Today we went to the clinic and Gracie played with the occupational therapist, Trisch. A little basic information about OT:
A child with delayed development may not show behaviors and abilities that are typical of the child’s age. A child may have difficulty swallowing, sucking, and chewing; developing coordinated tongue movements for speech; achieving independence in feeding, dressing, and using the bathroom; understanding relationships between people, objects, time, and space; and developing problem-solving and coping strategies.
Occupational therapists who work with children are knowledgeable about stages of development and the appropriate milestones in a child's physical, mental, and behavioral development.
Trisch played with Gracie for an hour. She watched how Gracie played with toys and with her. She introduced a big tub of raw pasta noodles and toys and I was curious to see how Gracie would deal with that. Gracie wouldn't touch it, even with one of her favorite toys in it. Trisch told me that sensory development (touch) is also linked to the mouth. When one doesn't fully develope, it affects the other senses.
Trisch said to introduce massage to her to help with getting her to let us touch and hug her. Also we are going to use some sign language to facilitate speech. I should have learned sign language a long time ago.
As I watch each of these ladies working with Gracie, I am fascinated. I am seeing what I should have studied in college when I had the opportunity. It would have been nice to have had SOME guidance at that time. But I guess I didn't think I had the ability or the patience to work with kids at that time. Now I see that I do and maybe God led me to Gracie to open up another door for me.
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