My two year old DD is in OT (7 weeks so far, 2 hrs of OT and 1hr of Floortime weekly). It is really helping, but she still has a ways to go. I'm wondering how long of a haul I'm in for with OT. We are driving 2hrs away to get to the OT twice a week. Worth it, but grueling. Meanwhile, I've been reading post who have been doing OT for kiddos for 4 plus years. So I'm wondering what to expect and hoping that the early identification and intensive treatment may do the trick. Any thoughts and experiences to share?
Thanks!
Well, my son is 8 and he isn't in OT now, started at 1 1/2 yr. old, but if I could afford it I would. He was in until he was ..... first grade, had a little at school , they won't give it to him at school they say his issues do not interfere with his educational needs. He is highly intelligent so he is not failing. The Spec. ed dept sucks at my school, but the principal and asst. principal are awesome and help him out so much!!!!. I do what I can at home, keep consistant etc. I think it depends on the child. There are always going to be sensory interruptions, growth spurts, big changes in life, starting a new school year, etc. Took my son this school year three months to get used to 3rd grade, it was awful, right now he is doing awesome ( knock on wood) but I also have things in place for him at school as well to help him be successful. Two hours is a long drive, ugh, but those are the things we have to do. Hard question to answer, I think it just depends on the situation.
I view it as a long-term treatment. Our insurance only approves 8 to 12 weeks at a time, then the OT re-evaluates and re-submits to insurance for more. After the first eval, they approved 12 weeks. The second, 8 weeks. Then the third eval, they approved 36 visits, but only gave 6 weeks to complete the 36 visits--a fluke. Every eval shows a little improvement here and there. I anticipate (though I have no foundation for this) that she will probably go to OT for two years. I like OT and believe it helps, but I would really rather get her signed up for gymnastics or ti kwan do as I think she would get a similar benefit. I'm just riding out the OT until the insurance says no more, but I only have to drive 45 minutes. Two hours is tough. If you can be really disciplined about home exercises, maybe you could have the therapist prescribe home therapy every other week and only drive every two weeks.
I had my son in gymnastics, he was extremely impatient, the acoustics in the gym made him crazy. I had to get him a private teacher and go there when he was the only one in the gym He actually was very good! I tried Muay Thai with him ( because I was teaching it at the time) again he loved the hitting and kicking but when it came for having a partner, forget it! I think I might put him back in gymnastics, but I can't afford private anymore so I think he should be able to tolerate a smaller class like at our park dist. The other place was at a very large gym with several classes going on. That or swimming. It is just so cold out right now! ugh!
I agree about the home exercises. If she will let you, go in and watch some of the things she does. You can work at home, I have had to because ins. wouldn't pay anymore because he reached "their goals'. And... I have an IEP today! yippeeeeee speaking of goals! This should be a nightmare!
Update--we are now at 1 year and 4 months of OT for our DD-now age 3. She has made great progress, and while we are not "done," everyone is astounded by her progress-family, friends, pediatrician, neurologist...We went 2x week for OT (1hr) and also did Floortime one hr weekly for 9 months and then moved to one hr of OT and 1 hr of Floortime weekly. We work with her at home too and have a play room outfitted as a therapy room with gymnastics flooring, crash pads, swings, etc. She needs it daily. We made great progress on screaming and meltdowns when we identified that she still had a Moro reflex and did therapy specifically for that. We still have many challenges, but now I can't remember her last ear piercing scream and they were happening ALL the time and even damaged one of my ears. So, for anyone new and despairing, take heart. Get to an OT that REALLY knows SPD even if it means a drive or move. Get the equipment at home to do therapy and do it (w OT guidance).