Module 3: Positioning Your Child

 Page Outcomes

When you have finished this page, you should be:

• More confident to position a child with cerebral palsy,
• Be able to show others better ways to position a child with cerebral palsy

Positioning and Handling

Here are some photos of poor positioning and handing of children with cerebral palsy 

Good Handling and Positioning

Here are some of the benefits of good handling and positioning skills:

Now lets look at the problems with poor handling and positioning techniques:

And as children with disabilities gain access to wheelchairs, they very often spend long hours poorly positioned in the wheelchair, and still unable to move themselves. And they still develop a crooked back and other disabling deformities, including eventually breathing difficulties due to the chest space being so crooked and confined. You can see this in some of the pictures above

Now let‟s look at positioning a child, and what you can do to improve her position.

In the next section we will be looking at specific positions, both those that are 'poor' positions, and suggestions for „helpful‟ positions. For each position, we will use this checklist (see diagram below) to help us decide in an ordered way whether the child is in a poor or helpful position.

Lying

Supine (on their back)

This is a poor position because: Head pushing back and turned to one side Hips turning in causing legs to cross (scissor) Feet are pointing down, which means she can‟t get them flat if she is sitting. Hands and arms away from body Hands fisted and closed	This is a good position because: She is supported correctly  This position facilitates accessability to independant limb and head movement  Head is in midline

Supine Checklist: 

Head and body

• If she can move her head on her own, make sure it is comfortable
• If she cannot move her head on her own, make sure it is in the middle and comfortable
• Her body (spine) must be straight – support on her sides if needed with a rolled up towel to keep her straight

Legs and feet

• Bend her hips – this helps to release tension in her lower back which is often arched, and it
• helps to relax stiffness in her legs. Place support under her knees to keep hips bent (not under her feet)
• Keep her legs open and uncrossed – use a pillow between if needed
• Feet should be as close to a standing position as possible – if her feet push down, talk to a therapist about the need for an ankle/foot orthosis

Shoulders and arms

• They should be forward and supported, especially if her arms pull back. This position also helps to relax her upper back, and allows her hands to open more easily.
  
• Lying in a hammock can help to relax tight muscles.
• Babies/small children can „hang‟ in a large towel (held by two adults) to relax tight muscles.

Prone ( on their tummy )

Body is not even, because her head is turned to breathe There is no muscle work She can‟t see anything Legs may be crossed Hands are in a fist She can‟t do anything	Body is even Promotes learning and development

Prone Checklist:

Head and body

• In a straight line
• Encourage her to lift her head and look at something in front of her on the floor. This is a good time to get a sibling, also lying on the floor, to play with her

Legs and feet

• Straight – push down on her bottom from side to side in a rocking motion to help her straighten her hips
• You can put weighted bags over her hips

Shoulders and arms

• Her arms should be in line with or slightly in front of her shoulders (make sure the pillow or towel she is lying on comes all the way up to her armpits to help keep her arms forward)
• If possible, encourage her to open her hands and push down on them (you may need to gently open them out for her; if too stiff to stay open, keep helping her each time you use this position)

MOST IMPORTANT about this position is that it is not for all children! Be careful when using this position for children who are always pushing back strongly with their heads. It is possible that it will reinforce the pushing back of the head, while the child is not actually learning to use her arms or control her head.

Side Lying

Side lying checklist:

Head and body

• Head supported on a pillow so her chin is level (in the middle, with her head and spine in a straight line)
• Give good support at her back, from the top of her head to her feet

Legs and feet

• Keep her bottom leg straight
• Support her top leg bent at her knee with pillows or blankets so her knee is level with her hip – this is important to help prevent injury to her hip (dislocation)
• Bending one leg and keeping the other straight helps to relax the stiffness in her legs

Shoulders and arms

• Her lower shoulder and arm must be brought forward so they are not trapped underneath her
• Keep both arms forward to bring her hands together – encourage her to use her hands by playing a game with her, or putting a toy nearby for her to touch and reach for

During the day this position should be changed from one side to the other, or to another position, every half an hour.	This is also a good position for a child to sleep in.

Sitting with Carer

These are poor positions because:

• Her head is hanging backwards, or to one side, or just leaning against the caregiver
• She is just lying, and not sitting on her bottom
• Her hips are not bent, and wrong muscles are working
• Her hands are not free to do anything
• Her arms aren‟t helping her to sit
• She is not able to do anything with her hands

Sitting with a carer checklist:

Head and body

• If she cannot hold her head upright, make sure she is sitting up straight with the head and her back supported.
• If she can hold her head upright, use your hands to support her chest and/or hips just enough to help her stay up straight and control her head.
• She should be working her muscles to move her body and keep it upright 

Legs and feet

• Bend her hips to at least a right angle – this will help keep her back in a good position and help stop her from pushing backwards and sliding off your lap.
• If possible, have her feet supported.

Shoulders and arms

• Her shoulders should be slightly forward so that her arms and hands are in front of her body, and she can explore objects and her own body.

It is also important for your child‟s development to be given an opportunity to practice using the muscles she needs to balance in sitting. Play a game with her, or help her explore her own body, toys, or other objects. This shows a more active way of playing with your child in a good position.

Sitting on a chair, in a buggy or on a couch 

These are poor positions because:

• Her head is pushing back, and she tends to slide herself out of the chair
• Hips are too straight and stiff
• Shoulders are not supported, and are either pulling back, or pushed too far forward
• She leans sideways and is not stable
• Leg problems can develop from twisting of leg bones

Sitting checklist:

Head and body

• She sits upright with her back straight and her head upright
• Her buttocks are all the way to the back
• If she has a lap strap, make sure it is tightened firmly enough to stop her from sliding down in the chair

Legs and feet

• These must be supported

Shoulders and arms

• These should be supported slightly forward and in front of her body.
  

Sitting on the floor

Therapists generally don‟t like your child to sit in this position. However, if it is the only way that allows your child to be independent in sitting, then it should probably be allowed. But do not let her sit in this position all the time.

• This position can hurt the knees and hips and hips of the child.
• She does not need much control to sit like this, so she does not need to learn to or practice balancing her upper body over her pelvis.
• She does not learn to develop a good sitting balance if she is always in this position. She may therefore never learn to sit with good balance in any other sitting position.

Floor sitting suggestions: 

• She can sit independently with legs crossed
• She should sometimes sit with legs straight, not always bent (beware of contractures)
• Sitting with her back in a corner helps to keep shoulders forward and head level
• Her hands are more free to do something
• What about sitting on her side? First one side, and then the other.

Standing

Poor position:

She has stiff leg muscles (one or both legs), so she can't stand on flat feet with her knees and hips straight Her balance isn't good enough to let go to do something with one or both hands She has to hold on for support All she can do is stand there, with her hips and knees bent