The schedule is really difficult. Monday 10-12 and Tuesday through Friday 11-12. Add travel time 45 min each way. Add Friday appointment with nutrition and gastrointestinal doctor. Now if you are really crazy keep working 20 hrs a week (usual is 30 hrs). Hubby has taken one day a week which really helps me mentally.
The first week was really getting to know David. He has an occupational therapist and a speech/feeding therapist. They needed to see his reaction to foods, approach, touch, people, praise, etc. He is already use to seeing 5 therapists a week and numerous teachers at daycare so he is very receptive to new people, therapy, and following directions.
The therapists observed what we have always known ....he won't swallow. So they are really working on the mechanics of moving food to the back of the throat and making the swallow happen. We focus in Beckman Oral Motor Skills, a series of stretches to the face, lips, and mouth. We work on cues for lip closure, moving tongue to the roof of the mouth, tongue movement in general, and biting/chewing.
We are making tiny improvements which are only apparent to us. From the outside looking in he still can't eat. But from our side he is learning new skills and the mouth is moving differently. An added bonus just might be some better articulation.
Looking forward to the next few weeks for more tiny steps or should I say bites.
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I love these pics! I love that he is happy, that he's not feeling picked on (at least based on these pics). So exciting that you are seeing improvement!!
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