Welcome to
The Challenging Behaviour Foundation Website
making a difference to the lives of people with severe learning disabilities
Registered charity no. 1060714
- Basic information about challenging behaviour
- Supporting Behaviour Change (Functional Assessment)
- Communication and challenging behaviour
- Self-injurious behaviour
- Health and challenging behaviour
- The use of physical interventions
- The use of medication in the treatment of challenging behaviour
- Specialist equipment and safety adaptations
- Information Sheets Cont ....
- Research...
Specialist equipment and safety adaptations
This sheet contains information about specialist equipment for children and adults with severe learning disabilities who are described as having challenging behaviour, and lists some of the considerations which can help to improve safety and protect the living environment. Suppliers’ contact details are listed at the end. Inclusion in this list does not constitute an endorsement from the CBF. Readers are encouraged to evaluate the benefits and risks of each product before purchase.
Assistive Technology
There are a variety of sensors available that can alert family carers to changes in the environment; pressure sensors are available to detect someone leaving a room or leaving their bed, alarms or alerts can sense when someone has an epileptic fit in bed or has wet the bed (an ‘enuresis’ sensor). These types of technology can save regular checking and allow the child or adult more independence and privacy. There are also automatic lights that sense when someone enters or leaves a room. There are a number of companies who make these types of assistive technology; a list of products with advice and ratings is available at www.telecaremadeeasy.org.uk. This website is produced by the charity Disabled Living Foundation, who do not review or test products, but give information and advice on choosing the right product. There is also guidance on the ethical issues of assistive technology on this website.
Bathroom
If shower or towel rails are pulled down, magnetic versions (which pull apart from the brackets under pressure and can be re-attached) are available from Primera. Special fittings can prevent baths or basins overflowing; Nova-Flo is a device that turns off the taps if the bath is flooding, by sensing the water has reached a certain level (www.nova-flo.com). Magiplug is a plug with a sensor that detects the pressure from the water and opens the plug to let out water when the level is too high (www.magiplug.com).
Beds & Bedding
Virtually indestructible mattresses are available from Endura and Link Design (but are expensive!). One parent contacted the local hospital to purchase a plastic covered mattress after her daughter constantly ripped mattress covers and waterproof sheeting, and this was also easier to clean. Bedding should be made from cotton, to withstand high temperature washes. Tough Furniture and Endura produce beds which can be fixed to the floor if required.
Clothing
Clothes may need to be altered to suit someone’s likes and dislikes of fabrics or behaviours and abilities of dressing/undressing. Clothing Solutions will adapt clothes or tailor from scratch to suit specific needs, such as using preferred fabrics or making nightwear ‘all-in-one’; it is a charity and only covers costs with the prices. Adaptawear have a wide range of adult clothes for people who find zips and buttons difficult.
Curtains
If curtain rails are pulled down curtains with a Velcro tab top are available from Colourways.
Magnetic curtain rails which pull apart under pressure and can be re-attached are available from Primera. Lockable wooden shutters are another alternative, or using a plastic stick-on covering (available from most DIY stores) to give privacy whilst still letting in the light.
Doors
Doors and doorframes may suffer damage. Internal doors can be replaced by sturdier fireproof doors, and can be fixed to the frames with heavy duty hinges. More hinges than the conventional two can help, but such strengthening may result in problems with the door frames coming away from the walls. Consult a carpenter about the best course of action to take for your individual needs. The use of window locks for the top of doors can prevent access to ‘out of bounds’ rooms. Plastic clips and magnetic locks can also be fitted (from Fledgings). A spyhole in the bedroom door enables you to check on your child without disturbing him/her; these are available at most DIY stores. (Check that the spyhole has 180o viewing range).
Electrical equipment
Electrical sockets should, if possible, be located outside the bedroom (or inside locked cupboards) enabling the use of tape recorders, televisions, etc (placed in a cupboard with a polycarbonate window). Light switches can be located outside the room, and lights should be dome type, not pendant. Stainless steel electrical sockets with lockable fronts (screw down flap) are available from most good electrical suppliers and plastic socket covers lockable with a key are available from Fledglings
Flooring
Vinyl flooring is easiest to keep clean and odour free. It should be securely fixed to the floor. Bolt safe flooring (2.5mm) is available from any carpet stockist. Durable washable carpet is a more expensive alternative (Gradus Carpets).
Furniture
A range of companies (Colourways, Endura and Link Design) supply waterproof chairs with removable covers. Endura also supply durable, heavy (but expensive) tables and chairs for use in challenging environments. Tough Furniture supply wardrobes, cupboards, etc, which can be fixed to walls. They have lockable drawers (to prevent them being removed to provide a climbing frame or for the destruction of their contents). Television cabinets with a polycarbonate screen and polycarbonate mirrors are available from Colourways and Tough Furniture.
