How to end or take a break from Physical therapy?

[waverly]

I want to have an end in sight for PT now that I have to add OT.  I don't think I can juggle both at the same time.  Unless I can force the school district into doing OT for me, which I think they focus more on severe cases where it affects their education. 

I was asking her some questions at the last session on the orthotics and on the stiff ankles, and he is making improvements.  He has been doing the hip exercises for maybe 10 weeks, and that has improved.  When I see him do the pedaler his leg seems a lot less floppy.  His retained reflex looks like it is gone. 

I felt his core was weak when the OT tested it.  The PT never mentioned the core, but I mentioned it to her, and I think OT will work on it.  

Ideally we would have 2 more sessions and then be done.  Do I just say in the next session that I want to talk about wrapping this up so we can concentrate on OT?  OT is at the same place and she recommended it, so she is in the loop on it.  And then have a final session after that?  Do you think she will want to do 2 more sessions? 

PT is helping but it's been 10 weeks and 2 more sessions will put us at 14 weeks.  I know I am coming from the point of an adult with an injury, but the only PT I have had has been 6-8 weeks and done.  10 weeks-14 weeks and possibly 16 weeks seems long.  Of course I understand maybe always having it depending on severity, but his is not limiting at all except the scooter/ bike thing.  I could put him on the scooter/ bike and then re-evaluate since that is what I went in for, and she never has him on the bike to look at that. 

I've noticed a big improvement, and I see him integrating things.  So it's obviously helping, but for how long to do it?   

[akafred]

Ideally you would end after he is meeting his goals, so you would want to revisit those goals with his PT and possible reassess him to determine he is meeting them. But you certainly can tell her you're going to need to prioritize one and start the discussion.

[macchiatto]

Nov 13, 2017 22:52:25 GMT -5 akafred said:

Ideally you would end after he is meeting his goals, so you would want to revisit those goals with his PT and possible reassess him to determine he is meeting them. But you certainly can tell her you're going to need to prioritize one and start the discussion.

I agree with this. Leo has been in and out of PT, OT and speech a few times each since he would meet his goals and then gradually fall behind again as new skills came up that were expected for his age that he struggled with. There was also a time just recently though when we decided to take a break from a therapy (OT) for a little while since we were juggling 4 therapies after school with a low-energy kid who was just exhausted trying to keep up with all the therapies and therapy homework on top of regular school and homework. Plus his OT really was not very good and we weren't really seeing progress, the logistics weren't working out once school re-started, etc. Anyhow, I just let them know we were wrapping up due to the logistical issues and plan to start fresh with a new (hopefully better!) OT in a few months.

[waverly]

Thanks. I at least got them on alternating weeks for the appointments. I think I'll try to hang in there a little longer with PT and do both for about 1-2 months and then see if we are done with PT. She mentioned 3 months and that was about a month ago. And I think the muscles/ structural issues (hips, ankles) are getting better, so it seems like the motor planning is more the issue now and core strength which is OT's area.