Rhythmic movements help a young boy adapt to summer clothing
This little boy would only wear long sleeves and long pants, which was becoming a problem as summer and 100+-degree weather approached. His OT and mothere worked together to use tools from the Brain and Sensory Foundations First Level course to reduce his tactile sensitivity so that he became comfortable in shorts and t-shirts.
Submitted by Jenny Jolley, MS, OTR/L, Imagination Station & On-Track Therapy
| Before | After |
|---|---|
| Would only wear long-sleeves and jeans, even in very hot weather | Now wearing short sleeves and shorts |
My second client was a 6-year old boy with provisional autism diagnosis; called “Adam." He had a history of reactions to vaccinations, febrile seizures, auditory sensitivity, tactile sensitivity, poor transitions, hair-trigger reactions to new environments, perseveration, and severe oral defensiveness.
Together his mother and I collaborated on a goal to decrease tactile sensitivity to clothes. As a pediatric OT, I focus on identifying goals that parents want to see change first. As it was the beginning of summer and Adam would only wear long-sleeves and jeans, it was imperative that Adam adapt to summer clothes due to approaching 100 degree heat. We began with Rhythmic Movement. I taught his mother the positions and requested she get 10-15 minutes daily. As he progressed we added Moro reflex integration after 3 weeks of Rhythmic Movement daily and in our sessions twice a week.
Adam had moderate adverse reactions in the first week of Rhythmic Movement [from the Brain and Sensory Foundations program] positions in my sessions. He complained of dizziness/upset stomach and responded in a somewhat baby-like way. By his second week, Adam had relaxed into them significantly and enjoyed doing them both with me and at home. He actively sought to move his head longitudinally. His mother reported that they enjoyed their time together at home. Within four weeks of Rhythmic Movement and introduction of Moro integration, Adam was attending sessions in short sleeves and shorts. His mother was shocked that he would easily accept these clothes because in the past they triggered significant meltdowns. We are currently working on Moro integration to further decrease his sensory overreactions, but have been amazed to see this transformation this summer.
[Edited for length and clarity; emphasis added]