Monday, August 25, 2008

WC and Therapeutic Listening

WC started her Therapeutic Listening last Thursday using her super-fancy (and very expensive) headphones. She listens to special electronically altered CDs that vary in musical style, filtering, and level of complexity. We do this twice a day for 30 minutes.

It seems very new-agey to me, but our OT is just brilliant and is confident that this program will help WC learn to regulate her sensory processing.

The OT warned us that we might see some "odd" behavior on day 4 or 5. She said we may see some old behaviors (biting, hitting, etc) come back out as she adapts to the CDs.

So I'm glad I was a little prepared for what happened at 1:30 am last night. She woke up grunting, moaning, and crying, and when I went in her room she said "Get away from me!". (That'll break a mother's heart.)

For about an hour and half we watched as she wallered around on the floor, alternated between being upset and being quiet, and spent some time hiding under the clothes in our closet. She didn't want to be held or touched during this time period. Finally about 3 she calmed down enough to lay in our bed and we were able to get her back to sleep in her own bed about 3:30.

I am tuckered out today.

And it was strange. I've never seen her act like this. But I think it's a good sign, and it means the CDs are starting to work- to have some effect on her. The OT gave me a log sheet to write down behaviors that we notice, so of course this will be going on there.

Wonder what will happen tonight....

7 comments:

MDO said...

I'm so sorry Sasha! That had to have been heart-breaking and horrible for you & Mr. Sasha! Hopefully WC's therapist will continue to make progress and view this incident as progress! Hang in there!

Anonymous said...

You may want to consider that your daughter's responses are indicating she is being over stimulated. Too many OT's using this program do not understand what they are doing. The Listening Program is far more gentle and something you may want to look at if you still want to pursue listening as an intervention for your daughter. The website is www.thelisteningprogram.com.

From a concerned therapist.

Yellow Beads said...

What an interesting concept! I know it has to be hard for you...and I hope it all works out!

Anonymous said...

That just doesn't sound right to me, but I'm not an expert by any means. Follow your mommy instinct here.

Multislacking Mama said...

Oh Mercy! That sounds tiresome. I hope it is going well for the WC. Bless it.

Holly

MDO said...

How did last night go? Any better?

Kate said...

Wow and Wow! I hope things are getting better!! whatever happened with her H surgery?