Multipurpose Furniture
In conductive education learning is emphasized at all times. Special furniture and accessories facilitate this learning process.
Plinths
- The plinth is a slatted table which enables a child to hold on whilst performing tasks thus giving them a sense of security, stability, confidence and helps them to learn how to fix their limbs.
- This is particularly useful for all children with cerebral palsy so they are able to better control their bodies in order to learn and coordinate purposeful movements and maintain a good posture.
- A plinth, when lying in prone or supine, also provides tactile feedback and visio-spatial clues which help a child who suffers from poor proprioception (e.g. children with hemiplegia, quadriplegia and ataxia).
- Plinths are multi functional and can be used: as a table, for the task series, as a bed, for playing at, as an obstacle, for side stepping along, for socialising.
Ladders
- Help a child to experience an upright position
- Rungs allow a child to fix a limb and enable them to control any over movements or involuntary reflexes
- Allow a child to hold onto a rung which is at a suitable height for them
- Can be used for any task in a sitting or standing position, for practising standing up or as support when transferring from one place to another
Ladder back chairs
- Multifunctional piece of furniture: to sit on, to practise standing up and as support when walking
- Rungs allow a child to fix a limb and therefore enabling them to control any over movements or involuntary reflexes
- May have a pommel which provides added security for a younger child or added confidence to a child to prevent them from sliding down
Grasp bars
- Grasp bars (horizontal and vertical) can be clipped onto the plinths.
- Helps to reduce involuntary movements
- Sitting balance and symmetry is improved
- Better head control will be achieved
- Gives function and awareness to affected limbs
Foot boxes
- Used to ensure that the children have their feet flat at all times
- Important for preparation for walking
- Vary in height so each child when sitting at the plinth or at the snack table will have their own foot box at a height relevant to the distance of their feet from the floor
Parallel bars
- Teach balance, transference of weight and stepping
- Gives the child security whilst trying movements which may be difficult for them
Slatted stools
- Help teach children the correct posture in the sitting position and may enable them to sit unsupported
- Stools are also slatted so the child is able to hold on to give additional balance and security
- Vary in height, ensuring that the child is able to have their feet flat on the floor, giving them additional feedback and balance.
