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SN children

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Original poster

How do you cope with the physical aspects of looking after a child with SN?

25 replies

DingdongMegaLegsonhigh · 29/12/2006 09:30

DS4 is only 18 months but he is still not mobile, almost crawling. Therefore I carry him alot. Also we have had a few outings (Panto, church services, plays) recently where he has sat on my lap. What a wriggler though, he is getting quite strong.
The last few days I have developed pains in my wrists and shoulders and I've had pains in my right hip and knee for about a month (the side I carry him).
I know these minor niggles are nothing compared to what he goes through but just wondered how others coped?

OP posts:

Jimjams2 · 29/12/2006 09:33

I sometimes have to get very physical with ds1 (7) in terms of restraint or moving him, or carrying him, or just having to run after him. The main area it affects is my back. It's very difficult to access training on handling/restraint etc as a parent, which is a major gripe of mine!

I have regular visits to the chiropractor! It does help.

Original poster

DingdongMegaLegsonhigh · 29/12/2006 09:44

I have had back probs in the past and will probably end up back at the chiro.

I wondered if there was any sort of training available. I guess I'll just grow stronger as he does.

I thought of you last week Jimjams, watching the Panto with ds4 bouncing around on my lap. He is so strong and I'm a big lass! Can't imagine what he'll be like at 7.

OP posts:

Jimjams2 · 29/12/2006 09:47

ha ah- well I wouldn't try the panto with him!

Seriously would recommend regular chiro- I go about once every 2 to 4 weeks. More often when a problem crops up.

You could put the feelers out for handling training- just found it difficult to find. Davros did mention a company that were starting to run courses for parents- I seem to remember they didn't cover my area, but the could be an option.

lourobert · 29/12/2006 09:59

hI,

My son is 14 months and not yet mobile. Ive been having niggly pains ni in shoulders and back and went to see an osteopath the other day....feel like a new women and will ensure I go regularly as Im not sure how long Ill have to be carrying my ds around for!

Original poster

DingdongMegaLegsonhigh · 29/12/2006 10:03

Thanks lourobert, I think you're right, I definately need to sort out some sort of physical therapy for myself.

Does your son have a dx? My ds is still undx. He has hypotonia, hypermobile joints and GDD.

OP posts:

lourobert · 29/12/2006 10:05

My son was dx with infantile spasms at 5 months and WIlliams wyndrome at 8 months. The two dont usually go together but someone my ds managed it.....(wink)

He has low tone, cannot crawl yet but looks like hes going to any day. Hes a champion roller and hs just developed the tone in his face to smile...!

Original poster

DingdongMegaLegsonhigh · 29/12/2006 10:07

My ds is almost crawling too. He can go for miles, backwards on a slippery floor

OP posts:

lourobert · 29/12/2006 10:09

Its like my son knows what he wants to do as it gets ni the right position then hasnt the strength in his upper body......we'll get there though.

Original poster

DingdongMegaLegsonhigh · 29/12/2006 10:14

Hopefully, as they get more mobile they'll sleep better!!
I've got to go and rescue dh and ds1 and 2 who are out walking in thw woods and are soaked!! Nice 'meeting' you lourobert, I'll keep an eye out for you and news of your ds.

OP posts:

JollyOldSaintNikkielas · 29/12/2006 20:27

Think one of the problems with training is it is set up for employees and the guidelines don't transfer over (ie staff:child ratio )

reiver · 29/12/2006 21:15

Have you tried a hippychick hipseat, Dingdong & lourobert? People either seem to love them or loathe them but I've found mine useful. They spread the weight so you don't end up with a bad back. Expensive so worth trying/borrowing one first.
Now my DD is at school I manage to go to a weekly yoga class which helps my sanity, strength & spine .......it helps!

TEEstheCEEsontobejolly · 29/12/2006 21:17

My 5 yr old DD has Down's syndrome and is not yet walking. We're showing signs of getting there but am a long way off.

I have to lift her in and out of car, on or off toilet, and even when I'm not physically carrying her I am stooping to help her walk.

