Taite's OT appointment and updated Ortho Appt (long sorry)

[Blue]

We had our first visit with the occupational therapist for Taite to have her assessed due to her hip dysplasia and her head preference (only turning to the one side). During the assessment the OT did some Myofascial release/osteopathy and definitely felt tension and unevenness in her neck, shoulders, hips and pelvis. After a short session Taite became overwhelmed and couldn't handle a longer session so it was kept short and sweet today. However the OT will continue to follow her and move her towards more intensive and thorough sessions of therapy.

During the visit it was also noted that Our sweet Taiter has very disorganized senses, which means she is easily overwhelmed because she cannot regulate or process efficiently. Therefore she goes from 0-60 within seconds and takes significant time to calm or soothe. When she does finally come back down, she does not go into a deep sleep, but rather often pops an eye open to check things out, moves her limbs constantly etc. When a baby gets overwhelmed they usually collapse with exhaustion, but she can't because she is unable to process the info taken in from her senses therefore the energy they create stays built up in her system making it even easier to over-whelm her again and again!

So where does this bring us? The sensory issue is very treatable and the OT has recommended because we have benefits to get into someone private on top of what she can offer asap. She also provided us with some exercises to do and techniques to work on in between sessions. She explained that a lot of the techniques they use to treat sensory issues like this are similar to those taught in Yoga or Pilate's. Teaching where the core of the body is, relaxation, firm and consistent touch, being in tune with oneself and surroundings etc. Basically strengthening her sense of self. So we have to teach Taite to meditate ... ha ha ha Well we have to help her get in that "zone" which will hopefully teach us to stay in that zone with her so we aren't contributing to her issues.

ORTHO UPDATE

Taite had a follow-up appt with the ortho on Friday ...

Taite is an over-achiever when it comes to healing her own body and is 7 weeks ahead of schedule with her hip growth/improvement. Which means that we can start to count down the weeks until the harness comes off. YIPEE! The specialist said that she wants to see her again in 3 weeks and if she keeps improving at the rate she is, we will be out of the harness during the day and only at night time!! She explained that Taite had a more severe form of the dysplasia and in both hips which only occurs in 25% of the cases so she thought we would be in the harness for at least 6 months before moving to only night time wearing. She was shocked and in fact called the radiologist to re-read the report to make sure it was accurate!!

I also spoke to her about the sensory issues which may be associated with the harness. She explained that it does happen in about 25% of the cases where the infants just cannot handle the constant physical restraints of the harness. She also explained that when the body is still busy growing bones and connecting nerve endings etc it can physically over-stimulate them. She told me that if Taite's body has been doing such hard work to get the results that we have so far that it is no wonder she is on sensory over-load. So this only reassures us that when the harness comes off we will likely have only a very little bit of adjusting/therapy to get her physical stimulation to calm down. Although just because she is on sensory over-load it isn't a reason to discontinue the use of harness because we need the hips to fully be corrected so she can walk and run properly.

So although it is hard not to get excited about her possibly only being in the harness for another 3 weeks for 24 hours a day ... I am also trying to be realistic and be ok with the fact that her healing may slow down some and we may have to wear it longer. Either way, she is doing an amazing job at not resisting her body in correcting itself!!

Finally some great news!!!!

[cr24]

That is an awesome update! Heck I would be a basketcase too in a full hraness like her!! Poor baby if she could only understand it was for a good reason! Hopefully soon it will be a distant memory!! So glad she is healing quicker than expected! Keep us posted on her! hugs
Court

[JAG&JIV]

Glad to hear she is moving in the right direction! Sounds like there is a lot going on. How is mommy handling things? Keep us updated!

[MelanieS]

So glad that you got some good news. That is excellent!!!

[SC-Sherb]

Glad to hear that Taite is doing so well and that she is ahead of schedule with regards to the harness coming off sooner.

