Low tone – Can myo help?

Q:  I have an 8 year old kiddo with low tone and very low awareness of sensory states. His mom reported he occasionally wets his pants because he doesn’t recognize he has to go, or forgets to eat or drink. Am I wrong in thinking myo could be a good approach at least for his speech and feeding? While I understand the low tone means we won’t see changes in strength, I’m wondering if it could at least improve his oral posturing and range of motion? Let me know what you think.

A:  The difficult part is the reduced awareness, likely why he wets his pants, etc. I have used our form of “myo” and the Myo Manual regimen with children like that young man and even with stroke patients, for that matter. The method you now know from our training course is probably the best chance of maximizing him in myo areas. That’s why I like the sequential aspect of our program. You start very basic and build as able based on each client’s ability to move forward at his or her own pace. Keep in mind, however, that myo is not designed for sensory awareness and improvement, attending to sensory needs such as toileting, etc.   The myo treatment program should be used to give him the opportunity to maximize the myo related areas, and hopefully build self esteem and awareness along the way.