| How to Install a Magic Mesh Posted: 18 Aug 2018 05:00 PM PDT Installing a Magic Mesh screen is relatively quick and straightforward. Measure things carefully and take your time attaching the mesh. The magnetic strips of the Magic Mesh will allow you to enter and leave effortlessly without worrying about opening or closing a door. EditPreparing the Magic Mesh - Spread the Magic Mesh out on the ground. Spread out the Magic Mesh, laying it over the ground or another large, flat surface. Make sure the magnets are aligned in the middle. Note that the top of the Magic Mesh will have a larger gap between the magnets and curtains than the bottom.[1]
- Check the magnets to make sure they align symmetrically. While the Magic Mesh is laid out, open and close the magnets down the middle to see if they attract. Be sure that each set of magnets lines up evenly. If the magnets are not symmetrical, this could leave a gap in your Magic Mesh that will let bugs into your home.[2]
- Note that you will need to separate each pair of magnets before installing the screen.
- Attach the 12 adhesive strips to the Magic Mesh frame. Peel the backing off of the soft side of each adhesive strip. Apply the exposed adhesive directly to the back of the Magic Mesh screen. Spread each of the 12 strips provided across the entire frame of the mesh.[3]
- Make sure that each strip sticks to the screen securely.
EditAttaching the Magic Mesh to the Door - Wipe down the door frame and let it air dry. Use a clean, damp cloth to wipe away any dirt or debris from the surface of your door frame. Grime can prevent the adhesive strips from sticking to the door frame. Allow the frame to air dry naturally before installing the Magic Mesh screen. [4]
- Measure the door's height to determine how high to hang the screen. Use a measuring tape to measure the height of the door frame. Taking into account the length of the Magic Mesh, calculate whether or not the mesh will drag on the ground. With a pencil, mark the point you need to hang the top of the mesh to prevent it from touching the ground. [5]
- Measure the door's width and mark the halfway point. Use a measuring tape to measure the width of your door frame. Note that measurement, then divide it in half to determine where the middle of the door is. Mark the center point with a pencil.[6]
- Attach the top, middle part of the Magic Mesh first. Remove the backings of the adhesive strips that you placed at the halfway point on top of your Magic Mesh. Line up the top of the mesh with the line you marked on top of your door frame. Attach this part of the mesh to the frame.[7]
- Continue sticking the rest of the mesh to your door frame. After attaching the top part of your Magic Mesh, continue around the perimeter of the door. Start with the top of the Magic Mesh, moving out towards one side of the door and then the other. Continue down each side of the door frame, making sure that the mesh hangs evenly.[8]
- Reinforce the mesh with tacks if you have a wooden door frame. For added security, reinforce the Magic Mesh by inserting tacks around the perimeter of the door frame. Put the tacks through the mesh, above or below the adhesive strips. Push the tacks into the wooden frame. [9]
- This step is only applicable if you have a wooden door frame.
- Omit this step if you are installing your Magic Mesh around any other type of door.
- Test the Magic Mesh screen. Test out your Magic Mesh screen by walking through the center of it several times. The magnets should split apart as you walk through them and close back together once you leave the doorway. If the screen does not work as designed, you may need to reinstall it, moving the panels closer or further apart as necessary.
EditThings You'll Need - Magic Mesh screen
- 12 adhesive strips (included with kit)
- 12 wood tacks (included with kit)
- Hammer (optional)
- Measuring tape
- Pencil
- A clean, amp cloth
EditSources and Citations
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| How to Hit a Golf Ball Posted: 18 Aug 2018 09:00 AM PDT The trick to hitting a golf ball is to practice proper form. Set yourself up for success with a solid stance and a natural, secure grip. Square yourself with the ball and, using continuous motions, rotate your hips, torso, shoulders, and arms to swing. There are plenty of ways to hit a golf ball, so you'll also need to master a variety of shots in order to perfect your golf game. EditSetting up Your Swing - Hold the club with a secure, natural grip. The pinky of your non-dominant hand, or top hand, should curl just below the end of the club. Place your dominant hand, or bottom hand, just below your top hand. Keep the club in the creases between your palms and fingers instead of in the middle of your palms.[1]
- For your bottom hand, your ring and pinky fingers should grip the club with the most pressure. For your top hand, your index finger should make contact with the most pressure.
