Over 240 million children around the world have disabilities that withhold them from enjoying their life fully. That’s one in 10 children who couldn’t learn the life skills they need for everyday life. While we understand how their families only want to provide them assistance, there is a positive value in encouraging them to be more independent.
Children with disabilities deserve equal opportunities. They deserve to be included in activities any child partakes in. In this article, we hope to provide ways to encourage independence in children with mobility issues.
Ease their dressing routine
Clothes are an important part of self-identity and self-expression. For children, clothes could play a huge role in boosting their self-esteem and making them feel stronger. In our previous blog post about gifts for people with disabilities, we talked about clothing and how there are certain items designed for those with mobility issues. For one, there are clothes that have customized lengths and are fitted especially with wheelchair users in mind. These provide your children an easier way to dress themselves. Let them choose their clothes and setup the room in a way that they can easily access the clothes and get dressed.
Use ergonomic home furniture
Ergonomics goes a long way in making people comfortable and keeping them safe. Children with mobility issues will find that ergonomic furniture can support their transition to a more independent life. Special designed beds or chairs can help develop their body strength and stretch their muscles in a healthy way. Moreover, ergonomic furniture is a necessity that can alleviate body pains that children with mobility issues might experience. Other products, like indoor rollators or shower chairs, can prevent falls at home.
Encourage movement
To build muscle and core strength, children should be encouraged to move and stand – even if it requires support. Regular walks can help maintain and improve their muscle condition and reduce the risks of further complications. In this, you can even assist them or get a stable rollator to help practice their mobility. Take the Rollz Flex rollators, these type of equipment can carry their possessions while aiding them in their movements. There are even varieties with chairs – the Rollz Motion – so that your child can rest if they need to. You can also encourage rolling or crawling if standing is out of the question. In general, any safe movement is good, but make sure to discuss a plan with a specialist.
Teach them easy tasks
Every child needs to learn certain life skills. Knowing that they can accomplish tasks, even with their mobility problems, can give them a sense of satisfaction and independence. You can teach them how to bathe themselves and use special equipment to comfortably accomplish this task, without you worrying about their safety. There are also equipment you can use if you want them to learn how to eat by themselves. Cutlery are now adapted with better support so that they can easily be used by children with mobility issues.
Blog by Mildred Angelica