Transferring SidesBy Ann Turner

NECESSARY CONCEPTSNECESSARY CONCEPTS

BodyBody Image-Image- must be able to label must be able to label body parts and understand the range body parts and understand the range of movements of body parts.of movements of body parts.

Spatial Concepts-Spatial Concepts-must understand must understand the placement, arrangement, and the placement, arrangement, and spacing of person or things in spacing of person or things in relation to one another.relation to one another.

Laterality andLaterality and Directionality-Directionality-must must understand left and right sidedness.understand left and right sidedness.

SITUATIONS WHEN SITUATIONS WHEN APPROPRIATEAPPROPRIATE

StairsStairs DoorsDoors Obstacle- For instance, trash cans, Obstacle- For instance, trash cans,

water fountains, pillars, etc.water fountains, pillars, etc.

CONTACT AND GRASPCONTACT AND GRASP Guide:Guide: Touch the follower’s hand with the back of

your hand. Follower: -Grasp the guide’s wrist and trail up the guide’s

arm to the elbow. - Place your fingers on the inside of the arm near

the guide’s body and your thumb on the outside. -Grasp the arm like you would hold a soda bottle. - Keep your arm bent at a 90° angle.

GRIP METHODGRIP METHOD Most stable method.Most stable method. Come to complete stop.Come to complete stop. Follower places his/her free hand just above Follower places his/her free hand just above

his/her grip on the guide’s heel.his/her grip on the guide’s heel. Trail or move original grip hand across guide’s Trail or move original grip hand across guide’s

back to guide’s other arm. This avoids loss of back to guide’s other arm. This avoids loss of contact.contact.

He/she steps in to new position on guide’s other He/she steps in to new position on guide’s other side.side.

Resume grip with appropriate hand.Resume grip with appropriate hand.

SLIDE METHODSLIDE METHOD Can be done while stopped or traveling depending Can be done while stopped or traveling depending

on the abilities of the pair.on the abilities of the pair. The back of the follower’s free hand contacts the The back of the follower’s free hand contacts the

guide’s are just above the original hand grip. guide’s are just above the original hand grip. Fingertips should be pointing to the guide’s Fingertips should be pointing to the guide’s opposite arm.opposite arm.

Release original grip and turn 90Release original grip and turn 90° towards guides ° towards guides opposite arm.opposite arm.

Trail across guides back until guide’s opposite arm Trail across guides back until guide’s opposite arm is gripped.is gripped.

Continue until new alignment is achieved.Continue until new alignment is achieved. Assume normal grasp position.Assume normal grasp position.

TRANSFERRING SIDESTRANSFERRING SIDES

Since trailing is less secure than firm grip and the slide method Since trailing is less secure than firm grip and the slide method requires a change of direction, it is not recommended for lower requires a change of direction, it is not recommended for lower functioning or physically unstable individuals.functioning or physically unstable individuals.