Forgive me for the rambling post. It won’t be the last.
Two months ago, I wrote that we were exploring speech therapy for Baguette, based on feedback from her school and our concerns about her confidence levels.
While we were able to get an in-network referral, it wasn’t possible to get a timely appointment. And while the public school system does offer free speech therapy, Baguette isn’t old enough qualify for it, and we didn’t want to wait until she is. So we got references and decided to pursue private therapy.
For nearly two months, Mr. Sandwich has been taking her to the therapist’s office twice a week, and the therapist has made some visits to Baguette in her classroom.
I have to be honest–I don’t really understand a lot of this. To start with, I haven’t seen the speech therapist since the original evaluation. For a host of reasons, it’s easier for Mr. Sandwich to take time away from work than it is for me. And a lot of the terminology is foreign to me; I’m trying to learn it, but I think that there’s a certain amount of irony that a field that is about improving communication uses jargon that gets in the way of communication.
The therapist’s concern isn’t so much about enunciation as it is about the way Baguette uses language; she apparently uses it internally rather than externally. (If this topic is new to you, do you understand what that means, or do you need someone to explain it to you? That’s the kind of jargon I’m talking about.)
The focus is on play, encouraging Baguette to communicate in specific ways. Right now we’re working on getting her to answer questions with “Yes.”
I spoke by phone with the therapist before Christmas, and she said that Baguette is “making wonderful progress.” People around us say that they see her being much more interactive with her peers, and that she talks more freely and confidently. We see that ourselves.
So you may understand my frustration and confusion when we learned that in addition to her twice-weekly sessions (at least one of which will be paired with a music therapy session), they want to add three occupational therapy sessions each week. If Baguette’s progress is so wonderful, why are we more than doubling–possibly even tripling–her therapy? Why does she need sessions every day?
People keep coming back to the fact that she plays with sand, often lying down in it and pouring it over herself. They say that this isn’t “purposeful play.”
So, in my effort to be a good and involved parent, I set out to research “purposeful play.” And I have no idea what it is. I see the phrase used, but I can’t find a solid definition of it. And I can find nothing about why the way Baguette plays with sand is bad. In fact, all I can find is that sand play is really, really good.
Next week we go to the in-network evaluation. I’m curious to hear what they have to say, and what services will be available to us. But right now I’m very, very skeptical.
Ugh. How frustrating – and it SHOULDN’T be a different language! You’ve got a great gut instinct, and it sounds like you’re justified in the skepticism… ((hugs)) to you guys and your darling girl. Hang in there!
Neither one of us wants to keep her from getting something that she needs, and we do think that the speech therapy is helping–but I need them to provide me with a LOT more information for me to feel that what they want is really the right step for Baguette.
Wow, I feel for you. I guess I figured all play was good play? Shows what I know!
That’s been my take–I keep hearing that we should let kids play with things in the way they want to (as long as it isn’t unsafe), so I’m not sure what to make of this.
I’d like to lay down in the sand and pour it all over myself. Sounds fun and relaxing. Maybe that explains a lot about me.
Just be sure you’re doing it purposefully.
Oh, this is rough. I have no advice or insight, just sympathy!
Well, hopefully they’ll be able to give us more information about what they’re seeing and what they think it means. But I’m not inclined to add more sessions without more information.
You’re a good mom for doing your own research rather than blindly accepting or rejecting their recommendations. Sand play sure does sound like a real disaster though.
I’m good at doing research; I’m actually surprised at how much trouble I’m having in my attempts to learn about this topic.
I actually don’t know what occupational therapy is, though I’ve heard of that phrase. I’m only familiar with speech therapy. Hopefully you can get some answers to your questions, even if they have to lay down the basics like explaining what occupational therapy is and how it can help Baguette expand her play from sand. I’d also like to know as a parent what I could do at home to help her out. How frustrating; hope you get your answers soon!
I have a really, really vague understanding of occupational therapy–my impression is that it focuses on improving/building/restoring specific physical actions and abilities. Kind of like sports massage within the broader spectrum of massage. And that could be totally wrong.
The thing is, Baguette does a lot of play that doesn’t involve sand. When she’s near sand, she wants to play with it. But (for example) we have no sand at our house, and she plays with puzzles, Mr. Potato Head, flannel board, musical instruments, make-believe with stuffed animals, etc.
Just curious, but have the speech therapists expressed an opinion over Baguette’s pacifier? My children were thumb-suckers, and we had quite a challenge getting them to break that habit around age four. I’m no expert, but I wonder if pacifiers prohibit “purposeful speech”?
Baguette does love her pacifier, but she only gets it at night, when (or just before) she goes to bed. They don’t let them have pacifiers in her room at day care, and aside from when she’s sick (or when she broke her leg), we don’t let her have them during the day at home, either.
My son used to put his forehead in the sand and play bulldozer! With him it is “sensory issues”. He’s is getting speech and Just graduated from OT. The OT was for pencil grip. One bit of advice I have is no matter what they say there is nothing “wrong” with you child. Let them be who they are it will all work out. Of course give them all the help you can but love them for who they are. Pinterest actually is a good resource for at home OT, just figure out what the issues are and add some things at home.
Thanks–I hadn’t thought of looking at Pinterest!
It sounds like they are concerned because she is seeking sensory stimulation in a way that most kids don’t at that age. Don’t be afraid of OT, it is fantastic! My daughter is four almost five and has sensory issues. They are mild in comparison to some others but manifest in ways that are hard (for both of us) to deal with. She loves going to OT every week, for her it’s playtime with a fun teacher. It has changed her behavior and her relationships with others in such a positive way, I wish we’d had a chance to start it sooner:). Our OT doesn’t do any massage, but she focuses a lot on strengthening certain muscle groups and and also changing the way my daughter’s brain processes sensations. She just thinks it’s fun. Good luck!
That may be, and it would be useful for them to say that! But what I want to know is what she needs and why she needs it, and all we’ve heard so far is “it would be good.” That’s just not informative!
Baguette does love her speech therapist, and asks for her on non-appointment days–which is a great sign to us.