That is called postural drainage. It is used for any child or adult with lung issues that have copious mucous production or even post surgery. I used to have to do that on a child with cystic fibrosis years ago.

@irene5 Thanks Irene, now that you say cystic fibrosis I am sure that is what this child had. It's all vague to me but I remember what they had to do and it just really hit me. I am so fortunate that my two never had health problems unless you consider ADD and ADHD to be health problems. They both had to deal with that.
JK

Yes, cystic fibrosis is sad for a child to deal with since it doesn't go away. On another note ADD and ADHD isn't easy either. I wrote a thirty page paper on that when I was doing my Masters in education. One of our ten has it. He was like six all rolled up into one - I used to tell my husband " one of us is leaving, and it's not me!" As an adult he is a wonderful husband and father (of seven) and head of special ed in a Connecticut school system. And I thank the good God every day for his sweet wife!

@irene5 It was difficult at times. My son had the typical impulsiveness and that was tough. He struggled in school despite being above average in intelligence. My husband was very opposed to medication so he never was on anything until his junior year in HS! At that point he himself was amazed. He told me he could never learn in class and had to try to at home in the evening but now he could pay attention and was able to learn. He went off the meds in college and once again struggled. I suspect he ceased them because he was drinking a bit and he is very cautious about that type of thing. We knew if we could push, pull, shove him through college he would do well and he is how a VP of a staffing firm.
My daughter is very bright and in school learned to compensate somewhat but still did not get the grades she should have gotten. She constantly walked out of places leaving clothes, her purse, and whatever behind. Her head was in the clouds which I understand is pretty typical for girls with ADD. She too is doing well now though, thankfully.
So many people think ADD is just something fake to make excuses but I knew it was not. I myself did not get the grades in HS and college that I should have, I used to fall asleep in lecture halls, but back then they said I was lazy or an underachiever which of course made me feel very inadequate.
JK

So glad things turned out well. School is a difficult environment for ADD/ADHD children. The good God blessed me with my son so I would be a better teacher for those "special" friends.

@contentandwell, hope all is well, what you saw is postural drainage with percussion. In nursing school we were taught to do that to patents after surgery to prevent pneumonia. There is a young couple on utube called "the frey life", she has cystic fibrosis and they document their life. She has cf bronchiectasis, we have non-cf bronciectasis. Her cf affects her other organs too so she has a lot of problems but she is so upbeat and full of life and hope and faith. They're a joy to watch and you will be hooked. Shes in the hospital alot and he is right there by her side helping. They were waiting on her lab results to find out what kind of NTM she had on top of her psuedomonis and fungal infection. She was loosing so much wait they put a feeding tub in her nose but her constant coughing wouldnt alow it to stay in. She was also meeing with a transplant team for her lungs. She is so upbeat and happy inspite of her situation. Everyone should go to utube and search for "the frey life". I have learned alot from them. Warning, you might get hooked.
Stay stong!
Becky

Hi Irene, I was just going over my e-mails and caught up with this one of yours. Just wanted to add that I too was challenged with raising an ADD child as well. It did not get diagnosed until the 11th grade, though God knows I searched for answers since she was six! I believe that was due to her being a girl and she was not hyperactive. She is almost thirty now, has a BA, and is selling cars at Mercedes Benz. She loves it, and is good at sales.

Awesome! James was finally diagnosed in 11th grade as well. I think they all turn out really well given the right parents. I only say that because my son told me he would have ended up in jail otherwise. The difficult part is in the parenting! Every gray hair on my head is from James. But he is a wonderful husband, father, and special ed teacher. Fair is not equal! Every child in school should get what they need! So glad your daughter turned out ok as well!

windwalker and Irene5....re ADD....a few weeks ago l took a refresher CPR course ...I do it every few years as insurance that l would never need to use the skills. I was soooo happy to have the young man l had a few years ago as the teacher again. He is a Para medic with local Ambulance company and is the best teacher of the course l have had in the 40 years I have taken the course. And he is very open/candid about saying he has ADD. I stayed after class to tell him that the way he drew/explained the heart and the electrical system was the best I have ever seen. A remarkable young man who l suspect has saved many lives....he did at the Erin Hills golf PGA tournament a few days prior to class,.Tdrell