One Handed Book Holder Pillow

One Handed Book Holder Pillow

Setting: at home in bed or on a couch

Materials:
Pillow
Ribbon
Book
Scissors
Hot Glue
Hot Glue Gun

Instructions:
1. Take the ribbon and scissors and cut pieces that fit going diagonally across the pillow.
2. Taking the hot glue and hot glue gun put the ribbon pieces on the pillow going diagonally in the corners but with some room in the middle and secure them and let cool.
3. Take your book and slide one half under one ribbon and the other half on the opposite side.
4. You know have a one handed book pillow holder and can enjoy reading


Purpose: This adaptive equipments purpose is to act as a relief for people with arthritis or weak upper extremities that cannot hold the book up to themselves while reading. Weak dexterity is also a concern for people who cannot hold the book with one of their hands so that it creates strain for the one hand that is able to hold the book up. This pillow acts as a relief because it is comfortable and can sit in someones lap without the pages moving all around. Therefore the person can maintain their cognitive ability to read and recognize literature even if their muscles are having troubles.

Shannon: Lovin The Mommyhood. (April 4, 2009). Reading Pillow.

Retrieved from:http://www.luvinthemommyhood.com/2009/04/reading-pillow-sewing-pattern.html

One Arm Hair Dryer

Tri-pod Hair Dryer

Setting: at home in a bathroom or bedroom

Materials:
Bungee Rope
Hairdryer
Tripod
Electricity access

Instructions:
1. Securely wrap the hairdryer around the tripod using bungee rope.
2. Plug in hair dryer and use when needed.

Purpose: The purpose of this adaptive equipment is to increase the independence of performing ADL's  in individuals. For some personal identity and self esteem is associated with personal appearance and by framework of taking care of oneself or hygiene. For the individual to perform these task if they have weak range of motion in the upper extremity or low strength in their grasp, wrist, hands, or arm muscles they would not be able to blow dry their hair. This can also be used for amputees that only have one arm to work with.

Hair Dryer and Stand. [Image]. (2012).  Retrieved from http://www.toysrbob.com/onearm/hairdry.html

Pencil Grips

Pencil Grips

Setting: when using a pen or pencil

Materials:
Pen or pencil
Pencil grip

Instructions:
1. Place the pencil grip along the bottom end of the pencil.
2. Use when participating in writing exercises.

Purpose: The purpose of this adaptive equipment is to increase fine motor control and pinch to dictate pencil control. In order to hold a pencil correctly and comfortably gives the individual a better chance at writing better and improving their written communication. The use of the pencil grips can improve the use of the fine motor ability and muscles used that are needed for tying shoes, and dressing one self.

Warburg, Chaye. (September 27, 2012). Start Right Pencil Grips.

Retrieved from:http://www.potsot.com/2012/09

Page Holder

One Handed Page Holder

Setting: at home or in a chair or desk setting

Materials:
Book
One Handed Page Holder

Instructions:
1. Open book to desired page and put the book holder across putting your thumb up through the hole and holding the back side of the book with your fingers.

Purpose: This is to increase the ability for an individual to be able to read that has limited wrist and hand strength to hold the pages open while reading. As long as the individual had thumb opposition, strength, and mobility the person can successfully read independently. Dexterity would need to be used in order for the person to turn the pages with their opposite hand and the use of across the body if the device was held with the right hand and turning the pages with the left.

BuzzFeed Inc. (2012). Borderline Geniuses: Book Page Holder.

Retrieved from: http://www.buzzfeed.com/burnred/borderline-geniuses-281t

Paperclip Jewelry Aid

Paperclip Jewelry Aid

Setting: at home in room

Materials:
paperclip
bracelet

Instructions:
1. Unwind the paperclip until it looks like an "S" shape. Attach the paperclip to the unclasped end of the bracelet.
2. Then pinch the clasp and hold the other end with the paperclip for stability while attempting to hook together the bracelet!

Purpose: The purpose of this activity is to improve an individuals performance in ADL's and IADL's so that they can independently do fine motor activities. To most appearance increases self esteem and personal identity. So for some that struggle with putting on and taking off jewelry this is essential. It also would be important for the individual to have strong pincer grasp and fine motor control of the dominant hand in order to work the clasp on the piece of jewelry.

Purdy, Kevin. (November 15, 2010). Use of a Paper Clip to put on Bracelets the Easy Way.

Retrieved from:http://lifehacker.com/5690114/use-an-paper-clip-to-put-on-bracelets-the-easy-way

Can Opener

One-Handed Can Opener

Setting: kitchen

Materials:
Can
Batteries
One Handed Can Opener

Instructions:
1. Place can upright and insert batteries into can opener.
2. Put one handed can opener over the can.
3. Press the button on the can opener and do not touch until the can opener is off.

Purpose: The purpose of this activity is to allow someone who has very weak upper extremity strength or an amputee the ability to open a can independently. I bought this for myself when I moved to Bangor since I can be a weakling in my wrist and it really works great. It even has a safety feature that as long as you don't get in the way of the blade as it is cutting, it cleans the cut so that you can't cut yourself along the can afterwards.

Bed Bath & Beyond. (2012). One Touch Hands-Free Can Opener. [Image].

Retrieved from: http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/1/3/one-handed-can-opener

Headphones

Headphones

Setting: classrooms, work, or at home while needing to focus.

Materials:
Headphones themselves

Instructions:
1. Put headphones on when in excess noise.

Purpose: The purpose of this exercise is for the individual to understand their own emotions and needs. Some people are very easily overstimulated by vestibular input to the point it interferes with their work, critical thinking, and problem solving abilities. So when they are feeling overwhelmed that they can't work they can put on the headphones and block out the excess noise that is overstimulating them. It is a way for them to deal with their environment yet effectively work through it.

Schectman, Tzvi. (March 21, 2012). 8 Headphones for Children with Autism and Auditory Processing Disorder. Retrieved from:http://www.friendshipcircle.org/blog/2012/03/21/8-headphones-for-children-with-autism-and-auditory-processing-disorder/