Therapy

Over the past few months we have been working hard to get Sophia set up with therapists that will help her physical and mental development.  I am pleased to report that Sophia now has a team of therapists that we work with on a regular basis.  Her therapists have all been coordinated with the help of ECI (Early Childhood Intervention), a state agency authorized to support families with children with disabilities or developmental delays.

Sophia has a case worker, who comes on a monthly basis, to help us review her needs and see if they are being met.  If they are not, or if they change in anyway, we are able to work together to bring on additional help.  Her case worker is also her occupational therapist (OT).  She comes twice per month to work with Sophia in this capacity.  Her goal is to help Sophia with her activities of daily living.  Eventually this will be things like brushing her teeth and hair, getting dressed, and doing household tasks.  Right now, we primarily work on sitting, which she detests, and increasing her muscle strength by "helping" her do things like tummy time, lying on her side, and her head & neck control.  During our last visit the OT placed Sophia on a big exercise ball rolling it around to help Sophia strengthen her abdominal muscles.  She was so impressed with Sophia...she didn't cry even once.  Sophia seemed to really enjoy the new experience.

Did you know there was such a thing as a vision teacher?  Well, we didn't, but now we do.  Sophia's vision teacher comes to work with her once a week.  Her goal is to help maximize Sophia's vision and increase her awareness of the environment around her by utilizing all of her senses.  She brings the most wonderful toys for Sophia to play with.  Sometimes Drew is here during therapy time and I think that he sees the vision teacher as a kind of Santa Clause.  The vision teacher brings huge bags of special toys that have flashing lights, vibrate and make all kinds of noises.  This is all so exciting to Drew who can't wait to start pulling out every toy in her bag.  Sophia's favorite toys are the ones that vibrate and play songs, but her ultimate toy is the one that she can also put in her mouth.  Our goals with Sophia right now are for her to reach for a toy that vibrates or makes noises that is placed just out of her reach.

Developmental Specialist.  Yet another new person that we have incorporated into therapy for Sophia.  She comes twice a month to help Sophia through various physical and behavioral therapy techniques.  In her words, she will, "work Sophia out without her ever knowing that she is working out."  For instance, she has Sophia sit up while supporting her from behind by placing her hand behind Sophia's head and the other hand on her shoulder.  This forces Sophia to use her abdominal & oblique muscles to support herself.  She not only teaches Sophia, but also us.  That way we can do our "homework" between visits.

We are so lucky to have these professionals in our lives.  They are so very patient with us and show us the little things that make such a difference in caring for Sophia.  They have also taught us that items that are ok for other babies are not good ideas for Sophia.  For instance, a Bumbo chair...this allows Sophia to be propped when she is sitting and doesn't force her to hold her own weight.  I never thought of it that way.  It is for these reasons and so many more that I look forward to her weekly therapy visits and can't wait to see the positive impact they will have on Sophia's development.