Brushing question

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-24-2003
Brushing question
2
Mon, 09-26-2005 - 12:04pm

I have an friend who is an OT and has been helping with my daughter until we get further evaluations in October. She has some sensory issues and my friend recommended that we start a brushing program, which we did this weekend. Now we are 3 days into it and I'm wondering if we should continue. I plan to call my friend when she gets off work this afternoon, but I thought I'd ask you guys too.

What I'm concerned about is that in the 3 days of brushing my daughter has increased her extraneous movements (jumping, gyrating, toe walking, spinning, odd tongue movements, ect.) even while trying to talk to DH and I. I'm not sure if this is a coincidence, bad or good, or anything at all. She also seems far more focused on her puzzles (all the time while gyrating oddly). She even pulled out a box of wooden cut out type puzzles that she grew out a while ago to play with before I realized she was awake this morning.

Now, she's also having some sort growth spurt or other biochemical change that is almost certainly unrelated because she's suddenly in need of an increase in dose of a medication she takes for something else. So, her behavior could be related to that.

Well, we're off soon to spend the day at the museum and park, hoping to burn off some excess energy.

Mary

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2003
Mon, 09-26-2005 - 1:06pm

Mary,

Brushing can calm some kids down (the desired effect), or can have no noticible effect at all.

Sometimes, it can can make a kid hyperactive. Make sure you are brushing slowly. Keep to the outside surfaces of limbs -make sure you miss the tender portions, and apply good solid pressure all the way through each stroke.

Do ask your OT friend for input.

HTH

-Paula

-Paula

visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-11-2003
Mon, 09-26-2005 - 1:20pm

Mary,

Make sure the brushing is followed by joint compressions and heavy work too.

Samantha

Samantha