If you need any specific suggestions, snap a pic and send it my way. As a school OT I work on improving pencil grasps day in and day out and would be happy to offer any suggestions.
I hate how my phone rotates all my pictures. She normally defaults to holding pencils like this, with her thumb up really high, instead of a tripod grip. I can't tell a difference in legibility either way (but, she's only on her second day of first grade, so it's not like I'm expecting calligraphy or anything).
ETA: She often holds it maybe an inch higher, too.
I think she's holding it up high so she can see her writing which is typical for many lefties. Usually lefties hold about 1-1.5 inches from the tip. It appears as thought she's got a collapsed webspace. An open webspace would look like an OK sign formed with the index finger and thumb. She might be wrapping her thumb/keeping it extended so she can see the paper better as she writes, as a habit or due to some hand weakness. I hear your concern of her not developing the right muscles. Typically if it's not causing functional issues (like decreased legibility) I wouldn't worry but with weak web space, kids can fatigue quicker which isn't an issue so much in 1st grade but as she needs to write for longer periods of time it could be a factor. If you want to try a grip, the grotto grip might be a good one for her. I wish I had one I could send to you to try. I do find that lots of kids who collapse the web space override pencil grips in general.
I would try some activities to work on those hand muscles. Having her work at a vertical surface for a few minutes a day (doesn't have to be writing, could be drawing or painting) will help bring her wrist into extension which helps facilitate a better grasp and might help her flex her thumb a little more. If her grip improves when writing against the wall or at an easel, point out the differences and what you like about how she's holding it. You could even place a small sticker or draw an X on the joint of the thumb where she should bend it. You can also mark how high up on the pencil you want her to hold it.
You can certainly search the web and come up with a million activities for improving web space. Some of my favorites are using tongs, clothespins or tweezers for games/activities, building with toothpicks and marshmallows, geoboards and rubber bands, rolling tiny tiny "peas" with playdoh just using the index and thumb, and popping bubble wrap. I can send many more, I'm just being lazy
Okay, that was a lot and I could keep going. Hopefully some of it is helpful. If you have any questions just let me know; I promise i won't always type a novel in response!
Yeah my ob pretty much said if you don't think you would terminate if something was wrong there's really no reason to get these tests, and a lot of insurance companies won't pay for it anyway. I don't even know what the nt scan tests for.
I feel like you've been around long enough to know not to say the bolded! People don't get the NT scan because it will change how they feel about the baby.
I stand by my statement and fail to see the issue. Unfortunately there are people who opt to end pregnancies because of discovered "defects" like downs, so it very well COULD change certain peoples feelings. I am not in that group of women. I am also not saying that I think people in that category are right. I mean no offense, but I am not understanding why I'm suddenly feeling like I should be defensive about declining screening that I've thought about and today decided just wasn't necessary and attempting to explain my rationale behind it.
I resent this statement. Not for personal reasons, but because I consider it a judgmental and shitty thing to say.
Post by jamaga2583 on Jul 22, 2014 15:51:53 GMT -5
I just changed a sleeping toddler's diaper in the stroller, without waking him, removed his pants, and transferred him to the car seat, without waking him. I feel frigging awesome.
OMG my MIL is here and just said, at 5pm, aren't we going to the pool? It's 5! She's going to want dinner too afterwards. But she's just talking away right now. OMG. Let's go or my kid, who's been a PITA all day, won't be in bed till like 9
Post by spaghetticat on Jul 22, 2014 16:07:07 GMT -5
Anecdote time: my brother had a terrible condition that would have not been nearly as bad had my mom known about it. But she didn't know about it and his birth was horribly traumatic. Nothing to do with termination.
Anyway, my only point earlier was that the NT scan is not just for you to see your baby again. And I am of the opinion that knowledge is power. You are fully entitled to do what you want with your body/baby. I just don't want anyone thinking an NT scan is a pointless ultrasound or something you would do only if you were willing to terminate.
Anecdote time: my brother had a terrible condition that would have not been nearly as bad had my mom known about it. But she didn't know about it and his birth was horribly traumatic. Nothing to do with termination.
Anyway, my only point earlier was that the NT scan is not just for you to see your baby again. And I am of the opinion that knowledge is power. You are fully entitled to do what you want with your body/baby. I just don't want anyone thinking an NT scan is a pointless ultrasound or something you would do only if you were willing to terminate.
I'm only liking the second part of this, obv.
I totally agree. IMO there's no such thing as too much information when it comes to your health.
I think how it's presented might need to be changed sometimes also. Because it was presented to me as "Do you want to get an NT scan to see if there's anything wrong" and decision making was mentioned as a primary reason. Not to be prepared, but the implied focus was on whether or not we'd want to keep the baby. I knew it wouldn't matter, so I declined.
That's interesting! It makes me wonder how my provider would have presented it if I had asked more questions. By the time we got to that point I had done a bunch of research and already knew I wanted it, so the conversation was more about what types of screening are available.
Yeah. When she presented it, I couldn't say no fast enough because I knew there was no way I'd ever terminate. I also knew my insurance wouldn't cover it. If insurance had covered it and it had been presented differently, I probably would have said okay.
I resent this statement. Not for personal reasons, but because I consider it a judgmental and shitty thing to say.
