Changing strategy

Today, after another difficult morning, we discussed Maya’s behaviour during therapy with Brittny. As mentioned before, she is not always very cooperative, which is the biggest challenge for her development of new skills. She turns many situations into a power struggle, which takes a lot of time off our precious therapy time!

Luckily, Mary Rebekah and Brittny are not strict in their approach – if it’s not working the way they planned, they simply change strategy. So, from now on, Maya will be rewarded when does as she’s told (with chocolate!) and will get more freedom in selecting which activities she wants to engage in (= more control). Also, we will bring more variation in the locations. So, this afternoon we went to the kids department in the wonderful bookstore Barnes & Noble where she could read books and play with the toys on display. These changes will hopefully improve her behaviour and thereby improve her learning as well.


It’s still not easy for Maya to grasp objects with her right hand, because although her other fingers open, her thumb stays locked inside her hand most of the time.

On the positive side, we do see major improvements in gross motor function. For instance, when we dress her she pushes and turns her right arm through the sleeve without thinking, without cue. She has also developed more strength in the right arm, allowing her to use it better for support.


Tomorrow morning, Mary Rebekah will join us to see if there are more changes to be made in the regime. As always, I will keep you posted.

PS In Maya’s defence… outside therapy hours she is the cutest, funniest and sweetest little girl imaginable!