"What lies behind us & what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." -Ralph Waldo Emerson
Tape For Stairs
Stairs can be a dangerous task if the child cannot visually comprehend what they are seeing. The tape on the ledge of each stair is a visual que for the child that there is a new step starting at that place in space. This helps with the child’s lack of depth perception.
With the tape on the front of each individual stair the child will have a better visual of the entire stairway and be able to navigate it that much more safely. The child’s perceptual skills are taken into consideration and made up for with the tape.
The brighter and more contrasting the color of the tape the better. The child will then visually be able to see that at each tape strip is the beginning of a new stair and that they have to then step up or down. You can find reflective or any type of tape that can be used for the stairs at any hardware store. One roll of tape will cost about $3. This is a cost effective small adaptation that will increase your child’s safety.
With ataxic CP visual perception is a lot of the times effected. This can make everyday life for your child dangerous. If they cannot take that information in and notice that there is a ledge they could possibly fall and get hurt. By doing something as simple as outlining the steps on a stairway give them that visual difference of the stair to the tape is enough contrast for them to understand there is a height difference and to step.
(Bud, 2011)
With the tape on the front of each individual stair the child will have a better visual of the entire stairway and be able to navigate it that much more safely. The child’s perceptual skills are taken into consideration and made up for with the tape.
The brighter and more contrasting the color of the tape the better. The child will then visually be able to see that at each tape strip is the beginning of a new stair and that they have to then step up or down. You can find reflective or any type of tape that can be used for the stairs at any hardware store. One roll of tape will cost about $3. This is a cost effective small adaptation that will increase your child’s safety.
With ataxic CP visual perception is a lot of the times effected. This can make everyday life for your child dangerous. If they cannot take that information in and notice that there is a ledge they could possibly fall and get hurt. By doing something as simple as outlining the steps on a stairway give them that visual difference of the stair to the tape is enough contrast for them to understand there is a height difference and to step.
(Bud, 2011)
Button Hook
The button hook allows for the lack of fine motor coordination to not interfere with activities of daily living such as dressing one’s self.
With this button hook the child will be able to put on and button their own shirt independently. The button hook will use the fine motor skill that the child does still have and guide them into the more precise movements needed to button the entire shirt.
This device is made to be placed through the button hole opening on one side of the shirt and then to grab and pull the button through the other side thus buttoning the shirt. Some of the button hooks you may find also have a zipper hook on the other side of the product. It is a small hook that you place through one of the openings of the zipper and then pull upwards. This button hook can be found at bettymills.com for $20.56.
Getting dressed is a daily activity for everyone. Some shirts and pants have buttons or zippers to close them. With clothing with buttons or zippers a child with ataxic CP may be dependent on their caregivers to help. This button hook allows for the child to manipulate their fine motors skill that they have to close and button their own shirts.
(LastThorogood, 2008)
(www.bettymills.com)
With this button hook the child will be able to put on and button their own shirt independently. The button hook will use the fine motor skill that the child does still have and guide them into the more precise movements needed to button the entire shirt.
This device is made to be placed through the button hole opening on one side of the shirt and then to grab and pull the button through the other side thus buttoning the shirt. Some of the button hooks you may find also have a zipper hook on the other side of the product. It is a small hook that you place through one of the openings of the zipper and then pull upwards. This button hook can be found at bettymills.com for $20.56.
Getting dressed is a daily activity for everyone. Some shirts and pants have buttons or zippers to close them. With clothing with buttons or zippers a child with ataxic CP may be dependent on their caregivers to help. This button hook allows for the child to manipulate their fine motors skill that they have to close and button their own shirts.
(LastThorogood, 2008)
(www.bettymills.com)
Weighted Sliverware
The weighted silverware decreases the effects of tremors.
With the weighted silverware the task of feeding one’s self can be made easier. If the child can independently feed themselves at every meal they will feel better about themselves and their ability to control their own body. The fine motor skill such as eating will become more than just a chore and frustrating but and enjoyable and social activity.
The weighted silverware are heavier than normal utensils. For the child with intention tremors the weight lessens the amount of interruption that they normally face with regular silverware. With this set there is a really nice grip on the handle also making grasping it easier. They can come in many different weights depending on the need. The special silverware can be found at amazon.com for $36.95.
This specially designed silverware set allows for the child to eat independently. The intention tremors that they face can be very interruptive in fine motor skills such as eating. The weight lessens the effect that the tremors cause the child to lose control of their hands and fingers thus slipping potentially hot and dangerous food on to them.
(www.amazon.com)
With the weighted silverware the task of feeding one’s self can be made easier. If the child can independently feed themselves at every meal they will feel better about themselves and their ability to control their own body. The fine motor skill such as eating will become more than just a chore and frustrating but and enjoyable and social activity.
