Simplicity and Awe

[Jas]

Today I had a great experience:

A regular client brought in her autistic son for his first-ever massage. He has a number of challenges, posture being one of them. The intake went well and the massage went amazingly well. Mom stayed in the room, but he settled in and enjoyed like anyone else. We saved a bit of time towards the end so I could teach them some simple stretches, and that's where the simplicity and awe come in...

In order to teach the stretches properly, I needed my client to sit up as straight as he could, but he spends most of his time in a hunched position. Due to the communication challenges of his situation, I needed a simple, direct way to remind him how to sit up tall. Reaching from his side, I tapped his manubrium and asked him to lift it towards the ceiling... and up he went! Once up, I asked him to relax down again. We repeated this several times, and in about 10 seconds he was sitting tall and straight - his whole bearing had changed! His mom's eyes popped, her jaw dropped, and she exclaimed that he hasn't sat up like that in ages.

We then proceeded to work on a few stretches for home, and the session was done. Every time he descended into a low hunch, we tapped his chest and up he went again, enabling better technique. When they left, he was smiling about being able to show his physician how much taller he was, standing about 3" taller than when he walked in.

So simple... probably the least technical bodywork technique I've ever used... but such a profound, immediate change. Amazing experience, and now his family can continue using it to help him. We did a lot of things today, but that was probably the most important single thing. I LOVE this work!

 

[FrackinBSGman]

Simplicity and Awe

I love the mini blessings we give and get from what we do!

 

[njknjk]

Simplicity and Awe

That's awesome thanks for sharing jason.

 

[hockeyguy]

Simplicity and Awe

Working with autistic clients involves connecting and tuning in to them - or "using your intuition".
Sounds like you did just that!
Empowering ANY client to be involved in their healing is the best gift ever.

My son has sensory integration issues so I understand that part of it quite well.
I tend to use a lot of energy work and cranio-sacral.

Communication can be a challenge with this population - you did very well.

 

[TiffyG]

Simplicity and Awe

Wow, Jason- what an incredible experience! Thanks so much for sharing this. It has brightened my day.

 

[Lane]

Simplicity and Awe

Absolutely brilliant way to connect the body/mind ! Hope you get to work with this special boy again Jason, so that he can continue to improve.

 

[Evan Blows Bubbles]

Simplicity and Awe

Thank you so much for adding this. I am quite fascinated with the autistic spectrum. This is one more piece of info to add into my "box of tricks".

 

[love bug]

Simplicity and Awe

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that is so awesome! thank you for sharing - stories like that keep me really excited about entering this field.