This post is part of a mini blog series documenting four weeks of Constraint-induced Movement Therapy (CIMT).
We arrive at the Constraint-induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) clinic and waste no time getting started. My daughter is in a great mood and she appears to be energized—these precious minutes are not to be wasted. Over the course of the day, we try a variety of activities. They’re a huge success in keeping my daughter fully engaged.
Bouncy yellow slinky against the light table
We dim the lights and place my daughter on her tummy. She’s not initially thrilled but then she notices the bright yellow slinky in front of her which I’ve set against the light table. With her Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI), it’s not always obvious when she sees something. I know she sees the slinky today because she lifts her head up and smiles while looking. Ruth, her physiotherapist at the CIMT clinic, encourages my daughter to touch the slinky with her left hand. We repeat the slinky activity while practicing sitting and we’re totally amazed with how she responds.
Food as a motivator
Ruth has the idea to spread smashed up raspberries and blueberries on the back of my daughter’s hand, and then help guide her hand to her mouth. It’s an awesome idea and works like a charm. My daughter really gets into it and the more we do it, the easier it becomes.
Slimy goop and water beads
I won’t say my daughter was ecstatic but she was definitely paying attention when Ruth and Fetullah covered her hand with goopy slime made from corn flour and water. The idea is to expose her arm and hand to a variety of different textures to awaken the senses in this area.
In the photo below, my daughter is feeling water beads (the ones you sometimes use in plants). They’re very slippery and cold to the touch.
Who can resist the curly, ultra soft coat of a beautiful dog?
We ended the day on a high note. Ruth brought in the beautiful caramel colored office dog for my daughter to feel. I could tell she loved it. She pulled her hand back in surprise when it touched the puppy’s wet nose. Too cute!
My daughter’s arm feels softer this evening, as if the spasticity is already going down. My husband has commented on it too, so I know it’s not my imagination.
Cindy has a deep interest in Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) and is currently studying Early Childhood Education. She focuses most of her time on her energetic daughter: playing, cuddling and helping to make her world visually accessible. Cindy holds a degree in Marketing and has worked in the not-for-profit sector for many years.