CABVI Playgroup

The week is still full of therapy and other appointments. We're fortunate Katie is open to all of them and that helps a ton. One place on the docket that does a phenomenal job is Cincinnati's Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Their early intervention folks regularly come to the home and the host playgroups as well. Here is the set up for one held this past Friday.

Mitchell took a quick catnap (doesn't he look so big on the couch?!),

then enjoyed some vestibular input in the swing which for him works to stimulate his vision. After Mitchell swings side to side for a little bit, you will notice nystagmus - a sign that he is actually using his vision.

Actually, our vision therapist Anna and the Association's music therapist (Paula, a very intelligent and accomplished woman, mom to grown twin boys and blind herself), visited our home this week too and documented the following helpful report:

MUSIC USED: Five Green and Speckled Frogs, ABC's, Itsy Bitsy Spider, Muffin Man, other preschool music
INSTRUMENTS USED: dulcimer, Remo tambourine, circle drum, small tambourine, cage bell
MUSIC AND/OR INSTRUMENTS PREFERRED: he seemed to attend to the dulcimer, tambourine, and cage bell
COMMUNICATION AND SOCIAL SKILLS: smiles, regards faces, does some vocalizing
FINE AND GROSS MOTOR SKILLS: hands are open. He doesn't grasp instruments independently.
DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES: sits with support
OTHER COMMENTS: We started the session with him on my lap. He is very responsive to all music and, given adequate time, touched the dulcimer and the tambourine. Anna Ruhmkorff was able to observe how Mitchell used his vision while we played music. Anna pointed out those sometimes brief and sometimes longer fixations as they occurred. He prefers to look to the left and generally plays using his left hand. He often puts his right hand near or in his mouth. Luke took an active part in the last half of the session, singing and playing instruments and suggesting songs we might sing together. He is most welcome to join our music sessions. Toddlers like to watch older siblings.
POSSIBLE THERAPEUTIC GOALS AND PLAN: Music motivates and interests Mitchell and I think he'll work hard to actively play music (touching, tapping or shaking an instrument). I'd like to work on encouraging Mitchell to touch, then grasp and finally hold instruments intentionally. I'll make approximately 5 more monthly visits while Anna is on leave.

Right now we're in a flurry of planning, trying to arrange a manageable summer and fall schedule for both Mitchell and Luke. The Pearlman Center at Childrens can get Mitchell into a 1-day a week class that does require a caregiver present. Should we do that and miss out on Conductive for awhile or do we do some intense time at Conductive and wait to start Pearlman until the fall? What actually will be the Pearlman fall schedule so we can feel good about Luke's preschool enrollment which I've already been fortunate enough to switch once? I'm sure we'll figure it out!