Karis' OT at 3.5 mos

Our Occupational Therapist was so helpful at our last appointment.  She worked with Karis for around 45 minutes, helping her strengthen her core, use her hands, and turn her head.  She also walked me through a list of 6 short term and 4 long term goals that she has for Karis (short term goals should be met in the next 3 mos, and long term in the next 6 mos).   

Enoch playing on the floor beside me during
Karis' OT appointment

Karis' short term goals:

1. Karis will track objects horizontally (with her eyes) left to right and right to left 180 degrees.
2. Karis will simultaneously hold rattle in both hands for greater than 10 seconds.
3. In supine position (laying down on her back), Karis will reach for overhead object/toy with right and left hands.
4. Karis will demonstrate finger play for greater than 5 seconds for improved midline orientation.
5. In supported sit (with bumbo, for instance), Karis will reach for desired object from tabletop surface with preferred hand.
6. Karis will tolerate greater than 5 minutes of core strengthening activity without signs of distress.

This is a list of some of the activities we are working with Karis on at home right now (many of these overlap with PT):

• supported sit (in bumbo seat with boppy pillow around her) with toys on her tray {see image above}.
• tummy time with elbows and forearms underneath her (as opposed to her arms being sprawled out).
• supine position laying on the boppy pillow with toys for reaching to center (midline) {see image below}.
• side-lying and touching her hands together to orient her toward midline.