Help me figure this out...(long)

Rachel Sonnier

DS started OT this winter for SPD and some motor skills issues. It has been going well, and we are waiting to get the evaluation report on the second opinion.

DS really likes his new OT. He had therapy yesterday and while I was waiting for him to come out of his session a little boy came out with his therapist. His mom was not back yet, but his therapist mentioned something to another therapist about him not feeling well. The mom returned and they talked about his session, and his illness. His mom said he just had a cold or something, and it was nothing. Then they went on to discuss his crying, starting to become verbal, understanding what was going on around him, etc. The boy had been given a sucker and wandered over to the door. 

Then DS came out with his therapist and was also given a sucker. The OT brought him to sit next to me and began explaining that they were able to finish up some fine motor exercises in the room with the tables, but when they went into the gym he ignored her when she asked him to get out of the ball pit (which he has been itching to get into) and that when she took his arm to lead him out, he threw a ball at her. She started to say that she didn't think he meant it to be aggressive, but that he was frustrated at being made to leave, and I was trying to understand what she meant and what she was getting at...

...When DS wandered over to the door as well. I looked over and said "DS come back and sit," not wanting him to try to open the door. The OT was still trying to explain, and I realized that DS was just trying to talk to the other little boy, not leave, so I tuned back in to her. When I looked over again, the other little boy was grabbing DS's sucker out of his hand. Thinking about the convo I had overheard about him being sick, I stood up and said "No, DS," not wanting him to put it back into his mouth.

Before I could get out of the chair the OT and the little boy's mom were flying past me and grabbing the boys. The mom was holding her son and the OT let my son put the sucker back into his mouth and ushered him into the waiting area. We threw away the original suckers (not that it would help, since he had already licked it again) and started over. The OT insisted on letting the little boy who took DS's sucker choose first, and took the bucket away from DS when he tried to pick. DS seemed unaffected and continued to be friendly with everyone and was proud that this time he picked the same color sucker "as his new friend." But the OT and the mom were obviously flustered, and I was at a loss to understand why. Then the OT says "ok you can check out and we will see you on Thursday!" without finishing explaining to me about the session.

Maybe its just because I am new to all of this and do not understand the dynamics, but what on earth was going on there, and how do I ask the OT about it on Thursday? My only thoughts were that either it was (A) a health issue, (B) the kids are not supposed to socialize, or (C) that something happened in the session that made the OT think DS was being aggressive with the other boy. I was at a loss, because DS was not signaling any aggression, or distress, besides struggling with one hand to pull his sucker out of the other boys hands. The other boy did not seem to be terribly upset either. DS was still happy and friendly afterward, whereas if he had been frustrated and acting out aggressively he tends to stay upset for a few minutes after, and makes a very particular face. This was not the case, and I thought DS actually handled having his candy taken pretty well for him. 

Any thoughts? Is there something I am missing here, because we are new to this? What should I say on Thursday to find out what the issue was, and what I should do in the future? 

 

pastalady

That was long lol! I would just ask on Thursday. Explain what you saw and ask why the OT responded in that way.

mommytoconnor

This is a little odd, I would speak to them on Thursday.  My OT has me in the room with them during the entire appt, because she feels it is important in me seeing what he is doing and so I can also continue things in the home.  I just sit quitely in the room as to not disturb but just watch.  Would your OT let this happen? I also feel it is super important for parents to be as well educated and involved in their kids treatment and this way she wouldn't have to have a discussion after the session. Just a suggestion.

Rachel Sonnier

Thanks! I will ask on Thursday. It just seemed so odd to me.
And I have heard other moms say that their OTs encourage them to sit in on therapy sessions, so I will ask about that as well. I want to be as informed and able to help him as possible... and right now I feel like I don't even understand what goes on in the lobby! Lol