Kinesio Taping

Jadon had his first official therapy session with his Occupation Therapist, Ellen today.  They got right to work on some of the things we had talked about at the evaluation.  Daddy took him to therapy today.  Matt said she really forces him to use that right hand (which makes him so mad).  If they are starting a new activity she gives him a couple choices and make him show her which one he wants using his right hand.  When it is time to clean up she had him alternate picking up toys using both hands. 

Matt took some pictures during therapy.  They are a little blurry because Jadon was moving and Matt was using his phone.  The brace he has on his for electronic stimulation.  Ellen wants him to get used to wearing it before they actually begin to use the machine.  He needs to keep it on for a certain amount of time and be somewhat cooperative.  That could be challenging.....

At the end of therapy Ellen applied some kinesio tape to Jadon's shoulder and wrist to keep them in a specific position she is looking for.  She did not show us how to reapply at this time.  She wanted to see how it went this first time.  Ideally the tape is supposed to stay one for a couple of days...but we are talking about the most stubborn toddler I have ever met.   It was still on when he got home to see me so that was a bonus....however by 5 pm he had the wrist portion removed.  The shoulder tape is still on.  Hoping we can keep that on for a couple more days.  He can't reach it as well.  I am hoping that the next time it will be cool enough to put long sleeves on him and maybe he won't notice it as much.  Here are some pics of it before he removed the wrist part. 

Got some good tips for making therapy fun and new again from another Brachial Plexus family tonight.  They used bath foam and bath paints in the tub and helped their child reach with the BPI arm to smear and she did not even notice she was being stretched.  They also said they had toys that only came out when it was therapy time so they were special.  One that really intrigued me was the platform swing they have in the house.  She said they put their little girl on it on her belly and she would swing and have to throw toys in a bucket using her BPI arm.  She is going to send pictures.  I will ask if I can share them on the blog.