Physical/occupational/Speech therapy activities for a toddler?
I’ve been to therapy with my 2 year old and I was wondering if anyone has any good activities or ideas that may help him. He has some muscle atrophy in his left side of his body due to hemipeligic convulsions a year ago. He was diagnosed with a rare form of mitochondrial disease, but luckily its not that severe. His cousin has this disease very severely and has a good chance she will not live to see her 16th birthday.He has some slight brain damage, but doctors say he should be able to rewire it almost perfectly as this happened when he was only one. I would like to be as useful as I can and try to help him gain tone, his sense of equilibrium, and be able to speak more than a few words. If anyone has any ideas or sites that would be very appreciated!
Hi.
My son has left hemiplegia CP, due to a grade IV Intraventricular Hemmorhage on his brain at birth.
His struggle is with increased tone in his left arm and leg, and he has decreased tone in his trunk. He was diagnosed also with apraxia and dysarthria (his speech).
The mention of Early Intervention is valid, but you are absolutely right to want to do home programming. Basically, keep in mind that you ARE your son’s BEST therapist. Your son SHOULD go to therapy (we go to therapy every week, 2x’s a week), but it is what you re-affirm for him at home that will do him the most amount of good.
When my son was born, he was put in EI at the age of 8 weeks. I would BEG for them to see him every day, but it took me a while to understand that they were right when they’d insist that it was really up to what I did with him that would ensure the best success.
Ok-as for activities…..
What you want is for him to gain muscle strength (vs. tone, which can almost be an enemy at times). If you get increased tone, it likes to work against your child, as he often times can not control it.
For gross motor, have him do a lot of weight bearing exercises on the affected side. We’ll assume your child is affected on the left side (for the sake of examples). Have him lean on his left hand while he is sitting up and play with a toy while he is reaching across his body with his right hand. Popping bubbles is a good one here, too. This strengthens his affected arm and hand.
Another good one for arm and hand is having him on his hands and knees, and pretending to dust, or playing with a toy with his rightie, while lefty holds him up.
When he gets stronger, do a wheelbarrow game (he holds himself up while you hold his feet).
Climbing outside is always good for hands and feet.
If you have wood floors (or tile), have him sit on a towel. Give him a towel to hold onto with lefty while you pull him around for a ride. Make sure righty has a toy to hold so he doesn’t want to cheat!
Fine motor-have him pick up little toys and drop them into a small container/bucket of some sort. This is good for voluntary release.
When he gets really good, be sure he starts to use his “pretty pinchers” for the pincer grasp (thumb and forefinger).
Always remind him of having “big, open fingers” if he fists.
Lacing beads are a good fine motor.
Actually, most toys at this age can somehow be used as a fine motor activity. You may be bored to tears, but remember, it is for your little one!
Other things-look into something called Constraint Induced Movement Therapy. This is where you cast the unaffected side so the affected side has no choice but to do stuff. This is a FANTASTIC therapy tool. As a parent, this will break your heart the first few times your child cries with frustration, but after a few days, you will see results. Once the time is up (usually a few weeks, but all therapists do it different), you will see AMAZING results.
Equilibrium-while your child is standing, be sure he is weight-bearing on the affected side. Kids who are hemi’s tend to put all their weight on the un-affected side. Therefore, the other leg is not nearly as strong.
Also, you know that toy that looks like a half-ball, with a flat surface on the other side? Having your child balance on that is a great one for balance. Also, using an exercise ball, have your child sit on it. Hold them at the waist/hips. Bounce them up and down (some kids like, others hate-usually no in-between), sway them around while they are on the ball. This is excellent for trunk strength.
As for speech. My son said 3 words until he was almost 3 years old. He then began to speak in sentences. The best thing we can do here (other than speech therapy) is to model, model, model. Once your child begins to speak more, there are good activities your therapist can offer.
Check out
www.chasa.org (children’s stroke and hemiplegia association)
www.hemikids.com
Great support networks!
Good luck.
Equilibrium Stamford, a world of Holistic and Beauty Therapy in the heart of Stamford
|
|
Equilibrium Magnet Therapy Magnetic Stable Chaps, Back Pad & Quarter Pad – S,M,L $190.11 |
|
|
Equilibrium Magnet Therapy Magnetic Stable Chaps, Back Pad & Quarter Pad – S,M,L $190.11 |
|
|
Equilibrium Magnet Therapy Magnetic Stable Chaps, Back Pad & Quarter Pad – S,M,L $190.11 |
|
|
Equilibrium Magnet Therapy Magnetic Stable Chaps, Back Pad & Quarter Pad – S,M,L $190.11 |
|
|
Equilibrium Magnet Therapy Magnetic Stable Chaps, Back Pad & Quarter Pad – S,M,L $144.90 |
|
|
Equilibrium Magnet Therapy Magnetic Stable Chaps, Back Pad & Quarter Pad – S,M,L $93.68 |
|
|
Equilibrium Massage Therapy Grooming Mitt – Improve Flexibility & Relaxation $139.05 |
|
|
EQUILIBRIUM Equine Therapy Massage Pad – THERAPEUTIC – One Size $449.00 |
|
|
Equilibrium=Horse=Pony=Therapy=Massage Mitt=Replacement Battery $47.86 |
|
|
Equilibrium=Horse=Pony=Therapy=Massage Mitt=Replacement Charger $21.08 |
|
|
Equilibrium=Horse=Pony=Therapy=Massage Pad Spare Battery= $47.86 |
|
|
The Show So Gay $15.00 The Show So Gay is a feature production that deals with two gay roommates who do everything from cruising for sex to therapy sessions together. Along the way they deal with Body Issues, Self Acceptance and Homophobia.This product is manufactured on demand using DVD-R recordable media. Amazon.com’s standard return policy will apply…. |
|
|
Aromatherapy Associates Miniature Bath Oil Collection-4 Pieces $47.00 The Ultimate Bath Oil Collection For Ultimate Moments This complete set includes the full range of natural bath oils from exotic to deeply comforting. Especially Suited For: All skin types. Essential Elements: Set includes nine 3ml bottles of the following nourishing oils: Deep Relax, Light Relax, De-Stress Mind, De-stress Muscle, Revive Morning, Revive Evening, Support Equilibrium, S… |
|
|
Alter Ego Nequal Intensive Energizing Lotion Female 12*10ml $33.03 Intensive Regenerating Lotion specific for delicate and sensitive scalps.The Synergic action of the Seaweed(Corallina Officialis),Nertles and Rosemary help restore equilibrium and purify the scalp.Its specific low-alcohol formula does not alter the physiological condition of sensitive scalps.Intensive treatment ideal for weak and fine hair.USE:after cleansing with Shampoo Active Therapy,apply to s… |
|
|
Elemental Herbology Wind & Cold Therapy – Reparative Formula for Hands, Cuticles & Lips $38.00 This potent cocktail of botanicals helps soothe and repair dry and inflamed skin. Rich in the ‘tree-of-life’ oil, renowned for its high levels of essential fatty acids, it works to naturally restore equilibrium and promote optimum hydration and repair…. |