alternatives to OT

[TzippityDoulah]

I don't have health insurance and we make too much for free accommodation unfortunately... so we're stuck not being able to afford OT. (truly, as in there is no way unless they give it free!)

I was able to find her a school that has a heavy focus on gymnastics which has been really good for her. she LOVES it. they are helping her work with balance, coordination and so forth. and it's just like 7 student for 2 teachers so they have lots of patience and give her plenty of time.

but she still has some issueshttp://vahomeschoolers.org/noi/description_ex.asp I just don't know how to help her with. I rack my brain but I feel like sometimes I come up so short. (like how will I keep her warm in winter when she will refuse to wear anything on her legs??? this is always a battle! and how to do I keep her from flailing out of her seat and throwing herself on the floor of the van when the belt get "wrinkled". etc etc) I feel like I could really use some help. someone to give me ideas when my well runs dry and just be generally supportive of her (and me!). I usually find good ways to accommodate things - but some things HAVE to happen. like the seatbelt on the high way etc... but at the same time I know it truly dos hurt her. and I feel TERRIBLE making her wear it and TERRIBLE if I let her take it off.

I was thinking last night (after yet another seatbelt battle) about how I have always hated the stupid seat belt (I have SPD too but she has it so much worse than I do). and is it right to make her wear it? I mean what if the government decided that all adults have to sit upside down in their seats in order to drive safely... would I do it? heck no! and I bet she feels just as uncomfortable in her seat and I was upside down. bleh... it's so confusing.

how do you mamas function who can't get their kids OT???

TIA

-a very worn out but caring mama

[mrsfru]

Okay, well luckily, our OT is covered by our insurance (it's a state plan...but still.)

I'm assuming since you said "seatbelt" your dd is old/big enough to be in a booster seat and not in a harnessed carseat anymore. On the off chance that she is 3-6 or so years old, there are more options. If you can afford it, I'd take her shopping and give her some choices. There are loads more options now if she's not a giant kiddo. LOL She may be *more* comfortable in a harnessed carseat than in a booster w/a seatbelt or in a high back booster instead of a no back booster. Different seats have different amounts of padding and position the harness or seatbelts a bit differently. We've found for our kiddo w/sensory issues that giving him choices really, really helps w/the carseat issues. He's not as upset by the seatbelts as your dd, but we definitely know about battles over such issues! LOL A booster seat will lift her up a bit and put the lap belt at a much lower (and safer) spot....as well as a much less irritating spot....same w/the shoulder belt. And some seats have a lot of comfort foam that make them more comfortable and supportive than sitting on the auto seat alone. She may tolerate the belts better if her body is better supported overall.

As for the rest--search for book and activity recommendations by OT's and therapists who work w/sensory integration. There are many out there that can help the sensory stuff. I'm sure someone else will remember names and links...I'm too tired right now.

GL!

mrsfru

[elmh23]

Does your state have low cost insurance for people who don't have insurance but make to much for free? My state does and a friend is on the plan and says it's great. I'm pretty sure they cover OT.

How about the school system? Mine doesn't really do OT but maybe others do? If you homeschool, does your district allow services for those not in their schools? (mine doesn't, but I'm not sure how normal that is.)

Have you read the Out of Sync Child Has Fun? It was a great book for me to help ds1 in a way he responded very well to.

[Emmeline II]

When we were in that "'no insurance but not "that" poor situation'", we were able to sign up for a payment plan through the public hospital. Perhaps you have a hospital or other care center that does that.

Also, though you may not be eligible for free services I've seen a lot of people post that their children (alone) are.


I have seen seat belt padded animals (for harness and regular); perhaps those would help prevent wrinkles.

[TzippityDoulah]

thanks all.

I have read the out of synh series. good books! but they don't really address any of our current needs. I read everything online I can find. I think truthfuly I'm overwhelmed. it's been nearly 6 yrs of this... and I have a high needs toddler and a typical 10 yr old too. we homeschool the oldest and run a business out of our home.

sometimes I think I KNOW there are ways to deal with things but my brain is so tired of think of alternatives! I just am... burnt out I think. We have been doing it by ourselves for a long time... you know how it is. it's like my brain refuses to think clearly anymore. probably 6 yrs of lost sleep!

as for the seatbelt.... she REFUSES a booster. She is almost 6 but she is HUGE like the side of an 8 yr old. so I don't make her wear a booster b/c honestly it seems far less safe. she kicks, screams and throws her seatbelt around jumping all over the van. THAT is far more dangerous a scenario. Being that I am driving I can't just deal with her needs/tantrums in the same way as if I were at home ykwim? besides, liek I said, she is very tall and big. so it's not like a little bitty kindergartener in in the seat flopping around. I can't always avoid using the car. I just don't have that kinda of ability.

She doesn't always hate the care either, it's in spurts. she'll go day without a peep. other days she said "I hate cars, and seat belts, they are the meanest things in the whole world!!" and she cries her heart out. usually it lasts weeks. poor kid. (and poor us b/c it hurts my ears!)


about the state insurance. I need to look into it better to amke sure there isnt a loophole for us. We moved 3 timesin 2 yrs (ugh) and it takes a lot to get to know the ins and out of a given area and county. so there is a chance I could be missing something.

any chance there are any videos? web videos or rented to talk about it? i read everythign I can, but sometimes I think it would be helpful to SEE how others handle the SPD symtoms. instead of just reading about it. everyone usually writes about the things that go well... I wanna see how people handle the things that just always suck no matter how hard they try to rememdy it!

[Emmeline II]

You could try posting on your tribe board for information on public insurance for children.

[TzippityDoulah]

good thought! thanks