Clever girl

I had an opportunity to see a little girl this week with her primary therapist.
This girl has been seeing by physio for long time for the conditions she has and one of main concerns is feeding problem.
Before the session, I was told she was quite easily to be distressed if separated from her mother. I was super careful handling of her during the session.

In physio treatments, she usually does not enjoy much in most of the positions we put her in and activities we provide, so it takes quite long time to settle her down unless she goes to her mother for cuddle.

Toward the end of the session, the primary therapist had to provide her mother some information regarding HEP and practice handling skills of these HEP. Because this girl was anxious in unfamiliar positions and quick movement, we decided to use a doll instead. My biggest challenge ‘how long she will be held without having too much distress?’ has started from the point. As expected, she started to cry by separating from mother and I have tried to hold her in different positions for her comfort. Nothing seemed to work well, so I started to sing Japanese songs for her. Shortly, I have got her attention and she started to listen. It was approximately ten minutes without her distress and I discovered she did not mind to listen unfamiliar language. I would say it is sometimes handy to have different language like in this type of situation, but how long does this trick last???