Flopper Stopper Head 'Helper'
Flopper Stopper (w/included Compact Switch) attached to our Magic Arm (not included)
(click on picture for larger image)
About 15 years ago, I noted
that some learners with whom I've worked were head 'floppers', that is,
they had difficulty getting and/or keeping their head up, so that they
could have forward/backard, lateral, and rotative head control. I
experimented and came up with my Flopper Stopper (forgive the name and
move on ;-) When positioned properly, the user's head cannot fall
forward enough for gravity to make things difficult. The obvious
question was, would the user stay *off* the switch. To my
continuing amazement over the years, the answer, almost every time, is
*yes*!
And since we know they *can* 'flop', what better place to try the switch than right under the chin. It is so cool to see someone go from a 'flopper' to a switch user, in an instant (sometimes).
The critical aspect of positioning Flopper Stopper is to have it right at that point where gravity pulls the head down. *It is NOT meant to support the head!* You can simulate this 'gravity point' just by loosening your neck muscles (roll your head around a few times), push your chin to your chest, and then all the way back (hyper-extend). Now slowly bring your head back forward until your head 'falls off your neck', somewhere about half-way back to your chest. Find that point because that is where you want Flopper Stopper to go for the user. Above that they have head control. It's very cool and almost instant.
My daughter, Courtney, modeling an almost-perfect position of Flopper Stopper (actually, it might be a bit low)
(Click pics above and below for larger images)
Emma from Kentucky using Flopper Stopper with it positioned very nicely!
Shadi using Flopper-Stopper quite successfully at the CSUN 2005 Conference
(click pic for larger image)
Dan - Opens his mouth to activate switch (on right); great positioning Mr. Bill!
(Click pics for bigger image)
Jeremy illustrating fairly good mounting (w/old version of Flopper Stopper)
(click on picture for larger image)
The Flopper Stopper comes with our new Compact Switch, 1" diameter, with a 'clickey' feel. It has a standard 1/8" male plug that can be plugged into a switch-modified toy, appliance, our WakerShaker, or, my preference, the computer (through a switch interface like out SwitchHopper).
The Flopper Stopper screws into the end of our Magic Arm, which is what I personally use and recommend, but I have received reports that you can also get by, sometimes, with a Universal Mount, our Articulating Arm, and even Slim Armstrong.
A related issue for Flopper Stopper is where to attach the the Arm on the wheelchair. There are cases where the Magic Arm by itself doesn't have the reach for proper positioning. A 3" or 6" extension is available for $20/ea.
w/6" extension
(click on pictures for larger image)
And since we know they *can* 'flop', what better place to try the switch than right under the chin. It is so cool to see someone go from a 'flopper' to a switch user, in an instant (sometimes).
The critical aspect of positioning Flopper Stopper is to have it right at that point where gravity pulls the head down. *It is NOT meant to support the head!* You can simulate this 'gravity point' just by loosening your neck muscles (roll your head around a few times), push your chin to your chest, and then all the way back (hyper-extend). Now slowly bring your head back forward until your head 'falls off your neck', somewhere about half-way back to your chest. Find that point because that is where you want Flopper Stopper to go for the user. Above that they have head control. It's very cool and almost instant.
My daughter, Courtney, modeling an almost-perfect position of Flopper Stopper (actually, it might be a bit low)
(Click pics above and below for larger images)
Emma from Kentucky using Flopper Stopper with it positioned very nicely!
Shadi using Flopper-Stopper quite successfully at the CSUN 2005 Conference
(click pic for larger image)
Dan - Opens his mouth to activate switch (on right); great positioning Mr. Bill!
(Click pics for bigger image)
Jeremy illustrating fairly good mounting (w/old version of Flopper Stopper)
(click on picture for larger image)
The Flopper Stopper comes with our new Compact Switch, 1" diameter, with a 'clickey' feel. It has a standard 1/8" male plug that can be plugged into a switch-modified toy, appliance, our WakerShaker, or, my preference, the computer (through a switch interface like out SwitchHopper).
The Flopper Stopper screws into the end of our Magic Arm, which is what I personally use and recommend, but I have received reports that you can also get by, sometimes, with a Universal Mount, our Articulating Arm, and even Slim Armstrong.
A related issue for Flopper Stopper is where to attach the the Arm on the wheelchair. There are cases where the Magic Arm by itself doesn't have the reach for proper positioning. A 3" or 6" extension is available for $20/ea.
w/6" extension
(click on pictures for larger image)
I can't
stress enough that this is NOT a head support. It is also not
*designed* as a 'reminder' for a user to keep their head up, but
several testers have used it for exactly that :) One attached the
switch to a Big Mac, with the recording "Get your head up, please," so
when the user 'flopped', Big Mac reminded them about it. Clever :)
And several testers have positioned Flopper Stopper in alternative positions, such as one that had it over the top of her user's head, and used an extension motion *upward*. Interesting!
And several others are using Flopper Stopper to stop head 'flopping' but placing the switch up on one of the 'wings' for a sideways motion for activation.
And several testers have positioned Flopper Stopper in alternative positions, such as one that had it over the top of her user's head, and used an extension motion *upward*. Interesting!
And several others are using Flopper Stopper to stop head 'flopping' but placing the switch up on one of the 'wings' for a sideways motion for activation.
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| H-23 - 3" Extension - $20 |
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| H-24
- 6" Extension - $20 |
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