Grifyn had his first session of Hippotherapy today. None of us were sure how he'd react, so we all watched anxiously as he went down to meet Midnight. 
Here he is saying hello to Midnight. He was doing the sign for horse the entire time and saying 'horse".
He hesitated briefly when the therapist picked him up to put him on Midnight's back. But, as soon as he realized he was actually going to sit on the horse, he was fine. Talk about a collective sigh of relief! 
When the horse started moving, Grifyn started laughing. I'm sure it was a weird feeling for him. But, he LOVED it! 
The best part was that riding the horse encouraged him to talk. He was using 2 and 3 word phrases and he was chattering up a storm. He was also signing along with the words. It was the first time I've seen him put multiple signs together. He quickly figured out "go horse" and by the time the session was over, he was saying it clearly too. 
He also took time to point his finger and babble at one of the therapists. He also give Mr. Mitchell a "talking to" when he stopped the horse. I don't know what he was saying, but I do believe he was telling them to leave him alone and let him ride!
The speech stuff was just an added bonus. Hippotherapy is actually for PT and OT exercises. Here he is doing one of the multiple exercises. He had to reach into the head and pull out objects. He then practiced saying their name and he had to reach up, down and side to side to hand the objects to one of the therapists or to put them back in the head. My little smarty pants tried to outsmart the grown ups. He didn't want to reach down, so he tried to throw the object instead. I have to give him credit for problem solving! 
He had a great time and he even did well when it was time to get off the horse. He signed "finished horse", said "finished" and got right off. So, it looks like both boys enjoy horse back riding!
4 comments:
Awesome. You are doing so good.
Wow!! Oh, I absolutely Love brain stories like this! Who would have ever predicted G. would start using his words more by hippotherapy!!??? Did you ask if this was something they've seen, er- I mean, Heard of before?? It is facinating!
Aside from that, I love the stories of the two boys as they make inroads in life. Actually, all your stories are good! You are very observant! I wish all LD teachers in schools were as observant as you!!
Keep writing!! Shauna
Shelley, I was expecting to see hippos! LOL! Then I googles the word and now I understand! :)
Wow Shelley. It sounds like you all have some great programs available to your kids. I have had Alaina on the Equakids waiting list (hippo therapy) here in VB for almost a year. I haven't pushed the issue because at this point I don't think she would cooperate.
Of course I have only spent a few hours around Grifyn but it was easy to see that he lives with a open mind and an open heart. I did notice that he proceeds with caution when in question about something. Lucky you!!! I can't get my 23 year old to do that!!!!
Love to you, Robert and the kiddies.
Post a Comment