intensive therapy - more wheel spinning?

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-30-2005
intensive therapy - more wheel spinning?
2
Sun, 09-18-2005 - 11:38am

Hello all -- Well, Calvin's "intensive" therapy has begun -- 5 hours of speech (up from 2), 5 hours of special ed and three hours of OT (up from 2). I like all the therapists and think they each will contribute to his development. And he seems to be learning, too. In just two weeks he's added two new words, now stacks blocks to make towers (he went from zero to six in a week) and is pointing at everything AND even looking to us to make sure we are seeing what he's pointing to. But it's not all pretty, either. For example, he threw up on his OT when he was playing with play-doh! And he wanted to keep playing with it -- what a little weirdo, huh?
But here's my question. He had been a lot better about the wheel spinning and watching thing for a while, but now seems to be going back to it more again. Could this be a reaction to the increase in therapy? Does he need to feel "safe?" And I'm not sure what I should do. Let him? Let him, but limit it? He doesn't tantrum when I take the wheels away, but I can tell he's sad.
Also, we've been on the GFCF diet for a month and a half now. I'm not noticing any huge improvements that I would attribute to the diet, but it might be too early to tell. For those of you who tried it or are on it, how long until you noticed a difference or decided it wasn't for you?

Thanks again for your help!

Kellie

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2003
Sun, 09-18-2005 - 12:36pm

Kellie,

That's awesome that you got such a great program in place for him, and that he seems to be learning a lot. I'm not surprised he is stimming more. When Peter was little, I was often reminded of the law of physics which stated every action must have an equal and opposite reaction. I often noticed that if Peter progressed in one area (usually speech), he regressed in another (usually behaviour) for a little while, then things would even out again until the next progression.

Also, right now, there is a going on to stress Calvin: new program= new routine. He is being challenged a LOT more, and is obviously learning, but that does add stress (it's not necessarily *bad* stress , but it is stress) and is probably more tired than he normally would be with all those new neurons firing, so maybe try to get him to bed a little earlier, and see if that helps.

I woudl give it some more time, and see how he does. The playdoh thing could have been overstimulation. Talk to the OT about appropriate calming techiques.

Good luck and keep us in the loop regarding his progress.

-Paula

-Paula

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sun, 09-18-2005 - 1:34pm

I agree with Paula, it is likely the stress but in this case it is not a bad thing.

Autistics use stimming often to organize themselves and to relax. With the extra work he also likely needs the extra relaxation. For instance, what do you do to relax during extra stressful times or times when you are being challenged. How many of us in college gained a bit of weight cause we HAD to snack when studying, lol. At the end of a really rough day I love to have one glass of wine while I cook dinner. Anyone besides me bite thier nails (shhh, I am trying to stop and usually good unless I am REALLY stressed). It is the same kind of thing.

I would only worry if he regresses significantly in behavior or many areas. Also if he isn't making progress. If this goes on for a while then the program may not be right, BUT he is making great progress and otherwise doing well so it sounds great.

Renee

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