Hesperian Health Guides
Other Aids
Contents
EATING AND DRINKING AIDS
For more information on these aids, see the following sections:
- "Other Challenges"
- "Self-Care"
- "Alternatives for a Child with Amputated Hands"
- "Successful Feeding Involves the Whole Child"
- "Homemade Equipment to Help Eating"
- "Understanding Children with Disabilities"
TOILETING AIDS
For more information on these aids, see the following sections:
HOLDING AND REACHING AIDS
For more information on these aids, see the following sections:
- "Maricela's Story"
- "Prevention of Injury for Persons with Loss of Feeling and Strength"
- "Alternatives for a Child with Amputated Hands"
- "Suggestions for Dressing"
- "Understanding Children with Disabilities"
- "Adaptations for farm work and gardening"
![Key holder, wash-mitten, braces put on feet.](https://pool.hesperian.org/w/images/thumb/2/21/DVC_Ch62_Page_577-3.png/650px-DVC_Ch62_Page_577-3.png)
fastener
SPIRAL HOLDING AID
![]() Cut a piece of heavy rubber tube like this. |
![]() Bolt it to a piece of plastic pipe or bamboo. |
![]() Use it like this. |
![]() spiral attached to washstand |
For larger objects such as a knife or ruler, the spiral can be made of garden hose. | ![]() |
REACHING TOOL | ALL-PURPOSE TOOL |
![]() sheet metal or heavy tin
From Don Caston and Joan Thompson. |
![]() pole
comb mounted firmly on pole
This end serves as pusher, a collector, and for combing hair.
This end serves as a hook. |
WRITING AIDS
For more information on these aids, see the following sections:
- "Self Care"
- "Alternatives for a Child with Amputated Hands"
- "Prevention of Injury for Persons with Loss of Feeling and Strength"
- "Aids for Reading, Writing, and Drawing"
![]() |
![]() |
![]() leather or thick cloth |
![]() |
![]() |
pencil in a large gum eraser | loop of car inner tube | Velcro | bamboo or tube or hose | rubber or plastic tubing |
COMMUNICATION AIDS
(Also see *"Loss of Vision" and *"Hearing Loss")
![]() page turner (for more information, see “Enrique's Story” and *"Aids for Reading, Writing, and Drawing"). |
![]() communication board |
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION, MEASURING AND RECORDING AIDS
INSTRUMENT FOR LEVELING HIPS
Cut 2 pieces of thin plywood like this. Fasten them together so that they slide back and forth. | To use, close instrument around child’s waist and push down against hip bones. Then raise or lower shorter leg until the instrument is level. | Cut rectangles of ¼ inch thick boards and bolt them loosely together at one corner. |
![]() long, thin hole 25 cm. nut, bolt, and washer |
![]() |
![]() aid for measuring leg length difference (for more information see "Other things to check in a physical examination". |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
flexikins for measuring contractures and deformities (see Chapter 5.) |
other methods for measuring contractures (see here and here) |
rib-hump angle measurer | aids for hearing examination | aids for seeing examination |
FOOT CONTRACTURE PREVENTION AIDS
Also see Chapter 59, "Correcting Joint Contractures," and Chapter 58 "Braces."
For more information on these aids, see the following sections:
EXERCISE AIDS
For more information on these aids, see the following sections:
- "Maricela's Story"
- “Will my child ever be able to walk?”
- "Progression of Exercises for the Child with an Arthritic Knee"
- "'Floating-in-air' Devices for Relaxing and Moving Painful Joints"
- "Correcting Contractures of Arthritic Hips"
- "Early Physical Re-education"
- "Prevention of Contractures" (Amputations)
- "There Are 3 Main Ways of Doing Range-of-Motion Exercises"
- "Strengthening Exercises to Get Arms Ready to Walk with Crutches"
- "Making Hand Exercises Fun or Useful"
- "Precautions in Providing a Child with Aids, Equipment and Procedures"
![different standing exercise aids.](https://pool.hesperian.org/w/images/thumb/3/30/DVC_Ch62_Page_578-14.png/650px-DVC_Ch62_Page_578-14.png)