Roc Wheels Rockit, User Manual

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9
THE IMPACT OF OPTIMAL
POSTURAL ALIGNMENT
When considering the importance of postural alignment and control on oral motor and fine mo-
tor skills, attention must first be directed towards developing an understanding of normal pos-
tural alignment. If the child is unable to control proximal body parts adequately against gravity,
adaptive equipment must be utilized for external support for the child. It then follows that an
understanding basic positioning principals utilized with adaptive equipment must also be devel-
oped.
The goal of achieving optimal alignment utilizing adaptive equipment is-"to provide the child
with enough postural support so all energies can be directed towards activities in any given
environment for any given task. The excessive energy used to stay upright or to fight the fear
of falling can then be diverted to better attending to visual and auditory input and motor control.
The central base of support must be stable so the child is better able to express himself /
herself orally and to perform academic and fine motor activities.
There are several disadvantages to consider when utilizing positioning devices as they limit
some types of sensory feedback received by the child. Most of the child's body is held in a
relatively static position with little joint mobility with roost of the tactile and kinesthetic activity
limited to the face and arms. For example, even though a child is on a mobile scooter board,
he cannot roll or wiggle in and out of various places and the de-creased perceptual experi-
ences should not be disregarded.
Assessing the postural alignment required in different positions (i.e.: sitting vs. standing) re-
quires an understanding of the optimal alignment and relationship between the trunk, head,
shoulders end pelvis. The distal func-tions of the legs, arms, eyes and mouth are dependent
on the biomechanical alignment of these proximal parts. To concentrate attention on manipu-
lative or oral motor skills without first providing stable postural alignment will prove to be pre-
mature and usually ineffective. Without a stable postural base upon which to operate, visual,
oral motor, fine motor and ambulatory skills start from a compromised situation.
As most functional activities for children and adults occur from a seated position, the most logi-
cal place from which to address postural alignment is in sitting. Only after understanding these
concepts is it wise to proceed to techniques designed to enhance oral motor or manipulative
functions.
Source: Therapy Works, Tulsa Oklahoma., 1993