Occupational Therapy

An Occupational Therapist (OT) "incorporates meaningful and purposeful occupation to enable people with limitations or impairments to participate in everyday life." Translated, they help learn, or re-learn your job when there's been an injury or something. For kids, thier job is to play. When the sensory feedback interferes, be it too much, not enough, or of the wrong sort, then they need help overcoming that so they can do thier job-PLAY!
Our first visit with Ms. Celeste was technically an "evaluation" but they spent the entire time playing! She started with the most dificult area- Shane's mouth- by blowing bubbles. Starting with a wand and advancing from there. Shane and I both learned that to override unpleasant experiences in or round his mouth, he needs an immediate stronger sensation that he associates positively- like a raspberry! Shane loves the idea!
Next was the rice bin. At first, Shane wouldn't even touch it. Butwith lots of encouragement, he got to gingerly playing in the rice with his hands. Ms. Celeste would actually press his handful into his palm to give him the strong sensation he could understand. It didn't take long for him to be okay with the softer sensations the rice had to offer too.
But the big fun started when they got to the tunnel. There was noone to get in his personal space, so Shane was VERY excited to explore. That was matched with the excersize ball (Shane's core balance was excellent!) Shane got to be Superman! And finally, the scooterboard!
After all that, Shane was tuckered out (he'd already done a full "day" at school) but he was able and willing to put his own shoes on for once. It's a step in the right direction.
Ms. Celeste was very enthusiastic and optimistic that with a little fun/work, Shane will be able to become far more comfortable in the world around him, and a bit more self-sufficient.
We are very excited to see what comes next. It will take a bit of juggling to keep from tireing Shane out what with school 4 days a week, speech classes 2 days a week (when the education plan goes through the insurance company), and then OT however often that is needed.