Standing Aids

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HealthWiki > Disabled Village Children > Chapter 62: Developmental Aids > Standing Aids

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In this chapter:

 

In this chapter:

Standing aids Many children who have difficulty with balance or control when standing may benefit from standing or playing in a “standing aid.” Even for the child who may never stand or walk on her own, being held in a standing position with weight on her legs helps circulation and bone growth and strength.

See also

• How Can We Help?
• Activities for Standing, Walking, and Balance
• Meeting the Physical Needs of Children at School.

STANDING BOARD

Sometimes a child who does not have enough control or strength to hold his head when lying,	can hold his head up better when sitting or standing.	A simple standing board can help hold the child in a stable position. This one leans against a table.
	hip straps	holes for straps A knee separator can be added holes for feet (straps may also be needed)

LEANING BOARD

from Don Caston and HealthLink

BACK-BOARD

This can be used to gradually bring a child to a standing position. It is especially useful for older children who get dizzy if stood up straight too quickly. This can happen after a spinal cord injury or a long, severe illness. The child can be stood up gradually and for longer each day.

Use angle irons to hold boards firmly. block to hold legs apart (if needed) straps

STAND-IN TABLE

hinges (cloth or leather) clasp door
padded knee block	adjustable foot board for children of different heights

OTHER IDEAS

large tile or cement pipe	hollow log (like people use for bee hives)	plastic garbage container. (Fasten it to a wide base to keep it from tipping over.)

STANDING FRAMES

These are mainly for a child with contractures or painful joints who has difficulty standing straight. The child can gradually be straightened up.

ADJUSTABLE MODEL

bolt or pin for adjustment adjustable padded hip support adjustable padded ankle-foot support table chest pad knee pad

back view bolts or pins for adjustment Remove backboard to stand child in frame.

MOVABLE MODEL

Uprights can be made of wood or metal tubing. wide belt of thick cloth with Velcro or strap adjustment adjustable board with padded notches for knees The notched part can be made of foam plastic. adjustable foot support

SIMPLE FIXED MODEL

For some children, a chest belt will also be needed

STANDING-AND-WALKING FRAME
This is a useful aid to begin standing and walking, for children paralyzed or severely affected below the waist (paraplegia, spina bifida, diplegic cerebral palsy).

Velcro or other fastener

chest strap

A hip band may also be needed.

foot positioning block and straps

The back-board should tilt back slightly to let the child stand straight up.

For standing only, use a flat base.

The base is oval with the longer dimension sideways.

For walking, add runners with a curved front. This makes it easier for the child to tilt forward and lift off.

Instead of kneepads, you can hold the knees better using a firm knee support molded from stiff foam plastic or many layers of cardboard glued together.

STANDING-WALKING BRACE
This has the same use as the standing-walking frame above, but is especially useful for children who need to learn how to walk before they are fitted for braces with a hip band or body brace.

DESIGN THAT DOES NOT ALLOW SITTING	DESIGN WITH HIP AND KNEE HINGES TO ALLOW SITTING
front plate (plastic or thin metal, well padded) stiff plastic foam knee support foot guide	hip hinge locking handles knee hinge (From Physically Handicapped Children—A Medical Atlas For Teachers.)

This page was updated:04 Apr 2024