These are just some of the ideas that I have used with caring for and living with Kirstie.

If you don't want your Angel to learn how to do something then make sure that they don't see it being done! Incidentally this applies to all young children.

Angelproof  Bedroom
Keep it simple - bed, wardrobe & accessible storage for them to get to their toys.
A dutch or stable door. Keep the top half open so they can see and hear and so can you.
A privacy door handle (just like the toilet or bathroom) only with the lock on the outside. If the lock is activated/deactivated by pushing and turning the handle this may be a good deterrent for those Houdini's amongst our Angels! If this doesn't work try adding a 75mm x 19mm (3" x ¾") ledge along the top of the bottom section with the door handle not far under that (don't forget to leave enough room for your hand).

A wardrobe with the drawer unit concealed behind a door. An idea that has worked for us was to tailor the robe door opening to just 10mm larger than the drawers - try opening the drawers any other way than straight and they only open as far as the door or the door jamb. With the drawer unit we have, the drawer doesn't even open far enough for an adult hand to go in. So far it has been Angelproof.

Bedding

• One piece pyjama suits were successful during Kirstie's nappy (diaper) shredding phase. She never worked out how to undo them successfully.
• It is still common for her to kick off the blankets when asleep. She won't go to sleep without them right up to her chin though.
• For years she would only go to sleep if someone laid down with her. She has slept in her own bed      without sides since 1995 without any problems.This has been in her own room next to the master bedroom.

Angelproof Kitchen
The best answer here is to keep them out of the kitchen in the first place. If this is not possible due to an open plan kitchen then try to narrow the opening down as much as possible with items such as mobile trolleys (jam the wheels first) or if possible put in something more solid and put in one of those stretchable childproof gates.

One idea demonstrated at the 5th Angelman Syndrome Association Conference in Canberra was a magnetic door handle which acts as a lock. The handle is magnetised and the lock is inside the door. Put the handle over the area of the lock and it unlocks, take the handle away and it locks. Contact Kidsafe for further information on the lock. It was said that this system is rather expensive.

Internal Doorways
An all purpose gate for standard internal doorways can be made from 50mm x 25mm (2" x 1") timber with a 'z' brace. Predrill all screw holes and use 40mm screws. A hasp and staple lock can be used together with a dog collar clip.

Plastic, Paper, Cardboard
Simply put - training.

At school, Kirstie had never tried to go for these, I wondered why she didn't. At home, I would ask her to give the paper or plastic to me and she would offer them to me. If there was no other paper or plastic around she would either watch TV or go exploring.

Nowadays when she comes to me for a holiday she doesn't even go looking for them. Possibly it is just environmental behaviour, where she does what she considers is appropriate. Years ago I would have had no doubt that the behaviour was obsessive/compulsive. It may even be possible now that when I have her for a holiday that her time is so occupied that she doesn't feel the need to go looking for these.

At home she still mouths paper and plastic!

Water
No options here! I just have to keep one to one with her as there is no other way that I can keep her away from the water! Thankfully she is petite, so this helps.

Personal Profile

I have put together a personal profile that can be given to respite service providers or support staff who will work with Kirstie. It contains essential information about her, including her likes, dislikes, challenging behaviours and her level of independence in daily living skills. It is designed so that the first page contains important information in case of a medical emergency which can accompany her to hospital (heaven forbid that it would ever be needed for this!).

Click here to see the page

Corner Chair

The corner chair is used to provide posture support when your child is learning to sit up. Due to the design it would also help increase the strength in the back muscles. The chair includes a table which slips down the side walls.

Plans of these are available from TAD in your state. Go to the main resource page for your state and click on the Therapy & Equipment link for contact details.

Wrap Around Table

The next step in the developmental stage after the corner chair. The table is height adjustable and helps prevent a fall sideways which can still happen even after a child has learnt to sit up. There are small toddler sized plastic chairs which can be purchased from outlets such as Target, K Mart or Big W (if your reading this from outside Australia try Walmart or your countries equivalent to one of these type of department stores) Also you could try some of the larger children's toy stores for a chair.

Plans of the Wrap Around Table are available from TAD in your state. Go to the main resource page for your state and click on the Therapy & Equipment link for contact details.

What Can I Do if......

Another future project to outline who you can approach if your not receiving a service your entitled to or your not happy with the service or the answers you are getting. This will provide more in depth information than just going to the resource information on advocacy and legal advice in your state or area.

Last Updated: 10 October 2001
 

Back to Main Resource Page