Therapy Dictionary
The Big Three: OT, ST, PT
Tristen
Occupational Therapy: An
Occupational Therapist (OT) aids in childhood development with exercises
primarily aimed at improving fine motor skills, self help skills and the sensory
system. During the first
year an OT may work on feeing skills, reaching, grasping, positioning, posture
etc. During the toddler years an OT may play games to help a child learn self
help skills such as moving on to spoon/fork feeding and learning to dress and
undress themselves.
*Sensory Integration: The sensory system is responsible for taking in and processing all of the information coming to us from our environment. Please read Kari's (mom to Abby) article for a wonderful introduction to what is involved in the sensory system and 'sensory integration dysfunction' (SID). Check out www.SIfocus.com for a new magazine filled with issues and ideas surrounding SID.
*
*Habermann Feeder: This unique bottle may aid in early feeding difficulties by allowing the parent to squeeze the special nipple to express breast milk or formula to a baby whose suck is weak. It can be viewed at www.medela.com under ‘specialty feeding products’.
Speech Therapy: A Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) works on both receptive (understanding of what is being said) and expressive (spoken) speech skills. In the early years there may be some overlap between a SLP and an OT when it comes to oral motor exercises, however, there are also *pre-speech skills* that a SLP can focus on before a child is ready to produce actual words. If problems with apraxia or articulation exist, they can be noted and worked with early when a SLP is involved. If baby sign or a picture communication system (PECS) are recommended, a SLP can help implement these programs.
*Apraxia (verbal dyspraxia) www.apraxia-kids.org
*Baby Sign: A modified sign language program with child friendly signs aimed at providing a method of communication before and during expressive language emergence.
*PECS: 'Picture Exchange Communication System' www.pecs.com Children use a series of picture cards to communicate their wants and needs.
Physical Therapy: The gross motor development of a child is overseen by a Pediatric PT. Proper positioning, rolling, crawling and walking can all be aided by PT exercises and games. Swings, ball pits and gymnastic equipment are often available in a PT clinic. In your home, a PT may use cushions for obstacle courses, blankets for swings and many of the toys you already have for reaching, squatting and jumping games.
*Ball Therapy: A physical therapist may use various exercises on an inflated exercise ball to aid neck strengthening, balance reactions, stomach muscles, etc.
*Warm Water Therapy: A physical therapist may use a warm water pool as a treatment area. The water provides great stimulation, resistance and fun.
*Therapeutic
Riding / Hippo therapy: Riding a horse can be a wonderful tool for developing
balance, strength, the sensory system and confidence. Therapeutic Riding centers
licensed by NARHA provide sessions with
trainers who use any number of physical positions and games on the horse to aid
in physical development. When a licensed PT is conducting a horse session it is
referred to as Hippo therapy.
Additional Therapies
Brain Gym: Based
on research by Paul Dennison, Ph.D that cross lateral movements can
encourage whole brain learning, this program (offered through books or Brain Gym
certified instructors) outlines a series of exercises aimed at using physical
movements to enhance learning. More information, books and location of
instructors available at www.braingym.org
Carla Hannaford's book (see 'Book Nook') compliments the
Brain Gym series of movements by offering a neurobiologists view of how movement
affects the brain.
CoQ10: Coming
Soon!
Cranial-Sacral Therapy:
Using light touch, a D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) or a certified
Cranial-Sacral Therapist (CST) release blockages in the cerebrospinal fluids
leading to better Central Nervous System functioning. Parents have reported
increased success in feeding, speech and/or motor skills directly following a
session. While still considered an alternative therapy, increasing numbers of
OT's have been receiving CST training in recent years. Further information can
be found at www.upledger.com/home.htm
Essential Fatty Acids: Often referred to as 'EFA's', these fats are essential for brain development. From birth, breast milk and DHA fortified formulas provide these to our babies' developing brain and body. Later, EFA's can be obtained through food sources such as fish, avocadoes and nut butters. EFA supplementation oils and capsules are also available. For an in depth look at EFA's, please read Yael's (mom to Naomi Sarah) article.
Ghrelin: An exciting recent discovery, ghrelin is a hormone produced in the stomach that helps regulate feelings of hunger and fullness (satiety). An initial study showed ghrelin to be significantly higher in individuals with PWS vs. the general population. Interestingly, whether a person with PWS was obese or thin, their ghrelin levels were significantly elevated. More ghrelin means increased hunger so the possibility of a ghrelin blocker is very exciting for our children. Current research is underway to develop a ghrelin blocker called Octreotide. Please read Lisa's (mom to Cameron) article for more information
Growth Hormone: Now
FDA approved in America for use in children with PWS, Growth Hormone is changing
the course of this syndrome. Abnormal functioning of the hypothalamus can
lead to insufficient release of GH in our children. By supplementing GH with
daily subcutaneous injections, positive results have been seen in linear growth,
decreased amount of body fat and increased amounts of lean body tissue. An
endocrinologist typically prescribes and follows a child on GH injections.
Appointments with the 'endo' every 3 months will help to stay current on dose
amounts, scoliosis monitoring and thyroid function levels. PWS
is a qualifying diagnosis for GH treatment, meaning that no stim test is
required prior to obtaining GH. Contact Pfizer
Bridge Program at 1 800 645 1280 for more information regarding "Genotropin"
growth hormone. They can be a wonderful advocate for insurance approval and have
financial help programs available.
Massage Therapy: Benefits
of massage include increased circulation, stimulation of muscles, joint input,
and good bonding opportunities. Many books are available on baby massage and a
range of scented or unscented products are available for varied sensory input.
Organic oils from avocado or almonds have very little scent. Burt's Bees makes a
baby apricot oil that is mildly scented. Lotions and creams provide different
scents and textures. As Nicholas grew and could handle firmer pressure, a lotion
'bar' (looks much like a deodorant bar but is made out of lotion) offered
another option for varied input. For some children massage is very stimulating
because it 'wakes up' their joints and muscles. If this is the case for your
child, brief massage can be a wonderful tool before therapy or active play time.
Consider using a peppermint scented oil or lotion for 'wake up massages', a
eucalyptus scent during illness/congestion and a lavender scent during quiet
bedtime massages.
Music Therapy/Auditory
Training: There are many programs available that fall under this
category. A music therapy session uses songs and instruments to encourage fine
and gross motor movements as well as speech. This provides a fun, engaging and
motivating backdrop for the practice of skills. A good starting place for
information is www.musictherapy.org
Auditory Training programs focus more on the listening of certain types of music
to positively effect brain processes. There are many listening programs out
there...these are just a few and some are only available for implementation
through a trained OT or SLP.
*Therapeutic Listening - Sheila Frick's 'Vital Sounds' program www.vitalsounds.com
*Tomatis Method www.tomatis-group.com
*Samonas: www.samonas.com
*Hemisync: www.discoverytoolsandworkshops.com/research/05/
*Interactive Metronome: uses the rhythm of
a metronome to improve timing in the mind. May improve motor planning,
sequencing and timing.
*Melodic Intonation Therapy: Sometimes used in children with apraxia/dyspraxia
of speech, the singing techniques of MIT may help increase expressive language.
Yoga: We used Yoga for the special child by Sonia Sumar. For the youngest baby, this program begins as a series of stretches that grow in number as the baby grows. With developmental progression comes more recognizable yoga poses. We had fun using this program for increased circulation, exercise and playtime. Once Nick was a toddler and enjoyed the animal positions in yoga, the book A Yoga Parade of Animals by Pauline Mainland became a favorite due to it's bright illustrations, simple instructions and photos of children demonstrating each pose.