Hi there, brushing really helped my K with her sensory issues. We started with every 90min. once down each arm and leg both sides and about 3 swipes down the back. Followed by compression on the joints. We do jumping. After a while we didn't have to it so much. About 3 times a day is what we do now. When we wake up, when she gets home from school, and then a few hours later. It is fun and easy. I'm glad he likes it. =)

My son's OT just had me start today. She wants it done every 2 hours....arms, back and legs...followed by joint compression. My son also is enjoying it.

OOPS...number of times:

palm to elbow to back of hand to shoulder..
big "W" on back
shoulder to back of hand to elbow to palm

all around the calf then bottom of the foot, repeat on the other leg

joint compressions.... wrist, elbow, shoulder...shoulder elbow wrist

ankle, knee, hip...hip, knee, ankle

Hi!

Brushing is great. I can tell you when you start it, it is like a drug to the system, and joint compressions can come after it. A really good video on joint compressions (although I recommend to never do it w/out the OT first showing you how) is... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvtV8owbR3o

He can also just keep it with him to rub with his fingertips as this may help that crying.

You brush on all sides of the arms and legs, 10X each side.
You brush down to calm down the system and up to 'wake' up the body.
I've been using it for quite a while now; I notice when I don't do it sometimes its like a drop in the system and going back to it helps that. It doesn't work for everyone but its working for a ton of people.

Hope that helps!

Much luv and hugs,
Kris

We do the brushing, not as much as we used to.. But it was a big help in the beginning,,Its great,,,hugs

I would like to try the brushing therapy with my son as well. Just wondering what everybody uses for the brush therapy (soft paintbrush, hairbrush?????)

They have brushes that are made for the therapy. They are pretty easy to get and cheep. I think a bag of 24 is something like $5.

I got the hospital surgical scrub brushes, ,,, and I carry one in backpack in van everywhere I have one..

My son was brushed every two - three hours. Now he doesn't need it as much. Morning and after baths at night. We followed it with compressions on the joints. Good luck. As my son grows his needs change all the time.

Tracey,
Tell your son that you and he are going to brush his teeth for ??? minutes. Set an egg timer up on the counter. When it runs out it will be time to go to bed and brushing will be over. Then...it will not be you ( as the bad guy who won't do it longer..the timer is in control. Kids want you to make a time table for them, at least this is the way I had to set it up for Tony.
Let me know if it works better. MJ

Hi, my son is 10 and we used to use it alot when he was younger. We still do it but not that often. I will rub his legs and arms gentle now when he's watching t.v. he loves it!! When we did do the brushing it was 3x a day. It really depends on how much stuff you have going on in your day. Obviously if your working you can't be at home to do it. And yes I used a scrub brush, any store that carries medical supplies has them. good luck. Alicia

Harrison loves it!! It's one of te only times he will sit still. I don't argue with him when it's done at bedtime. I let him keep it; he rubs his fingers on it. That seems to also calm him.

i was told it was used on adam yrs ago with no results. last xmas i got one of those full body massagers, you know, the kind that is like a lonb black mat that vibrates with or without heat. i can lay it on the couch when adam is really stimmy or out there and turn it on low, he loves it and it reall calms him down, he loves it! i recommend it to everyone!

Julies OT just told me to get her a vibrator like that, thanks for sharing P ,,,

Yes brushing helps! My son is 4 and he loves and asks to be brushed lol.
With us we were doing it every 2 hours.
Now its not often at all, but we did notice how it did help him calm down and kind of go down to zero instead of up to a 3, then next thing that bugs him jumps him up to a 7, ya know?
It worked for us, and we will do it again if his sensory needs get worse.