What do you do during down time?

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One of my cases is a 10 y/o whom I'm there for 10 hours a day. Trach, GJ tube, stander. That's it other than changing diapers. Suctioning keeps me busy, but not 10 hours of busy. She has a condition in which her eyes stare up and go from side to side. Her life is basically music and sounds from cartoons. Which she loves. I'll just out toys with music and play, but I can't do that 10 hrs a day lol. At least with my other girl, she's somewhat verbal, loves flipping through books, listening to me reading, blowing bubbles... But this girl, I AM SO BORED. Tips for things for me to do during down time? The case my mom has, the family lets her watch Netflix and work on digital quilting or whatever she wants (of course between caring for the child.)

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Read to her, do range of motion, talk, carry on conversations even though she can not respond. Ask the parents for suggestions. Ask the parents if they mind if you engage in diversionary activity as long as you don't overdo it. The family that won't let you do anything at all is probably the type of family that you will eventually find yourself leaving, because most people can't stand for that amount of rigidity.

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Specializes in Private Duty Pediatrics.

If she has OT or PT, you can contact the therapists and ask for suggestions. Even if they don't come out to the house regularly, they could still give you ideas by phone or email or snail mail. They usually love to teach.

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If she has an iPad, look through some apps designed for young children and/or developmentally disabled, especially those that provide direct cause-effect interaction (e.g. press a button, make a sound or light). One young gentleman really enjoyed a musical app that he could make sounds on (with guided assistance). A favourite was putting on a song and making drum sounds to the beat. Other than that - going for walks/out and about if w/c enabled (full sensory experience) - there are programs for taking these kids on boating and hiking trips, massage (hand/arm and foot/leg) and aromatherapy, ROM, nail painting, reading books aloud, tactile stim like kinetic sand and silly putty.

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Read to her, do range of motion, talk, carry on conversations even though she can not respond. Ask the parents for suggestions. Ask the parents if they mind if you engage in diversionary activity as long as you don't overdo it. The family that won't let you do anything at all is probably the type of family that you will eventually find yourself leaving, because most people can't stand for that amount of rigidity.

Thank you! You're right. I should simply talk to the parents. I will do that :-)

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I can't believe my initial post was almost 2 years ago! Well that case ended up being so very incredibly boring. The parents wouldn't even bring the child downstairs out of her room let alone take her for a walk. The only approved activity by the mom was very specific music when the girl woke up (around noon) during am care and ROM. Then I had to switch it over to Baby TV. Very loudly. After about a year she seemed to be growing out of it getting bored by Baby TV. That channel literally plays the same cartoons/music a good 4 times during one shift. It drove me up the wall.

I was allowed to play toys with her. She seemed to enjoy one particular toy that had animal sounds. But there was practically NOTHING to do with her. She didn't have any type of schooling. So sad. Anyway, I just couldn't believe I stumbled on this from almost 2 years ago.

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