ADAPTING WHEELCHAIRS AND OTHER SITTING AIDS 611
Carefully evaluate what kinds of support each child needs.
CP
Maria’s legs straighten, press
together, and turn inward. Her
whole body position is affected.
A hip strap
holds her
hips back
some but
does not
help her
overall
position
much.
However, a
backboard
that bends
her hips
more, plus a
knee post,
help improve
her whole
body
position
—without
straps!
Pedro is a heavy child whose body
stiffens and his knees push open.
A combination
of a backboard with
guides, a special
cushion and
a knee block
does not
help him.
However, a hip strap
together with
blocks outside
his knees
gives him
a much
better
position.
(He may
also need
foot
straps.)
SHOULDER-BLADE WINGS
Pablito’s spastic
muscles pull his
shoulders back and
make it hard for him
to bring his hands
together in front of
him. The village team
had an idea.
They put ‘wings’
behind his
shoulder blades,
like this,
to help keep
his shoulders
forward.
Now Pablito can bring
his hands together
and play more easily.
lap boards
These can be made from thin wood, plywood, or fiberboard. They should be easy to take off, but
grip firmly when in place.
You can make a simple
instrument out of
cardboard or stiff
paper to measure
the child’s body
for cutting out
the lap board.
A lap board can help keep
shoulders, arms, and body in
a better position, especially
if it has a part cut out
measured to fit around the
child.
Extra holes for changing
peg position.
Raised edges help keep
toys from falling.
Two pegs to hold onto may
help him sit, or move into
a better position. They also
help him develop hand control
(games with rings, etc.).
Height of the lapboard is usually the same
as for armrests (see p. 602). Experiment to
find out what works best.
Velcro (stick-to-itself tape)
can be used to fix the board
to the chair for easy removal
—and to adjust it forward or
backward.
Be sure to put the softer part
of the Velcro on the chair
arms. The rough parts could
scratch the child when the board
is not used.
If needed, arm guides can be used with a lap
board to keep a child’s shoulders forward and his
arms in a better position to use his hands.
disabled village children