Physical Therapy

Dear Parents,

We have developed this brochure to provide you with some recommendations while your student is at home. We hope to see your student very soon!

Please feel free to reach out to either of us, if you need:

• Christy Foster, PT
• Payton McCalmont, PT

Appropriate sitting posture

In order to maximize the student’s success when performing writing and other fine motor tasks, it is recommended that the student’s feet touch the floor and that his or her knees and hips are bent in a 90 degree position. This may be achieved in your student’s wheelchair or in a standard chair with a foot stool underneath his or her feet. Also, the height of his or her writing surface should allow his or her elbows to be supported. Also, your student’s chair should have a back to it in order to provide postural support and to reduce the risk of falling.

You may not have access to a small desk or table. Feel free to use common household items to assist with your student’s positioning. For instance, you can stack books under their feet to use as a foot stool.

Equipment

Please continue to follow-up with your physician, outpatient therapists, and/or equipment providers (wheelchair vendors, AFO fitters, etc.) to ensure appropriate fit and maintenance of your student’s personal equipment. Any equipment provided by school-based Physical Therapists that your student used at school will be maintained and provided for your student upon return to school.

Activity

Every student enjoys participating in physical activity! Here are some suggestions to engage them in movement:

• Blow bubbles and encourage them to stomp or pop bubbles with their hands
• Play preferable music and encourage them to dance; when music stops – freeze!
• Blow up a balloon and bat it around; encourage them to try not to let the balloon touch the floor!
• Place toys or objects of interest slightly out of his or her reach to encourage re-positioning and stretching
• Encourage students to move like various animals (claw or crawl like a bear, crab walk, bunny hop, flap wings, etc.)
• Encourage students to go on a nature walk or stroll in their wheelchair.Use your senses to experience the outdoors - listen to birds, smell flowers, touch grass, etc.
• Below is a link to a fun activity called “Alphabet Exercises”:

http://www.theottoolbox.com/alphabet-exercises-for-kids/

Students who are able to play more traditional games may also enjoy:

• Twister®
• Stomp Rocket®
• Zoom ball®