SPECIAL NEEDS TRIKE + BRAIN GYM AND HANDLE

[mulsey]

Hi all, this is the first time that I have posted a message on the board. I have a 3 year old daughter with hypotonia and a developmental delay, as yet without a diagnosis!
We are trying to get her a special needs trike, the first sized one. She was fitted for one at school today, but at over £500 they are not cheap. If anyone knows of anyone who has a trike gathering dust in a shed somewhere, then could you let them know about me? There is a waiting list for second hand trikes and the chap was unable to give us an idea of when we would be able to buy one from him! I dont want to wait forever for one, as all the children in the street play outside on their bikes and my daughter is pretty much left out. Hope someone can help?

Also, has anyone tried brain gym or handle with their kids?

hi there.

I was talking about brain gym yesterday funnily enough. A couple of people have really recommended it and I've wanted to do it for a while. I think there is a book you can get which gives all the exercises and I think you can get the book from body balance books on 020 8202 9747. I might try and order it myself tomorrow

folks.....
i have a brain gym booklet.....

we use brain gym with our kids....
would it be the same thing?
will be happy to photocopy it for you!

One of my friend's sons, who has dyspraxia, was made to do Brain Gym a bit over-zealously as a kid and now despises it! He says that his parents were misguidedly trying to fix him but only succeeded in boring him half to death. My poor friend- she was only trying to help! Parents can never win, eh? I get a few queries about it from families at work and his negative words always ring in my ears. I'm actually totally ignorant about it apart from his response so I'll be v interested to see what people at the coal face have to say.

Is it Whizz Kidz who are providing the trike, mulsey? Welcome to mumsnet by the way.

Hi, You could try whizzkids, they provided my sons trike, and were very helpful, visit them here

My friend does it to her son in his sleep.

Hi mulsey! I have a four year old daughter with hypotonia and a global development delay with no diagnosis. Welcome to mumsnet.

I am interested in these trikes aswell but hadnt a clue how to get one!

The school ds1 is going to in Septemeber has set up a brain gym programme for the older children. Hopefully it will be extended to the younger ones soon.

Hi Mulsey, what exactly are the tricycles that you are looking for? is there one on a website?

Forgive me, I'm not sure what hypotonia is, but I have had to get a trike adapted for my DS (nearly 3) as one leg is several cms shorther than the other. Our physiotherapist and orthotic service would have done it, but in the end a company called London Recumbents (based in Dulwich Park London) did it (and didn't charge - even though they originally quoted me £50!)

I think WhizzKids is a good idea....

I have had another idea: If the Trike is one that might typically be used by children with other leg condidions, have you tried the STEPS website message board? Lots of parents, so someone might have a 2nd hand trike. Also, I think STEPS sometimes arrange for the loan or donation of eqipment. Steps

Hi all, thanks for your comments and information. In Scotland the bikes are made by Theraplay, they are great because they offer all the support in the right places. The basic price for a small trike is £500, this price rises if you need any extra adaptions. They are very suitable for kids with CP or low muscle tone (hypotonia) and Im sure other various things too. I will let you know how we get on with our quest.