So Bennett's private PT ordered the SPIO vest to help with the muscles in Bennett's tummy. Many times this vest is used for sensory processing disorder but in his case we're hoping to give his core strength and compression to get up off the floor and just help him in general with the stomach muscles. It's a tad silly looking- looks like a girl's bathing suit but it can be worn under clothes and he doesn't have to wear it all the time by any means. When he has it on though, he looks very fit and tight- lol and his posture is awesome! And I don't know, there may be something to it because when he has it on, as soon as I say "rock, rock, rock" he gets up on his hands and knees and will stay up for a long time. He hasn't really done this since he's started his efficient army crawl. So it's exciting to see this progress in just a day!
He's made a few attempts to move while up on his arms but will go right back to his old ways that are just plain easier for him and quite efficient. "Why on earth can't I just army crawl mom!?" "It gets me where I want to go!"
Sophie's impressed with this quick progress too;) Really she's hoping the kid's got some cheerios stashed somewhere!
Even without the vest he's been doing this leg thing where he tries to get up on his leg, almost like a bear crawl. His therapists are okay with this for now.
Okay, other than the vest, here he is showing off some awesome "crossing midline" techniques. He totally could have dropped the green circle but held onto it and got the blue one with the opposite arm-way to go Bennett! And I didn't even stage this exercise, he was just playing with them and I happened to take the picture. Crossing midline is great for cognition (reading, writing etc.).
Here he is imitating Ainsley by hitting his mouth and making noise at the same time. Look at that posture! He seems to sit nice and straight and usually will have one or both knees bent while in the SPIO-I really think he feels like he's more stable in it.
Oh how he loves to try an imitate his sisters!
So Bennett has really stepped it up in the signing department! I mean literally has starting using 5 or more signs a lot, some new that he just learned and some that we've been working on for months now. But all of the sudden he's decided to use them. He can now sign on command: all done, eat, more, mom, dad, thank you, night-night (I do the sign for bed for this because I think it's cuter!;)), dog and drink. He will sign without prompting: eat, daddy (hmmff!), more and all done. He seriously went from one here and there to all of these pretty consistently! He's also pointing out body parts-another thing we've worked on for months! I don't know what's happened but things are clicking and I love it!
We've got a nice break from therapy so we'll keep using the vest and see if it helps with his crawling! Someone will be 18 months in just a few days!
Do they make those stomach tightners in adults sizes? I might need one after this 3rd is born! Bennett is such a cutie...way to go on the signing explosion... still waiting for Em to catch on!
ReplyDeleteIt does look like the vest is helping stabilize him. We use taping technique on Lucas and it really helped him crawl. I am hoping since we started it again that it will help him walk.
ReplyDeleteSo wonderful that he is signing more! Enjoy your break!
Oh Bennett you are stylin' in that Spio! Too cute, we tried using one for Alayna for a bit to give her some extra compression and support while she was standing. Hope it helps and he takes off crawling.
ReplyDeleteAwesome job on the signing!
He's so stinking cute and doing awesome things! Our OT has used this vest with P before and the posture is amazing :)
ReplyDeleteI wanted to thank you for your comment on my blog. I really appreciated what you had to share. Thank you!
I'm so glad you're seeing a big difference with Bennett with the SPIO vest! We got one for Wesley a few months ago and he started doing a lot of things in the first week or so after getting it. It's amazing how helping them be more stable makes such a big difference!
ReplyDeleteAlso, where did you find those circles that Bennett was playing with? We have been looking for something like that for working on fine motor skills with Wesley.
Oh, Bennett- you look good in everything! I remember Bennett in his hot pink Hip Helpers. That's so exciting about the signing! Have you always signed consistently with him, or did he pick up the signs from seeing them occasionally? I wonder if there's a point where the signs just "click"?
ReplyDeleteWay to go Bennett!! I love that he's having skill explosion...so cute!
ReplyDeleteI think we might need to get a vest like that for posture--thanks for sharing!
Way to sign Bennett!! We're still waiting for the sign explosion over here...
ReplyDeleteOh is he ever Gorgeous! What a beautiful face he has and a smile that would like up the night! Go Bennett Go!
ReplyDeleteStellar head of hair too! Yeesh he's a looker!
Ive heard about those vest...he's doing awesome with his! Go get 'em Benett..your such a cutie!
ReplyDeleteThat's just so Awesome !! Way to go Bennett. Keep up the great work. He is so adorable !!
ReplyDeleteCaroline
I wonder if that vest is anything like spanx? :) he looks rock solid up on all fours - way to go bennett!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments, Adrienne. I thought they were perfect. Your blog is beautiful, and now I want a SPIO in my size. Ha ha. Bennett's eyes? Gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteWay to go Bennett! We have a similar vest and love it. I think the compression calms Will down sometimes too. Love those developmental growth spurts!
ReplyDeleteEmily wears the vest too during her OT. [for sensory disorder/tactile defensiveness] I just wrote a post about it a few days ago.
ReplyDeleteHe is just the cutest kiddo, Adrienne! I am impressed by his crossing midline, too! Good job, Bennett!
ReplyDeletewhoo hooo! rock star status.
ReplyDeleteisn't that thing a royal pain to maneuver, though? Wow, I remember wrestling with that rubber thing with the velcro everywhere but I'll tell ya, it was awesome!!