Adaptive Apparel & Occupational Therapy Featuring: Knit Rite By: Priscila Hernández, OTS
What is Adaptive Apparel? Clothing designed specifically to serve the needs of individuals with disabilities or individuals who experience a smaller range of dressing abilities.
Populations include: People using wheelchairs or powerchairs People with sensory differences People with cognitive conditions People with tubed devices People with prosthetics or orthotics The elderly Pregnant women
What is Occupational Therapy? Is focused on the activities that occupy your time from the moment you wake up to the moment you fall asleep. Our goal is to help you accomplish what you need or want to do throughout your day. Overall, we aim to serve our clients in a way that supports them to live their most fulfilled and independent lives!
Examples of occupations: Brushing teeth Showering Financial management Driving & mobility Dressing up Health Management Creating a sleep routine
An OT could have helped this tennis player by educating them on proper positioning, stabilization, and racket grip, and practicing.
How is OT involved in AA? Dressing is within the OT scope of practice, and includes the cognitive and physical demands required for this activity. Due to the practitioner’s clinical knowledge and experience regarding various medical conditions as well as their holistic approach, occupational therapists can serve as valuable advisors to clothing manufacturers regarding the needs of their consumers and potential apparel designs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6wzXEKxCVw
So, is Knit Rite Adaptive Apparel? Yes! Knit Rite’s products are adaptive apparel due to the products being designed for specific populations:
How to put on the Compresso-T:
Some Populations include: Individuals using prosthetics and orthotics Individuals with lymphedema Individuals with diabetes (T1 & T2) Individuals with sensory needs Pregnant women Individuals who use braces
Steps:
The Compresso-T: A Knit Rite product that is adaptive apparel
Check out this video to see a demo!
1. Have your child raise their hands above their heads. 2. Lift the Compresso-T up and place your child’s hands through the arm holes. 3. With one swift motion slide the Compresso-T over your child’s head and body.
The Compress-T is, “a unique undershirt” that “hugs the torso providing gentle compression for kids.” It's purpose is to provide sensory input in the form of deep pressure, or compression, for the wearer.
Features Include: Gentle compression No elastic bands or tags Seamless torso & soft edging Moisture wicking Breathable material Wide shoulder straps prevents digging into shoulders
Who Can Use Compresso-T? Originally made for children with sensory differences, commonly seen in conditions like, Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorder, and anxiety However, any child can see the benefits of wearing Compresso-T, like: aiding in travel, avoiding meltdowns from irritation points, avoiding overstimulation, and aiding in maintaining focus at school
OT Tips for Parents: If your child seeks movement or gets distracted easily, this can make dressing frustrating and difficult. Here are some strategies to try: Minimize distractions: -Dimming the lights -Ensuring there are minimal sounds -Closing the bedroom door
Create a game: Incorporate movement by dancing, this way your child has a structured way to get the “wiggles” out and you’re able to accomplish dressing
Positive Reinforcement: -Play with favorite toy -Choose special snack -Choose favorite song -Choose a cool sticker
Reward child after dressing. With time this behavior will be incorporated into the routine.