Like I say it's been 5 years of carrying a quite solid little girl around on my hip and getting her in and out of cars etc. It's really taken it's toll on my back and everyone I've seen about it has said it's really bad, one of the worst they've seen etc which always makes me want to burst into tears! It's someone acknowledging my pain and it makes me want to burst in tears. I've seen physiotherapists, chiroparcters, osteopaths, different masseurs etc.

2shoes · 29/12/2006 21:50

dd is 11. so I have been lifting her for a long time.we have a wheelchair adapted car and hoists in the house. but I still have to do a lot of lifting. It has affected my knees. and my back.

mummy2aaron · 29/12/2006 21:53

£500.00 on Physio in the last few months and dh says i will have to suffer as we can;t afford it anymore! My problem is more to do with ds2's violence and aggression and restraint than lifting and carrying etc.

Harkthefubsyangelssing · 29/12/2006 22:07

TeeCee, does your daughter see a physio? I see a boy a bit younger with DS and he has made good progress since getting a walking frame. he is cruising now, and trying to stand unaided, and will walk with his sib to school in it. Doesnt get rid of the lifting altogether, but would give you a rest some of the time.

lou33 · 29/12/2006 22:13

you need to see a back care specialist, who can give you ways of making sure you dont do yourself an injury

ds2 is 6 in jan and i am always hurting my back from lifting him in and out of the car

there has been talk of getting him a hoist eventually but i might be changing my car at some point, so they wont fit a hoist in the one i have yet

i have to arrange an appt with a back care specialist as well

TEEstheCEEsontobejolly · 29/12/2006 22:19

Harkthefubsyangelssing - yes we see a physio. We're getting there slowly. She has a frame and has started in the last couple of months to take a few unaided steps. She finds it hard but also she's terrified of failing and of falling down so sometimes refuses point balnk to walk and hangs onto me. There are also times when I have to carry her for saftey resons. The stooping to help her walk hurts my back just as much really.

Then combine the back pain of carrying and lifting and stooping with the pain of using a mouse at work and the wear and tear of everyday life.

My back is really arched as well. The small of my back is really curved in so this doesn't help.

bobalinga · 03/01/2007 10:16

Both DH and I have bad backs (I have MS too so DH does most of the lifting). Which would be better, chiro or osteopath? I saw a physio on the NHS who said she could do nothing about backs and to try and lift less.
My daughter is 3 and total quadraplegic and can't even roll. But being bright she gets bored lying on the floor like a sack of spuds so she demands carrying and holding 18 hours a day. She can't use her hands either so we hold her and wave her arms for her.
When do we get a hoist?

Saker · 03/01/2007 14:19

Ds2 is 5 and fairly hefty. He has problems with his motor skills and co-ordination so I quite often have to lift him (e.g. into car seat, onto toilet etc). Plus he is fond of "flopping" onto the ground when he doesn't want to do something and because he has low muscle tone he seems to be able to turn into an absolute deadweight. I am trying to be careful but I wouldn't be surprised if I pull my back or something some time. I try to remember to bend my knees (and all the other techniques I was taught in boring manual handling sessions at work ). I also exercise quite a lot, including my core region and lift weights regularly and I think that has helped to strengthen my back. It can be hard work though.

tobysmumkent · 03/01/2007 18:37

Message withdrawn

PeachyClair · 03/01/2007 18:53

I wish I knew, I really do! I ahve back problems anyway (have scar tissue on my back, have done for many years) and I know that I'm at risk. I've also developed (mild) arthritis in the past year or so, and I susepct a link between constantly restraining Sam and all the physical stuff.

I've done all the lifting trainig when I was nursing so I can do all that, but it is the restriant that causes me problems, it takes so much strength these days. And dragging hima round the shops when he decides he will only shift if he goes on his knees and barks, whilst (choosing) to be dragged.

FioFio · 04/01/2007 19:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Davros · 04/01/2007 20:35

I was planning on organising some training for local parents with teamteach A lot of professionals get this training and I think parents should also get it..... but I haven't had the time or energy to organise it.

nikkie · 04/01/2007 20:56

We use teamteach at work, but the last 2 refreshers have got less 'restraining' (I know we don't want to use it but in some situations you need to).

nikkie · 04/01/2007 21:07

Actually that website was quite interesting, we haven't been doing the course we should be

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