Timocco for OT intervention by Naomi Clayden

Naomi Clayden Dip C.O.T.  PGCE.

Registered with Health and Care Professions Council.

J was referred to OT due to concerns about his handwriting and sports ability. He was first seen by an OT in August 2013 at the age of 8. At that time he was given a full Occupational Therapy assessment which highlighted the following:

STRENGTHS

• J is good at Maths and Science.
• J has a good level of general knowledge.
• J has an extensive vocabulary.
• J enjoys reading and using a computer.
• J plays the piano and is approaching his second grade.

PARENTAL CONCERNS

• J’s handwriting is difficult to read.
• As J is aware how hard he finds it to write well. He tries to avoid writing and when he does write he uses shorter words, even though he has an excellent vocabulary.
• J does not have any flair for sport.
• J is sometimes a bit socially awkward, but he does make and keep friends.

J’S INPUT

• J explained how he really loves his computer time at home, even though he is restricted to one hour a day.
• J’s main concern currently is that he will not get his “pen passport” to use a pen rather than a pencil, in class, however hard he tries.

SUMMARY FINDINGS of FULL ASSESSMENT

Standardised testing (including Movement ABC, TVPS and VMI) and observation revealed that J’s prime difficulty of poor handwriting is affected by the following areas:

• Retained early reflexes – Atonic Neck Reflex.
• Hyper-mobility of joints in both upper limbs and poor postural control.
• Reduced bilateral co-ordination.
• Slightly reduced mid-line crossing abilities.
• Some sensory seeking issues around oral processing.

Treatment Goals for J set in November 2013 to be attained with direct treatment sessions once a month, backed up by a home programme to be carried out a minimum of three times a week:

Summary:

Since the beginning of treatment sessions J has made great strides. He now has his “pen licence” and is finding handwriting much more productive.

A variety of activities have been used during treatment sessions and part of them has been the use of Timocco.

It has been used towards the end of the sessions as a motivator and a reward but with very specific treatment goals in mind.
In particular, Timocco has been used to strengthen J’s shoulder girdle and to encourage mid-line crossing and bilateral control.

More recently he has become so keen, that his parents have decided that part of his daily hour of computer use can be using Timocco at home and to these ends they have decided to purchase Timocco for home use.

Naomi Clayden

Dip.C.O.T. PGCE. HPCP Reg.

Oxford, UK