Transferring Sides By Ann Turner

NECESSARY CONCEPTS Body Image- must be able to label body parts and understand the range of movements of body parts. Body Image- must be able to label body parts and understand the range of movements of body parts. Spatial Concepts-must understand the placement, arrangement, and spacing of person or things in relation to one another. Spatial Concepts-must understand the placement, arrangement, and spacing of person or things in relation to one another. Laterality and Directionality-must understand left and right sidedness. Laterality and Directionality-must understand left and right sidedness.

SITUATIONS WHEN APPROPRIATE Stairs Stairs Doors Doors Obstacle- For instance, trash cans, water fountains, pillars, etc. Obstacle- For instance, trash cans, water fountains, pillars, etc.

CONTACT 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 METHOD Most stable method. Most stable method. Come to complete stop. Come to complete stop. Follower places his/her free hand just above his/her grip on the guide’s heel. Follower places his/her free hand just above his/her grip on the guide’s heel. Trail or move original grip hand across guide’s back to guide’s other arm. This avoids loss of contact. Trail or move original grip hand across guide’s back to guide’s other arm. This avoids loss of contact. He/she steps in to new position on guide’s other side. He/she steps in to new position on guide’s other side. Resume grip with appropriate hand. Resume grip with appropriate hand.

SLIDE METHOD Can be done while stopped or traveling depending on the abilities of the pair. Can be done while stopped or traveling depending on the abilities of the pair. The back of the follower’s free hand contacts the guide’s are just above the original hand grip. Fingertips should be pointing to the guide’s opposite arm. The back of the follower’s free hand contacts the guide’s are just above the original hand grip. Fingertips should be pointing to the guide’s opposite arm. Release original grip and turn 90° towards guides opposite arm. Release original grip and turn 90° towards guides opposite arm. Trail across guides back until guide’s opposite arm is gripped. Trail across guides back until guide’s opposite arm is gripped. Continue until new alignment is achieved. Continue until new alignment is achieved. Assume normal grasp position. Assume normal grasp position.

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