Hand Under Hand

This month’s multi-sensory activity

Hand under Hand

Sometimes students at the more complex end of the learning difficulty spectrum don’t readily explore their environment of their own volition.  Let’s say we are learning about the sea and have a large conch shell that we think will be interesting to touch with its rough outside and pearl smooth interior.   We put it in front of Sanjay and he takes no notice.  How can we get Sanjay to touch it?  One way is to take hold of his hand and move it to the object – but it is not very dignified and denies him any choice.  And just because we think it is nice to touch doesn’t mean Sanjay wants to.   So what’s the answer?

During Bamboozle’s training day last week Chris White, who is deputy head at Birkett House School, explained what is called the hand under hand technique.  This allows us to bring something to the attention of the pmld child while allowing the child to maintain a sense of control.  It works like this.

You gently take the child’s hand and place it on top of your own so that the child’s palm is touching the back of your hand.  You then move your hand slowly in the direction of the conch shell until your hand is touching the shell.  You then remove your hand allowing Sanjay’s to rest on the shell.  At all times during this process Sanjay is able to take his hand away if he becomes uncomfortable or unsure.  He is in control which is particularly important for those pmld students who do not have much control over their lives.