So Simple

We started weekly OT sessions. The sessions consisted of a series of exercises on trampolines, fitness balls and swings. The sensory gym is just like an indoor play ground. The therapist took Spud through a sequence of exercises to strengthen his core and crossing his midline. 

OT is more than just a 1 hour session a week that gets the body aligned. Every day you have to incorporate activities into your child's life to assist them in managing sensations. This is called a sensory diet. In the mornings Spud does a sequence of coordination moves to balance his left and right side and core strengthening exercise. I make a smoothy for breakfast and get him to drink it through a swirly straw. When packing his lunch I make sure that he has food that will exercise his jaw and get him chewing. Did you know that core strength starts in the jaw? His teacher has a list of exercises and activities that he can do in the classroom if he starts to wander off or get fidgety.

I have also needed to change some of my parenting techniques. When children jump on their bed, climb up on the bunk beds or hide under a table/bed, they are seeking something that their body needs. I have loosened my house rules to incorporate some jumping on beds, jumping off beds into bean bags and messy play. More than the daily exercises this has been the toughest change to make. I have had to become an observer and mediator instead of a rule setting kill joy.

Along this journey I have started taking a lot of deep breaths and letting things ride. If I react to every little thing Spud does that is not 'normal' he would end up not liking me at all. So what if he skips through the shopping centre, yells when he talks to me, overfills his mouth and wants hugs all the time. He is my gorgeous son and we will learn techniques together for his to fulfill his destiny!