Dear family and friends
Rehab therapy – it is the gift provided by our medical plan. It requires hard work, dedication and commitment to receive the full benefit. One of the things I have been concerned with is Grayson's buy-in to do the hard work of therapy. To someone with limited short-term memory, how do you explain the reasons in a way that it is motivating?
This week, when Grayson decided not to do something he was asked to do by the speech therapist, Grayson said, "What incentive is there for me to do this?" Not missing a beat, the therapist asked him what would motivate him, candy, a break, a nap. Grayson responded, "Candy". She said ok, and said if he did his work for the rest of the hour, he would get a piece of candy. That was all it took. Grayson worked hard for the remainder of the period, and for a reward, received his piece of candy.
While we may need to have him brush his teeth a little more frequently, I think that they hit on something this week! Hopefully we can progress from this simple, immediate and tasty reward to other reward systems. Hmmm, what motivates you?
Pax!
Brant
I think you've got something there: the fact that his motivations will grow more 'long term' as his brain repairs and functions more completely. Immediate gratification is powerful.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great therapist! As adults, we have such long term goals, that we often forget how gratifying a short term reward can be. Grayson is blessed to have such caring staff.
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