Fun with Clay

Using clay is a very good activity for improving finger movements. Olden days children used to play with mud and clay outside our home. Now a days we are more worried about hygiene, cleanliness etc!

Artificial clay which is available in any stationary shop can be used and reused for a longer time. Usual activities done using clay includes:

• Making balls of different sizes with finger tips, palm etc
• Making strings, flattening the balls with thumb, flatting with rolling pin etc
• Make different shapes of different sizes and colors.

Alternate ideas which may interest the child to do the activity:

When dough is made for preparing roti, ask to help by making balls and also for making rotis using the rolling pins. The round mouth of a glass or other shapes can be cut to form different shaped rotis.

Buy M-seal available in hardware shop. Make small balls and arrange to form flowers, make leaf shapes, twines etc. This can be used to decorate pots etc. This requires adult attention. The work has to be done faster as the m-seal dries up faster. Also care should be taken so that the children don’t put it into mouth. Wash hands thoroughly once completed.

See the below post for a similar m-seal art work

http://homecraftideas.blogspot.com/2007/07/m-seal-art.html

Occupational Therapy

Physio therapy is generally like doing rigorous exercises, which will improve the muscles, flexibility of the body etc, catering to the overall structure of the body.
Occupational Therapy is more specialized therapy designed to enable/improve the individual to work with their arms and hands and achieve to function as independently as possible in their daily living activities. Generally it focuses on developing functional skills related to sensory-motor integration; coordination of movement; fine motor skills; self-help skills (dressing, self-feeding, etc.); learning alternative methods like using computers. The trained occupational therapist will be able to guide depending on the person’s abilities.

I have noticed with pain, it is so difficult for Abhi to do many activities which most of us do quite naturally. And the most difficult part for the other members of the family is the test of patience. We need to give more time for them to do by themselves. Also restrict ourselves from doing it for them, when we see them struggle to do.

Working out with a OT therapist is required. Many of the activities can be things we do with out much awareness or effort. So initially it did not even cross my mind that I will have to train Abhi or make him to practice doing these activities separately. In this aspect, the therapist will have many ideas and suggestions to guide. Going to V-Excel for OT has been very helpful.

Coming blogs, I will write some of the activities which we do and which I believe has improved Abhi’s motor skills and his daily activities.

Practising Yoga Everyday.

“Practicing Yoga helps the integrated development of body as well as the mind.” says Yoga masters.

I took Abishek to Yoga master at Trivandrum , which is my native place. He taught Abhi around 15 Asanas to be practiced regularly. These asanas improves the suppleness of the muscles, joints etc and strengthens the spinal column in due course of time. The type of asanas reduces the stiffness in the joints especially shoulders, ankles, fingers etc.

It was advised to practice Yoga in the early morning or after sunset. We start with few minutes of deep breathing and follow with the asanas. It takes around 30-45 min every day. Some of the asanas like Makarasana, kids will enjoy doing themselves, while some others which requires more strain needs an adult help.

Bhujangasana
Artha Meru Dandasana
Yoga mudra
Padahasthasana
Pavanamukthasana
Rajjukharshanasana
Arthasalabhasana
Sasangasana
Garudasana
Makarasana
Artha Matsyendrasana
Arthakadi Chakrasana
Uthkalasana
Dhanurasana
Dola asana
Naukasana
Patmaasana
Shavasana

I also learnt yoga for my problems of wheezing and ligament problem in my knee. The effect is very good.
Yoga has to be learnt from a Guru or Master. Self learning is generally not advised.
There are websites which give information and other details on asanas.

http://www.yogasite.com/postures.html
http://www.bikrammissoula.com/postures.html
http://www.sivananda.org/

There is good book “Yoga Education for Children” by Swami Satyananda Saraswati, which explains many aspects of practicing Yoga, the postures for children.

How much should I do ?

Many times I have wondered how much should I work out with Abhi, so that I can make him better and reduce his difficulties. I have shared similar feelings with other mothers who have children with special needs. We want to give our children the best possible to make them near normal child. But in the run, the child should not be get stressed out or exhausted.

When I take my son out to park, social functions, gatherings etc, advises pour in abundance.
"I did that to my son, he got cured completely, now he is..."
"Do oil massage every day for 1 hour..."
"Send him for this and there will be difference in 15 days " and so on.

When I hear all these initially I used to get perplexed or feel guilty. Am I not doing enough for abhi. If I do that also, will it be beneficial.? But I found that I cannot do (or make him do) all these apart from his daily routines, reading/writing, school work etc etc. Worrying will only make me down and I feel dejected and irritated.

I slowly started to look in a different perspective. We are the best judge. I began to see from abhi's angle also. If he is comfortable or if he enjoys, we do that more - like cycling, paper cutting, working with clay and beads etc. Somethings I have to remind him often that it is good for him - like Physio therapy, Yoga etc.

More about Yoga, exercises and other activities in later posts...

You cant expect a miracle in one day!

When Abhi was identified with his muscular&motor problems, we took him to one of the leading pediatric orthopedic surgeon. The above statement was his words, when we asked him when abhi can walk normally.

Any parent will undergo three phases, I think, anger or guilt, depressed and acceptance, when they come to know that their child is having a problem. At that time,we were in the initial state of mind and the doctor's words hurt us very much. Now I feel we have matured and have arrived at the acceptance level and we understand the statement well.

Yes. There cant be a miracle happening overnight. But definitely I feel the presence and kindness of GOD during many occasions. We bought a house and we never knew at that time that there is a school closeby where Abhi will be studying. The goodness of teachers, my best friends, therapists, and others who support us, enhances my trust in GOD. And most of all, Abhi's classmates and friends who understand him, support him and LOVE him.!