| A BSM – de Jong therapist will have to determine the physical cause prior to treatment of any condition. Previous intelligence tests may not be taken into consideration since BSM-de Jong does not look at measured intelligence. Traditional intelligence tests are influenced by the child’s difficulty hence not just testing the intelligence but also the specific condition, rendering them unreliable. BSM presumes the child can only show his true intelligence when the obstacles hindering his performance have been resolved away.
Diagnosis
In order to determine the cause of a condition an assessment will be conducted. An assessment consists of an interview with the parents of about 2.5 – 3 hrs. Depending on the severity of the condition both the child and parents (preferably both parents and/or guardians) will be present. During this first meeting a wide range of questions will be addressed regarding the history and development of the individual, genetic family history and any hereditary issues, diet, pregnancy and birth and other factors.
If the child is able to come with the parents a number of tests and structured observations will be performed on the child such as responses to sensory stimulation, movement, eyesight and other physical aspects. If appropriate, simple reading, math and/or writing exercises will be administered. If the severity of the condition prevents a child from coming with the parents another hour-long meeting will be scheduled in which the child will be observed and tested.
Treatment
The assessment data are carefully analysed by the BSM-de Jong therapist who will then prescribe a therapeutic treatment plan, which consists of individualized physical exercises. The exercises take into account the nature and degree of the developmental delay and the child’s neurological development up to this point. The exercises will either stimulate or calm the nervous system. Additionally, the child’s age will determine the frequency, amount and intensity of the exercises.
Prescribing the correct exercises is of the utmost importance since too little exercise will not elicit the required effect whereas too high a frequency, amount or intensity of exercises can make the individual nervous, fearful or nauseous.
Additional remedial instruction can be given with respect to math, reading and writing in support of the treatment. Nutritional advice may also be part of the therapeutic plan. Both the diagnosis and the therapeutic plan will be discussed with the parents in a meeting about three weeks after the assessment.
The child will have to perform the prescribed exercises 6 days a week for 15-20 minutes, per session and supervised by the parent.
After two weeks of having performed the exercises the parent and child will return to the therapist to discuss concerns, changes and reactions to the exercises. The exercises may be adjusted at this meeting.
Following this meeting a new appointment will be set 6-8 weeks later. Parents’ observations of the child are very valuable in between appointments. All changes have to be discussed regularly with the therapist to adequately adapt the therapeutic plan. Therefore, the parent and therapist will remain in contact between appointments either by phone or e-mail.
The time required for an average exercise program is approximately 12 months. Duration however depends on the severity of a condition. Children already in a special education setting generally need more time, as their delays are often more serious.
It is strongly discouraged to have brothers or sisters, who might be interested in supporting their sibling or may simply want to also try the exercises, to join the child in performing the exercises. Since the exercises are individualized and based on an individual assessment, performing them without the right diagnosis might cause an undesired effect. | |
