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There are many ways the quality of life can be improved for children with complex disabilities and needs. Some are physical like physiotherapy for children, and some are more functional, such as occupational therapy for children. Helping your child interact with their home environment more easily will also help to increase their sense of independence and their confidence in their own abilities. This can be achieved by looking at the disability aids for children that can be introduced into your own environment as well as possible home modifications.

A common disability aid for children is a wheelchair. The building of ramps and looking at doorway modifications can have a big impact on their ease of getting around the house and also impact their ability to interact with the community outside the house.

Some of the modifications that could be considered include:

1. The entrances and exits – creating ramps and widening doorways, making locks and door handles at a level that is easily accessible
2. Within your house – widening hallways and interior doors, ensuring wardrobe hanging space is at a suitable level, likewise light switches and power outlets
3. The bathroom – modifying the toilet, levelling the entire floor to remove obstacle to the entering and exiting the shower, possibly changing the heights of the cabinets and sinks, and the light switches and power outlets
4. The kitchen – for older children, altering the heights of the counters and cupboards can greatly improve their sense of independence and ability to prepare meals for themselves and the rest of the family.

The modifications relevant and available for each family is different, so please contact us if you would like to discuss this further and we will be happy to talk through your home modification options as well as disability aids for children.