We had our last (by our choice) OT session before moving today. I brought in a sippy and some food for help with feeding. He can be really condescending if you don't want to do things his way. He wants us to force DS to eat and chew by shoving the food in his mouth and holding it there. I was fine with this to an extent but DS was tired today and crabby. I gave in though and let the OT give it a try.
He got BEHIND DS and wrapped his hand around his head and tried to shove food in his mouth. DS freaked out and threw himself backwards SLAMMING his head into a wooden block. He then started crying so hard and the OT then shoves the food in DS's mouth causing him to gag and almost vomit.
DS is generally cooperative and lets me feed him. This is what the OT made us do when DS was like 7 months old and wasn't eating purees. He REFUSED to be spoonfed for about 6 months after that. Even though I relayed this message he said "well he's stubborn you need to do this everyday"
Am I the only one who thinks this was excessive? I ended that part of the session immediately and just snuggled him till he calm down.
He hit his head so hard he has a nice goose egg. This wasn't a little bump. I understand working through tantrums but it seems like DS really did hurt his head and the session should have paused until he calmed down.
Re: I'm glad to be leaving our OT.
Oh poor little guy!
Since you will not have to deal with them again, I would write a letter to EI or the company that provides the services. It sounds like this OT may need to do a bit more training. He will just continue with his wacked methods unless someone says something.
Hope your little guy is better now.
I agree with this.
I am still new to all of this, but shoving food in his mouth seems like the least helpful way to help a child get over their feed aversions. Ditto AR on writing a letter. This guy is in the wrong field.
This. I hope what the OT did doesn't give you guys a step backward in regards to eating. I am not ok with someone shoving food into my son's mouth and holding it there - especially if he is crying as that makes it a bit more unsafe IMO.