Child Success Stories

A Child Success Story:
Johnny Develops Gross Motor Skills

The Issue
Mr. and Mrs. M. were concerned about their second child, Johnny. When their alert baby was ten months old, he appeared to his parents to be doing well in all aspects of his development. He reached and grasped toys. He watched his mother with interest when she talked to him, and he cooed often in response. However, Johnny’s parents were concerned because he could not get around on his own. He just sat where his mom placed him. As mom explained, during playtime she usually sat Johnny on the floor of the den surrounded by lots of toys. He loved getting a toy and playing with it. He could remain there for a long time and then cried for someone to pick him up. As a contrast, Johnny’s little cousin, Zachary was seven months old at that time, and he crawled all over the house. Zachary was mobile and happy. Johnny’s mom knew that different children progress at different rates. However, she had read in the childcare magazines that crawling is important for babies, and she was very worried because Johnny could not crawl at all. In fact, he just cried and screamed when he was put down on his belly on the floor.

Johnny’s dad shared his worries with his friend, who told him to call the offices of Rising Stars of Rockland. We discussed the issues with him, and referred the family to the Early Intervention services at the Rockland County Health Department. Johnny’s pediatrician supported Mr. and Mrs. M’s efforts to seek an Early Intervention evaluation for him.

The Process
After a core evaluation by Rising Stars’ team of highly skilled diagnosticians, Johnny was approved for Early Intervention services by the Rockland County Health Department. It was determined that, due to Johnny’s low muscle tone, it was hard for him to lift his head and use his arms to move himself while lying on his belly, and professional intervention was indicated. This presentation made it hard for him to lift his head and move himself while lying on his belly. A warm and experienced physical therapist from Rising Stars was assigned to come to Johnny’s home on a regular basis to work with him and his family.

Johnny loved the therapist. He became excited to see her and squealed in delight when she came to play with him. The physical therapist used her toys as a motivator to gain Johnny’s cooperation. In fact, the physical therapist was really utilizing special techniques to help Johnny develop age-level gross motor skills, during their playtime together. She explained the techniques to Johnny’s mother and father, and gave them exercises to incorporate into their daily routine. They were eager to be part of the process, and completed the exercise periodically throughout the day.

Johnny responded well to the physical therapist’s approach. Once he got used to her and his arms got stronger, he enjoyed playing on his tummy. He was able to reach for more toys and to move himself forward to retrieve toys that would roll away. He no longer cried for his mother when a toy would roll away, out of his reach. He was becoming more independent. Johnny was able to sit up and get back down to the floor if he wished to.

The Results
By Johnny’s first birthday, he was able to crawl well and to cruise furniture. He was a much happier baby who would play contently by himself, and with his family. Johnny remained in the early intervention program until his 15-month birthday. Johnny was able to walk with good balance, and to crawl up and down the stairs.

Mr. and Mrs. M. felt that signing Johnny up to the early intervention program was the best thing they had ever done for him. He needed the intervention to help him get past his difficulties. They noticed that Johnny became happier and more playful when he caught up on his gross motor skills. Most important of all to us at Rising Stars, they feel more positive about his future.

Sarah’s pediatrician recommended that Sarah’s parents contact the Rising Stars office to seek professional intervention. They needed professional help. The staff in the Rising Stars office called in the referral to the Early Intervention office at the Rockland County Health Department.

The Process
After a core evaluation by Rising Stars’ team of highly skilled diagnosticians, who specialize in feeding and speech therapy, Sarah was approved for Early Intervention services by the Rockland County Health Department. A warm and experienced feeding therapist from Rising Stars came to Sarah’s home on a regular basis to work with Sarah and her family.

Sarah’s family was given specific guidance in techniques to improve Sarah’s suck and swallow ability. Strategies included training in how to hold Sarah, guidance in choosing the right nipple, the appropriate type of formula, and techniques to prepare Sarah for the feedings so that she would be able to suck and swallow efficiently.

The Results
Sarah improved quickly. She responded with more coordinated sucking and swallowing, and ate more at each feeding. Each feeding took less time, and was less tiring for Sarah, so she had more energy to look at and interact with her mother after each feeding. Sarah slept for longer stretches at a time, and was calmer and cried less often between feedings. Sarah’s parents really felt good when they took Sara to the pediatrician for the next follow up visit. Sarah had finally gained weight! It was very gratifying for Sarah’s parents, who felt that by following the Speech/Feeding therapist’s suggestions, that they had really helped their daughter.

Sarah’s mother summed it up when she said, “We were scared when little Sarah could not suck well from her bottle. She was so irritable and she was not gaining well. We are so thankful to our therapist and Service Coordinator from Rising Stars for all the help that they gave Sarah and our family. They have truly made a difference in our lives.”