Information Technology
There are a number of companies specialising in both software and hardware which can provide useful teaching tools and aids to language development. AVP provide literacy and numeracy software. Incentive Plus provide positive behaviour management and emotional literacy development products of all types. Inclusive Technology provide software learning tools with associated hardware, including a range of switches. Keytools provide adapted keyboards, mice and screens for all sorts of special needs. QED have a wide variety of learning and communication software, toys and equipment. Widgit Software provide picture and symbol software for literacy development, labelling and communication (including tailor made resources).
Radiators
Radiators can be boxed in to eliminate the danger of burns and also to limit the amount of noise which can be generated by hitting them. There are also radiators that are not hot to touch and underfloor heating for rooms where you need to avoid having any radiators.
Toys and Sensory Equipment
SensoryPlus (Endura), TFH Catalogue, SpaceKraft, QED, Rompa and Sensory Toy Warehouse provide various toys and other equipment relating to sensory environments, including calming objects and fidget toys. Rompa stock soft chairs and soft play items like wedges and tactile tunnel. Balance and movement equipment may help children who need extra input to sense where their body is and to improve their balance (available from Rompa, Sensory Plus, Sensory Toy Warehouse, SpaceKraft). Weighted clothes and blankets can create a feeling of pressure that is comforting for many children (Rompa, TFH). Learning games and books are available from Incentive Plus, such as ‘Off we go! Going to buy clothes’ or ‘Going to the dentist’ books. Sensory equipment is also available for adults, Age Appropriate Resources (part of TFH) sell games and equipment for adults.
Travel
To keep individuals safe when travelling by car, a large bucket type seat with a 5 point harness is available from In Car Safety or from Crelling Harnesses for the Disabled. Windmill Special Needs Co. Ltd are suppliers of magnetic harnesses and seat belt guards, (“Buckle Guard” and “Angel Guard”) designed to fit over different seat belt mechanisms, making it difficult for the individual to undo the seat belt. A major buggy can be obtained from your local health authority. If necessary, you can ask for a 5 point harness to be fitted, and for those who drag their feet, a foot rest can be fitted. Simplantex Healthcare provides outdoor wheelchair accessories and TomCat Special Needs Products produce specially adapted trikes.
Wallcoverings
Painted walls are easy to clean, and eliminate the potential for unplanned wallpaper stripping and/or shredding and eating. Washable paints are preferable and a number of special effect paints are widely available with a protective washable finish. Posters, pictures and photos can be covered by a protective sheet of polycarbonate which will not crack or shatter. Padded wall cladding is available from Endura and protective wall features are available from Gradus and Intrad.
Windows
Ordinary glass can be replaced with strengthened safety glass or makrolon (polycarbonate). Made to measure makrolon sheets and acrylic windows are available from Eagle Boat Windows. Lockable windows are advisable for potential escapees (window locks can be easily fitted to most windows and are available at most DIY centres).
Wooden surfaces
Some children gnaw and bite wooden surfaces such as window sills and furniture. A 90o strong plastic edging strip (available from most DIY stores) can be fitted to wooden edges. Heavy duty surface protectors are available from Intrad.
Need an aid or piece of equipment which is not available commercially?
Several organisations manufacture tailor made equipment for disabled people:
- BIME design and manufacture items that are not available elsewhere, as a non-profit making charity they only charge for production costs.
- Cerebra Innovation Centre produce equipment and technology to support brain injured children, and adapt existing products.
- DEMAND make new products to meet individuals’ needs and refurbish old equipment.
- MERU (Medical Engineering Resource Unit) is a charity that can provide a special “one-off” piece of equipment.
- REMAP (England, Northern Ireland and Wales) or REMAP Scotland is a charity which makes aids for individuals with a disability that are not available to buy commercially.
Still can’t find what you need?
Fledglings is a charity which aims to help parents find the equipment they need for their disabled child.
Need help financing equipment?
Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs) are given by local councils to make adaptations in the home or provide equipment that will make the disabled person more independent, safe in the home or make caring for them easier (Home Improvement Grants are available in Scotland). An Occupational Therapist should visit the person at home to assess what equipment is appropriate for them. You must apply for a DFG before buying any equipment or starting improvement works. DFGs are not means tested when they are for a disabled child up to 19 years old. For adults over 19 years a financial assessment will be carried out and any percentage of the costs can be offered. The money can be given as a direct payment to fund the equipment family would prefer, rather than the choice available from the council, direct payments can also be ‘topped up’ with the family’s own money.
When buying equipment and safety adaptions for a disabled child or adult, the purchase is exempt from VAT. Most suppliers should have a VAT exemption form; however a template is available from the HMRC website (www.hmrc.gov.uk).
