Our therapist mentioned doing "joint compressions" on our SID child but I didn't get the chance to have her elaborate.

Why do you do joint compressions? How do you do this (where on the body, for ex)? And WHEN do you do this?

Do you do compressions before you think your child might get upset about something? Or do you attempt to do this while they are upset?

I'm confused and need guidance. We won't see the therapist for a few weeks due to the holidays........ so I won't get to ask questions about this for a couple weeks.

Any help would be appreciated!

Mom to Jacob, Benjamin, & Eden
BBG triplets born 9/29/04 @ 35wks gestation

We do joint compressions after the brushing. I would wait until they could show you exactly how to do it. I can't believe she told you to do something without explaining what it was and how to do it! I think the idea behind it is the same as why jumping on a trampoline helps kids with sensory problems. I think it helps them organize the info their bodies get or process it or something. i'm not sure. But I am sure someone here knows the answer to that. Are you doing brushing? That made a big difference for my son. My dtr enjoys it all but I don't see much of a change with her.

sorry I couldn't be of more help!

Kristin
gbg born at 31.2 weeks 7/29/04

how many brushes do you use? i use the basic surgical brush i bought online in a therapy store, but i have other brushes that came in a variety package. also, you mentioned brushing has helped your son, in what way? did it help with tactile?

my son is uneasy with diff textures like play doh, wet sand, messy play with food ... i hope to address these tactile issues.

thanks,

liza

I just use a surgical brush. I use it on my dd and ds. He is a sensory avoider and she is a seeker. They both love it but I can't say it has really helped dd. For my son it pretty quickly helped him be more comfortable with touch and being in close proximity to others. I was pretty much the only one he wanted to be near. After we started brushing he was better at being close to people and touching different toys that he had avoided.

As for play dough and all that, my son hates them. He would freak at the OT's box of macaroni. But he is much better now. Still doesn't like those textures and may not touch them but there is no gagging and screaming now. He has had great OT's and taking the fish oil made a huge difference in his sensory issues. He now feeds himself all his foods that don't require spoons/forks and is trying new things all the time.

At first we brushed 4-5 times a day but then it went down to three. It really made a diffrence for us but the OT said it doesn't always work for every child. I guess that's why dd didn't respond to it-although she loves getting it done!

Kristin
gbg born at 31.2 weeks 7/29/04

Don't attempt to do these until you can get the OT to show you how to do them properly.

These should be done on a consistent, regular schedule as part of your child's "sensory diet" routine. We do ours following brushing and currently have these scheduled for once in the mid-morning, late afternoon and just prior to bedtime. I also do these when Emily seems out of sorts, and is seeking physical stimulation. We do the compressions and brushing at the beginning of each therapy session to help de-sensitize Emily for all she will be doing. It is very effective. Emily also has a stuffed puppy with a vibrator in it that she can activate by hugging tightly, and a hard body frog massager that she likes to get and place at the top of her stomach and at the breast bone for input. Emily has been in therapy for 8 months now and is beginning to learn some self-regulation although her OT says it is a little early for her to be able to do that.

In general, the joint compressions for Emily calm her and her body. Only a time or two have they been ineffective.

Are you also doing brushing? Are you doing any other stemming techniques such as a toy with vibration?

Keep us posted. There are several here who can pop in with suggestions and info.

Melissa

Wife to my best friend
Mom to GGG
05-04

Joint compressions are easy to do, but you do them systematically (moving up the body.) I'd suggest you wait to do them until your therapist can show them to you.

I usually do them when my son is "out of sorts" and whiny, but NOT when he is full-blown upset. It just makes him madder if his sensory problems have overwhelmed him.

Something you can do right away if you don't already is "smashing." You put the child on the couch or bed (we do it lying on his back), and basically "smash" them with a pillow (not over the face, obviously). You do it pretty hard, but not so hard they can't breathe. We do this starting at the shoulders and moving down. My son could be in full-blown sensory overload and this will calm him down in less than a minute and he can go on his merry way. It really is amazing!

We've found that my son likes to be "smashed" from the waist down and the joint compressions that work for us are also in the same area. Our worst times of day sensory-wise always seem to be within 30 minutes of getting up from afternoon nap. Don't know why. He wakes up in the morning smiling and happy, but has his worst sensory moments within 60 minutes of getting up from a nap.

BBB born 7/26/04 at 35 weeks

Thanks for your replies. Yeah - I'm a bit frustrated by the "advice" I've been receiving from therapists - without elaboration or demonstrations. I will definitely ask them to provide me with more detailed information.

Mom to Jacob, Benjamin, & Eden
BBG triplets born 9/29/04 @ 35wks gestation

If you ask 3 different therapists (which I have) how to do joint compressions you will get 3 different answers. The main thing is to just do it! The only thing that is really imprtant is that it is consistant. Whether you start at the top, bottom or side makes no difference. Just do it the same each time. I was taught the push the joint together method and pull the joint apart method. They both seemed equal in results. Don't expect results right away. Some children respond this way, many do not. The purpose for this exercize is to "teach" the propriocecptive system to pay attention to the input given. If you don't know what proprioceptive sense is, it tells your body where all of your body parts are in space at any given moment. For example if I put my hand behind my back, I know how many fingers I have showing by receptors in my joints and muscles that tell my brain where they are even though I am not seeing them. With that said, the exercizes, through consistant repitition, will "teach" the body to be more aware of its placement between exercizes. I'm sorry if you are bored to tears at this point!!!!

I have worked with my 6.5 yo son since he was 18 months. It has made quite a difference! Be patient. The nice part about OT is, once you learn how to do things, you can do them yourself. Who knows better than mom! Good luck!

Chris
Proud Mommy to (6/2/2000)
Mike LF Autism, celiac, oral/verbal dyspraxia, SID
Daniel ADHD, SID
Eric NT Praise the Lord!!!

Thanks for your replies. The therapist talked me through joint compressions and brushing. She is really laid back about it though and didn't necessarily say to have a strict schedule about it. I will try to do it on a schedule like you all recommended to see if it makes a difference.

Mom to Jacob, Benjamin, & Eden
BBG triplets born 9/29/04 @ 35wks gestation

compressions and brushing should be a part of your routine. Also if he is going somewhere that will be high amount of stimuli, do it again. We do it when we get her dressed for the day. Before bed, deep compressions are good too (rubbing back like a hard massage).

There is a good book "The out of sync child" that you should read.

good luck...
Karen

Mom to 5 Beauties
Allison,10,Grace,6
Margaret, Melissa, Michelle (6/20/02--34weeks 1day)

Showing other MOMS how to stay home and earn extra income!
www.ImagineBALANCE.com/TakeChargeNow