To Our CTC Academy Parents,
Below are some general lifting and transferring techniques and helpful pointers to assist in decreasing your chance of injury when lifting or carrying your child. As always, your physical therapists are available to answer any questions or provide you with a demonstration based on your individual child. We can be reached at x3239 in Fair Lawn and x2308 in Oakland.
General Rules of Lifting and How to Avoid Injury
- Lift with your legs
- Bend at your hips and knees and NOT at your waist
- Do NOT twist or bend sideways
- Pivot with your feet
- Keep your movements smooth and not jerky
- Stand with a wide base of support – feet should be shoulder width apart
- Keep your child close to your body
Lifting Techniques
— Set up:
- Clear the area of any obstacles
- Your child should be as close as possible to the transferring surface
- Raise or lower table or chair if possible so transfer is from a higher to a lower surface
- If chair height is adjustable- raise it so that you don’t have to bend over to lift your child out of the chair
- Lock brakes/ensure both surfaces are stable
— Lifting
- Maintain a neutral spine (keep your back straight)
- Tighten your abdominals, keep head and shoulders up
- Bend your knees and have feet shoulder width apart
- Get as close to child as possible- have child at the center of your body
- Keep your arms and elbows close to your body
- Slowly lift by straightening your legs
- Have your child participate in transfer if possible-
- encourage him/her to lean forward to ease lift
- make sure he/she has a calm body prior to lifting
- Give clear directions to your child on what you are going to do and request their assistance
- Use momentum/rocking if needed
- When transfer is with assist of 2 – count to 3 so timing is the same for both helpers
- One person should be in front of the child supporting under the child’s thighs, NOT under the knees. The other person assisting should be to the side of the child to support child’s trunk and head, while maintaining proper body mechanics
Below are some suggestions for activities that your child can participate in while standing in their stander. You can also lock all four wheels on their walker or gait trainer and this can function as a stander.
- Assisting in meal preparation/setting the table
- Brushing teeth, getting washed, activities of daily living
- Watching television /IPAD/motivating toys
- Ball play
- Arts and crafts/ coloring
- Completing a puzzle
As we count down the days left of winter here are a few adapted playgrounds in the area that can be visited when the warmer weather arrives in the spring!
- Van Saun Park—Forest Ave, Paramus
- Votee Park—Palisades Ave, Teaneck
- Edgemont Park All Children’s Playground—Edgemont Road, Montclair
- Berdan Playground – Fair Lawn
Below is a link to a website with activities and places to visit with your child and family that are special needs accessible.
29-01 Berkshire Road
