Carseat Harness Option

Well, here's our final choice... the EZ On harness.  No car or booster seat necessary!  Kids cannot fall out, tip over, or release themselves as it zips in the back and is connected to the LATCH system in your 1999 or newer car.  The company makes a bolt in the back or floor option for vans and cars made before 1999.  Easy to order an additional tether for your second car or Grammy's car and definitely portable for travel!

EZ On Adjustable Travel Vest

Car booster seats with five point harnesses

I've been researching this topic with a parent for a few days, here's where we started:

• Her son needs the support of a five point harness to prevent him from sliding out of the seatbelt in his standard belt-positioning booster with a back.
• Almost all of the harness/belt booster combos on the market today end the weight limit for the harness at 40-50 pounds.  This little guy is already over that.

Guess what, Britax makes 3 harness/belt booster options that accommodate the use of the harness up to 90 pounds!  Hoping by the time he reaches this limit, the need will not be there, if so then investigation into options for larger children will be explored.  Use this link to compare the models:

Britax booster seats to compare

Happy carseat hunting! 

PVC Pipe Crayon Adaptation

Super easy and super effective!  Create an adapted crayon holder for kids with a weak grasp with a PVC pipe T and some foam.  Or use it for utensils too!  The 1 inch diameter PVC pipe works well for young kids, increase the diameter for older kids or adults.  Foam pipe or wire insulation works well for the insert.  If the child can't quite maintain the grasp as he or she is trying to use it, simply put a velcro strip through the PVC pipe to go around the back of the child's hand.  It works wonders.  Get those kids doing some art!

Good Ways to Use Equipment in EI Classrooms

Lots of kids in EI classrooms would benefit from the use of standers or special seating throughout their day, even also those kids placed in regular ed environments in need of this type of equipment. Try using a visual schedule of activities with a pictures of the equipment underneath.  That way the teachers and therapists can coordinate in which position the child would be able to best work on specific goals.  And it can be modified easily from day to day while keeping everyone on the same page.

Even kids that have trouble paying attention may benefit from sitting on a dynamic cushion or rocking chair during group learning times like circle.  Everyone may exit circle to go to centers more calmly if they are to crawl through a tunnel after stating their center choice.  Talk to your OT about other ways that special equipment in the classroom, whether it be low tech like a beanbag chair or high tech like a mobile stander, can benefit your child!