The OT just left and we now have a new plan. The plan is to brush him when ever I can get him to. If he is distracted by the tv then try to get him on my lap to brush him. We need to do that as many times a day as we can. Usually the plan is every 2 hours but that isn't going to work. I hope this new plan works. We will see. She just brushed him so I will try to turn on Barney to distract him in a little while and I will see what happens.

I hope this works better for him..and you:smt036 ...what is it that he is getting out of the brushing therapy?

That might work for you. I know that we were told to try to give Iain pressure therapy for his face whenever the opportunity presented itself. Some days I am not able to do it at all, other days it seems like I do it 100 times, especially when he is seeking it for himself and pulling my hand and fingers into his facial muscles. I know that working on a set time schedule would not likely work for Mr. Iain.

Was he tolerant of her doing it today? Or did he have to be distracted? Did she offer any reason why the change in him with this therapy? Why he would not tolerate it suddenly?

I can see you needing a toolbelt-type thing to carry around your brush and keep it handy at all times. lol I walked around with a Chewy Tube and other chewing devices in my pocket forever it seems.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Leigh she isn't sure why he wouldn't tolerate it. We had cartoons on so he was distracted for the 2 minutes it takes to do the brushing. So we are hoping this will work for him.

Leigh she isn't sure why he wouldn't tolerate it. We had cartoons on so he was distracted for the 2 minutes it takes to do the brushing. So we are hoping this will work for him.

I hope so, too.

Did he improve once you started the brushing? When he began to resist, is that when you began to slide backwards again? Distraction does seem to be the name of the game for some kids where therapy is involved.

Has it been working for you today at all?

It worked for about three weeks but that's about it then he started to slide backwards.Today he he only wanted to do it once and that was when his OT did it and that was it. I got as far as his right arm and that was it. I am going to give it another try in a little while and see how he does. He is so very crabby and I can't do anything b/c he wants me to hold him all day:hairpull: . I was barely able to make dinner this evening he did nothing but cry and want to be held:hairpull:

*Runs off to look for McCall's toolbelt pattern to make brush-holding belt for Lauren*

I've never had to do this kind of thing with B, but I can say that when we started feeding therapy (spoon-feeding), distraction was the best way to get her to take the spoon. If Barney (or whatever it is he wants to watch) works, I say go for it.

Also, how complicated is a brushing therapy session? I mean, is this something you could also teach one of your older kids or your dh to do with him (so that KC will have a bit of variety--you won't always be the "bad guy" doing it--and so that you can get some relief when you need to get other stuff done?)

:hug: to you, Lauren. I know this can't be easy.

Mary brushing therapy takes a whole of 5 minutes to do. KC willonly allow me and the OT to brush him. It actually isn't to hard you just take the brush(which doesn't hurt) and start at the arms move to the back and hands then legs and feet. It actually tickles his feet.Barney is the movie of choice around here with him (he is addicted). I was just able to brush him and do a full session(first time today). On somedays O feel like pulling out my hair on other just a good stiff drink will do. I feel really bad b/c I know he isn't getting the full benifit of the brushing. So we wil see in the next few weeks what happens.

Completely understand where you are coming from. Iain will only allow me to do the pressure therapy on his face. He sometimes "asks" them to do it at daycare by pulling their hands to his face, but it is not the same. He always comes to ME for massage and comfort and prefers to use Bill to bash into and for roughhousing, tickle fights. He has a definate idea as to what role we play for him, so I can see where KC might have the same ideas about you.

I wonder why he would suddenly not tolerate it. Did she say this is common? I will have to ask our OT when we see her on Thursday. I do not think she will be showing us the method then as it is a big services meeting for Iain with his SLP and services worker-type-person.

Did you actually see a big difference in his personality and other things when he was tolerating the brushing? I am very interested in this as our OT is gung ho about it.

What about making the brush itself a bit more interesting? Can you paint it? Give him a favourite toy to hold only when he is being brushed? I am totally clueless yet as I have not done it, but am just trying to think of things for you. I am sure you have done everything. :hug: At least you got ONE more session in. That is a start. :smt041 May tomorrow be a better day for brushing.


**looks at Mary sewing her shirt to the curtains while making Lauren a brush toolbelt...**

Leigh the OT told me that some kids take to it really well at first then all of a sudden can do a complete 360 and hate it. She says this does happen sometimes. As far as holding something it will be more of a hinderance b/c we need to do his arms and hands so it has to be a distraction by tv or other means.

The difference when he was being brushed regularly to now is like night and day. KC was more happy and loved to take baths but now he won't even get near the tub before he starts screaming. So if I can get one more in tonight then I will be very happy.