Step 1: Physical Therapy
Have you ever been to Physical Therapy? It can be for any reason… as an adult or kid. Almost immediately after I was born I was introduced to the world of Physical Therapy. And I have to give credit to all who work in the field because it is not an easy task and at times I’m sure it is thankless. But I appreciate all who have helped me get where I am.
I started with infant physical therapy which may not seem like much but was a series of small movements to get me engaged. My cross-eyed self was placed in a circle with others and my parent, ready to sing songs and roll around on the floor with me.
To be honest I don’t know a lot about this time but I have been given recounts of what it was like. And I do remember some of the exercises I was eventually made to do as a child, that were a continuation of the exercises I was given to start. Tummy time was a big deal in these early stages. As an adult I can tell you the simplicities I remember.
Another big thing I was taught was sign language. My understanding of sign language now is limited but when I was little this allowed me to communicate with my parents even before I could speak because sign language shows movement to symbolize what you need. I don’t know enough to be able to communicate with the community (I hope to begin learning soon) but I learned enough to be able to tell my parents when I wanted food, water, or if I wanted more of something. Making sure to communicate the necessities was important. I’ve seen when I have visited my childhood therapy unit now, how beneficial these skills can be for kids when they can’t communicate (either because they haven’t gotten to that milestone or maybe need it for other reasons).
One of the tasks you begin doing in physical therapy this early is motor skills and balance. While balance would ALWAYS be a challenge for me, motor skills ranged from various things. I was made to move my arms, jump around even with help, I had exercises I did with a therapist to allow me to get some motor movement in my legs before I could crawl. They also focused on having me inspect and pick up objects if I could. This worked with my motor skills (picking up objects) and worked with my sensory skills because I was focusing on the objects in my hands. This also allowed me to work on my cognitive skills because at times they gave you little puzzles. For example fitting objects in their correct slot.
I’m not saying it was easy, and honestly I don’t know that for sure because those first few years of it I have little recollection (obviously) but from what I’ve seen of the kids going through it now, they have better resources than even I did and still I know that it is tricky.
Physical therapy was something I didn’t realize how much it helped me until I was an adult and at many times I rejected it along the way. But I can’t say it hasn’t been helpful. Are there certain things I wish I could do? Sure. But that introduction to therapy allowed me to be able to be where I am.
