Monday, March 1, 2010

Water Therapy Pics

A few weeks ago, Landon started water therapy.......and I forgot my camera!  Ugh! I have since had some inquiries about water therapy, Landon's therapeutic schedule and some requests for some pics.

Water Therapy is a service provided by our local EI Center.  I have to say, I was a bit hesitant about adding another session to Landon's already busy therapeutic schedule (2-OT's, 1-PT.....soon to be 2, 1-ST.....soon to be 2 and now 1-Water Therapy).  You see, Landon tolerates each of his 1 hour sessions with such will and determination and of course a smile on his face.  Landon goes to daycare at a local preschool with his brother Elijah 2 days a week from 8am - 4pm.  He receives 1-OT session/week there and 1 at home.  The same for PT and ST very soon (as of now, each of these sessions are done in our home).  It is very important to me, that Landon's services are consistent wherever he is.  Our local preschool has been exceptionally welcoming to our EI staff and learning as much about Landon as possible.  Yes, Landon is the first child with Down syndrome to attend this daycare/preschool.  And I couldn't imagine sending Landon anywhere else.  Thank you Melissa, Jen & staff for welcoming Landon with open arms. 

I am constantly playing devil's advocate on whether Landon's therapeutic schedule is beneficial or overload.  The bottom line is that my husband and I have decide to offer Landon all the services possible and we have agreed that Landon will decided what he will and will not tolerate.  So far, this seems to work for us and Landon just loves spending time with his therapists.  What a great "TEAM" we have.  Landon is a very social little boy. He would probably rather babble to you over playing with a toy.  He loves attention.  I think he considers his therapy sessions as......."PLAYDATES"!  If it works, then don't try to fix it:)

I am so happy that we decided to take on this water therapy session.  An added therapeutic class with less strain on the body.  Thanks Lisa and Jessica for being so creative and making this session so much fun!  Landon doesn't even realize just how hard he is working.  I truly believe that this will help Landon in lots of areas.  Two major issues with Landon right now is extending his hip flexors and bearing weight on his feet.  With land therapy, Landon shows some resistance.  In the water, Landon shows signs that he's been doing this for some time.  Oh the tricks water can play on the body!  Whatever it is, it works.  He will actually use his legs to push off the wall of the pool and will use his legs to jump on the steps.  He will extend his legs when the weights are placed on his ankles and he will move his hips like he is swimming.  It really is amazing to watch the differences.  Landon will also keep his balance when sitting on the mat (very difficult when the water keeps the mat moving).  We find that he will catch himself when he feels like he's losing his balance.  It's amazing what our little ones can and will tolerate when they are in the water. 

Don't get me wrong, this session is still alot of work and Landon definitely has his moments(like falling asleep in the middle of his session, yes, right in the middle of the pool).  Once again, I failed to have my camera with me and I missed the moment.........*sigh*  The flippers still haven't moved up on his list either!  Ha! Here are some pictures of Landon during his sessions.  You can enlarge the pictures by clicking on them.





OK, That's enough work for one day, Lisa!
"Where to now mommy, I just got my second wind!

17 comments:

  1. How cool is that. Maybe that's next on my list. Emmie loves the water. As long as I don't have to be the one in a bathing suit, AGHHHH!
    We think a lot alike.as long as Em loves her therapies we will do as much as we can. and so far it's all just a chance for her to socialize and play. she loves it.She has PT today. I think I'll ask if our EI has any thing to offer as far as water fun!

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  2. ADORABLE pictures and how wonderful that you are able to have so many EI therapy sessions per week and that Landon considers them "playdates"!!!! He seems like he is doing GREAT!

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  3. That is so neat. I wish we had options like that here. The pictures are great and he does look like he's having fun.

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  4. I've always wanted to try water therapy for Jax, he loves the water. I'll have to see if we have it here somewhere!

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  5. I'm so jealous! Landon is doing amazing and those water therapy sessions sound wonderful! You would think California would have something like that, but so far I'm not finding anything. Thank you for the wonderful updates. I'd love to hear what happens during a typical speech session too!

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  6. Oh Kelly, I am completely in love with your son! I LOVED the water therapy pictures! We have been putting Colin in swim lessons and it's amazing to us to see the difference in things like weight bearing on his legs when he is in the pool. Great post!

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  7. You are so fortunate to have that offered through your EI. Our EI doesn't offer it, so I would have to pay out of pocket or figure out a way for insurance to cover it (which I sort of doubt they would!). Seems like Landon really enjoys it and I the benefits seem huge. Thanks for sharing and hope to meet in person someday soon!!

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  8. So cool. How did you get hooked up with Water Therapy? Sam would love that!!!!

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  9. Hi Kelly! The headband has been GREAT! Last summer I saw someone on the beach whose child was wearing one and she swore by them. I bought it to prevent ear infections (just because I fear them!) You can get it from 2 places online that I know of...one is www.onestepahead.com (search for earbandit) or you can go to www.earbandit.com. They are pretty inexpensive!

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  10. Ok...I just wrote a long comment and then it just disappeared on me..what happened. I was telling you thanks for commenting on my blog because I had never gotten yours added to my reading list from the last time you commented and now I am glad to be able to follow Landon. He is so stinking cute!! I love that water therapy idea. I wonder if there is anything like that around here.

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  11. Now that looks like a fun way to have some therapy!

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  12. That water therapy is awesome. He will benefit so much from it! We sort of did our own water therapy at the pool everyday and I swear it helped Payton to walk by 17 months.

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  13. He is just too precious! I've never heard of water therapy. I hope it works out for yall!

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  14. Landon is GORGEOUS... and a hard worker! Love the water therapy pics. Sheridan LOVES water therapy, it's his favorite service next to music therapy! We should definitely trade notes :) but it sounds like our philosophies are similar - and the water provides such amazing benefits (especially allowing our little guys to work on things differently than on land) and they don't even know they are working! They just love it! Can't complain about that :)

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  15. I am totally going to have to look into the water therapy, it looks awesome! And Landon is such a cutie! He and Presley's birthday's are close to one another, February "LOVE" babies!!

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  16. Not that my LO is anywhere close to being ready for water therapy, but I'm going to ask if our EI has it available. It looks like so much fun and very helpful too!

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  17. He is a sparkler like mine, lighting up the room! Adorable.
    I used to live on Cape Cod and there were a lot of folks with your last name there!

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