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Swimming Pool Safety Tip.
By: Renata Bursten, Dragonfly Staff
Special swimming concerns for the child with spina bifida!
Swimming can be one of the best forms of physical activities for kids with spina bifida. Extra caution is needed in the shallow end, as the pool floor poses a special hazard for a child who is without sensation in the legs.
,To promote safety, try:
1. A swim aid like the Dolphin Swim Suit to allow more time in the deeper end.
,2. Wearing protective clothing on the legs.
3. Teaching the child to frequently visually inspect their feet for signs of damage.
4. If the child can walk in the water, water shoes can be very good.
5. Don't forget to check the latex-status! Most of Dragonfly's swim aids are marked as latex-free, but always ask about pool products if your child has a latex allergy. The pool is no place for a surprise.
These tips are a good start to pool fun. Toy Club members should write more tips about pool play in the PlayPen! Everyone loves to read them, and most kids love the pool time play.
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PLAY Tip
Nonverbal Children Make Choices and Communicate Them!
Nonverbal children with or without CP can have a hard time learning how to make choices and communicate them. Play is a good way to begin learning this important lesson. Try using the Rocking Say It Play It to help. Hook up two switch-adapted toys to the two jacks, Say the name of each toy into the recorder, and tape pictures of the toys to the sides of the switch. When the child presses on the picture the word will be spoken and the toy will activate. This is real multisensory learning!