Structured VS. Child-Led

[AndVeeGeeMakes3]

So, for the third time in two weeks one of dd's therapists gave as "homework" 10 minutes of structured time about 8 times a day.

Somehow I'm supposed to add one more hour of "structure" to the day of a child who already spends 5 hours hooked to a feeding pump, at least 2 hours in therapy, and approximately 2 hours buckled in a car seat heading to therapy . . . . OH, and then, because she's two she's gotta take a nap. And how about family time in the backyard playing with the doggies and daddy?

Please tell me how this is supposed to work with our parenting philosophy?

[ryansmom02]

I feel like when I get home from work I have to start doing stuff with DS all evening.. then there is therapy and all the other fun stuff that comes to children with autism....

[logan&jordansmommy]

Does she expect 10 minutes on one project? What kind of therapist is this? (I was just curious what kind of activity they want you to do?). If they are expecting 10 minutes on one thing then I think that is definitley over the top. I mean if she is only two then from what I have been told a "typical developing" two year old should aim for 4 minutes on one activity.....and that is for a typical developing child. So I guess it would depend on what "structured time" means to this therapist.

[AndVeeGeeMakes3]

I know! What she said is ten minutes on a start-to-finish project like stacking and playing with blocks, then cleaning up. Or matching colors on a peg-board or putting the appropriate face parts on a Mr. Potato Head. I don't know if I have the attention span for that!!!

Problem is, Lexi is so, so independent. I like that about her, but I do see (as I'm peering through the therapy and school windows) that she's more easily distracted than other little ones her age. She doesn't like to finish stuff - a whole book is too much most of the time.

Best I can do, right now, at least, is read to her while she in the bath (after the screaming bathing part). I can *almost* "command" her attention then.

[logan&jordansmommy]

Yeah, I agree that is a lot! Too much I think, but hey who am I? I could see spending 10 min. however many times a day specifically interacting with her and maybe trying to direct her to certain toys etc. But I can't imagine more than that.

[wendy1221]

I would do it as often as you can. I'm supposed to brush all 3 of my kids at least 5 times a day according to their OT's, as well as all sorts of other "therapies." I'm lucky if I do it once or twice. Don't let it stress you. Do it when you can and when it's fun. As soon as it becomes "work" for both of you, she isn't going to enjoy it. And if she isn't enjoying it, I don't see how she would even cooperate. KWIM? It's better to do fun things together that you both enjoy than to struggle to do something just b/c a therapist said you should. Liam did Mr Potatohead correctly at the OT's for the first time last week. Isn't she a little young for him anyway? Especially if she has delays? 3 months is a big difference in age at their age. Our OT was really surprised he could do it. (He used to be delayed but has mostly caught up.)