The weighted silverware are heavier than normal utensils. For the child with intention tremors the weight lessens the amount of interruption that they normally face with regular silverware. With this set there is a really nice grip on the handle also making grasping it easier. They can come in many different weights depending on the need. The special silverware can be found at amazon.com for $36.95.
This specially designed silverware set allows for the child to eat independently. The intention tremors that they face can be very interruptive in fine motor skills such as eating. The weight lessens the effect that the tremors cause the child to lose control of their hands and fingers thus slipping potentially hot and dangerous food on to them.
(www.amazon.com)
Tub Bench
The tub bench is to allow the child to sit while taking a shower. Since loss of coordination is a problem with ataxic CP this bench allows for a safer way to bathe.
With this tub bench the child will have a greater independence with showering and bathing. Showering and personal hygiene at this age starts to become more independent. This bench allows for the child to have that independence in a personal task.
This specific tub bench has adjustable legs to fit in almost any bath tub. This bench also has a removable back that allows you to put it on either side of the bench for maximum comfort or safety. The bench also has grab bars to ensure that the child using it has a stable place to grab in the shower because everything is very dangerous in the bathtub. This bench can be purchased at drugstore.com for $64.99.
When taking a shower it takes a good amount of standing balance. Reaching up and down one’s body to wash and condition is a skilled task taking coordination, balance, and tolerance. With ataxic CP the coordination and balance are often effected in a big way. This tub bench allows for the child to still partake in all of the important hygiene task just while sitting on a stable bench. This bench also eliminates the need for the child to have to try and stand up in the wet tub if they were taking a bath. They are already at the tub height and just need to slide to the end of the bench, dry off, and then get dressed. A tub transfer bench is an affordable way to maintain your child’s independence and increase bathroom safety.
(www.drugstore.com)
With this tub bench the child will have a greater independence with showering and bathing. Showering and personal hygiene at this age starts to become more independent. This bench allows for the child to have that independence in a personal task.
This specific tub bench has adjustable legs to fit in almost any bath tub. This bench also has a removable back that allows you to put it on either side of the bench for maximum comfort or safety. The bench also has grab bars to ensure that the child using it has a stable place to grab in the shower because everything is very dangerous in the bathtub. This bench can be purchased at drugstore.com for $64.99.
When taking a shower it takes a good amount of standing balance. Reaching up and down one’s body to wash and condition is a skilled task taking coordination, balance, and tolerance. With ataxic CP the coordination and balance are often effected in a big way. This tub bench allows for the child to still partake in all of the important hygiene task just while sitting on a stable bench. This bench also eliminates the need for the child to have to try and stand up in the wet tub if they were taking a bath. They are already at the tub height and just need to slide to the end of the bench, dry off, and then get dressed. A tub transfer bench is an affordable way to maintain your child’s independence and increase bathroom safety.
(www.drugstore.com)
Divided Plate
The divided plate is designed for use by individuals with upper body instabilities. The divided sections allow for the lack of fine motor skills.
With this device the child will be compensating for their decreased fine motor skills that are altered by the intention tremors. With this plate the child will be able to manipulate a better way to scoop their food and feed themselves giving them greater independence and self-esteem.
This divided plate has three sections for different types of foods and consistency. With the divider wall between each section the child will be able to use them to scoop with their silverware to then feed themselves. The dividers give a solid wall of support for that child to adjust and move the food into the best position for them to then bring it to their mouth. This device can be found at allegromedical.com for only $7.42.
Children with ataxic CP a lot of the times have intention tremors at occur when they are using their fine motor skills and praxis skills to participate in a task such a feeding. The skilled purposeful movements can be difficult and frustrating at some times. With this dish it allows for the child to scoop towards the wall and use that to let the food fall back onto the silverware and then be able to safely bring it to their mouth.
(www.allegromedical.com)
With this device the child will be compensating for their decreased fine motor skills that are altered by the intention tremors. With this plate the child will be able to manipulate a better way to scoop their food and feed themselves giving them greater independence and self-esteem.
This divided plate has three sections for different types of foods and consistency. With the divider wall between each section the child will be able to use them to scoop with their silverware to then feed themselves. The dividers give a solid wall of support for that child to adjust and move the food into the best position for them to then bring it to their mouth. This device can be found at allegromedical.com for only $7.42.
Children with ataxic CP a lot of the times have intention tremors at occur when they are using their fine motor skills and praxis skills to participate in a task such a feeding. The skilled purposeful movements can be difficult and frustrating at some times. With this dish it allows for the child to scoop towards the wall and use that to let the food fall back onto the silverware and then be able to safely bring it to their mouth.
(www.allegromedical.com)
