From the day Jaxon was diagnosed with autism (actually even before he was diagnosed) we have been taking him to weekly sessions of speech and occupational therapy. We have taken breaks from time to time but therapy is one of the first things I research when we are notified that we are moving. Jaxon has had many different therapists over the years and they all take a little different approach, but overall, our therapy experiences have been very positive.
Jaxon feel into the category of “regression” where language was concerned. He had started talking well bore his first birthday, but by his second birthday he was using echolalia instead of normal speech and some of the words/phrases he was using on a daily basis slowly faded away. Although speech was important, treating his GI issues is what ultimately helped his speech. In just a little over a month of attacking his yeast/bacteria overgrowth (in the GI tract) his language began to return…we were thrilled, thankful, SO excited!
As far as OT is concerned, we mainly dealt with sensory issues and low muscle tone. Constant support at home combined with occupational therapy was great in these areas. Another thing that helped was cleaning the heavy metals from the body and then filling him up with specific vitamins and minerals. Digestive enzymes helped Jaxon to absorb the nutrients from the foods he was eating and this helped his muscles and sensory issues.
We just finished our first round of listening therapy at our current therapy office and are working on focus/attention. Integrated Listening is very popular within our clinic and so far we have seen great improvement in Jaxon’s vestibular system as well as his ability to focus during school time and a great deal of improvement in his ability to stay attentive during soccer and flag football. We will do another round of therapy with the ILS in the fall and I will keep you informed with our progress. Carter is also doing the ILS program and it has helped tremendously with his sensory issues (they developed overnight…sock lines bothered him, tags in his shirts…etc…literally, overnight).
Have a great day!
Jill