We atarted the brushing about three weeks ago and now KC fights and screams when I go to brush him. I talked to the OT and she said to stop brushing him and we will give it a try again on monday. Already I can see a huge difference in his behaviour from the time we started til now. He screams while he eats again and I can get him to take very little food. Has anyone tried the brushing only to have it fail? You all are among the only people I am willing to talk to about this b/c I know you all won't think I am more crazy then usual. I ask him if I can brush him and he will come over to me but as soon as I start that's when all h*** breaks loose. I just need to know that I am not the only one who has had problems with the brushing.Please tell me I am not crazy and this can happen depending onthe child.

You are not crazy and this can happen depending on the child. I am not an OT but I work very closely with them and have carried out the Wilbarger program with the direction of an OT. I have seen many chidlren who do not respond to the Wilbarger program. It does not work for all children and sometimes only parts of the program work for the child (there is a joint compression program that goes along with the brushing) You might want to check with your OT next time you see her to make sure you are brushing correctly b/c sometimes the brushing can be uncomfortable to a child if it done with the wrong amount of pressure (it should be firm as too tighly can be irritating but not too rough).

Believe me Lauren, no one thinks you are crazy. :hug: I have no advice to offer regarding the program as we are about to start it with Iain, likely in the next week or so. Not entirely sure.

What I do know is that as Pam said therapy does not necessarily work for everyone. Several times over the years we have had to adjust or modify what we were instructed in order to make things work for Iain. It could be KC needs some adjustments, too and then it will work for hiim. I hope so. :hug: Let us know how it goes on Monday.

We did brushing with Titus for a little while, along with the compression therapy. Now please understand that his case was very mild in terms of his sensory issues in his limbs, but the PT told us to never brush him if he doesn't like it. Only do it if he seems to like it. I can't remember why. shoot. I'm sorry. There is a certain direction you have to do it, so you might check that. hmmmmm.....

The direction of the brushing is horizontal. If you do vertical it is very rough. The reaon we were told to stop b/c the OT didn't want the experience to become uncomfortable. I have already seen a huge difference. He is very crabby won't let me give him a bath and will only eat fruit. Before he would take baths(while we were brushin) we were getting him to eat alot of differetn textures of food and he was drinking juice. Well that has all stopped and all he does is cry and slam his head up against anything he can. We see his OT tomorrow and I hope we can figure out something to help him.

I hope you get something sorted out soon Lauren, we have never used brushing therapy, and I can tell you you are not crazy :hug:

And I have to tell you that pic is just gorgeous, I haven't seen a new pic in ages, I don't think, he has grown so much!