Is this appropriate?

Hi everyone,




My 2.5 year old has been seeing an OT for about 10 weeks now. MY husband and I decided to see use a private OT for our daughter(meaning we have not gone through our insurance, we did not want her to be labeled in medical record). We did this because our OT is a family acquaintance. She sees her on her free time and will not accept money from us. We are very fortunate to have her. Our daughter has a few symptoms of SPD but our OT is confident that she doesn't have SPD. Just some sensory abnormalities. Since we began with OT we've seen remarkable improvements. Here is the problem:

My mother-in-law and grandmother-in-law have developed a friendship with OT. They invite her to family dinners and they even invited her to Disney on Ice show we went to last Saturday. Yesterday at my daughters therapy OT couldn't get my daughter to engage at all. She wouldn't use her words,play,or make eye contact. I think OT's relationship has crossed boundaries now and my daughter doesn't think of her like a teacher anymore. My family thinks I'm overreacting. Am I?



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May 16, 2009
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starstar 		OT
by: Anonymous

You say that you have your own private OT that you don't pay for? And you might not want any of your family to be friends with her or "cross personal boundaries" based on one "unsuccessful" session? Most special needs kids have LOTS of unsuccessful sessions and still manage to make progress. Kids will test ALL of their therapist/teachers at some point. Why not give her the benefit of the doubt?
May 16, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		you child
by: Anonymous

I would agree with the previous person's comments. The most important person in this situation is your child and as the parent it is your responsibility to do what is best for your child. Often we as parents worry too much about labels and let that blind us from getting our children the help they need. I know if was hard for me to except that my son needs extra help with something and since we are getting ready for kindergarten next year the word 'special ed' totally freaks my husband out, but I have to remind him that things are different from when we were in school and if our son needs to get a little extra help so that he can cope then that is what has to be done.

I wouldn't advise the situation you are in, it doesn't seem like a healthy learning situation. Best of luck to you! I know you will find something that will work for your family!
May 15, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		maybe the therapist it too close for comfort
by: Charlene Ohio

These children need to trust their therapist. Maybe having an personal therapist is blurring the boundaries for your child. maybe you need to get her an outside therapist that won't be at dinner, or on vacation. that seems like a very stressful situation for your child, and when children with sensory issues are stressed they revert to there comfort zone. isolation, no eye contact etc..

I understand you feeling on the labeling issue, but in this society labels are ultimately what get's our children the direct effective, and necessary help they need. It's not about us as parents having to explain this label to people or think that people will treat our children different because of the label, the people will notice little differences in your child anyway rather it's said or not. The labels are to help the child get what they need in order to learn to function in this world with whatever sensory, issues of disability they may have.

Keep fighting for your child and I would suggest getting her out of that situation. It is no longer therapeutic for her. You do not want to set her back. Sincerely a mother of a five year old boy with SPD

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