Swinging

So today Sam had a fabulous day of gait training. I was so impressed with her. She got up really early today (6 a.m.--usually gets up around 8) and so I was worried she would be too tired. She had a snack before she went, and I thought she would fall asleep eating. But, when we got there, she did amazing! Arlene, the amazing PT, took the first 10 minutes or so to put Sam in a "swing." The swing is like a piece of lycra fabric (very large!) that is looped and hangs from a single point in the ceiling. The nature of the material allowed sam to be "hugged" all over by it, giving her lots of sensory input. It also made it kind of dark inside there, and quiet too. Because it is stretchy, it also allowed her to be bounced up and down in it. So she went in every direction. She seemed to love it. Then we moved on to the room where she does her gait training.

Before she goes on the treadmill, Arlene usually takes some time to warm up sam on the mat and while Arlene was getting set up, I put sam down, and she sat there, all by herself, with no asisstance, for the longest she has ever sat (almost 1 minute!) It was really amazing how stable she was. She was able to sit up and hold her head high and even talk to the PTs in the room. It was so great.

Then she got on the treadmill and did such an amazing job. She took 100 steps independently, and did just a fantastic job holding her head up while walking and keeping it in midline, and doing it all at once. She worked really hard, and smiled the whole time. It was really a wonderful session.

So, Sam is getting a swing at home. I couldn't believe the effect it seemed to have on her stability. So when I got home I did some reading and found out that 15 minutes of swinging like that can affect the central nervous system for 8 hours. That is amazing. Here is a little blurb:

"Getting a swing that is hung from a single point will give them more effective and stronger, longer lasting vestibular input. Swinging on a swing is the ideal source of Vestibular input, and if done for 15 minutes on a swing can last up to 8 hours in the central nervous system, the other types of input only last 2 hours or so, so they must be done more often. I would highly recommend swinging for at least two 15 minute sessions a day one first thing in the a.m. and again in the afternoon, and before bed if sleeping well is a problem. This will help give the calming and organized vestibular input that is needed to help keep an individual responding to sensory input appropriately. May help to swing and rock gently before bedtime as well if sleeping is a problem. If swinging can be a calming choice throughout the day, then I would highly recommend it above anything else in the home & classroom. You can have a swing hung from the ceiling or from a "hammock swing stand" and let them swing themselves, just make sure it is slow, rhythmical, and not erratic. "

It was really cool.

And, just so I don't forget some day...Sam just loves "Eskimo Kisses" or as we call them, "Inuit kisses" It is really sweet. So, next time you see her, run noses!

OK, I finally get to turn off for the night. Good night fans and friends.