EI question

MrsT0514

I apologize of this seems redundant, but this has been weighing on my mind for a few weeks now.

DS gets weekly PT for balance/coordination issues through EI. He also gets 2x/month family training and counseling. We are working on getting an OT eval to rule out sensory differences suspected by our PT. thus far, our PT has been focusing sessions mainly on sensory stuff (deep pressure techniques), since she thinks DS exhibits some sensory seeking (but he is only like that at home).

I cant quite put my finger on it, but I dont think I'm in agreement with our PT's approach. Also, I may be acting overly sensitive about this, but it breaks my heart that my son just cries through most of his sessions with her (hes never done that with anyone else, although the only other person he gets therapy with is our service coordinator, who he adores, for the family training/counseling). When I brought up the issue of the PT focusing on mainly OT related stuff (without is even having had an OT eval done) the response from her (and our service coordinator) was that the therapists all work as a team and they are transdiscplinary.

Idk. I guess I just feel like his therapy sessions with her aren't benefiting him to the fullest. We have an appt for him to be evaluated by a private PT that we have history with (and I highly trust) next week, but besides that, I guess I'm just confused as to what to do next. We are still actively ruling things out on the medical side of this with our medical team (pedi, ENT, neuro). But what should I do with EI in the meantime? I guess our 2nd PT eval will let me know if we're heading in the right direction or not. Id hate to decline services if he needs them, but like I said...something about this PT's approach doesnt quite sit right with me. Anyone dealt with this type of situation before?

kcisthebombdotcom

Sometimes a therapist and child just don't mix. I'd speak to my service coordinator about it.

MrsT0514

kcisthebombdotcom said:

Sometimes a therapist and child just don't mix. I'd speak to my service coordinator about it.

Well, the frustrating part is that when I brought up my concerns to the service coordinator last week, her reply was "well I think you should talk to her directly and see if you can come to a resolution. Or maybe you can only have her come 2x a month instead of weekly".

I feel like she's missing the point. She didnt even suggest having another therapist come in (and I know there is more than 1 PT in the group).

bumpuser511563

I would speak to the EI director about the issue and request some other PT.

It sounds like the service coordinator dismissed your concerns.

MrsT0514

Sailor Saturn said:

I would speak to the EI director about the issue and request some other PT.

yeah, I guess i could do that. I'll probably hold off until next week after our 2nd opinion with private PT, so I can gauge whether or not I'm totally off base here. i guess Id just hate to come off as "that PITA mom". Kwim?

MrsT0514

ClaryPax said:

My thought it to get the second eval and then follow your mommy instinct.  GL

@ClaryPax‌ yeah, I'm really learning to hone in on my mom gut and listen to it nowadays.

Although, I always try to think of things from both sides, and I also tell myself that I'm not the one with clinical training when it comes to this, so I dont want to be quick to dismiss anyones professional opinion either. Its tough for me bc I really dont know what a typical PT session "should look like" per se when working on balance/coordination with a 20 month old vs. an older child or adult that is able to comprehend and follow directions.

Either way, I'm sure there are exercises she can work with him on, instead of solely focusing on sensory and claiming its bc his age limits the mode of therapy, am I right? But when I tried to ask her about this, she seems to digress and explain how sensory and PT are intertwined and whatnot...which in theory I understand, but something still doesnt feel quite right to me.

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ToastieSimons

My son has been in EI since birth, both of the basically. PT for us in the beginning was lots of stretching and lots of sensory stuff, but at about a year old it was trunk control, etc. PT for my kids is lots of standing, balancing, working on righting reactions while sitting on an exercise ball, climbing steps, wheelbarrow walking, etc. they have sensory issues and are globally delayed. There is a way to give sensory input while working on balance and coordination. This is what our typical PT sessions look like. Have you asked the PT what she is looking for from your son before she wants to start working on physical skills? My kids are 2 and 4 but developmentally about 9 and 12 months. So they don't follow directions. Etc. Sorry for the formatting, I'm on an ipad

MrsT0514

@ToastieSimons‌ thabks for the Insight...good to know. Although I understand pt is not a cookie cutter type of thing, our sessions thus far have only consisted of deep pressure, some wheel barrow type holds (stationary only) and thats about it. It surprising to me that she doesnt touch on any standing/walking work.