school. Is it common around the US for children to not receive OT if

they have only some delay in motor planning, fine motor, etc? My

husband joked that we should move back to Boston because when our

daughter was 3, the professionals were the ones that encouraged us to

accept the services. I knew nothing about any of this at the time and

she did not even have a diagnosis. She received great services only

under a speech delay. I believe she is doing so well today because she

had early intervention with a special ed class. Today she has no fine

motor delays, no low tone, and is only a little uncoordinated in gross

motor activities. At 3 she took a ballet class that helped a lot with

balance and smoother movement patterns. I have been thinking of

putting him in a tumbling class.

>

>

> In a message dated 2/13/2008 8:49:10 PM Eastern Standard Time,

> jennifer_thorson@... writes:

>

> Yes, with a co-pay.

>

> I would definitely pursue private OT. Pam

>

>

>

> **************The year's hottest artists on the red carpet at the

Grammy

> Awards. Go to AOL Music.

> (http://music.aol.com/grammys?NCID=aolcmp00300000002565)

>

[Guest guest]

It can be hard to get services for some kids. It depends on the school and the attitudes you are dealing with, unfortunately. I remember my oldest ds got OT as soon as I requested in in Elementary school. The OT did an eval and he had serious problems. Reading her report, I felt guilty for not asking for help sooner. But I didn't know at the time. Anyway, 2 years later, same OT, same kid, he was cured completely and did not need any OT. He was moving to middle school where they did not have an OT to work with kids. So suddenly he was all fixed according to their needs and not his. We had an IEE done in high school and he did poorly on his OT eval - still having major problems in a number of areas. But unfortunately, the quality of OT's never improved at the schools. We did have him working with several over the years but it was always very lame. One OT spent the entire quarter filling out one job application with him. Just one. lol. I wanted to flip. lol. Augh!

My other ds got a horrible evaluation done by same OT in elementary school. She concluded that his handwriting problems were due to the fact that he was just lazy. Hard to imagine we did not even argue over the eval (had major other problems to deal with and this was not top of the list) but why argue to get services if the OT was just not that good to begin with? So it was not something we pushed for.

My youngest, who is not autistic (aspie-on-the-edges mostly and dyslexic), got OT in early intervention and I think it was easy to get and helpful. Sometimes I think the services are easier to get when they are younger and as they get older, it is harder to get help and services from people who have good ideas for working with older kids.

RoxannaAutism Happens

Re: ( ) Occupational Therapy

I will if necessary but want services he is entitled to through the school. Is it common around the US for children to not receive OT if they have only some delay in motor planning, fine motor, etc? My husband joked that we should move back to Boston because when our daughter was 3, the professionals were the ones that encouraged us to accept the services. I knew nothing about any of this at the time and she did not even have a diagnosis. She received great services only under a speech delay. I believe she is doing so well today because she had early intervention with a special ed class. Today she has no fine motor delays, no low tone, and is only a little uncoordinated in gross motor activities. At 3 she took a ballet class that helped a lot with balance and smoother movement patterns. I have been thinking of putting him in a tumbling class.>> > In a message dated 2/13/2008 8:49:10 PM Eastern Standard Time, > jennifer_thorson@... writes:> > Yes, with a co-pay. > > I would definitely pursue private OT. Pam > > > > **************The year's hottest artists on the red carpet at the Grammy > Awards. Go to AOL Music. > (http://music.aol.com/grammys?NCID=aolcmp00300000002565)>

[Guest guest]

You can certainly ask for an outside evaluation at school expense and state that you disagree with the evaluation they provided. This is called an "IEE" (Independent educational evaluation). Put your requests in writing. Put all your discussions in writing, write follow up letters to everything. Even little notes, "Thanks for talking me to yesterday. You let me know that....I feel that..."

It's a tough question because you are moving soon. And hopefully, you are moving to a school with a better therapist and better services. So whether you should start this battle here now, I don't know!

How will it affect him to not receive services for the rest of the school year? If you feel this will negatively affect him or cause him regression or cause him to get further behind than he is already, then you should request an IEE and follow through to get the services in place.

However, the school might argue and make you suffer for disagreeing with the therapist/eval and that can cause you a lot of stress. I mean, it really depends on how much energy you have <g> to argue this. In general, I would ask for the IEE and disagree with their eval in writing. I would be afraid that not doing so would make it seem as if I agreed with their conclusions and it might come back to haunt me down the road in getting services. But I am a bit paranoid that way. lol.

