Summy is soarin!

Summy has been working with his OT this summer in the sensory gym on recreating the ride soarin form Epcot. It came time to ride and he tried to make a million excuses...but Jack was by his side. Jack held his hand, talked him through it, and even suggested he sit between us!

When it came time to sit Summy had an anxiety attack but an awesome cast member came over and pumped him u. He ended up riding and I actually cried through the whole thing I was so happy and proud of him!

For every setback, there are days like this to remember and treasure.

Therapy.

I know many of you who read my blog have kids with SPD, so I thought I'd tell you what their current therapies look like, and things we are working on with specific focus for each kid:

Sumner
typical OT at special needs preschool,
some sensory OT outside school (on hold for neurofeedback)
neurofeedback (or as Summy calls it, "brain music.")
PT in the form of gymnastics. This is pretty sensory for Summy too because it pushes him way out of his comfort zone
therapeutic horseback riding
therapy with a LISW (usually 2-3x a month)
special needs preschool during the school year, 4 days a week in the morning

Jack
typical OT at special needs preschool,
sensory OT outside school (full time all summer)
-we've been using kinesio tape to help with his postural issues
PT in the form of gymnastics.
therapeutic horseback riding
special needs preschool during the school year, 4 days a week in the morning

We have a sensory gym in our house that both boys use daily. We also pushed both of them this year by enrolling them in swimming lessons. For Summy it was and continues to be pretty overwhelming, but he really enjoyed it. Jack was like a fish in the water, and it really helped calm and organize him.

Therapies keep us busy, but have made a drastic change in the boys' life. We're lucky to have an amazing team of people that work with them. We've added cutting-edge treatments like Summy's neurofeedback and Jack's kinesio tape, and have had great results!

brain music

We've started something new with Sumner: neurofeedback. Electrodes are hooked up to his head and his brain is rewarded with music when they show the correct patterns of brainwaves. He calls it his "head music" or "brain music." We've seen some results already and are very hopeful for even more!

Sorry I have been such a bum with posting pictures, I promise to try and do better!

Emotionally worn out

I cried at therapy yesterday. There, I said it. I am emotionally drained by all the things my boys are doing. The therapy is so wonderful, but it makes me really really tired. (Them too.) I am so nervous about what will happen next. Will we do more? Will they qualify for continuing services with the sd? We had an OK session Wed and an awesome one Thurs. I am overwhelmed though. Brushing, trips back and forth, trying to do all these things at home to incorporate what they're doing there...

I am tired.

I am thankful every day that my kids got the chance to do what they are doing. To be able to try the service model Dr. Lucy Jane Miller has pioneered. To have found a place where the therapy is cutting edge and is making my kids brains' grow and stretch. When we talked yesterday, our OT said the boys have made greater strides in these 4 weeks than many kids they see make in a year.

So what's next? We're waiting on someone to pick up our call for a PT consult/eval. The boys will probably get some shoe inserts/orthodic type things. We'll see if Jack will need additional PT for building core strength, and to continue working on his postural issues.