Hesperian Health Guides
Standing Aids
See also
- How Can We Help?
- Activities for Standing, Walking, and Balance
- Meeting the Physical Needs of Children at School.
Contents
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
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).
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 ChildrenâA Medical Atlas For Teachers.) |