our first visit from the SLP

[Anonymous]

Well we had our first visit from the SLP to start Hailey’s feeding therapy- only problem was that Hailey wouldn’t eat. Not only that, but she went nuts and started screaming and crying so inconsolably that the therapist asked me if I wanted her to leave. It was awful! I suspected things might go badly b/c Hailey didn’t take her morning bottle at all, then no snack or lunch, and no nap, so the therapist was supposed to see her at 1:15- by that time she was getting fussy from being so hungry and tired, but she held on, then the therapist called to say that she was going to be half an hour late.

Basically nothing really got accomplished, she took a history…but on the bright side, she is really very nice and understanding and seems quite experienced. She was the first person to tell me that Hailey’s case is urgent, even though she’s not yet FTT. Unfortunately, I’m starting to feel a bit discouraged b/c I really don’t know how anyone is going to be able to help her if she just screams like she’s losing it every time anyone gets near her… and not just normal screaming…

Sometimes I feel like we’re the going to be the exception to the rule, and never outgrow this problem. It’s so depressing sometimes. For those of you whose kids have feeding aversions or don’t eat, how do you get them to do anything in feeding therapy? Also did anyone have the same problem with the stranger anxiety behaviour. I’m getting so tired of this.

[Anonymous]

Im not sure how you deal with that. Although Tylers feeding is now great, he still doesnt like anyone to be in the room, any sudden noises etc so it would be difficult to have someone watch him eat. Does Hailey have a time of the day where she is hungriest? Maybe you could arrange appointments for a time when she might be a little hungrier. Also could the feeding therapist watch her from a distance where Hailey cant see her, or could you show her a video recording instead? I know it must be so difficult.

As far as the stranger anxiety, our health nurse told us last week that around 8-9 months this seems to be a problem with alot of babies and it is completely normal. This was after Tyler burst into tears just looking at her, when he is usually fine.

[Anonymous]

I’m sorry your appt didnt go quite as planned. But on the positive side, atleast she saw how aversive Hailey can be towards eating. That was probably a good thing actually, because now she see’s that Hailey’s case is urgent. If Hailey had taken the bottle with no problem, this SLP might have thought there wasnt an urgent need for therapy. What is her plan of action and when will you see her again?

We have the same problem with Noah when it comes to stranger anxiety. He is especially upset when a stranger comes into our home. We have gone to OT therapy 5 or 6 times and the OT just sits in the corner, out of immediate sight so Noah wont be upset. When we went for the feeding evaluation the OT, SLP and Ped all came into the room at once and started talking in that “high pitched talk” towards Noah. I thought to myself, “oh no, here it comes”. Sure enough his bottom lip stuck out and then the crying commenced. I told them that he doesnt like a lot of people around and he especially doesnt like strangers talking directly to him. They all had to leave the room before he would stop crying. They ended up observing him from a hidden window. Whenever we go for any kind of therapy or testing, I explain up front that they cannot try to socialize or play with Noah because it upsets him. For the most part if they just sit in the room without interacting with him, then he’s fine. Granted, he usually eats worse while there, but atleast they get the idea of what I have to deal with. Do you think Hailey would do ok if the SLP observed her from afar? Would it help if your appt. was scheduled during a time when she is less tired and more hungry?

lisaann2006-2-21 18:19:22

[Anonymous]

It is tough – I think that age might be the worst for the stranger anxiety (though James still has a good case of it at 2 – you should have seen the fiasco at the shoe store today – needless to say, we left without shoes and James will have to wear the same blue Merrels until college.) I just try to warn people when they walk into the room that James is “slow to warm up, so ignore him for awhile and he’ll be okay” (euphemism for “doesn’t like people but is NOT autistic so don’t start”) Experienced people understand – he even still does this sometimes with his teacher, and she’ll just say “oh james, did I look at you too soon? it’s ok, we’ll talk later.” Another thing is to try to prepare her – I know, she’s so young you’ll feel silly – but I think it is a good habit to get into and it really does help on some level. Simple stuff like “our nice friend so and so is coming today to play.” Hang in there – at least now you can start to get some help!

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the advice. We’re going to try to schedule things at a better time for Hailey so she’s a bit more tolerant, and have the therapist keep her distance. I might also play a baby Einstein video since this seems to distract her (a little trick we learned after many hysterical screaming sessions with the physiotherapist).

This therapist is really great, but I am scared to hope that she might be able to help us, because it’s so hard being let down before. She actually called me tonight and told me that she cancelled another appointment and she plans to come over again on Thursday, and that she booked us in for wednesday of next week as well at 11:30 which I said would probably be the best time for her. She also said that she made a call to another feeding specialist who we are waiting to see next month in hopes of getting him to see her sooner, as she “thinks that Hailey needs to see someone who is going to be aggressive with her meds”, and she knows that this guy usually is- since he’s also a pediatrician he can prescribe them. So hopefully we can somehow get past this obstacle of the stranger anxiety so that someone can help her. I often think that I’ve contributed to this behaviour because I have not been able to socialize as much as I would have liked with Hailey because of her feeding behaviour.

[Anonymous]

Good idea re scheduling at a better time and trying the BE trick. And
I’m glad the therapist seems good and agrees the case is urgent. I
really hope she helps you guys get somewhere and will have my fingers
and toes crossed for you guys.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Karen. I also hope (pray) that she can help.

[Anonymous]

lori, no worries about you causing her strange anxiety ok??? It’s not your fault , although I know it seems like every adverse reaction they have is our fault at times!!! I taught sunday school for 2 year olds and let me tell you some of them pitched rageing fits at being left with my husband and I, and I even KNEW most of those kids and their parents (and I KNOW those kids were well socialized), some kids are just more fearful of strangers than others, Austin was and I was always so embarassed when a well meaning friend stooped down to say “hi Austin” and he burst into tears, but he outgrew it and though he is still a little on the shy side he now could care less who says hi to him. And I am sososososo glad to hear you ar fianlly getting people to work with you and listen to you about Hailey… Maybe HAiley will warm up to the SLP as she sees her on a more regular basis, you could even take a picture of the SLP and show it to Hailey periodically and say “that’s our friend…” so she maybe makes a connection? I hope things go well on the next visit!!! Aidansmom792006-2-21 23:55:49

[Anonymous]

I’m so glad you finally got someone that understands what is going on with Hailey. It is definitely the right start, and hopefully everything progresses that way. It’s nice to know that she was thinking of you guys and called to reschedule for better times. Alexis started to have stranger anxiety around 8-9 months but outgrew it by 1 year. Taking a picture of her SLP and showing it to her might help ease the anxiety a little since the face would become familiar, she might slowly warm up to the therapist and actually interact.

[Anonymous]

Lori

I am so glad you the feeding sessions started! I know it probably seems like it was not the most helpful one but you found somebody who is willing to help and can understadn you and your daughter… i think that is important and hopefully that person can also provide you with some support and confirm somehow your thoughts — which i think is good.

BTW — i asked the ped yesterday about appetite (speeling? my english is not at its best right now :-)) stimulants. He said that he did not feel like playing with hunger until they are at least 2 years old or so. He says that they work, but you have to give them on and off and he does not think that it helps babies so young, who are better off having a regular feeding (even if not too much) than having a few days of eating and some of not eating at all… he said there were other reasons but he just thought it was not appropriate for babies under 2 years old… it is just his opinion though!! I know some people on this board have younger kids on them and they seem to work…

[Anonymous]

Thanks Thais. When I asked our ped about it, I was told the same thing.

[Author]

Posts