OT

We had to hire a private OT for Liam recently. He gets OT through our early intervention services already. But, after the evaluation at Chapel Hill with an OT who said Liam needed two hours a week just on his feedings, I knew we needed to get some one else on board to help him. Our original OT just doesn't have the time to do it. And she is all for making sure Liam gets what he needs. I really have awesome therapists who are very humble and although they take pride in what they do they are always willing and open to learn new things or bring in new people.

We had our first appointment with our new OT this past week. Of course, since it was the first appointment it was long, but I learned more things about Liam, was given new things for him to work on, and was told that he did some great things. It's always nice to hear that he's doing "great things".
1)She did a full oral stimulation with out him gagging.
2)He lateralized his tongue (moved it to the left and right from center)
3)He took food off the spoon instead of me putting it in his mouth for him.

She has changed how I feed him with the spoon. It's difficult because it is taking longer and I like the old way in order to get done quicker. But, it won't help Liam in the long run so I am having to retrain myself as well. And it stinks. I don't like having to feed him this way. I don't think he's really fond of it either. He seems to do a lot more gagging. He hasn't thrown up at feedings in a while and since I started this new way he's thrown up 3 times. I just don't have it down right yet and can't do it as well as the therapist! And the spoon is 3 times as big as the old ones!



I know he will get it. It's just one more thing to add to my list of things I need to be patient on.