Let me know what you decide to do!

Oh yeah. I also wanted to tell you - DO NOT buy into any of these milestone ages that they give you (i.e. "that skill doesn't occur until......" I am not saying the OT is wrong. I don't know if she is or isn't. I do know from experience that they sometimes will say this to make you go away and so they don't have to provide appropriate services. So ALWAYS look it up and research this yourself. I have been in meetings a few times and been told "this isn't age appropriate until" and when I looked into it, they were wrong. So never blindly accept that information especially when it is given as a reason not to provide therapy to your child. Make sure that is accurate and do a little research into that subject because other factors may also contribute to the situation. For instance, it may not be considered an age appropriate skill but if it's combined with other deficits, it may be important to address it sooner because we know already this kid is going to struggle with this kind of activity.

RoxannaAutism Happens

( ) Occupational Therapy

My son had his OT eval yesterday. He has PDD NOS and had OT since 2. The OT wrote some goals upon D/C. The OT yesterday agreed that his tone was low and he fell a lot but said he did not qualify because his fine motor was age appropriate. He copied the cross but holds the pen in a fisted position. My daughter did the same thing when she was 3 except refused to copy the cross. But she could have. He stacked the blocks and laced the string. He is not potty trained, cannot feed himself with a fork/spoon for long, cannot undress completly and cannot dress himself. He gets very distracted during selfcare and needs max verbal cues. He is a sensory seeker and seeks out proprioceptive input to organize his system. She said he trips because he is not paying attention. I pointed out that he cannot track with his eyes only and she said that skill does not occur until 5 or 6. I asked why OT does not address selfcare and she said those are goals of the special ed teacher. I said that I requested him to be in special ed because of his needs but was given a second denial this week. This OT said that she heard that he was doing well with ST. I said he has a large vocabulary but does not communicate with other children. He has been in a group setting for only 3 weeks and there is much progress to be made. I want to appeal these decisions but feel that he is being pushed aside because they do not have services for high functioning kids. We are moving to a better district in July. Should I fight this now or wait til we move and request an evaluation in the new district?

[Guest guest]

My son will be getting OT services through early intervention. The

therapist that he has been assigned to owns a clinic with a great

sensory gym. However, EI has informed me that services must take place

in the child's natural environment -- either at home or daycare. The

service coordinator is trying to see if there is a way for services to

be held at the clinic rather than my small apartment.

Does anyone know if there are any exceptions to the natural environment

rule? I think my son will do much better in the clinic's setting.

Thank you.

[Guest guest]

I'm in the same boat exactly. I just spoke with the OT about it a few

days ago and tried to " convince " her that it would be beneficial for

my little girl to be at their sensory-rich gym. She agreed and we are

meeting about with EI next week.

I told her the OT the sensory diet that she includes swinging,

spinning, and other large movements that my home does not accommodate.

I don't have the proper equipment, cannot buy it, and I emphasized

that my daughter really responds to these types of activities.

Talk to the OT first, then the two of you can try and get the EI folks

on board.

Good luck.

>

> My son will be getting OT services through early intervention. The

> therapist that he has been assigned to owns a clinic with a great

> sensory gym. However, EI has informed me that services must take place

> in the child's natural environment -- either at home or daycare. The

> service coordinator is trying to see if there is a way for services to

> be held at the clinic rather than my small apartment.

>

> Does anyone know if there are any exceptions to the natural environment

> rule? I think my son will do much better in the clinic's setting.

>

> Thank you.

>

[Guest guest]

Gee, shouldn't this depend on what the child needs?  If his condition requires

specialized equipment for best success, what is his natural environment going to

do for him?

It is the intervention technique and its appropriateness for the condition that

matters. This whole natural environment thing works only if what is being

addressed is only slightly off therefore fits in his daily routine and can be

easily incorporated. But when the child has more severe problems to address,

shouldn't the intervention be wherever it is most effective as in a well

equipped OT gym with everything a child needs to work on the weaknesses. After

all if it were that easy to do in the child's natural environment, maybe anyone

could do it.  And this is the problem with early intervention. They are

gradually pushing to get read of the experts SLPs and OTs alike and replace them

with less trained assistants who teach the parent or the teacher what to do.  So

much for the idea of natural environment which I'm sure started out as something

good and is being pushed on kids who need more specialized interventions.  Like

my child's EI SLP who came in

her natural environment but was not trained in apraxia and this natural

environment intervention amounted to 5 words lost in almost a year and only a

few sounds gained---but barely, more like grunts. 

