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My own experience with head switching underlines the importance of symetry in movement where at all possible. A CP boy of ten years drove his wheelchair at school very sucessfully with three head switches for a period of four years. He was symptom free thoughout. However, he later accessed his VOCA using a single head switch, as prescribed by the speech therapist. Within a short time he complained of neck pain, which prompted a fundimental review of his access. More multidisciplinary communication required! Richard Taylor BDS B Eng. MSc. Assistive Technologist Registered Clinical Technologist Bournemouth ----- Original Message ----- From: "Richard Walter" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Thursday, June 22, 2006 11:59 PM Subject: Re: Step Scanning with Head Switches > I must admit to being a little confused (- becoming increasingly > frequent these days). > > What do you usually set for a scanning mode using two switches? > > > Generally step scanning removes the need for timing but the student does > obviously need to be able to physically operate the two switches. > Something to watch is that two switch scanning (especially head scanning > can (does) have repercussions on the whole physical posture and tone of > the student. > I sometimes try the choose switch as a hand switch and the move switch > as a single head switch. > Most of our pupils if thy are using head switches have poor hand/arm control > Since the choose switch is used less frequently it can be operated by a > less controlled movement. > > Actually very few of our pupils are capable of controlling scanning > access but It is also much easier to assist scan in a step scanning mode. > for example see Linda Burkhart's article on > www.lburkhart.com/hand2sw4s.htm. > > Richard Walter > Meldreth Manor School > > Judge Simon wrote: > > It only occured to me today that Step Scanning has a big advantage over any > > other scanning method for head switching... So I documented it here: > > http://assistech.org.uk/doku.php?id=experiencebase:generalat:switch_scanning > > _with_head_switches (-; > > > > No doubt it is only me that has just twigged this. > > > > Cheers > > > > Simon > > > > Clinical Scientist > > ACT > > 0121 627 1627 ex 53245 > > >