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My Child Has a Hearing Loss...What Next?
Information and resources for parents of newly diagnosed deaf and hard of hearing children.
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Assentive Computer Technology - Infrared Head Pointing
By: Renata Bursten, Dragonfly Staff
The Tracker and the Smart Nav AT can be helpful for users with carpal-tunnel syndrome, severe arthritis, quadriplegia, ALS, muscular dystrophy, and multiple sclerosis. Head pointing should be considered for computer users who have good head control and poor (or no) fine motor skills in their hands. Pointing is the quickest, most direct way of controlling the computer. Many people with disabilities have been forced to use scanning, mouth sticks, and other alternative devices when all they really needed to do was somehow point. One 'point' to remember when considering this kind of alternative mouse: you can use your head, but you don't really have to. You may use any body part that has reliable movement and control, like an arm or a knee, to place the dot upon. Also, you may use a hat, a headband, or a sweatband to hold the dot if you do not want to place the dot directly upon the skin.
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PLAY Tip
Bubble Tumblers can help develop self-feeding skills
One way to help kids develop good self-feeding skills is to offer play activities that build the fine motor skills needed when eating.
,A child playing with a No-Spill Bubble Tumbler is using the same motions that are needed handling cutlery. The motions mimic bringing food to the mouth, and by blowing bubbles, the child develops more controlled mouth movement.
,Plus, you get all those pretty bubbles!