The Robot Place

To help Z with his sensory integration delay, we are going to Occupational Therapy once a week. It's just him and the therapist, Miss Kim. And Z loves it! It's a big super-fun playground indoors with a two-story robot and a giant ship with a swing in the middle. We call it the robot place and he looks forward to going every week. I can even take Harper now so she and I play while Z plays with the therapist.

As I said before, Z just thinks it's a great place to play. The first few times we went he asked when the other kids were coming. When the parking lot was fuller than usual one week, he said, "uh oh, there are going to be a lot of kids there!" Smile. I explained that we have a special appointment each week and Miss Kim doesn't let anyone else come when it's our time.

His favorite things so far are a gigantic ball pit full of those little soft spikey balls and the swing which is hanging down in the middle of the giant ship. The swing bounces and spins in every direction and he can't get enough. I would love to go on it myself. Here is a video:


I think all this vestibular stimulation is really helping because a few weeks ago I saw him walk up stairs alternating his feet for the first time. And he has started pedaling a bike more often (although not all the time yet).

And one of the most simple solutions has been a little chewy star that he can keep on his belt loop. When Z felt overwhelmed or even excited he would put things in his mouth. I guess it helps get out energy and even stimulates both sides of the brain somehow. The first time he took it to school, the teacher commented on what a great day he had. We waited to see if it was the star or not and, sure enough, the next time at school, he had another good day. She said he uses it quite a bit at times that were noisy or when the kids were very active. I can't believe that something so simple could help so much.

Seeing some tangible improvements has been so encouraging. It just confirms that we are on the right track and that we can really help him.