OT and Sensory Integration Therapy -advice

[sueeltringham]

We've finally (after 18 months) got my son assessed by an OT. We knew he had loads of sensory issues, but now we've got it in writing to prove it! Now we've got a choice -do we wait for NHS to take action on the recommendations of the assessment, or do we go private and get him sensory integration therapy?

 

The report also recommended weighted blankets/jackets, a vibrating seat pad, various programmes to improve motor skills, school visits, handwriting programme. I'm trying to be realistic, but I don't think we'll get much of this on the NHS will we?

 

 

I would really welcome everybodies experiences so I can plan a way forward, and hopefully try and find some way of funding all this!!

 

Sue

[KateBall]

We too have recently had an Ot assessment which was really useful in the sense of recommending strategies for sensory and dyspraxic issues. Liaise with the school and the ed psych to see what might be available in the school setting. There should be funds available to provide the resources your child needs - surely?

[Ian Jordan]

Make sure that you look at optic ataxia and magnocellular / parvocellular processing deficits - they are often causative and would not be addressed in an OTs assessment

[lynne]

Hi Sue,

 

I recently met with some OTs and apparently if you get your consultant who diagnosed you child with ASD to refer to the CAMHs OTs than you are more likely to get an OT who understands sensory problems.

 

Plus if you see one of these or go to a private one than they will loan you a weighted blanket to see if it works.

 

I know a very good private sensory OT who works in Wolverhampton. My son use to have weekly sessions with her and it was one of the few things we did that benefited him.

 

We use to use a weight lap blanket for approximatley 6 months than my child went off it. But now 4 years later he would not be able to sleep without his weighted blanket.

 

But the OT will have lots of things to try with your child, than if they work you can go and buy them.

Edited October 10, 2008 by lynne

[sueeltringham]

Thanks for the replies. We were referred to the OT by the diagnosing paed and she was a specialist sensory OT, so I feel confident that we've had a thorough and relevant assessment. The OT was actually from a private company whose services were bought by our local NHS to reduce the atrocious waiting lists we have here.

 

I've spoken to our Head teacher today who thought that some of the recommendations were very OTT! I'm not really sure why she should object so strongly to the recommendations???? I totally disagreed with her as we have found some of the strategies to work -particularly the deep pressure/massage so I could see a weighted blanket working well.

 

I guess we need to find out how much we can get by borrowing/lending or other sources, but I have a feeling we'll have to fund the integration therapy seperately.

 

Ian Jordan -can you explain more about the optic ataxia and magnocellular / parvocellular processing deficits -who would look at these?

 

Thanks once again!

 

Sue

[Suze]

Hi sue, my boy had S.I.T., theoderescu writing prog, and various other stuff when he was first dx, since then though things have changed in our borough and you can no longer access these services for ASD kids , lack of funding and because some kids don,t respond well they are using the money on kids whose conditions respond better.So I,d grab what you can and what your offered.My boy had lots of stuff, wobble boards, sand trays, duvets etc, but I must say we saw no remarkable change in him.The writing course was a waste of time .Time has been the best treatment and over the years gently he has become dsensitised to alot of stuff.He still gets bothered by food and smells but the reaction isn,t as bad.For instance when younger he would vomit quite badly at a smell, now he just heaves a little .........sorry sounds horrid does,t it ,

.......anyways grab what you can, have an open mind to it being effective , and things can get better .........after a time , best wishes suzex

[lynne]

Hi Sue,

 

I would contact the head of OT services and say following this assessment the recommendations were.......

 

Ask are they prepare to fund this private OT for so many session or do they have an employed NHS OT who can provide the same service.

 

We had specialist sensory OT sessions 6 years ago which we had to fund privately. At that time there was nothing available provided by the local NHS trust and there were only a few private people who were fully trained.

 

But it did help.

 

So get anything you can.