Sensory Fun
ph: 877-249-2393
fax: 877-259-9419
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Wilbarger Protocol/Oral Tactile Technique
The Wilbarger Protocol (Oral Tactile Technique) is a therapy developed by Patricia Wilbarger, MEd, OTR, FAOTA. It is a helpful for people who are sensitive to touch or have tactile defensiveness. Kids with tactile defensiveness find normal touch sensations irritating or painful.
Kids who are sensitive to touch may:
- Be afraid of being touched,
- Have problems with transitions between activities or standing in line,
- May easily tire or seem lethargic. .
I have talked with parents of children with Sensory Processing Disorder and autism who are convinced the Wilbarger Protocol therapy really helped their child.
Wilbarger Protocol Instructions
Step one: Brushing Using Deep Pressure.
The therapy only takes about 2-3 minutes to complete.
The first step is brushing. A parent or therapist uses a soft, plastic, sensory brush to vigourously brush over the child's skin. While brushing it is important to use firm pressure starting at the arms and working down to the feet.
You should never brush the face, chest, and stomach area. Brushing these areas can cause extream reactions, including causing a child to vomit! Initially it is recommended to brush a child every 2 hours while the child is awake.
Step two: Joint Compression
After brushing a parent or theripist will provide gentle joint compressions to the shoulders, elbows, wrists, fingers, hips, knees/ankles, and sternum for a count of ten.
Step three: Wilbarger Oral Tactile Technique
Finally, if the child has oral or eating problems the parent or therapist will administer the Oral Tactile Technique, or OTT, which is basically swiping a finger along the inside of the person’s mouth.
The Wilbarger Therapressure Brush
The Therapressure brush, or Wilbarger brush is designed by Patricia Wilbarger. The brush is an oval shape and comes with a handle. It has a high density of bristles, for more consistent treatment.
ph: 877-249-2393
fax: 877-259-9419
bonnie
