Looking BEYOND the marshmallow!

Am I seeing a pattern???

Rolling marshmallow tip, after rolling marshmallow tip, after rolling marshmallow tip!

As an Orientation and Mobility Specialist who works with children, I started to see a pattern. I would say about 95% of the students that I was working with had the standard aluminum cane with a rolling marshmallow tip. Rolling marshmallow tips are all well and fine, and definitely have their place, but sometimes we need to try something new, or our students require different tools to increase their efficiency and independence. So, I did a little self-reflecting and decided to get myself out of my own rolling marshmallow rut and challenged myself and my students to try something new. I asked my students to forgo the rolling marshmallow tip for a trial period and try out a new cane tip for a few weeks. I brought in several tips and allowed them to choose which one they wanted to start with and we went from there. With a little, and sometimes a lot of reluctance, my students said they would give the new a tip a try, and to their surprise, they were happy they did. Each had different preferences and reasons for liking the new tips, but they all enjoyed the lighter weight and more accurate feedback they were obtaining from the new tip styles.

I am sure some of you are now asking why do cane tips matter? 

It's simple; each tip gives different amounts of information to the user based on the cane techniques they are using. This is why preference and need play a huge role in choosing a cane tip. Sometimes travelers need more information, and sometimes they need less, or they are just not ready for all the information their cane tip is giving them. Therefore, when helping a student or client choose a cane tip remember to take into consideration the environments they travel in and their current travel needs and abilities. This may help you better formulate a decision which cane tip may work best for them.  

My purpose for writing this blog post today is to challenge you and your students to look beyond the rolling marshmallow cane tip and try out some new cane tips. There are many tips to choose from for many different types of travel situations, and your students may just find that they prefer something other than the rolling marshmallow. 

Happy cane tip trying, and be sure to share your student's experiences with their new tips!

~ Gwyn

Below are some resources for different cane tips:

High mileage marshmallow

This tip is a good transitional tip for those students who are extremely reluctant to try something new. Still easy to travel with outdoors.

https://ambutech.com/shop-online/marshmallow-hook-tip

All Terrain/Bundu basher

This tip great for grass, sand, and dirt. This tip slides right through these terrains without sticking. 

https://www.maxiaids.com/all-terrain-cane-tip-tip-and-assembly-only

Ceramic tip 

This tip is great in many ways, doesn't wear as easily, lots of auditory and tactile feedback while rounded shape glides over many surfaces.

https://ambutech.com/shop-online/ceramic-hook-tip

Pencil tip 
This tip is lightweight and easy to move with two-point touch technique.

https://ambutech.com/shop-online/pencil-hook-tip

Rolling Ball Tip 
A good tip if added weight is needed to keep the cane on the ground, rolls easily over almost all surfaces.

https://ambutech.com/shop-online/rolling-ball-hook-tip

Metal Tip 
This tip provides lots of auditory and tactile feedback with this tip.

https://ambutech.com/shop-online/metal-glide-hook-tip

Dakota Disk
This tip is large and light, it glides well over all surfaces without having to lift the cane off the ground.

https://ambutech.com/shop-online/dakota-disk

Jumbo Roller
This tip is generally for constant contact technique where a lot of uneven terrain is present, the large wheel makes moving over bumpy objects easier.

https://ambutech.com/shop-online/jumbo-roller-hook-tip