New Therapy

You may remember that, back when Piper got so sick this fall, her fine motor skills just tanked.  And while they’re on their way back, it’s still a work in progress.  The doctor at the Down syndrome clinic here in town theorized that her being sick affected the parts of her brain that control those motor functions, but expected that she’d find her way back with a little help.  He referred us to an occupational therapist at Children’s who works alongside the clinic.  I got really excited to meet with her after hearing the rave reviews he had for her.

It took about two months to be worked in to her schedule, but it was so worth it!  Piper LOVED her, which is really saying a lot for the kid who, when it’s not her idea, avoids fine motor tasks like the plague.  It was the first session that Piper did in a “real” therapy room.  I don’t think Piper would have left if we didn’t make her.  They had slides and ramps and beanbag pits.  But the most fun part is that the whole ceiling is ropes where they can attach different kinds of swings.  Piper LOVES the swings. 

Miss Syd never forced Piper to do anything, but used incentives to get her to sit and try things out.  And it worked out well all around.  We got some good work out of Piper and Piper got to do the fun things she wanted.  Hooray for therapists who understand three year olds!

We’re going to go back every other week for a few months and see where we can get.  The drive down there isn’t great, but not terrible, either.  One of the best parts about it, though, is that, because her appointments are in the afternoons, my mom is watching Adalynn on those days.  That means that I can spend the morning volunteering in Piper’s classroom, Piper and I have lunch together, and then we go down for our appointment.  It’s fun to have a day just with Piper!