United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hi, everyone:

Do you ever have one of those days where you just need to vent? I am feeling really frustrated about the therapy issue today, and I'm wondering if anyone else here feels like I do.

Does anyone else have days where they feel like the therapy sessions (PT or OT) are a complete waste of time and money? I have felt like that for months now.

I realize many people love their kids' therapists and think they are wonderful and very helpful (and I have felt that way at times), but lately I find myself sitting off to the side, watching both our OT and our PT say things to my son like, "OK, put the stick in the hole. All right! See you next week!" And I am left thinking: "Hey, I could do THAT!"

I am not anti-therapist. I realize we hire these people for their medical expertise and for their ability to look for things we wouldn't necessarily see as parents, so intellectually I understand why I am doing this. We've been doing this for over two years, and I have tried several different therapists along the way for our son. Some have been really nice, and others haven't, but none seem to be doing anything that valuable for Danny. I'm getting to the point where TCH is the only place where I think we're getting any VALUABLE help -- and that's usually by video!

Maybe I feel like this because I have learned all the tricks and exercises to do at home, and now both Danny and I are kind of sick of the whole therapy experience in general. Maybe it's burnout? What seemed so beneficial when he was a baby isn't seeming that way anymore. Is this common?

Anyway, just wondering what others' experiences might be. I sure could use some input!

Thanks for letting me vent!
Janet

Maybe you feel that way because you are not comfortable with your therapists? Some of the things they do do seem pretty easy to do at home, but they know what to feel for and what to look for. We don't. Maybe look for new therapists. Like all of us, you probably just want this whole thing to end. It seems to take a lifetime. Good luck and I hope you find answers.

Tracey

I totally understand where you are coming from. The biggest help with our therapist was guidance on hat we needed to concentrate on in our home program. She would let me know when to change things up, what to spend more time doing, and teach me new tricks and stratagies. I am really missing her. We aren't getting this type of support through the school based therapy. If you are comfortable doing activities at home, maybe instead of weekly appointments you can set up seeing the therapist on a consultation basis, save you some trips and money.

We all can do therapy with our children. They are mainly there to guide us or to answer our questions. My son is still an infant, and we had both OT and PT. We decided to drop the Ot. SInce he is still so young they basically were doing the same things. You can do your own therapy, but with a law suit they want to make sure you do all you can for your son. It may be used against you later. It will be brought up in court. "After all how would you know it he would heal better if you did have one?" Face it, we can do just as good of a job but you never know what they will pull.

I think you need a change in therapist. That's for starters. I think that as our children grow up, therapy has to change with them and has to really keep them moving.

I have the same thoughts but my daughter has been home with me a few days because she is sick. She's not really sick - not in bed - but she has to be on medication and can't be around other children right now. It's HARD motivating her to do a full hour of work with her arm. She doesn't want to do any of it.

So we one hour a week where the arm gets ALL the attention. I think it's a good thing for now. But I don't trust their medical opinions. I honestly don't trust too much. I rely on my specialist to give me any kind of direction at all.

Good luck!

Hi Janet:
I know exactly how you are feeling and what you are thinking! I have been there and honestly, I still feel the same way. I have been through several different therapists the past 2 years. I was comfortable with Ella's first PT from early intervention. She has been finished seeing Ella for several months now. Ella was discharged from Birth to Three and I had to go looking for a "good" therpaist. I found a couple that we tried out...no luck! The first one tried to be like "it's my way, or no way with Ella" so we threw her out of the picture and the second one I am still in the process of wondering what to do in regards to keeping her or not. I honestly had Ella out of formal therapy for several months. It didn't hurt her. I did everything at home with her and to be honest with you...even some of the best therapists will tell you that you can work with your child on your own after learning what their needs are. I myself feel better about having Ella in formal therapy b/c I learn more about her problems with certain muscles, movements etc. I learn different things to do with her at home also. I did like the other posters advice on maybe going for a consultation every now and then instead of weekly therapy. Maybe I will try that until surgery. I have to keep looking for someone who I am 100% comfortable with b/c Ella will be in a lot of therapy after her surgery this Winter.
Good luck trying to figure out what is best for your child. You will figure it all out soon. Hopefully I will too! =)
~Krista~

Janet:
I also wanted to tell you that I watched from the "sidelines" also during therapy sessions saying to myself...
This is a complete waste of time. I can do this myself!
I still can't figure out if I am right or not...I guess I just want Ella in formal therapy outside of home b/c it makes me feel better. It makes me feel like I am doing more for her...does that make sense?
~Krista~

When I start feeling that way, it's usually time for a short break. I always make sure to talk with the BPI specialist and the therapist for any concerns on stopping for a bit, but usually we will after taking a month or so off, both me and Caleb are ready to start up again and then I start feeling like we're making progress with it. It's such a slow process, though, and can drive an even a patient person absolutely crazy!

Hugs,

Kari

I also have felt this way. In September, I felt this way about Hannah's therapy and we have been taking a short break from formal OT. We are getting ready to start back up in a couple of weeks. I have not noticed any differences in Hannah since we stopped formal therapy. I think it is OK to take a break sometimes. Don't feel guilty. I did and it wasn't worth the guilt.

Good Luck,
Lisa

Janet:
Everybody needs a break sometimes. And that includes the parents!!!

Take a break. You and your child have a lifetime of therapy....a short break will not be the end of the line. Maybe then a new and better therapist will pop up. We had this while Juliana was still in EI. We were going to a place that was very nice, but far away, and every 2 months or so they would tell us that we had a new pt. Juliana did not do well with change at that time in her life and it made therapy very tough. Our ot was the same (and fabulous) from birth to 3. So, only pt was a problem. I decided to stop pt for a while. We kept ot, we were doing speech and we were in a heated pool. A few months later my service coordinator called me and told me that the "best" pt was now available. And she was the "best" pt. We still talk on the phone about Juliana's progress. She comes over to see how Juliana is doing. She gives me pointers on what to say to the pt we are now using to get them to work on certain areas.

Just remember to play as much as you can. Finger paints in the tub. Lacing beads. Hand cream on the windows.

Relax.

hope it helps,
claudia