Tips for Doing Airway Clearance with Kids – Part 1
It is a well-known fact that a lot of kids don’t like airway clearance and it can be difficult for parents to get them to co-operate.
Here are some tips to help make it easier:
Get into a good routine – daily physio needs to become a habit, and part of their routine just like teeth cleaning
Set boundaries – give choices where possible but be clear about what is expected in each session
Be consistent – provide a consistent response to behaviour so kids know exactly what to expect
Give consequences – make sure you follow through with consequences
Discuss behaviour management strategies with CFWA Occupational Therapist
Make sure kids are ready to start treatment- you may need to spend some time reading a story or doing an activity first
Reward small gains to help achieve a bigger goal – e.g., 2mins per position rather than 5 is better than no treatment
Use a timer to control the length of treatment; pause the timer when behaviour is not appropriate
