Multi-sensory impaired children in hospital - Sense

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Thinking about communicationMaking a “MSI friendly” environmentWait for a goodmoment to sayhelloPosition yourselfto maximize thevision that thechild hasAlways face thechildMake sure you arein the lightSpeak clearlyDon’t try to communicatewhen the child isconcentrating onsomething elseClose up…or at a distanceDon’t turn away whileyou are speakingBut don’t have a bright lightbehind youYou won’t need to shoutWhere in the ward?Avoid placing the child in an openspace. Siting the bed beside a wallor a corner, partitioned withcurtains, helps to reduce auditoryand visual clutter.Adjust the blinds to avoid glarefrom sunlight.FurniturePositioning and alignment ofimmediate surrounding furnitureneeds to be consistent.Older, and more able children, willmemorise the position of theemergency call alarm. It is reallyimportant that its position staysthe same to allow them to find iteasily.Hearing aidsBe aware that children who wearhearing aids suffer in noisyechoing spaces such as a largeward or spaces tiled wall to floor.Be ready to adjust hearing aids orcochlear implant(s) to make iteasier for the child to manage anoisy situation.Make it feel safeIf the trolley-bed or cot is movedalong the ward or corridor ensurethat verbal or tactile contact ismade with the child. Sing or tapout a rhythm to confirm yourpresence…it might be scary or itcould be fun!Many children with MSI find largespaces threatening or simply toobig to understand. They areusually more willing to explore in asmall environment. Create a smallspace, even in the bed – if safe,and appropriate.Provide bolsters and soft playblocks to create physical securityand comfort.Create a “little room” on the bedusing an inexpensive small pop uptent.ToysThe play-worker will have greatsensory toys. The Sense memberof staff who is supporting thefamily can also give you someideas.Expect some favourite toys:hanging mobiles; blanket or lifequilt; personal music player andsome toys that may need to bechecked for suitability in a sterileenvironment.1419
Moving aroundMobility is the ability to move around.Orientation is about knowing where youare and where you are going. Somechildren who are multi-sensory impairedwill have enough useful sight to moveunaided, at least in familiarenvironments. Many others will needthe environment adapted for theirneeds. Many will need to be guided byanother person, especially whenoutdoors or in unfamiliar surroundings.Some children will be able to managetheir environment quite successfully – indaylight, or good lighting – and willquickly get used to the layout of theward.WheelchairsA child who uses a wheelchair also hasmobility needs relating specifically totheir deafblindness. Being pushedbriskly in a wheelchair, without anyinformation about where you are goingor which way the chair will turn next, isterrifying. This also applies to beingmoved on a trolley or in bed.There are widely-used ways of givinginformation and preparing a child for amove, for example:tell the child where he is goingbefore you set out, in a way he canunderstand. Object cues (such as atoy for the playroom or soap for thebathroom) are useful because thechild can keep referring to themthroughout the journeyplace a hand on the child’s shoulderbefore turning a corner – rightshoulder for turning right, leftshoulder for turning leftslow down before changes in floortexture, such as moving onto adoormatUse sign, gesturesor objects to helpyou with yourconversationDon’t give up –choose a differentway of saying itLook in the communicationbook for the signs, picturesand symbols the child is usingor the objects of reference inthe basket or bum bagMake a drawing if it helps.Try acting! Use your face toexpress things. Mime theaction toohelp children to explore routes theyuse regularly – landmarks, floor andwall surfaces. This will involvetravelling slowly and having thechance to look and touch theirsurroundings.Some children, who have physicaldifficulties, use adapted poweredpersonal chairs which support theirposture and allow them some personalmobility. These take up space!1815 15
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Multi-sensory impaired children in hospital - Sense

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