Case study Five - It is not the answer for everyone

Although this may sound like a great idea and the answer to your difficulties it is not a fit for everyone. Here is a short example of when it is not the right answer.

Josh was struggling with school though his parents say he was lovely at home and had no behavioural problems. He was in p2 and, although his teachers and parents were concerned about his reading and writing, he was not yet aware there was a problem. His parents were keen to act now before his problems began to undermine his self-esteem.

He had a number of reflexes significantly retained and I was surprised that he was not showing other symptoms. All indications were that a programme would help him. He left his assessment with a simple 2-minute exercise to be done daily at home.

He returned with his Mum 8 weeks later. She explained that she had been unable to get him to do the exercise and wanted me to talk to him and see if I could convince him to do it. I had a chat with him but explained to the parents that at his age they really needed to take responsibility for the exercise being done particularly as Josh did not recognise that he had any difficulties and his parents were reluctant to make him aware of their concerns.

They did not come back for their next appointment instead I received a lovely email from Mum thanking me for my time but explaining that they were unable to get Josh to do the exercise and attempts to persuade him to do them were causing trouble at home.

It was not the right thing for them at this time. Perhaps they will come back when he is able to see the value of the exercises or when they are able to make him do them.