Assessing the children for assistive devices

After a week of public holidays, we’re back at work again.

In the meantime, I’ve gotten to know the children here at ABS much better, and I now have a solid overview of their individual situations. So I’ve started evaluating which assistive devices I want to donate using the money many of you contributed — and I’m incredibly thankful for your support.

One thing that struck me, especially with the children who have CP, is how often they lack any reliable way to communicate to their full potential. Many of them cannot verbalise what they want to say because of their diagnosis, and this is understandably very frustrating for them. They want to interact, but they simply don’t have a way to make themselves understood. So I’ve begun trying out different communication tools — from simple 

talking buttons to apps like MetaTalk, where they can communicate by tapping on pictograms. I was honestly amazed at how quickly some of the recognised the pictograms and remembered how to navigate through the menus to express their thoughts. Their potential is enormous if they’re given more effective ways to communicate, not only with their parents but also with people who don’t know them well. Communication is so essential, and when we practise with my iPad, some of the children become incredibly motivated and visibly proud to have a tool that finally lets them express themselves. You can really feel how this boosts their sense of self-efficacy — their “Selbstwirksamkeit”.

I’m also trying to figure out better ways for parents to transport their children outside the home. Many families simply carry their children, which works for a while, but as the kids grow older and heavier, it becomes harder and more limiting. Sadly, once many of these young people reach adulthood, they often remain indoors and only leave the house for hospital visits because there is no practical solution for mobility. As I mentioned in an earlier blog post, I’m planning a project in Punakha where I’ll visit families with children and young adults in similar situations and assess what kinds of assistive devices could make a real difference in their daily lives. Once those assessments are done and I have a clear picture of what’s needed, I can start organising the necessary devices using the funds you’ve so generously donated.
Thank you so much to everyone who contributed — it truly means a lot!