Ok. I see there's absolutely no winning for me today. I know a girl who terminated for downs. I fail to see how I'm being judgmental for stating something that happens. Maybe it's the "unfortunatately" I added in there. Well it is fucking unfortunate. No matter what the reason is, it is unfortunate anyone has to make that decision, whether I would make the same one or not. I recognize there are serious medical conditions that could/would affect quality of life and in those cases sometimes impossible decisions have to be made. This is sad, heart breaking and unfortunate.
I know you feel attacked, but the wording in the original post was bad. The first post read that it is unfortunate that anybody would terminate due to downs. Where this one says it is unfortunate that people are put in the position of having to make that decision. They are very different opinions even though the wording is close.
Post by lauranicole91 on Jul 22, 2014 16:25:41 GMT -5
My OB pretty much suggested I not bother with the NT screening. I think his wording was along the lines of "you are young, have no family history, and unless it is something you feel strongly about for termination reasons, there is no need." So I just skipped it. That being said, I fully respect and understand that not all women who choose to do screening are waiting on results to determine termination. Having that time to prep and learn about certain medical conditions, treatments, etc would be very helpful.
Also I hold a pencil/pen horribly wrong and I get hand cramps pretty easily and quickly when writing. It sucks but I don't think I'd be able to correct it at this point. My new position at work requires a decent amount of writing and I forgot how much it hurts.
My macbook battery is swollen/bloated. That can't be good.
I've had this laptop since my junior year in college...it's been dying a slow death for years now, but I can't afford a new one. I need this one to hold on! My AppleCare expired many years ago and I've already replaced the battery on this one like 3 times.
DH got his repaired it wasn't that bad! It wouldn't close though bc it was so swollen
Ok. I see there's absolutely no winning for me today. I know a girl who terminated for downs. I fail to see how I'm being judgmental for stating something that happens. Maybe it's the "unfortunatately" I added in there. Well it is fucking unfortunate. No matter what the reason is, it is unfortunate anyone has to make that decision, whether I would make the same one or not. I recognize there are serious medical conditions that could/would affect quality of life and in those cases sometimes impossible decisions have to be made. This is sad, heart breaking and unfortunate.
I know you feel attacked, but the wording in the original post was bad. The first post read that it is unfortunate that anybody would terminate due to downs. Where this one says it is unfortunate that people are put in the position of having to make that decision. They are very different opinions even though the wording is close.
Eh. I don't think the original wording was "bad," just something others disagreed with. Personally, I do think it's unfortunate that someone would choose to terminate just because they found out they were having a special needs child. Not, "this child may not survive," but "this child might not be perfect." She wasn't saying people who would make that choice are horrible people; she was saying it's unfortunate.
I know you feel attacked, but the wording in the original post was bad. The first post read that it is unfortunate that anybody would terminate due to downs. Where this one says it is unfortunate that people are put in the position of having to make that decision. They are very different opinions even though the wording is close.
Eh. I don't think the original wording was "bad," just something others disagreed with. Personally, I do think it's unfortunate that someone would choose to terminate just because they found out they were having a special needs child. Not, "this child may not survive," but "this child might not be perfect." She wasn't saying people who would make that choice are horrible people; she was saying it's unfortunate.
We will just have to disagree. I find nothing unfortunate about choosing to terminate in special needs cases if that is what the parents decide is best for their family. I do find it unfortunate that they had to make that decision, and I hope I never am put in that position.
I know you feel attacked, but the wording in the original post was bad. The first post read that it is unfortunate that anybody would terminate due to downs. Where this one says it is unfortunate that people are put in the position of having to make that decision. They are very different opinions even though the wording is close.
Eh. I don't think the original wording was "bad," just something others disagreed with. Personally, I do think it's unfortunate that someone would choose to terminate just because they found out they were having a special needs child. Not, "this child may not survive," but "this child might not be perfect." She wasn't saying people who would make that choice are horrible people; she was saying it's unfortunate.
I believe it's best if parents recognize their limitations.
I think it's horribly judgmental to say it's unfortunate that someone would terminate a special needs child. If they are not emotionally or financially equipped to care for that child, it is the best decision for the family.
Eh. I don't think the original wording was "bad," just something others disagreed with. Personally, I do think it's unfortunate that someone would choose to terminate just because they found out they were having a special needs child. Not, "this child may not survive," but "this child might not be perfect." She wasn't saying people who would make that choice are horrible people; she was saying it's unfortunate.
I believe it's best if parents recognize their limitations.
I think it's horribly judgmental to say it's unfortunate that someone would terminate a special needs child. If they are not emotionally or financially equipped to care for that child, it is the best decision for the family.
I did the NT scan for the ultrasound and an early gender guess, which was completely wrong this last time, lol. That'll teach me. It was covered by insurance and I have no risk factors.
I did the NT scan for the ultrasound and an early gender guess, which was completely wrong this last time, lol. That'll teach me. It was covered by insurance and I have no risk factors.
I did it but declined the bloodwork I just wanted another u/s.
I believe it's best if parents recognize their limitations.
I think it's horribly judgmental to say it's unfortunate that someone would terminate a special needs child. If they are not emotionally or financially equipped to care for that child, it is the best decision for the family.