"BRUSHING"

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	OK. I am new to this board. I wanted to see if you have discussed or if you have an opinion on brushing? This is a technique where a child's arms and legs are brushed by an OT at first and then the parents to break down sensory defensiveness. What  do you all think?  Any sucess for anyone? Paisley We used it for a while( maybe a year) with DS.  It seemed to help to calm him.  We did it 2-3 times a day.  I will still grab the brush everyonce in a while.  We have gotten out of the habit.  Also we were told that at almost 6 he sould find ways to calm himself.  We followed the burshing with joint compression.  Have your OT show you this step too. I don't think it hurt at all, but I can't say it was all that great. Here is a little more background information about the Wilbarger Protocol.  My experience has been that nearly every student I have done this with has decreased tactile hypersensitivity, and increased calmness and ability to self regulate.   http://www.pbbkids.com/the_wilbarger_brushing_protocol.htm   This technique has helped my DS so much! It took a week or so before we saw results, but he calms himslef so much better when we are keeping up on the brushing. I was sick a few weeks ago and he didn't get brushed. A few days after that he was an absolute terror, crying and melting down over everything, it was awful. So for us, it definatly works and keeps this household sane Tweeker used to receive the "brushing" during therapy at a pre-school age.  I can remember doing it at home as a reinforcement.  I had to stop though when he was about 7 yo....he went through this phase where he didn't want me to touch him :(  It really made me feel bad.  It did work when he was younger though!This has worked wonders for Nicholas for a couple of years. we did it every night before bed. He no longer needs it. but it did work It worked for Fabian for a while but now all it does is tickle him and the OT says because he is even more sensitive now - instead of decreasing his tactile needs, it has actually increased it (he no longer rocks so it is replacing that) It was great for Junior though!!!
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