Backpacks have become as fundamental to the school experience as No. 2 pencils and an apple for the teacher. And when used properly, they are extremely useful, reducing neck, shoulder and back strain by distributing weight evenly. Unfortunately, muscle strain can happen if the backpack is too heavy or carried by a single shoulder strap, numbness or tingling can occur in the arm if the straps are too narrow or under-padded, and a heavy or bulky backpack can lead to the carrier losing balance and falling. One thing that cannot be blamed on backpack is causing or worsening a spine curve (scoliosis) – the orthopaedic community has not found any evidence of a causal relationship between backpacks and spine deformities. Recommendations for safe backpack use include
- Choose a lightweight backpack of a strong material so that sharp objects do not poke through
- Multiple compartments can help with organization, as well as weight distribution
- Make sure the packed backpack weighs less than 15% of the child’s own weight
- Encouraging judicious packing: only carrying what needs to be carried, and encouraging the child to store items in their locker that are not absolutely necessary to have with them
- Use both straps, adjust them snugly, and use a waist strap for large or heavy backpacks
- Place heavier items low in the backpack, and centered on the back
- In special cases, such as after surgery or injury, request a second set of books that can be at home, to avoid having to transport texts between home and school
Contributing author:
Harold J. P. van Bosse, MD, FAAOS
Shriners Hospital for Children® – Philadelphia
Perry A. Zirkel has written more than 1,500 publications on various aspects of school law, with an emphasis on legal issues in special education. He writes a regular column for NAESP’s Principal magazine and NASP’s Communiqué newsletter, and he did so previously for Phi Delta Kappan and Teaching Exceptional Children.
Jennifer Bolander has been serving as a Special Education Specialist for PWSA (USA) since October of 2015. She is a graduate of John Carroll University and lives in Ohio with her husband Brad and daughters Kate (17), and Sophia (13) who was born with PWS.
Dr. Amy McTighe is the PWS Program Manager and Inpatient Teacher at the Center for Prader-Willi Syndrome at the Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh. She graduated from Duquesne University receiving her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Education with a focus on elementary education, special education, and language arts.
Evan has worked with the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association (USA) since 2007 primarily as a Crisis Intervention and Family Support Counselor. Evans works with parents and schools to foster strong collaborative relationships and appropriate educational environments for students with PWS.
Staci Zimmerman works for Prader-Willi Syndrome Association of Colorado as an Individualized Education Program (IEP) consultant. Staci collaborates with the PWS multi-disciplinary clinic at the Children’s Hospital in Denver supporting families and school districts around the United States with their child’s Individual Educational Plan.
Founded in 2001, SDLC is a non-profit legal services organization dedicated to protecting and advancing the legal rights of people with disabilities throughout the South. It partners with the Southern Poverty Law Center, Protection and Advocacy (P&A) programs, Legal Services Corporations (LSC) and disability organizations on major, systemic disability rights issues involving the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the federal Medicaid Act. Recently in November 2014, Jim retired.