impaired is damaging for their mental and emotional health as it will disempower them and
reduce their self-esteem. Despite being disempowered by society both Ben and Rebecca are
part of institutions promoted by their social workers such as special education and support
groups. These encourage them to embrace their disability and emphasise the fact that it is
not a disadvantage but simply a difference. To justify this further, through this positive
reinforcement with other individuals similar to themselves, Ben and Rebecca are able to
combat the notion that disabled people are deprived of a gratifying existence, introducing a
new type of normal in the process.
P4/M3/D3: Explain the benefits of adaptations and support provided to one child and one adult
with different additional needs.
Ben
Adaptations
Ben has down syndrome meaning that he is more likely to becoming blind and have difficulties with
his eyesight than the general population, because of this factor Ben’s adaptive equipment must be
large so that he is able to see what he is using clearly. Additionally, Ben may have reduced motor
competence resulting in lack of development within his fine motor skills, because of this restriction
he will need daily living adaptations to aid him in completing everyday tasks. An example of adapted
equipment that will make Ben’s living easier is handled cutlery, utensils with specialised, soft handles
specifically designed for individuals with disability to grasp with increased comfort. The benefits of
introducing these adaptations are that with the large handles Ben will find it easier to grip and have
better handheld stability when eating his food. Moreover, this will allow Ben to maintain his
independence and can promote a positive self-image as he will no longer feel infantilised or
frustrated when requiring assistance as he can now do it himself.
Due to his down syndrome, Ben may have difficulty drinking due to weak muscle tone, therefore, to
overcome this, a cup with a spill proof lid and a flexible straw are effective as they lower the risk of
Ben having an accident whilst drinking. As well as this by using a straw it can aid in the development
of precise oral movements needed for clear speech, such as lip rounding, tongue retraction and
cheek tension. In having the ability to drink by himself, Ben will feel more independent and self-
sufficient as a result, his self-esteem will improve. Ultimately, Ben will feel less alienated and further
integrated into society as he is able to do it on his own rather than need assistance whenever he
wants a drink.
Ben may have reduced grip and limited hand strength, to overcome this, plastic plates preferably
with guards can be introduced to promote his confidence and independence by preventing possible
spillages and accidents. Scoop plates, non-slip and non-spill plates and bowls are also beneficial in
allowing Ben to overcome the challenges that come with having a limited dexterity. Standard plating
may be unsuitable for Ben as they could potentially risk him burning himself due to not being hot
liquid safe, they may also be hard to sanitise or costly as well as hard to position. By contrast, plastic
plating is the most beneficial to Ben and will make his dining experience easier as well as granting
him independence. This will also in the process improve Ben’s self-esteem as he is able to
confidently feed himself without worrying about spillages or injury. Additionally, Ben will feel
inclined to continue feeding himself and improve his ability to take care of himself, essentially
promoting the idea of becoming self-sufficient.
A tipped kettle assists with pouring for those with reduced strength, it eliminates the need for lifting
your kettle and is an ideal mobility aid for those with limited hand strength such as Ben. Kettle
tippers only require that the individual tilts the kettle with the handle, which is far safer for those
who do not have the strength for a heavy kettle. The ergonomically designed kettle provides a
substitute for disabled people who may have felt excluded previously in the traditional daily task of
, making themselves a hot drink. Furthermore, this allows Ben to be able to make himself a drink
without any problems which will help him feel included and independent as it is a procedure that
most of the population incorporate into their routine. Another benefit of this kitchen appliance is
that Ben’s quality of life will significantly improve and contribute to his overall health and wellbeing.
Ben may also struggle with reaching for items within the home in order to complete his daily tasks,
therefore, to overcome this limitation Ben’s care worker can introduce grabbers. These are
specifically designed reaching aids for disabled individuals with limited mobility to pick up
lightweight items they would otherwise be unable to due to their weak grip and lack of dexterity.
These adaptations are available in a variety of designs, weights and lengths which means Ben will
have a choice over which one he finds the easiest to use, he may even feel empowered by the
amount of choice he is given regarding his wellbeing. The benefits of this piece of equipment are
that Ben will have additional support without hassle, if he wants to dress himself however feels it is
too much of a burden asking his care worker for help, he can simply utilise the lockable jaws the
grabbers provide and complete the task in a self-sufficient manner. The ability to retrieve items far
from his reach with relative ease will promote an independent lifestyle, therefore Ben will have a
positive self-image as well as confidence in his abilities.
Ben may have a short attention span and lose focus as a result of his cognitive impairment; due to
this he may frequently forget to turn off kitchen appliances when he is occupied within the kitchen.
To ensure Ben’s safety and reduce the potential risk of injury Ben will need a cooker that
automatically turns off the electricity or gas if it detects the stove being left on too long. This
advancement will aid him in numerous ways, it will reassure Ben as it increases kitchen safety, he
will not become over stimulated by the stress of micromanaging when he is cooking. Furthermore, it
will actively encourage him to continue to experiment within the kitchen and become more
independent as it keeps his food from burning and as a result will make him feel confident in his
cooking, whereas if his food had burnt, he would have felt frustrated and demotivated.
Additionally, as Ben gets older his eyesight may deteriorate significantly as individuals affected by
down syndrome are more prone to losing their eyesight in comparison to the rest of the general
population who are unaffected by down syndrome. Bumpons can be useful as they are self-adhesive
raised dots that can be attached next to the oven or hob settings that Ben utilises most frequently. If
Ben’s eyesight does begin to deteriorate then the raised dots are an indication of where the oven is
located, Ben will not feel as if his disability is limiting him and is therefore able to maintain his
independence.
Ben may lack balance and have low muscle tone as well as poor postural control due to his down
syndrome, the impact of this on his gait may lead to risk of injury such as trips and falls. To overcome
this, environmental hazards such as mats, additional clutter or obstruction on floors and stairs must
be removed to ensure Ben’s safety. This will prevent Ben from slipping and in the process allow him
to feel comfortable within his living space. Ben’s care worker can also keep a record of the changes
made and see Ben’s progress, whilst also adapting to it and continually checking in on the possible
hazards within his living space. Ultimately, Ben will feel more confident as he is aware of the fact
that the risk has been reduced and unlike before he will not face embarrassment from falling or
tripping.
As Ben has down syndrome it will become increasingly difficult for him to communicate with those
around him, to combat this barrier he can be aided in developing these communication skills
through adaptations to the care home. For example, a communication board can aid him in
articulation or substitute his speech if he is unable to communicate verbally. This is beneficial as it
will ease Ben’s difficulty when attempting to communicate with others and increase autonomy by
giving him independence and choice. In addition to this, labels on all cupboards will encourage Ben
to recognise and become familiar with the care home and feel integrated and informed within his
