Mobility

Safety While Supporting Someone

It is vital to know the prior and current health conditions.
Collaborate with your child's Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, and Primary Doctor to monitor changing medical needs and monitor times for movement.
It is important to start very easy and slowly increase the stretch as the muscles loosen. Over stretching can cause pain and injury.
It is essential to know how the person best communicates and to be attentive to their communication via words, vocalization, facial expression, body movement, assistive technology, picture communication symbols, or actual objects.
It is better to stop if you believe the individual is experiencing discomfort beyond what the stretch is providing.
If injury does occur, call your health provider or 9-1-1 immediately

Floor Exercises

When possible support your child onto the floor. Offer favorite and motivating toys that motivate auditory and visual tracking (turning of the head), arm extension (reaching), and finger manipulation (grasping/releasing).

Head Control

Body Rolling

Sitting Balance and Posture

Sitting Posture

Postural Control

Body Strength

Standing and Walking Mobility

Applying weight on various muscles and joints is essential to avoid weakening of the muscles and bones.

Assistive Devices

If you have assistive equipment at home and have been trained on safely transferring and using the equipment; it is recommended to have the child in the equipment for 45 -60 minutes per day (as as much as the child can tolerate it).
This equipment includes (but is not limited to): Cane, Walker, Gait trainers, Sit to Stand Devices, Mobile Prone Standers, Supine Standers.
Promote that your child help with the transfer to the maximum extend possible (safely)

Exercises

Perform the exercises multiple times, ideally 3 sets of 7 - 10 repetitions (but less is ok)
If able, take walks throughout the community, involving change in speed, level, surface, and incline