How-to Introduce the Pediatric Belt Cane by age?
One-year-old girl
Alilah is 16 months old with optic nerve hypoplasia. Her mom and COMS immediately started encouraging her to walk and hold the cane frame. This appears to put her off balance. Later we see her walking alone wearing her cane.
One-year-old boy
One-year-old boy
Javi is 17 months old, some light perception. We immediately started tapping the frame, this communicated the size, shape and resilience of tactile path information to him.
Two-year-old boy
If the child rejects the belt cane with tears, try distracting the child by finding objects with the cane frame
Two-year-old boy
Jack's teachers introduced the belt cane by incorporating cane information into the route. Show the child that the cane will contact surfaces and objects in the path ahead. this communicates he cane trust the benefits of belt canes.
Two-year-old girl
Lessons learned introducing belt canes to two-year-olds
a. Have Confidence
b. Have a Plan
c. Keep trying, they will get it.
Two-year-old girl
When Charna, blind, cries and demands the cane off her mom takes the belt cane off. She decides to slowly introduce the parts of the cane to Charna. This allows her to calm down and get to know her new mobility tool, before putting it back on
Two-year-old girl
Later the same day, Charna wore her cane with fewer tears.
Allow the child time to sit, stand, listen, feel. There is no hurry to change life, just add the belt to the family activities.
Three-year-old girl
Make it natural, and be confident in the knowledge that wearing the cane will be the first time that three year old with mobility visual impairment or blindness experiences consistent tactile path information.
Four-year-old boy
Older children experience excitement and relief with having the tactile information, while the mechanics of tactile path preview may take some new negotiation actions- information is power.
How-to stand up wearing the belt cane?
Two-year-old boy
Maddox has some light perception. The more he wears his cane, the more it becomes a part of him. His mom entices him to stand up independently with the plan to go get some milk.
Two-year-old boys
Maddox's first time getting to the floor, is rough, more of a plop. He learns to use the fire place ledge to help lower himself to the floor. He is a pro at standing back up again.
Two-year-old boys
Stands up independently first time wearing belt cane.
Two-year-old girl
Madison is blind. Her mom gave her lots of time, practice and encouragement. When Madison stood up, she was given lots of praise. Notice that Madison is able to "fix her cane" independently and without any prompting.
Two-year-old girl
Charna is blind and her cane is too long for her height. Her mom and dad gave her lots of time, practice and encouragement. They offered her a stool to push up with. Charna is able to "fix her cane" independently after standing up.
Two-year-old girl
Kenedi is blind and she shows how easily she is able to stand up wearing her belt cane.
Three-year-old girl
Gracie is visually impaired. Her teachers are working on her skills for standing up independently. Wearing her belt cane she has two hands to carry her baby doll.
How to close the door with tight spaces frame?
Two-year-old boy
Maddox has some light perception. The more he wears his cane, the more it becomes a part of him. His mom entices him to stand up independently with the plan to go get some milk.
Two-year-old boys
Maddox's first time getting to the floor, is rough, more of a plop. He learns to use the fire place ledge to help lower himself to the floor. He is a pro at standing back up again.
Two-year-old boys
Stands up independently first time wearing belt cane.
Two-year-old girl
Madison is blind. Her mom gave her lots of time, practice and encouragement. When Madison stood up, she was given lots of praise. Notice that Madison is able to "fix her cane" independently and without any prompting.
Two-year-old girl
Charna is blind and her cane is too long for her height. Her mom and dad gave her lots of time, practice and encouragement. They offered her a stool to push up with. Charna is able to "fix her cane" independently after standing up.
Two-year-old girl
Kenedi is blind and she shows how easily she is able to stand up wearing her belt cane.
Three-year-old girl
Gracie is visually impaired. Her teachers are working on her skills for standing up independently. Wearing her belt cane she has two hands to carry her baby doll.