Therapy brushing at school

[LMC]

Does anyone here have their high school aged child on a therapy brushing schedule at school? I am considering starting this for this school year for my son. We have done brushing in the past and I do notice a difference as it makes him more alert and focused but I have to do it every two hours. For it to be effective, and school is where I'd like him to be most alert and attentive, someone would have to do it at school twice per day. I'm not sure if I should do this since he is older now (entering 9th grade) but I do know he gets benefit from it and school is so hard for him. I'll probably have to jump thru flaming hoops to get the IEP team to sign off on it since they will have to find a "qualified" person to do it.

 

[bookwormde]

If you get a medical recommendation from his OT or other qualified clinician for the brushing to reduce anxiety it will make it a lot easier to get it in the IEP. We did it “informally” but with our DS (in elementary school) having a para it was a lot easier. Actually after his IEP got is place his anxiety levels dropped so much that it was not needed. Any teacher or para could be able to do it, if they are not comfortable with you showing them than their OT or yours could easily get them started. OF course it needs to be someone that your son is “comfortable” with for it to be effective.

bookwormde

 

[LMC]

I thought about this more today. I know I could get all the medical documentation needed to get it in the IEP I would just have to go round and round with the school to get it in there. You know how schools can be and with all the proration going on!!!! I have a new SIL that is a therapist so she can refresh me on it as we stopped going to OT in May. BUT, I usually do the brushing with DS in his underwear and obviously he will not strip down at school so I'll have to check to see if it can be done thru his clothing (jeans too). They do have a rotating school nurse that we (so he will be comfortable with her) know so I could get her to be the one to do it if they don't have anyone else on hand.