Working through the tears. She used her left hand!

This little sweet pea is back for her third intensive, and on day one, I was honestly worried.
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I’m rarely ever worried about intensives, but from past experience, I know she’s had a hard time calming down during the first week. I began doubting myself, wondering if I could give her a beneficial intensive. Her parents shared that she hadn’t made it through therapy without crying, so we knew we had our work cut out for us.
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I would venture to say that if you never doubt yourself, you’re probably not an exceptional therapist. It’s important for me to take a hard look at myself and remove my ego from the situation. The easy way out would’ve been to blame her tears on “behavior,” but I would’ve missed a crucial piece of the puzzle.
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She’s such a smart little girl and understands everything I say, but when her reflexes kicked in, she started to scream. Now, would she cry sometimes when we stopped recording? Yes. Like I said, she’s smart and knows what she likes. Our breakthrough came when I started talking to her, telling her I knew she was scared, that I knew she was working hard. She felt my respect through our communication.
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After asking her parents to watch the session through a nanny cam from the lobby, we began addressing some sensory issues. We made sure the room wasn’t too bright, spoke in calming voices, and gave lots of snuggles. We built trust by trying exercises in short intervals, followed by cuddling her and telling her how well she was doing.
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It worked! I was in tears, too, because she actually listened when I asked her to use her hands. I’m so proud of the hard work she’s put in and grateful for this opportunity to challenge myself.
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She’s a cutie! And since she’s here for three weeks, I can’t wait to see what she accomplishes in therapy. If you’re a therapist, tell me about a patient who challenged you and how you grew from it. If you’re a parent, share a lesson your kids have taught you.
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#baby #calming #fussybaby #earlyintervention #newborn #sensoryplay #sensory #babyexercises #childdevelopment #daycare

Hi, I’m Dana and I have been a pediatric physical therapist for 25 years. You can read more about my practice at the top of my channel.
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I see kids for a lot of different disabilities including developmental delay, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, genetic disorders, dystrophies, and more. I cannot give individualized medical advice on social media and you need your doctors permission to try any exercises with your child. A therapist needs to be trained in order to perform these highly skilled exercises.
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I see kids for intensives in Cary, North Carolina for 1,2, or 3 weeks for 2 visits per day. We are able to show a lot of progress with our little patients and I share that to bring hope to other parents around the world. You can find booking information at the link at the top of my channel. We also accept donations for kids that may not be able to pay for therapy. Please see 502(c)(3) link at top of channel.
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I don’t share diagnoses or personal info of each child on my page because kids aren’t defined by their diagnosis. It’s my philosophy and you can read more about it on my website which is linked at the top of my channel.
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Remember, there is an order on my page if your child is struggling with gross motor skills. Go to Instagram:
1. always start with AKAP stretch highlights (highlights are colored circles at top of Instagram page).
2. Learn about the TLR reflex in my reflex highlights.
3. Head control must come first. Watch head control highlights.
4. Lastly, watch the highlight on Instagram associated with the gross motor skills you are working on. For example: sitting.
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[Baraa.K.Mohammad]

I'm a recent graduate medical doctor, currently preparing to get licensed in the US. One of the many things that I've learned throughout this long journey of studying medicine & for the licensing exams, is that those guys, the physical therapists, are actual heroes! The amount of respect I have for this field & the dedication those people have is second to none! They are the 1st line & also the big guns we have when it comes to giving hope & restoring quality of life to people who almost gave up on living a normal life! I hope this field gets more attention, resources & the recognition it deserves! God bless you!

[eh]

It is amazing in these clips to see the kids transition from initially disoriented and bewildered to purposeful and calm.

[sharonwertepny]

Just can’t describe how I feel when I see your videos. I believe you’re an angel.

[anneillerbrun]

💓 All the families you've helped, all the young women you've trained, all the people who get to see you at work are blessed.

[slfullen]

Your work is like a family miracle. Very small children don’t know what is happening but I can see from you and your staffs’ interactions how the kids just light up. They are so proud of their succeses.

[CharmedR]

I can understand asking the parents lovingly to leave the room. The screams can be hard to take as a parent EVEN if you are doing what you do to help their lil cutie.
The transformation is awesome...AKAP have looked with eyes of love and found their vocation and working it Excellently.
Thank you AKAP ❤

[growingheart]

"When I was little, angels helped me love and bend" - what they will say when they are older. ❤

[shellylaventure]

Awww, if only the little ones could realize how much more quality of life they will have after treatment. You ladies are amazing!

[birdlandartrenae]

Amazing, beautiful work. What you do beings tears to my eyes. What a blessing you are to the lives you touch.

[annyjw]

Wow doctora es usted un ángel que da esperanza y salud a esos niños. De parte mía toda mi admiración es usted una inspiración para ayudar a los demás. Gracias desde Colombia un saludo 🖐

[tlh]

Thank you so much again for sharing these beautiful angels. So happy she realized she was in a safe place, with a safe person as she worked through her trust. Awesome! Children and adults need this kind of assurance. ❤

[dianacaggiano]

Sos una gran profesional y esto se obtiene con una gran sensibilidad para comprender al otro .No solo ayudas a niños con capacidades diferentes, tambien a su mamá y papá .Darles la posibilidad de desarrolar esas capacidades que quedan escondidas por diversos factores, es dar la posibilidad a toda lafamilia de una vida diversa de la que les habian diagnosticado . Excelente trabajo tuyo y de tu equipo .

[carmenhoma]

Thank you for your patience & kindness. I hope you & your team know how amazing y’all are. As a parent to a special needs child I see you. I see your hard work & dedication. The world is a better place with all of y’all!

[capetownrocks]

As a therapist really loved the way this vid was put hear and see patient's responses to intervention as well as observe your invaluable input. Transformation, incredible. Life changing on sooo many levels. You are awesome....thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!

[laurawinch]

What a cutie pie. Glad you were able to help her.

[onThisJourney]

Thank you for doing the tough things that are so necessary! God bless you all⚓❤🙏

[roxannamayas]

I am in awe at how you create an all-encompassing therapy session. You do not force nor use a generalize form of therapy. You make the entire space therapeutic ❤

[zorabujaroska]

You are the angel of the angels! Calming the mother, as well as the child❤❤❤

[cheriebowles]

❤ Ive been watching you guys for about a year now, subscribed . There's so much to say here it moves to tears ❤ thank you

[jillgegen]

When the word AMAZING is said it falls short...MIRACULOUS fits tho❤❤❤