eATing Without Barriers

A student has to successfully function in many environments when in school. These environments include: playgrounds, classrooms, lunchrooms and bathrooms. An occupational therapist in the school setting has the skills to analyze and optimize student’s performance in each of these environments with adaptations and accommodations (AOTA, 2010).

In school, the lunchroom is a fun and social environment. For some children, the task of self-feeding is a challenge. This challenge can take away from the social aspect of lunch time, making it a stressful situation.

Check out the assistive technology resources below that can decrease stress and promote success in the lunchroom for all students.

Eating:

•          Nonslip materials to hold plate in place

Dycem is a non slip product that can be used to stabilize plates/bowls. Shelf liner is also a great low-tech option. 

Dycem also makes place-mats! 

•          Materials to build up handles

Utensil handles can be built-up easily with foam. This makes them easier to hold when eating. They can also be weighted! 

•     Adapted utensils 

Utensils can be angled to facilitate independent self-feeding for individuals who have limited range of motion. 

A rocker knife is a great option for individuals who use one upper extremity - it eliminates the need to stabilize the plate/food when cutting. 

• Adapted devices to hold utensils 
  
  

  

  This is a universal cuff paired with a right angle to promote self-feeding for individuals who cannot independently hold utensils. 

• Positioning of the arm

A Mobile Arm Support is a mid-tech device that enhances range of motion for those who cannot get food from the plate to the mouth. 

Place this simple solution on top of a table to elevate the plate. This decreases the space between the plate and mouth while still allowing the student to sit upright when eating. 

•      Adapted dishes

Compartments provide more "ridges" to increase ease of piercing/scooping food without it moving around the plate. 

Scoop dish 

Plate guard

•     Liftware: Liftware is a high-tech device that assists in counteracting tremors when eating. It has attachments for a spoon, knife, and a key! 
•     For a video demonstration visit: https://www.liftware.com/how/

Drinking:

•        Regular cups (sippy cups, mugs, two handled, cups with covers)

Nosey Cup's have a nose cut-out to reduce spills 

Water bottle with a straw guarantees no spills and does not need to be picked up. 

Handled cups with a wide base

•     Adapted handles

•     Positioning aides for stabilizing cup or glass on table surface

Cup with base 

Rounded-base, Anti-tip 

•     Straws 

Bend to any angle or height 

Oxygen tubing is also a great option for heavy duty straws! 

Various sizes straws can increase or decrease flow of liquid 

•       Lids (spouted, recessed, flow adjusted, anti-splash/spill)

Flow Adjusting lid 

Anti-Splash Lid 

•     Self-Hydration
•      This is an image of a self-hydration system that I made on a fieldwork rotation for an individual who had no upper-extremity use. The water bottle hangs from the wheelchair and is supported by gravity. Oxygen tubing is used as a straw and is strung up through lock line. The tubing surfaces near the individuals mouth and is easy for them to access. It is also easy to bend out of the way when transferring! 

Transporting your lunch tray:

•      Carrying a lunch tray can be a challenging task. These simple and common items can be a great solution to facilitate independence in the lunchroom! 
•       Lap tray for wheelchair

•     Rolling cart

•      Wagon

Resources: 

AOTA, 2015: https://www.aota.org//media/Corporate/Files/AboutOT/Professionals/WhatIsOT/CY/Fact-Sheets/School%20Settings%20fact%20sheet.pdf   

****Note: There are MANY more examples of assistive technology, the ones mentioned in this blog are devices that I am becoming familiar with through my rotation.

All images in this blog were collected from Google images