What would you do if you found out you were given a treatment protocol to do with your young child at home without knowing that there were specific instructions that you needed to take? And that the precautions were not addressed with you before, during or after you began treatment? In fact, you didn’t know that there were any warnings associated with a seemingly safe procedure until almost a year later!
Remember the old speech and occupational therapist that I fired… their lack of professionalism continues to haunt me. Yes, I know you thought I laid this to rest; honestly so did I… but here we go again! Only this time I am asking the question, “What do I do with this information?”
Recently, we ventured to Nationwide Children’s hospital to obtain a formal occupational therapy evaluation. During the interview I was asked about previous OT exposure. I refrained from saying what was really on my mind. Instead, I let her know that there were unprofessional circumstances that prompted her dismissal.
Somewhere during this evaluation the evaluator asked about a sensory diet.
“A Sensory What?!?!”
I responded, “The former OT never mentioned a sensory diet to me before… she mostly gave Sahara dittos and puzzles to complete coupled with jumping on a rebounder and balancing on a balance beam. In fact, when I told her I read somewhere that my OT should be able to help us with eating issues she just looked at me like a deer in head lights… that is when I started to question their ability to effectively treat Sahara. “
The evaluator said that she had seen other children with similar sensory issues as Sahara and that she thought she would highly benefit from this sensory diet. She said that we should start by teaching us how to do brushing. I responded, “Oh, well, the old OT did do that much. She gave me a little white surgical brush to use on Sahara when she felt agitated… I was instructed to stroke it on her at my own discretion and to try it on myself because it felt good.”
I didn’t understand the expression on the evaluator’s face; but it was clear something in my statement rubbed her wrong.
She continued to explain that ‘brushing’ was formally known as Deep Pressure/Porprioceptive Method Protocol for Sensory Defensiveness. I was then given a handout explaining this protocol and the instructions on how to do this which included the statement, “Only complete if you have been instructed by a trained therapist!”. It also included specific areas of the body not to use the brush on; “NEVER brush the face, chest, or stomach.”
Why was I never told this last fall when given the brush to use at home by the old OT?
As we discussed this further, I was informed that after carefully stimulating the specific deep pressure receptors of the skin you are suppose to do joint compressions (both in a set sequence) on the child to reset the nervous system. You end the session with heavy body work like carrying a backpack, sitting on a therapy ball, being hugged or anything else that stimulates the child proprioceptively and by stimulating the child orally like eating crunchy food, humming, or using a whistle. Each of these steps has a science behind it and it critical to the entire process.
“IF you rub the brush on the face, head or neck you could stimulate a seizure.”
WHAT!?!?!
Yep, and being that Sahara’s ECG showed epileptic frequencies, this was apparently a very dangerous thing to do without specific instruction. Oh, and by the way, I was informed that if you brush over the chest you could trigger heart problems and over the stomach could stimulate internal organ distress.
I was appalled that none of this was explained to me by the former OT. My only conclusion is that she does not qualify as the “instructed by a trained therapist.” Frankly, I wanted to march down there and rip her a new one, but the rational part of my essence stopped me. But, I am left with this innate pull to do something.
What do you think?
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