Referencia para los talleres en el salón de clases Prof. Vivian N. Rivera Rivera Asistencia Tecnológica

Referencia Adapt My World: Homemade Adaptations for Children with Disabilities By J. Rose Plaxen $18.75 www.adaptmyworld.org

Adapt My World: Homemade Adaptations for Children with Disabilities By J. Rose Plaxen

$18.75

www.adaptmyworld.org

Wouldn't it be great if children were born with a handbook? When you purchase a car, in the glove compartment there is usually a handbook. A guide which offers quick solutions to issues that arise. Unfortunately, a child does not come equipped with a handbook. For my daughter, Lori, I envisioned a handbook offering simple modifications so that she is able to achieve goals more effectively.

Wouldn't it be great if children were born with a handbook?

When you purchase a car, in the glove compartment there is usually a handbook. A guide which offers quick solutions to issues that arise. Unfortunately, a child does not come equipped with a handbook. For my daughter, Lori, I envisioned a handbook offering simple modifications so that she is able to achieve goals more effectively.

When Lori was born, we knew she was different. Lori did not come close to reaching any of her "typical" milestones. When she was almost 12 months old, Lori's neck could barely support her head. Because of low muscle tone, she was unable to sit by herself. We wanted her to sit with us at the table in her highchair. Because of poor muscle tone, she was not able to sit properly, therefore slipping was an issue. I wanted to utilize the highchair that her brother used, so I decided to adapt it. I bought rubber strips (used for bathtubs) and I placed them on the seat of the chair.

For the first time, on Lori's first birthday, she was able to sit with us at the table. At that time, I realized that with adaptation, Lori is able to reach goals that her non-disabled peers reach with a little creativity. The excitement came when we noticed that she was able to live more independently. When Lori wants to do something that is a challenge, I develop a way to help her become self-reliant. Her teachers and therapist taught me that simple alterations throughout her life will make life less taxing for her.

After the adapting the highchair, I kept going. I walked around the house and took inventory of her daily life at home. Crawling, eating, dressing and playing with toys became less of a challenge with simple accommodations . **The author will donate a portion of the profits from the sale of the book, "Adapt My World: Homemade Adaptations for children with Disabilities" to an organization that works with children and adults with disabilities.

The concept of adapting the world for people with disabilities clear: Simple modifications will possibly assist a person who is differently abled become more independent and perhaps reach goals they were unable to reach. These adaptations are simple, easy to put together and not too expensive. Many of these adaptations have been passed around by Occupational, Physical and/or Speech/LanguageTherapists, Educators, and Parents or just thought up by people who want to make a difference. Many adaptations are adapted for individual abilites and/or needs.