Backpack Analysis

1. Find the backpack
   
   
   
   • Components Needed: visual perceptual skills including the ability to discriminate one item from a field of visually competing items, eg: figure ground
   
   
   
   



2. Pick up the backpack by one of the straps or the top handle (usually is on the floor)
   
   
   
   • Components Needed:
     
     
     
     • strength in the muscles of one's arm(s)chest and back
     
     
     • the ability to move your arms and hands and fingers in the range of motion needed for this task
     
     
     • the ability to gauge the correct approach to the backpack and the excursion of the grasp pattern
     
     
     • correct force production
     
     
     
     
   
   
   
   



3. Carry backpack to higher-level surface (table, bench, bed, etc….)
   
   Components Needed:
   
   • continue with the muscular strength and activation as above
   
   
   • with the need for added force production by certain muscles to carry the backpack to a higher surface
   
   
   • both concentric and eccentric use of these muscles for smooth co-ordinated controlled movements
     
   
   
   
   



4. Set backpack down on higher level surface
   
   
   Components Needed:
   
   • continue biomechanic and ergonomic use of musculature
   
   along with visual attention and visual monitoring (which involves adequate binocular vision skills)to discriminate size of higher level surface.
   
   
   
   



5. Unzip main compartment of the backpack
   
   
   Components Needed: requires the use of adequate pincer grasp patterns and the correct application of force in a smooth graded pattern.
   
   
   



6. Dig through main compartment for item
   
   
   Components Needed: the main component is stereognosis (the ability to identify an object by touch)
   
   
   
   • Pull item out if large and easy to get (binder, towel, etc…)
     
     Components Needed:
     
     • the muscles of the hands
     
     
     • arms chest and back need to work together and in sequence for adequate and smooth force production to accomplish this
     
     
     
     
   
   
   • Search with hands and visually if item is medium size and not ready found (wallet, water bottle, sandwich)
     
     
     
     • Components Needed: stereognosis, sufficient muscle strength, etc.
     
     
     
     
   
   
   • Dig with hands to find the item if small (pen, flash drive, cell phone)
     
     
     
     • Components Needed: stereognosis and muscle strength with a particular emphasis on the ability to apply a finer grasp pattern as the object gets smaller in order to retrieve it.
   
   
   
   • Pick up and turn bag upside-down to empty backpack contents on surface (if none of the above work):
     • Components Needed: this requires the most strength and gross motor movement patterns
       
       
       
       • Using hands and to dig through scatter items and look for item.
         
         
         Compnents Needed:
         
         • good graded grasp and relese patterns
         
         
         • visual perceptual skills (again:figure ground is most important
         
         
         • along with being able to identify an object as it presents itself in different orientations (upside down or sideways)
         
         
         
         
       
       
       • Once item is found, turn backpack right side up and begin putting everything back in backpack
         
         
         Components Needed:
         
         • Muscle strength and good range of motion
         
         
         • good grasp and release
         
         
         • good visual regard
         
         
         
         
       
       
       
       
     
     
     
     
   
   
   
   
   
   



7. Unzip outside compartment:
   
   
   
   • Components Needed:
     
   • the ability to use a grasp appropriate tot his task
   
   
   • superior or lateral pincer grasp.
     
     
     
     • Pull out pen, card, stick pad from smaller organizational compartment inside
       
       
       
       • If not ready visible… unzip and dig down with hands in the various pockets to feel for the item
       
       
       • If item still not found - pull out all items and put on the surface until item is found
       
       
       • If Item still not found turn backpack upside down and shake to empty items (may be heavy if main compartment still full)
       
       
       
       
     
     
     • Once Item is found or determined not to be in bag put items back in compartments and zip back up smaller compartment.
       
     
     
     
     
   
   
   
   
   



8. Pick backpack up and put on my back by placing arms through straps.
   
   
   
   • Pick up by top handle place on the floor
     
     
     Components Needed to this last group are as above.
     
     • In addition, one needs the cognitive ability to sequence and execute all the actions, the memory of the motor plan to execute the motor tasks needed.
     
     
     
     
   
   
   
   

Pros and cons of using a backpack

Pros

• Organize items – pen/pencils, notepads, stickies, tissues, lip balm


• Carry on back and hands free: ergonomically better for student


• Sturdy to hold heavy items and resist wear and tear, dragging


• Water resistant


• Side compartments – water bottle, cell and access cards, ipod - reach without taking off backpack

Cons

• Not good if have back problems, such as arthritis, scoliosis, general weak abdominal musculature


• Manipulate zipper and tabs challenge for impaired or delayed fine motor skills and sensory skills such as stereognosis


• Cannot see what is going on behind you if you do not have the ability to monitor


• Need ability to twist to get to side compartment- range of motion and mobility in rib cage/ trunk/ spine/ arms


• Need strength in arms to lift pack and carry


• Straps hang down and can get caught or be tugged


• Easy to lose items in compartments and spend time looking for them


• Only water resistant so gets wet in heavy rain

Must haves for students:

• Ipods (recreation) (optional) (with tv and movies) with speakers


• Cell phone with camera (safety): voice activated


• Game console/ps2 (recreation) or PSP/XBox


• Laptop with adapted software and DVDs


• Flash drives/pen combo (optional- not necessary if infared printer)


• Pens and pencils


• Compartment for Classroom tools: ruler, scissors, compass protractor


• Paper/notebooks/workbooks


• Book holder, (if student lacks the strength to hold book up independently)


• Digital Tape recorder to record lectures and make notes on


• CD/DVD slot


• Headsets


• Water bottle


• A place for food (macaroni and cheese, chicken and rice and beans)


• Eating utensils/ straw

Redesigned for Physically Challenged Students