tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364575095827041469.post7934217071955021228..comments2023-07-22T05:27:49.707-05:00Comments on Trial Run: On Therapykrlrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14392064691347464660noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364575095827041469.post-28582398499660320712013-02-16T15:22:28.724-06:002013-02-16T15:22:28.724-06:00Bravo! What a great post and I so agree with you. ...Bravo! What a great post and I so agree with you. On all parts.<br />We have to find that balance of pushing our kids to achieve but also allowing them to have fun and learn as their neurotypical peers do.<br />And very true, as one reader said, being in mainstream and around lots of other NTs does amazing things for development. My daughter has thrived since being as school, in mainstream since kinder. <br /><br />I like your blog! I too am a late starter runner. :-)ahoy.jennihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00362958130482625558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364575095827041469.post-55435440862158758212013-02-08T18:32:55.338-06:002013-02-08T18:32:55.338-06:00I've just been "lurking" over this c...I've just been "lurking" over this conversation, largely because my son (at age 11) is basically a senior citizen when it comes to this discussion and any distinct memories I have of early intervention have the patina of time and I tend to romanticize the past anyway ... however, in thinking about this discussion on Lisa's blog and here, you have really crystallized what was our experience when you said:<br /><br />"I am not teaching my child to be normal. I’m trying to teach her – yes, in hour long increments if I must – how to be independent. I wanted her to walk as soon as she could, not because I gave a flying fuck about the milestone, but because as soon as she started walking, she could find her own toys, come give me hug, and empty out the cabinets. That is “normal”, but it also opens up a whole new world for her to explore. Her little neurons started firing faster when she was able to rummage thru her toys and select the best one, when she learned to seek me out for a hug instead of just yelling, and when she learned that banging lids and pans together for 20 minutes would convince mommy to turn on Signing Time."<br /><br />Yes! That's what EI meant to us. It didn't mean 'normalizing' Cooper - which was not a concern of mine anyway because I have used a wheelchair since age 8 and normal was redefined for me long, long ago by my own experiences -- but because EI helped Cooper develop in a way that moved him towards greater and greater independence. That could mean that it helped him out of the exer-saucer and onto the play mat, where he could rummage as he wished, and it also could mean that he could keep up with the kids in his three-year-old kindergarten class, especially since classroom to playground involved a set of stairs. And by keep up, I don't mean keep up by some essentially arbitrary standard, I mean literally, he could get to the playground at around the same speed as everyone else, on his own steam and not on the teacher's hip. That was hugely motivating to him, as were consequential experiences. <br /><br />When Cooper transitioned from EI, he moved to a typical preschool and I feel like the modeling that happens for him around typical kids really picks up where EI left off -- and still does today in fifth grade. <br /><br />Of course, each child is different and will achieve differently. I remember Robert Kennedy saying once that it had been over 7 years since he had seen any of his childrens' report cards. He simply asked if they had done their best. I love the sentiment behind that (probably unrealistic for most of us) gesture -- he redefined success for his kids by basing it on their assessment of their performance -- not on someone else's. I have found that once you let go of traditional measures -- because it's true, we humans are a measuring bunch -- you can begin to measure success in ways that are much more satisfying and gratifying. I would guess that each of us recognizes when our children are feeling hugely successful and confident, and I would suggest that's the best barometer.Lisa Lilienthalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03152500885897993371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364575095827041469.post-56996104507932619902013-02-08T12:51:36.323-06:002013-02-08T12:51:36.323-06:00Great post! I think that everyone has to do what ...Great post! I think that everyone has to do what is best for their family (and doors) which basically means that I am not pro or anti-therapy. I think that the point to take way is WHY are we doing or not doing therapy. Ellie is in therapy, but not the usual cocktail of OT, PT, ST. She is in ABA and ST. I have no idea how to help Ellie talk. She has this brain-oral muscle disconnect and I don't know what to do and she FRUSTRATED. We need the help and guidance of a trained professional. The ABA could be a whole series of posts! Bear knocks on her door rather than kicking. I kind of like that she cannot escape yet :) Glad to hear the Gigi is doing a bit better.Anna Theurerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06937391910402532608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364575095827041469.post-21303420566185829292013-02-07T22:05:07.135-06:002013-02-07T22:05:07.135-06:00Okay, everybody else is commenting over at Faceboo...Okay, everybody else is commenting over at Facebook, so I'll be rebellious and do it here. What thoughtful stuff, as always, from you! <br /><br />I have mixed feelings about therapy for exactly the reasons you note at the end of your post: I don't want Maybelle to be a project. But currently the therapy she's doing feels like it's coaching me as much as Maybelle--here are some ways to play with her! Her are some effective strategies for helping her learn to read! If she plays THIS fun game, it'll actually help her to learn to use her hands more effectively.<br /><br />Like you, I'm a HUGE fan of independence, and I recognize that it requires practice. But I also recognize the critiques, too, and I don't dismiss them.Alison Piepmeierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17972854288403934814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364575095827041469.post-3688746541122730602013-02-07T21:37:37.765-06:002013-02-07T21:37:37.765-06:00I agree. I am pro-therapy as well. I am not trying...I agree. I am pro-therapy as well. I am not trying to make Ella "normal" but I am trying to give her opportunities that she might otherwise not have. On the flip side of the argument why would I expect my son to do his best and not my daughter?Kristahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02088954144281629542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364575095827041469.post-85670275688631312382013-02-07T21:29:38.262-06:002013-02-07T21:29:38.262-06:00I am glad to have found your blog! I like your co...I am glad to have found your blog! I like your common sense approach and reminder that one size does not fit all. <br />Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04016635509013967216noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4364575095827041469.post-79708631381988379552013-02-07T19:06:22.643-06:002013-02-07T19:06:22.643-06:00I think that you brought-up a good point here abou...I think that you brought-up a good point here about your work-schedule. I believe that what's right for one child, isn't necessarily right for another. And what's right for one family, isn't necessarily right for another. I have been a stay-at-home mom for Royce since he was born, and because of that I have an entire day of mothering, along with an entire day of natural therapy. I say natural therapy because we were busy, busy, busy working on whatever for Royce, and it was all incorporated in every part of our day. I have a good friend who works, and therapy is super important to her. amber yorkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11057447182235000514noreply@blogger.com