Hello TalkTools,
I purchased the Horn Kit about a year ago, and the Horn #9 (airplane) in my kit does not have the propellers on it. My husband was informed via a recent email that they were taken off as a precaution because they could pose a choking hazard.
My son is now at this horn in the Horn Program, and his therapist is not sure how to assess whether he is doing this horn correctly without the propellers. With previous patients of hers, if both propellers spun, then she could tell the child was blowing hard enough/correctly. She is now not sure how to assess when my son is ready to move to the next horn, since the propellers are not there.
Can someone please tell us how to assess this horn correctly?
Thank you for your time!
Brianna
Hi Brianna,
I’m Renee, a TalkTools® Instructor, and I would be happy to answer your question.
You are correct, the new horn #9 does not have propellers, but not to worry, the movement of the propeller is not the determining factor of duration.
What your therapist will want to do is “listen” for a 2-second blow that is steady and controlled using a stable jaw, cheek tension, lip protrusion and abdominal grading. Although the propellers added a “fun” factor, the goal is not to make them move. The movement of the propellers actually led to some clients trying to blow too hard, so I believe the removal of the propellers has really improved the horn!
I hope this helps!
Talktool admin
19 Oct 15