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Wig tape for hearing aids
Use wig tape (double-sided sticky tape that is skin-friendly) to stick hearing aids to the back of ears. Cut about 5mm of tape and stick longways down the side of the hearing aid that will face the back of the ear. Then put the hearing aids on and gently press the ear against the tape.
Removing sleep
Removing the sleep from my son's eyes can be difficult as he often struggles and it gets stuck to his cheek. I use kitchen roll and water to dislodge it, and then put a dab of vaseline on my finger to soften it and remove it from his face. I have to be careful not to get fingers near his eye and causing an eye infection though.
Easy read eye care info
SeeAbility has produced some easy read information about eye care for people with learning disabilities. www.lookupinfo.org
Oral healthcare – general advice
This is a leaflet offering general advice on oral care for people with learning disabilities. oral healthcare leaflet 1 general advice.DOC (365.5 KB)
Oral care for people with feeding tubes
We use this leaflet for people who are fed by gastronomy. We always emphasise that oral care should not change once the tube is fitted.
oral healthcare leaflet 2 dysphagia[2].pdf (146.3 KB)
More tips for oral care
This is a leaflet on oral care for people who have very few teeth or who wear dentures. Oral healthcare/dentures (619.0 KB)
The Good Teeth Guide
This is a useful guide for looking after the dental care of people with special needs
The Good Teeth Guide (3.1 MB)
Find the right dentist
We found out that there are dental therapists who are specially trained to work with people with special needs & are free on the NHS. Most areas of the country have a Salaried Dental Service with staff who have experience and training in the care of people with disabilities and complex needs. Some areas will have a Specialist in Special Care Dentistry. These services can be contacted through the local PCT or through the British Society for Disability and Oral Health [BSDH].
Get used to it....
Start dental check-ups as young as possible. A good dentist will just examine a child’s toy’s teeth if the child is particularly anxious. The key is building up trust and confidence.
Going to the dentist video
We showed Tammy this video before we took her for some dental treatmentwww.easyhealth.org.uk
Hearing aids
Our daughter (2 years old) wears hearing aids in both ears but the moulds always fell out, if you rub a small amount of vaseline onto the moulds,making sure its just a small amount as not to block them, it helps them to stick into the ears for longer.
Eye tests
It is so easy to miss out taking some one with disabilities for an eye test, it happens much too often. Fifty percent of dyslexics are misdiagnosed. They actually just have a visual issue. Take the test, visit www.irlen.com. Often a pair of glasses can correct the entire problem! My old childhood friend tried this and called me in tears last night, because it changed her life. This was just discovered by her yesterday, at age 39.
Hearing tests
It is recommended that people with learning disabilities should have their hearing tested at least every 5 years. Many children may present with speech delay and this may be hindered by deficits with sight or hearing.
Nipple tape
Rob was given a cochlear implant which had a coil that had to stay on his head. We spent 18 very painful months replacing this coil up to 200 times a day, as he did not want to wear it. Then someone told me to buy nipple tape from Claire's accessories (designed for bra-less see-through outfits!) It has changed our lives. The coil stays on ALL day.
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