Looking for DIfferent PT ideas & goals

[ALLISA]

Hey all,

My Erin is 5 years old and gets PT through school. She currently gets 90 minutes a week....3 half hour visists.

My feeling is that it is not being used to its potential.....she is VERY STRONG and physically very able. Her PT always jokes that Erin is his easiest student because she can "already do it all". So what the heck is she doing when she's with him ?

So my question is....how to challenge her ? She can jump, kick, catch, climb like a monkey !! All the stuff they "work on". What is the next step ? Would it be appropriate to ask her PT to help Erin learn to ride a bike ?

I have a friend with a 4 th grader who has DS and she asked to STOP PT because she felt her daughter was fine without it and would reather she spend the time on academics. Then I have other friends who feel very strongly that PT should be a MUST all the times right through high school.

Second question.....my friends who feel PT is MUST all the time use thier childs "gait" as an example of WHY they need PT. Anyone with an older child......will that gait EVER GO AWAY ? Is it a matter of PT.....or is it just there and we can't change it ?

Any suggestions on maximizing PT would be appreciated

Allisa

[justinsmom]

Allisa, first off sounds like Erin is doing GREAT!!!!! ;D Justin's PT does work with him riding a bike and also since he isn't potty trained and they think some of the problem is that he just doesn't feel the sensation to go until he feels the wettness in his diaper, he does know to go to the bathroom, takes his pants off and such but it's usually too late, so she works with him doing exercises to strengthen his abodominal muscles and we have been doing them here at home. She is also working with him on his drop feet, he slams his feet down when he walks and now has orthotics.

[momofrussell]

Hey Allisa, I know Russell is 7 but more delayed then others so let me check our current IEP just to see what the written goals are for Russell. He still gets PT... some kids don't, like you mentioned. But because of his delays he gets it, not just for his gait.

Also, is Erin in EC or Kindy now? Does she get PE or APE at all? IF she is in EC and will be going onto Kindy in the Fall, having APE is a very nice complement to the PT and that could help out alot! Russell qualified and gets both APE with the PE teacher AND PT with the PT. AND, if she is already in Kindy... and doesn't get APE... it might be something to look into... just a thought.

And to be perfectly honest, I have a bad memory and need to check his IEP to see what his PT goals are. LOL. I DO know I really love APE and felt that was just as important or more-so for Russell... but that is my two cents. I also noticed now that we have done a couple state-to-state moves and lots of schools, SOME PT's don't work on riding bikes, ect.. and some do. Some districts feel that those tasks are not school related (since they don't ride a bike at school) so they work on safety issues, stairs, balance/coordination, gait... ect. THIS I find to be annoying a bit. Because at one school, they worked on Russell riding a tricyle.. and now, a couple of the other schools have not. I have no probs working on it at home exclusively, but man, I got a little spoiled knowing someone was working on those tasks with him AT school.

Lemme check our IEP and see what it says...I'll be back. You did bring up a good question and point about what IS next or if adjusting her times/curriculum might be better....

A.

[steffipoo]

Hi Olivia only had pt from 5 months of age till she was 2. BUT I would get a ds related book dealing with pt and check what they have for ideas. Our OT does the bike riding, fine motor and gross motor. Olivia also gets APE at school 30 minutes a week. so not sure. I miss you girl. Are you just completely busy??? I was sooo HAPY to see you posting lately...(((HUGS)))) Steff

[Emilysmom]

Allisa~
Sounds like Erin is doing GREAT!! For Emily, some of the things she has worked on in PT over the years have been things that have been designed to increase her activity level..........she continues to ride a stationary bike and has increased the time and speed over the years, she jumps on a mini trampoline (to get her heart rate up, and improve her endurance), she has done the aquatic program for years through PT and continues to improve with her ability/strokes/and endurance. Jumping rope is another example...and she still has a hard time with this!! Since some kids with Ds do tend to struggle a bit with weight issues, it has been important to me to keep her active and PT has been a great way to do this. (Emily's mom has SO much trouble with weight issues and I never want her to have to go through it!! MUCH of my problem is due to inactivity).

I went to a Ds conference several years ago and a parent said that at her daughter's school, they didn't discontinue PT but instead provided her daughter with MORE physical education types of activities......same stuff the other kids did in PE, but more often. Great exercise!!

Susan#nosmileys

[christie]

Christopher is 12 and they now only give him P/T once a week for 30 min. plus he gets gym once a week. He use to get P/T twice a week, 30 min. each, private P/T and gym. Actually gross motor is where the boy shines ;D

ABSOLUTLY ask the P/T to work on bike riding. I would have that put in the IEP as a goal

For me I have found that the amount of PT won't make things happen any faster, just makes their endurance and the quality lots BETTER

K, we just had our IEP and for the life of me don't remember much bout P/T as this area is not a real problem for us.

Here is some from my notes of what he can do, but will have to look when I get the IEP what they now are working on.

Christopher will jump side to side over a line 5 times with feet together and without touching line or pausing between jumps.

He will braid walk 20 feet sideways on a line

He will walk sideways while braiding with his gfoot movng in back of the other foot for 10 feet or so on a line

He will run backwards with coordinated movements 20 feet.

He wil skip 8 steps maintaining balance, using opposing arm and leg movements and using althernating feet.

He will indepenently jump rope thee times consecutively

He will complete 5 jumping jacks while maintaining speed and rhythm

He will dribble a soccer ball with his feet 20 feet

He will catch a tennis ball thrown away from midline from 10 feet away 8 of 10 times

He will throw/catch a tennis ball off the wall with two hands 8 of 10 times.

K, not sure this is of any help but this was what they worked on last year in P/T and he now has new goals BUT as I said I have to look when I get the IEP to see what they are.

The one thing his P/T did say, I remember was his P/T program will again focus on enhancing age=appropriate goss motor skills requiring rhythm, speed and corrdiantion of mulitplae movements.

Hope this helped some girl.

CC

[momofrussell]

Well LOLOL... I looked at Russell's current IEP and lets just say.. when I said he was delayed... I meant it LOL! He obviously is NOT where Erin is yet, so his goals wouldn't help you at all.... heehee....

We are still working on stairs and balance beams and using outdoor equipment appropriately So... we have a ways to go!

A.

[SuziF]

Allisa,
Does your district have a youth soccer program ? I'm thinking of putting Merideth in the U6 instructional program in the fall. they practice 2x a week for an hour then play a 40 min "game" on Sat's. They don't keep score or have goalies, just teaching basic skills.

Suzi

[ALLISA]

Hey all, thanks so much for all the advice....."filed" away for further thinking......

Suzi, to answer your question....I was thinkinkg of putting her in the soccer program. At this level & age I think she could do okay there. The issue is she doesn't really follow directions.,....so I'd probably need to be ever present & that is difficult as a single mom & 2 other active children.....so I'm not sure yet how I'm going to work that.

I was going to sign her up for Challenger baseball,,,,,,but here the ages range from 5 to 21......all playing together......Erin is the size of a 2 year old !!! Not sure it's a great mix !!

Thanks Christie for your full list. I defintiely saw some that would be great for Erin.

Like I said, she doesn't follow directions well,,,,,but since she is SO PHYSICAL I feel that is a way to MAKE & INSPIRE her to follow.....get her to listen & do something she likes !

I have to run.....I hear Erin causing chaos !

[SuziF]

Allisa~
In our district the parents of all the kids are required to be present for practices & games for the lower grades of all sports. It's part of the insurance regs for the teams now.
(I've juggled it thru all 4 of my kids)Too many parents were using it as babysitting service.