Submitted by Kate Mitchell, MS, OTR/L
| Before | After |
|---|---|
| Extremely high levels of stress and anxiety | Much calmer |
| Unable to participate in daily tasks; for example, could not help cook dinner for fear of injury or starting a fire | Able to help with dinner, and is generally much more open to trying new activities |
This client is a 17-year-old woman who has a strong retention of her TLR [Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex], Moro [Reflex], and Fear Paralysis Reflexes. She has been working with OT to address completion of ADLs and IADLs such as self-care, cooking, and transportation management. She displays extremely high levels of stress and anxiety and frequently cries during sessions.
I chose to utilize the 5-Step Balance process for her in addition to all Rhythmic Movements (to address FPR), with focus on movement 1 to address the TLR and the isometric activities [from the Brain and Sensory Foundations course]. The most important tool utilized for her sessions was the balance process as I found it to be highly beneficial for my own self. Additionally, I had her engage in several of the reflex integration activities such as the Three Thumps (which she loved!), the flying activity while in prone for TLR integration, and the Fear Tapping Points (another favorite).
I found that through implementation of these various activities, my client was much more calm and able to tolerate the ADLs/IADLs which were previously such nerve wracking tasks for her. After the first session, the mother contacted me to thank us for all the work we were doing as she went home and her daughter asked to help cook dinner, something this young lady NEVER did as she was afraid of injuring herself, burning the house down, etc.
I truly found this particular case to be exciting as she was old enough and able to explicitly communicate which activities she liked and which she did not. Once her engagement was solidified, it was very easy to elicit participation in future activities to the point where she would come in and I would ask which “exercises” she wanted to do for the day. The overall positive change I saw in her self-esteem was absolutely inspiring! This client went from a shy, scared individual to someone who had the courage to try anything at least once.
[Edited for length and clarity; emphasis added]