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Independent Mealtime For Kids With Motor Impairments
Using mealtimes to promote independence, self-care skills, and social interaction.
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Crystal Drop Ball: Sensory Integration and Balance
By: Renata Bursten, Dragonfly Staff
Try sitting the child cross-legged on a ball. Hold their hips firmly, and slowly roll the ball from the center out in the forward directions on a gentle angle. Watch to see how (and if) the child compensates for the new angle of their trunk. We want to see the chin tip back towards level with the floor. This signifies the understanding that "upright" is not always determined by the position of the hips relative to the floor, but rather is cued by the relation of the inner ears to the floor. Prompt the child to "sit up straight" both with verbal and demonstrative cues. Once the rolling forward is mastered, work on backwards, side-to-side, and in a gentle circular motion. The see-through ball adds extra fun!
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Hydrotherapy: Taking Non-Swimmers Swimming on a Sectional Raft!
If your child gets cold because part of his or her torso is above the waterline, get a towel wet and lay it over the exposed part. Your child will feel more comfortable. Pick the Sectional Raft for children (or adults) with poor or no neck and upper body control who will be in the water but not "swimming".