External Resources
We have collated these external resources for you from interviews and workshops with Aussie Hands members, health professionals and government departments plus other research as a quick reference.
Expecting & New Parents
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Support Networks
The Australian Parenting Website
Limb Difference Clinics
The Royal Melbourne Children’s Hospital
Queensland Children’s Hospital
Mental Wellbeing
How to Contact a Social Worker
Health Professionals
Australian Hand Therapy Association
Australian Physiotherapy Association
Occupational Therapy Australia
Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association
National Disability Insurance Service (NDIS)
References
Barak, A., Boniel-Nissim, M., & Suler, J. (2008). Fostering empowerment in online support groups. Computers in Human Behavior, 24(5), 1867–1883. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2008.02.004
Giele, H., Giele, C., Bower, C., & Allison, M. (2001). The incidence and epidemiology of congenital upper limb anomalies: A total population study. The Journal of Hand Surgery, 26(4), 628–634. https://doi.org/10.1053/jhsu.2001.26121
McLaughlin, M., Lisenby, S., Sharma, S., & Modcrin, A. (2018, June 28). Congenital Upper Limb Deficiency –. PM&R KnowledgeNow. https://now.aapmr.org/congenital-upper-limb-deficiency/
The Australian Hand Difference Register. (2020). AHDR Annual Report 2020. https://www.mcri.edu.au/sites/default/files/media/ahdr_annual_report_2020_final.pdf
School Age
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Children’s books about hand difference
Little Miss Jessica Goes to School
I am Sheriuana, Book 1: We Are Beautiful
Children’s cartoons and films about hand difference
Reasonable Adjustments
Australian Government
Education Services Australia – Reasonable Adjustments
Starting High School
Raising Children – Starting secondary school
ReachOut – Tips for starting high school
Dealing With Bullying
Victoria State Government Department of Education and Training Bully Stoppers
eSafetyCommissioner: Cyberbulling
Limbs4Kids: Combatting bullying
Reach: Dealing with issues at school
Self-Care & Independence
Occupational Therapy Australia
Independent Living Centres Australia
Hickies – slip on shoes while your child learns to tie shoe laces
Hannah’s One-Handed Shoe-Tying Technique (video)
My Special Hand – Zipping our coat (video)
Developing a Pencil Grip Department of Occupational Therapy, Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne
One-handed keyboards making schoolwork easier
Ability Technology is a non-profit organisation based in Sydney, Newcastle and Canberra, Australia available to assist people with a disability with the use of computer and home control technology.
Spectronics inclusive learning technologies is a Brisbane based company which supplies special needs software and technology.
Five Finger Typist is a typing tutor for people who want to learn to type with one hand. It teaches the accepted keyboarding technique for one-handed touch typing on the standard (QWERTY) keyboard. Developed by SoftDawn Software, a Melbourne based company.
Australian Ruler Co. – for non-slip safety rulers
FREE 3D Hands – a charity based in Australia using 3D printing technology to design and manufacture hands and assistive devices for free.
A Helping hand: Building life-changing prosthetics (ABC Catalyst) (video)
Active Hands – a source for gripping aids and other products for reduced hand function
Arm Dynamics – an upper limb prosthetic care provider
Association for Children with a Disability supports all families in Victoria with children with disability aged 0 to 18 years old.
Developmental Occupational Therapy (WA) – Early Skills for Living and Learning Handouts
Bionic arm changes girl’s life (video)
References
Andersson, G. B., Gillberg, C., Fernell, E., Johansson, M., & Nachemson, A. (2011). Children with surgically corrected hand deformities and upper limb deficiencies: self-concept and psychological well-being. Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume), 36(9), 795–801. https://doi.org/10.1177/1753193411412869
Bunker, L. K. (1991). The Role of Play and Motor Skill Development in Building Children’s Self-Confidence and Self-Esteem. The Elementary School Journal, 91(5), 467–471. https://doi.org/10.1086/461669
McDougall, L., Kennedy, J., Coombs, C., & Penington, A. (2020). The psychosocial impact of congenital hand and upper limb differences on children: a qualitative study. Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume), 46(4), 391–397. https://doi.org/10.1177/1753193420967527
Meyer, A., & Genareo, V. (2021). “Does Your Arm Hurt?” A Content Analysis of Upper Limb
Differences in Children’s Books. Michigan Reading Journal, 53(3). https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/mrj/vol53/iss3/8
Vasluian, E., de Jong, I. G. M., Janssen, W. G. M., Poelma, M. J., van Wijk, I., Reinders-Messelink, H. A., & van der Sluis, C. K. (2013). Opinions of Youngsters with Congenital Below-Elbow Deficiency, and Those of Their Parents and Professionals Concerning Prosthetic Use and Rehabilitation Treatment. PLoS ONE, 8(6), e67101. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0067101
Teens
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Feeling Good About Myself
Apps that help you practice mindfulness:
Assistive or Adaptive Devices
TRS Inc. (USA)
APC Prosthetics (Australia)
FREE 3D Hands (Australia)
Active Hands (UK)
Life Skills
The Disability Discrimination Act
The Australian Network on Disability – Job Seeker Toolkit
Disability and Reasonable Adjustment — Employees
- Protection from discrimination at work
- Young workers & students
- IncludAbility – An Australian Human Rights Commission resource for job seekers
Job Access – What employers can ask at an interview
Disability Standards for Education 2005
Disability Standards for Education – A practical guide for individuals, families and communities