Patient-centered therapy that gets results
Charlie wouldn’t eat.
He was one and a half years-old, wouldn’t respond to his name, and he wouldn’t eat.
“We had to trick him into it,” says Charlie’s mother, Melinda. “We feared he had autism.”
Melinda and her husband Michael had Charlie assessed by the Birth to 3 program. Charlie was referred to a speech therapist. After seven months, the therapist concluded that Charlie had attention deficit disorder.
“The problem wasn’t Charlie, the problem was the therapy,” insists Melinda. “Every gut instinct in me was saying, ‘no’ to this diagnosis.”
They transferred to another program. “It was torture,” recalls Melinda of the new program. “They would start each session by stripping Charlie naked and weighing him. Then we’d go into a room with a two-way mirror where five or six suited professionals asked me questions. They showed me how they thought I should feed Charlie. He was terrified of the therapy and now he was becoming frightened of me,” says Melinda. “I ended up in therapy myself.”
With no where else to turn, Melinda went to her pediatrician. She recommended Melinda try Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare Pediatric Therapy services. Melinda and Charlie met with Erin Major, MS/CCC-SLP, Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist at Wheaton Franciscan-St. Joseph Campus, for an evaluation.
“Right from the start, they were so different. They had a therapy student observer in the department who played with Charlie while I talked with Erin,” says Melinda. “Both Charlie and I were thrilled. By the end of our first therapy session, Erin had Charlie eating red licorice, a food he was too scared to even look at before we walked in. At the second session, he ate five big marshmallows!”
After two and a half months with the program at St. Joseph, Melinda and Charlie could not be more pleased. “When Charlie’s on the floor, they’re on the floor. You'd think this is common sense when treating a two year old, but, in my experience, it's not," insists Melinda. "I love the St. Joe's team. They’re flexible, using the toys or items that interest Charlie, like trains or cars, as tools they integrate into his therapy. It takes a very creative person to be able to change their therapy plan to accommodate the ever-changing nature of a two-year-old. It’s plain to see they’re a cut above.”
There have been set backs to Charlie’ progress, admits Melinda, but coming back is never a problem. “Charlie loves 'playing' in the Pediatric Therapy department. When we arrive at St. Joe's, he runs straight to the gym of the Pediatric Department and looks for Erin to play with him. He'll even sit in her lap! That's huge.”
Melinda and Michael are benefitting from the expertise of the Pediatric Therapy team as well. “They teach us how to switch up tactics at home to reach our goals with Charlie and they celebrate our successes – no matter how small they may seem to other people,” explains Melinda. “And they listen to our concerns. I know they’re busy but they never rush me.” She recalls how on her first call to the program, Chris Cosgrove, Rehab Associate, talked with her at length, explaining about the team’s "Sequential Oral Sensory" approach to feeding. This approach has helped many reluctant toddlers learn to enjoy eating and, in turn, has reduced battles over eating at home. The children learn about having fun with food, positive family interaction when they eat, and turn-taking. This also helps language and communication blossom.
Soon Charlie will begin working with April Phillips, OTR - Pediatric Occupational Therapist, to improve strength and coordination.
“I only wish we had come here sooner.” says Melinda. “I should have listened to my instincts.”
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If you, or someone you know, has a child who is a "picky eater" or a "problem feeder" call Pediatric Therapy Services at 414-447-2797. Their Sequential Oral Sensory Program might be just the answer!