For Sebasticook Valley Hospital's Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) Steve Bell, sometimes the greatest challenges can be overcome with the simplest solutions. For years, Steve and other SVH rehabilitation therapists have been providing much-needed therapy services to children in SAD #53. School-based occupational therapy enhances students' ability to be successful in a learning environment, with particular emphasis on fine motor skills (like handwriting), organizational skills, and modifications to facilitate full participation of students with specific needs.
About a year ago, Steve was confronted with an issue that was surprisingly challenging: how could he help his students hold their pencils properly to enhance fine motor control?
"I searched everywhere," Steve recalled, "from magazines to websites, and there wasn't a good solution that would enable kids with developmental or physical concerns to hold pencils properly."
Steve tried using a series of rubber bands - a cumbersome contraption that occasionally caused discomfort and disruption for students. "There were also devices that could be purchased for a lot of money that would clip to the child's shirt sleeve, but I didn't think that was the answer."
It was when he was putting on his SVH employee badge that the solution became clear. "Our ID badges clip to our shirts with retractable badge holders and can retract if it is grabbed by a patient. Hospital staff prefer retractable badge holders because they secure to shirts or jackets and won't fall off," Steve explained. When the badge is pulled, a tether connecting the badge to the holder extends outward, and when the badge is released, the tether retracts back to the holder.
Steve found that not only did the pencil fit perfectly into the loops of the badge holder, the tension provided for proper positioning of the pencil in the hands of his students.
Vickery student Brian Chase, Jr. demonstrates with Steve Bell, COTA, how an SVH badge clip improves his penmanship
Sara Loring, special education instructor for SAD #53, stated, "We've been letting some students use the device in classrooms because of Steve's efforts to help students gain proficiency with the device. Their successes with the device have increased their confidence in themselves and their abilities."
The added incentive is by using the device, students' penmanship improves as well. "The best part is that kids think they're fun to use," observes Steve.
SVH has offered rehabilitation services to the residents of Sebasticook Valley and the students in SAD #53. For more information about occupational therapy, please contact SVH Rehabilitation Services at 487-5141 or go online to www.aota.org. |
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