I hope you don't mind me asking but how did they diagnose the disorganized senses? I only ask because my little guy seems to get very distraught easily as you say Taite does and it takes everything that we can to get him calmed down. He also doesn't sleep that great and constantly opens his eyes to look around or his arms are flailing. He just seems very restless when he's sleeping.

[Blue]

Sherb... because of how she responds to things. I.E. Her hands are constantly moving open and closed, fidgety, never falls into a deep sleep during the day and takes about 45 min to fall asleep at night time, hates to be rubbed at all, change in temps send her into crying fits, etc.

I have included some of the techniques that the OT has shared with us and although she is taking longer to settle from her crying, she is settling longer so we are seeing a difference.

Suggestions that the OT gave us today to help her ... when she is crying place YOUR hand flat and firm on her chest, so she learns that is where comfort is, within her self through you. Stop doing any kind of bouncing, some small gentle ones are ok but usually when kids cry harder the harder we bounce. Skin to skin contact, so cheek to cheek, hand to cheek, holding her hands etc will also help to ground her. By not meeting her at her high speeds of overwhelming thoughts, you are not encouraging her to continue to do it. By not bouncing or patting obsessively, you are teaching her to slow down. If you pat our OT said slow and firm like one pat every 2 seconds instead of 3 in one second. When rubbing your child ie. back rubs etc go from top to bottom not in circles as it sends the energy looping around rather then down and out. No light tickling rubs like a lot of parents do because it over stimulates the senses and makes them more hyper vigilant.

Also to desensitize we are to rub her limbs and head with firm strokes that when you watch the skin should move the skin but not leave red marks. Always moving in a downward motion. Keep count of your strokes to see when she becomes uncomfortable with it and then stop. The next time you try to do it again, add one or two more strokes or as long as you think they can tolerate it. Never push them beyond their comfort for more then one or two strokes because you will send them spinning again.

Some of these seemed weird when we were doing it however they are starting to make sense. She didn't like our new techniques and did not calm as quickly but she did eventually calm so she just needs to get used to things and is settling longer.

Eye contact is a huge one ... when soothing them get your face close enough for eye contact, talking calmly, whispery, and keeping a face that is neutral. Helping them focus where the "healthy balance" is will help them tne into their healthy balance.

take these or leave these ... just wanted to offer what was told to us.

I found this site and it had some good info in it as well. Although Taite hasn't been dx with this particular one it is simliar. http://www.pdd.org/docs/cent/Sensory...ysfunction.pdf

Most children with sensory issues are later dx with ADHD or hyperactivity but are truly not ... they are overwhelmed with their environment and cannot expell the pent up energy they carry!

[rlmcgovern]

Glad you are getting good news about the hips. I am no dr. but we used a cranial sacral therapist for both my DD and Jaxon to get things in there little bodies back in place or back in rhythm. I wonder if they could also help with the disorganized senses. I know they have been successful in helping with ADHD which is different but so it might be worth a call.

[Blue]

Glad you are getting good news about the hips. I am no dr. but we used a cranial sacral therapist for both my DD and Jaxon to get things in there little bodies back in place or back in rhythm. I wonder if they could also help with the disorganized senses. I know they have been successful in helping with ADHD which is different but so it might be worth a call.

Myofascial release and ostheopathy have cranial savral therapy incorporated in them ... so she is getting all of it She LOVES the therapy when it is being done but is sooo fussy for at least 24-36 hours afterwards as her body detoxifies and readjusts!

[SC-Sherb]

Thanks Blue. I am definitely going to try some of those. Unfortunately, the link doesn't work for me.

I do know that the cheek to cheek thing works because when he's upset, I will hold him close, put my cheek to his and hum softly or just talk to him and he pretty much quiets down almost instantly. He also loves his legs rubbed.

Thanks for the advice!!!

[rlmcgovern]

oh good! I bet you will see major improvement after 6 visits. I swear it looks like they are just touching them, not sure how it works but it does. Cranial kept my dd from having to get tubes so since then I tell anyone with any issue to try it. it amazing.