Discussing Autism

We encountered a very interesting phenomenon when we first started Wilbarger Brushing; Little Pickel would only poop if we brushed him.

I mentioned briefly in An Answer to a Question that when we originally began Occupational Therapy our OT diagnosed Little Pickel with Sensory Integration Dysfunction. Thus, she immediately began him on the Wilbarger Protocol, otherwise known as Wilbarger Brushing or Corn Brushing. I find it best to quote on the technique rather than to summarize:

An occupational therapist who has been trained to use the technique, and who knows sensory integration theory, needs to teach and supervise the Wilbarger Protocol. This statement cannot be emphasized enough. If the technique is carried out with-out proper instruction, it could be uncomfortable for the child and may lead to undesired results.

The first step of the Wilbarger Protocol involves providing deep pressure to the skin on the arms, back, and legs through the use of a special surgical brush. Many people mistakenly call this technique “brushing” because a surgical brush is used. The term “brushing” does not adequately reflect the amount of pressure that is exerted against the skin with the movement of the brush. A more appropriate analogy would be that it is like giving someone a deep massage using a surgical brush. The use of the brush in a slow and methodical manner provides consistent deep-pressure input to a wide area of the skin surface on the body. Ms. Wilbarger has found and has recommended a specific surgical brush to be most effective. The face and stomach are never brushed.

Following the “massage” stage, the child receives gentle compressions to the shoulders, elbows, wrists/fingers, hips, knees/ankles, and sternum. These compressions provide substantial proprioceptive input. Ms. Wilbarger feels that it is critical that joint compressions follow the use of the surgical brush, and if there is no time to complete both steps, then compressions should not be administered.

The complete routine should only take about three minutes. This technique can be incorporated into a sensory diet schedule. The procedure is initially repeated every ninety minutes. After a period of time, the frequency is reduced. Eventually the procedure can be stopped, but gains can be maintained. Some children immediately enjoy this input, and others resist the first few sessions. You may distract the child by singing or offering a mouth or fidget toy.

Some children really like the administration of this protocol and will seek out the brush and bring it to their parents, teachers, or caregivers. Other children tolerate it with little reaction, and occasionally a child is resistive. If the child continues to resist, and you see negative changes, you must reconsider the use of the technique and contact the supervising therapist. This has rarely occurred in our practice.

Little Pickel greatly benefited from this program and although we saw immediate negative changes (sleepless nights, texture issues, temperature fluctuations) we also saw longterm changes. Some of the benefits include;

* An improved ability to transition between various daily activities
* An improvement in the ability to pay attention
* A decreased fear and discomfort of being touched (tactile defensiveness)
* An increase in the ability of the central nervous system to use information from the peripheral nervous system more effectively, resulting in enhanced movement coordination, functional communication, sensory modulation, and hence, self-regulation.

We believe that because Little Pickel’s sensory needs were so great his entire neurological system needed to be “reset” and this was the key. There were times before the brushing that I could not back the car out of the garage and driveway because he could not tolerate the backward movement. After brushing I could verbally cue him for the transition, he would register it, and I could back out. His tactile response was also drastic. After brushing he learned to use his right hand, pick up food, play with sand, and he started to register the feeling of going potty.

Anyone else have good stories about brushing? Bad stories? Humorous ones like the poop? I would love to hear them!

Great Places to purchase the brushes: Therapy Shoppe (they also have GREAT oral motor tools like the Elephant Jiggler and P’s and Q’s)

Abiltations: (actually through School Specialty)

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