Sensory Intergration Therapy

Wes has started Sensory Intergration Therapy at a clinic here. The clinic was started by his OT who works with him now through Early Intervention. There is only one local clinic here at Easter Seals and the wait list is more then a mile long. She decided to open her own due to the amount of children needing this therapy. Wes is one of them.

Her clinic is really nice. She has multiple rooms set up. Some small rooms to work on small motor items and two large rooms to work on large motor items. One of the rooms has connectors for board swings, playing with large balls etc. The other large room has a ball pit (Wes' favorite), a zip line, a little place to go and hide if need be with some bean bag chairs and also a rock climbing wall.

Jodi (his OT) was able to get him on the board swings which amazed me. Wes loved the swings last year, but lost some of his body awareness over the winter months and became afraid of the swings. We've been trying all year to get him on them but he refused. The slide was now his object of choice. Jodi went on the large board swing with him to get him comfortable. A short time later, he was on the smaller board swing alone, with a toy to sort of distract him. He stayed on it for nearly 10 minutes. Once losing his balance, he remained steadfast and didn't quit. I was so proud of him. Yesterday, during a trip to the playground, there is a handicap swing. It's a large bucket swing with grips to swing back and forth for those who can't use their legs. Wes climbed on it and asked me to push him. He stayed on that swing for 10 minutes, flapping and laughing away! I hope he doesn't lose it again over the winter. I'm hoping that he can keep it up with Sensory therapy.

He will be going once a week on top of all his other therapies. To him, it's a big indoor playground and not so much therapy. Jodi works really well with him and he adores her. She knows just how to push him and when to back off. I see he appreciates that with her. I'm glad that he can remain connected with her long after he graduates Early Intervention.