If the item needed cannot be funded by a DFG, then you may be able to get some help toward it from charity or trust funding. A number of charities that give grants, such as the Family Fund, are listed below. Wider lists are available from Contact a Family and Disabled Living Foundation. For help finding a grant Turn 2 Us have a database of trusts and funds, such as trusts related to the profession of a parent or the religion of the family.
Suppliers
Adaptawear Moray House 39 St John's Street Perth, PH1 5HQ Website: www.adaptawear.com
Tel: 01225 824103 Website: www.bime.org.uk
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AVP Angel House Website: www.avp.co.uk
Tel: 0800 328 1159 Website: www.cerebra.org.uk/parent_support/cic
Colourways Tel: 01489 580978
DEMAND |
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Crelling Harnesses for Disabled Ltd 12 Crescent East, The Kirton Healthcare Group Ltd |
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Disabled Living Foundation
Fledglings Wenden Court
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Gradus Ltd. Park Green,
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In Car Safety (Mail Order and showrooms) Unit 5, Erica Road
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Inclusive Technology Ltd Riverside Court, Huddersfield Road,
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Incentive Plus 70 Alston Drive
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Intrad Ltd St Albans Road West, Hatfield, |
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Jenx Ltd Wardsend Road
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Keytools Abacus House
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Link design Bridge Cottage
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Magiplug Sales & Marketing: Mike Green Tel: 07831 163 558
Nova-Flo®
Unit D16, Heritage Business Park
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MERU Unit 2, Eclipse Estate
Primera Ltd Unit 8, Bankfield House,
Remap (Head Office) D9, Chaucer Business Park |
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ROMPA®
Simplantex Healthcare FREEPOST NAT3328,
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Sensory Toy Warehouse 2c Zig Zag Road, Titus House, 29 Solitaire Road,
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TFH Catalogue 5 – 7 Severnside Business Park
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TomCat Special Needs Products 13/9 The Gloucester Business Park, Hucclecote,
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Tough Furniture Ltd Stokewood Road,
Windmill Special Needs Co. Ltd 21 Lune Street, |
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Widgit Software Ltd 26 Queen Street, Cubbington,
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Grant giving charities
ACT
Grants for building work, equipment and respite breaks
The Grants Manager
61 Thames Street
Windsor
Berkshire SL4 1QW
Tel: 01753 753900
Email: info@theactfoundation.co.uk
Website: www.theactfoundation.co.uk
Caudwell Children
Grants for equipment, communication aids, or therapy
Minton Hollins,
Shelton Old Road,
Stoke-on-Trent,
Staffordshire, ST4 7RY
Tel: 0845 300 1348
Email: charity@caudwellchildren.com
Website: www.caudwellchildren.com
Cerebra
Grants for equipment and therapies
2nd Floor Offices, Lyric Buildings
King Street
Carmarthen
SA31 1BD
Tel: 01267 244200
Email: info@cerebra.org.uk
Website: www.cerebra.org.uk
Children Today Charitable Trust
Grants for mobility aids, communication aids and sensory equipment
The Moorings
Rowton Bridge, Christleton
Chester, CH3 7AE
Tel: 01244 335622
Email: info@childrentoday.org.uk
Website: www.childrentoday.org.uk
Family Fund
Grants for severely disabled children under 17
4 Alpha Court
Monks Cross Drive
York
YO32 9WN
Tel: 0845 130 4542
Email: info@familyfund.org.uk
Website: www.familyfund.org.uk
Independence at Home
For disabled children and adults where statutory funding is not available
4th Floor, Congress House
14 Lyon Road
Harrow HA1 2EN
Tel: 020 8427 7929
Email: iah@independenceathome.org.uk
Website: www.independenceathome,org,uk
Lifeline 4 Kids
For disabled children under 18, families and schools/respite
Appeals Team
215 West End Lane
West Hampstead
London NW6 1XJ
Tel: 020 7794 1661
Email: appeals@lifeline4kids.org
Newlife (BDF) Child and Family Fund
For children under 18 with birth defects or congenital conditions:
Newlife Centre
Hemlock Way, Cannock,
Staffordshire, WS11 7GF
Tel: 01543 462 777
Email: info@newlifecharity.co.uk
Help finding funding:
Contact a Family
Tel: 0808 808 3555
Email: helpline@cafamily.org.uk
Website: www.cafamily.org.uk
Turn 2 Us
Tel: 0808 802 2000
Website: www.turn2us.org.uk
Further Reading:
Housing Options Factsheet 3: Adapting your home: www.housingoptions.co.uk
Disabled Living Foundation website on equipment: www.Livingmadeeasy.org.uk/children
Acknowledgements |
The Challenging Behaviour Foundation would like to thank the parents and carers, and the staff at Beech Tree School, who contributed to this information sheet.
Last updated: June 2011
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