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My Child Has a Hearing Loss...What Next?
Information and resources for parents of newly diagnosed deaf and hard of hearing children.
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Doing Wheelies!
By: Renata Bursten, Dragonfly Staff
Finding a great therapeutic bike for a child with special needs.
Hitting the open road on your snappy new bike this summer? Biking is a rich source of fun and exercise for the entire family. Great new models of adapted cycles ensure that the whole family can get on the road to fun and fitness.
,Most children who have physical impairments can still enjoy safe and comfortable cycling - as long as the proper therapeutic bike is chosen. Some key concerns when choosing adapted bikes are:
Q: Can my child sit upright alone? If not, then look for special torso support from the seat.
Q: Can my child make the reciprocal (bicycling) motion with their legs while seated upright? Perhaps straps on the pedals are enough to keep the feet on the pedals throughout the entire trip around. If we need more help, then a Journey model provides incredible torso support, and it shifts the angle of the reciprocating leg motion towards that back where many children can handle it better.
Q: Is my child not using their legs for cycling? Then look instead to their arms for providing the drive, using a hand cycle like the Expedition. The hand driven Expedition can provide a terrific cycling experience and it is a great vehicle for upper body strength development.
Today's amazing new cycles provide unlimited potential for family fun and exercise. Specially designed cycles allow everyone to take part in this popular activity.
Remember, never leave a child unattended in their cycle! And everyone should wear a good helmet and full protective gear!
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PLAY Tip
Protecting children with spina bifida in the pool
Swimming in the shallow end poses a special hazard for children without sensation in their legs. To ensure their safety try putting the child into a swim aid like the Dolphin and avoiding the shallow end all together. Don't forget to check the latex-status, most are latex-free.