How to Begin Using the Pediatric Belt Cane
Introducing belt canes to a child
a. Have confidence
b. Have a plan
c. Be consistent
Try every day during all daily activities until they learn how to get the most out of white cane tactile feedback!
Goal: Achieve recommended daily physical activity while wearing the Pediatric Belt Cane.
For children with a MVI/B the Pediatric Belt Cane is medically necessary. The child who puts on the belt cane in the morning and wears it until bedtime will be the most advanced white cane user of all.
Charna is blind. Wearing her cane she locates a toy.
Adults provide Pediatric Belt Canes to children with an MVI/B as young as 10 months. Adults use the belt cane to help their children with an MVI/B stand on their own and when holding their hands to practice walking.
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Young children sometimes cry when introduced to new things. Adults can help them accept the belt cane by being consistent and providing fun things to do and new things to learn.
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Our Blind Baby Safe Mobility Curriculum videos are on our YouTube Channel.
Charna's cane pushes the toy under the chair.
Be confident in your choice to provide the belt cane to your child.
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Adults know what is best to keep children safe. The belt cane is a assistive technology device that prevents bodily harm and improves pathfinding.
Charna tries to reach the toy, it rolls further under the chair.
1
Make putting on the belt cane about what's next "we're going to go find your favorite toy. It helps to be very specific, name the toy, the room, the location and the specific activity."
Examples
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We're going to go get daddy.
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Let's pretend we're pirates.
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Let's go get ice cream in the freezer.
Charna locates the toy with her foot.
Ideas for Beginning with the Pediatric Belt Cane
2
When you first put the belt cane on the child don't change anything else.
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You can continue to guide the child and teach the child new places.
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The child can just stand still at a table or sit down wearing the belt cane.
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When walking your child can continue to hold hands at high guard, holding the cane frame
Charna is able to reach the toy with her hand.
3
Show child the benefit of wearing the white cane.
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Tap the cane up and down.
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Help the child find and bump into things with mommy's feet, bang it against walls, tap toys from the floor up the white cane to the child's hand. Look for and find people, toys, fun, and play.
4
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Provide rewards through fun and action.
Charna gets the toy herself.
5
Children respond well to distraction.
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Distract the child with toys and activities.
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When the frame of the Belt Cane locates objects say,
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"Hey, let's see what you found." Name the object, help the child touch it. Allow the child to be a kid -everything is new.
Charna explores the big city.
Pulling to stand at physical therapy
Marcu learns to stand wearing his belt cane
Standing up from floor at physical therapy