Everything has a place and if they push that natural environment theory on you,

when your child stands to benefit more from more appropriate equipment that will

stimulate different muscles etc. just have the experts and the doctor write you

a note to clearly say so.  You don't have to go by their rules if it is not

appropriate for your child. If only I'd known this then when my daughter was

making " ) " progress in almost a year of this natural environment stuff.  Live

and learn...

Elena--mom to Ziana -age 4, not severely apraxic anymore and still a happy and

healthy child, but now speaking more and more each day and it is all due to

appropriate PROMPT therapy, diet and nutritional supplements.

From: lndching <lindaching@...>

Subject: [ ] Occupational Therapy

Date: Thursday, August 28, 2008, 8:55 PM

My son will be getting OT services through early intervention. The

therapist that he has been assigned to owns a clinic with a great

sensory gym. However, EI has informed me that services must take place

in the child's natural environment -- either at home or daycare. The

service coordinator is trying to see if there is a way for services to

be held at the clinic rather than my small apartment.

Does anyone know if there are any exceptions to the natural environment

rule? I think my son will do much better in the clinic's setting.

Thank you.

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

[Guest guest]

I take our DD to the local MRDD school where they have a classroom

especially for EI. I don't consider it her " natural environment " .

We live in Ohio.

>

> My son will be getting OT services through early intervention.

The

> therapist that he has been assigned to owns a clinic with a great

> sensory gym. However, EI has informed me that services must take

place

> in the child's natural environment -- either at home or daycare.

The

> service coordinator is trying to see if there is a way for

services to

> be held at the clinic rather than my small apartment.

>

> Does anyone know if there are any exceptions to the natural

environment

> rule? I think my son will do much better in the clinic's setting.

>

> Thank you.

>

[Guest guest]

We had the same situation with PT through EI. He needed the swings

and equipment at the clinic but services were supposed to be in the

natural environment. Since the policy didn't make any allowance for

my son's actual needs, the therapist and I just met at the clinic and

called it my house. It worked fine. If your therapist is someone you

are comfortable with you might want to delicately bring up this option.

> >

> > My son will be getting OT services through early intervention. The

> > therapist that he has been assigned to owns a clinic with a great

> > sensory gym. However, EI has informed me that services must take

place

> > in the child's natural environment -- either at home or daycare. The

> > service coordinator is trying to see if there is a way for

services to

> > be held at the clinic rather than my small apartment.

> >

> > Does anyone know if there are any exceptions to the natural

environment

> > rule? I think my son will do much better in the clinic's setting.

> >

> > Thank you.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

-Our first therapists with EI seven years ago always brought their own toys with

them. By the

time she aged out and I had another child in EI for Speech here in NY- EI had

changed their

rules. Therapists were not allowed to bring their own toys for therapy anymore!

They got

worried about passing germs from one house to the next. Some therapists still

keep them in

their car and bring them out as a special treat- but its all about making do

with what is in the

childs environment because thats where they spend all their time. Bringing them

somewhere

for therapy 3-4x a week would put a strain on some people who also may have

other kids to

drag along. EI is family based and they like to keep it in the house.

[Guest guest]

Thanks everyone for your responses -- always helpful of course. I just met with

the OT and we agreed to meet once a week at my house and once a week at my

" other house " .

[ ] Re: Occupational Therapy

> We had the same situation with PT through EI. He needed the swings

> and equipment at the clinic but services were supposed to be in the

> natural environment. Since the policy didn't make any allowance for

> my son's actual needs, the therapist and I just met at the

> clinic and

> called it my house. It worked fine. If your therapist is

> someone you

> are comfortable with you might want to delicately bring up this

> option.

>

>

>

> > >

> > > My son will be getting OT services through early

> intervention. The

> > > therapist that he has been assigned to owns a clinic with a

> great

> > > sensory gym. However, EI has informed me that services must take

> place

> > > in the child's natural environment -- either at home or

> daycare. The

> > > service coordinator is trying to see if there is a way for

> services to

> > > be held at the clinic rather than my small apartment.

> > >

> > > Does anyone know if there are any exceptions to the natural

> environment

> > > rule? I think my son will do much better in the clinic's setting.

> > >

> > > Thank you.

> > >

> >

>

>

>