My Blog:
Autism and Posture
11/17/24 My newly published Article
8/22/24 Draft clinic Sketch
8-1-24 Toe Walking a sketch and a link to a video of "An Autistic Person's Perspective"
An individual was referred to the clinic for walking/ gait impairment. I observe and draw his posture to understand the main issues. His caregiver who was present in the room asked: "why does he walk like this?"
7-29-24 "why does he walk like this?"
Such a simple question yet it requires an answer.
Postural Impairment of kyphosis and hip, knee and ankle limitation in Mobility/ROM in addition to general weakness can explain the appearance of this gait. But it needs further assessment.
Assessment is done first with shoes and then without socks and shoes. Standing and walking assessment of front and side view is important.
This individual has postural issues such as Scoliosis and Leg Length Discrepancy.
7-25-24 Clinic visual Notes
Today a 15-year-old individual (Dx ASD) and his mom walked into the clinic. I draw Matthew's standing and sitting posture. Mom appears curious about how we view his posture and left ankle/foot issues. I will explain this for now, you can notice from the drawing notice that his left Lower Extremity carries the most weight bearing although he shifts weight laterally and front to back.
Visual Notes From the Clinic
We are observing a sketch of an individual with ASD standing and sitting posture.
Posture in sitting is similar to standing and walking. Habitual (slouch, stoop, and slump) posture was observed during our assessment. During treatment therapists should attend to it.
Standing posture and Sitting posture are similar and if left unattneded they will persists.
Sharing with caregivers a 5-minute home program. Helping change - the lack of awareness of habitual posture.
In Sitting: Observing and drawing lines or box shapes for the head, chest, and pelvis, the three main body structures that form posture. Notice the transverse plane distortions.
By Dalia Zwick PT, PhD
Three boxes can tell it all
Observing and drawing lines or box shape for the head, chest and pelvis, the three main body structures that form posture. George Bridgman – an artist and an art teacher said: "In the drawing, one must look for or suspect that there is more than is casually seen." (Constructive Anatomy -George Bridgman)
By Dalia Zwick PT, PhD
Observe the posture structure and control when the pelvis is tilted in the Frontal plane (mostly). Observe how important it is for therapists to imagine the three main structures that need to work in sync. The purpose of this post is to remind ourselves of the importance of a stable base when practicing postural control.
By Dalia Zwick PT, PhD
Consider-Posture.com and our FB page are a discussion forum of collaborative wisdom promoting the importance of Posture Care and Management for children and adults with disabilities.
"As movement occurs, and the body instinctively assumes a position suited to the taking of some action, the muscles, by contraction, produce the twisting and bending of the masses."
A quote by George B Bridgman viewed the main structures of the Pelvis, Trunk, and Head as Key structures (masses) of the Posture.
By Dalia Zwick PT, PhD
1-3-22 Sitting with feet planted on the floor is key in balance control and posture alignment. One should observe feet when checking sitting posture. The way we sit depends on our postural habits and anatomical and physiological constraints.
The image on the right shows the head, chest, and pelvis as 3D cubes. Looking at these structures as 2D cubes will help us understand where the deviation is present. Please ask for permission if you want to use this image.
By Dalia Zwick PT, PhD
Artist's Perspective of disability
Posted (with the artist's permission) are three images created by a woman with a disability from NYC.
Artist: Malina Fatsiou-Cowen
How Posture Goes Wrong: Body Shape Distortion in Cerebral Palsy
A few years ago I wrote an article by the above-mentioned title, describing the distortion called “windswept deformity” in professional literature, though it would be more appropriately called a “windswept distortion.”
My interest in illustration expanded my understanding of the concept of shape and distortion and I have created this image that describes the windswept distortion. In the following blog posts, I hope to explain what it means and what proper positioning and support can help reduce the consequences of staying in this position for a long duration.
Dalia Zwick PT PhD
The Human Figure is a complex construction
The human figure is composed of a rigid frame overlaid with soft, rounded, elonagted muscles.
Kit White - 100 Things to Learn in Art School
Image by Dalia Zwick