- Your grip should be loose but well-controlled. Grip the club tightly enough to keep it secure in your hands, but keep your hands free of tension.
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and knees slightly bent. Your non-dominant foot should be in front, or closer to the target. Position your back foot perpendicular to the target, and point your front toe slightly toward the target. Distribute your weight evenly on each foot, and keep your weight on the balls of your feet.[2]
- Center the ball between your feet. The ball should be far enough away from your feet that your arms can hang straight down comfortably.
- If you have to reach, you're too far away. If you have to hold your arms close to your body, you're too close to the ball.
- Bend forward from your hips about 35 to 40 degrees. Bend over from your hips so your arms can hang down comfortably. Imagine a clock face; the angle between 12 o'clock and 3 o'clock is 90 degrees. To bend at the correct angle, your back should be just past 1 o'clock, or around the 6 minute mark.[3]
- Try looking at yourself in a mirror to gauge the angle of your hip bend.
- A good hip bend will allow you to rotate your hips and power your swing.
- Square your shoulders, hips, knees, and feet with the ball. Your body, the ball, and the target should all be parallel. Imagine you're standing on train tracks. Your feet should be on 1 rail, and the ball should be on the other.[4]
EditPerforming a Basic Swing - Shift your weight back as you rotate your hips and torso. Begin your backswing by gradually shifting your weight to your back foot. Just before you start rotating your body, raise your arms back slightly in a straight line. In a single, continuous motion, rotate your arms, shoulders, and hips backward.[5]
- Keep your arms fully extended as you rotate into your backswing. Once your club is around shoulder height, bend your wrists to hinge your hands and raise the club up higher. This will help you generate a more powerful swing.
- To drive the ball and make mid-distance shots, you'll rotate fully into the backswing with the club raised above your head.
- You'll make adjustments when the time comes to putt, since you won't need to generate as much force.
- Tilt your front shoulder downward at the top of your backswing. Instead of turning your shoulders at a level plane, your front shoulder should be tucked down slightly. Additionally, tuck your front shoulder into your chin, keep your eye on the ball, and maintain the bend from your hips.[6]
- When you start to transition from your backswing to the downswing, it should feel like your front shoulder is moving toward the ground.
- Lead your downswing rotation with your front hip. Begin the downswing by shifting your weight to your front foot as you turn your front hip toward the target. Leading with your front hip, quickly rotate your body toward the target.[7]
- Your body is like a spring that gathers energy with the backswing and releases it in the downswing. The downswing should be fully committed, smooth, swift, and free of hesitation.
- Remember to keep your eye on the ball throughout your swing.
- Return to your squared starting position at impact. The moment you strike the ball, your hips, feet, arms, and shoulders should all be back to the starting position and square with the ball. Your weight should be on your front foot, but your back foot should still be planted firmly on the ground.[8]
- Bump your hip up toward your target when you make contact with the ball.
- Your front shoulder should be tilted up slightly, and your torso should be extended (but still bent from the hips) instead of hunched.[9]
- Continue the rotation into a long, tall follow-through. After striking the ball, turn your hips, arms, and torso in a continuous motion toward the target. As you turn, rotate your back foot so your toes point toward the target. Bring your arms across your chest to finish the swing with your club held just above your leading shoulder. Though shoulders and hips are rotated, you should be standing up tall with your chest out and torso extended.[10]
- In your final position, your body should be long and tall with your head held up instead of hunched over. Your legs should be extended, your front foot should still be perpendicular to the target, and your chest should face toward the target.
EditMaking Adjustments for Different Shots - Control the amount of force you use. A drive will need more force than a putt, so you need to make sure that the amount of force you apply to the ball is proportional to the distance you need. Make full, half, and three-quarter swings by increasing or decreasing your backswing.[11]
- If you need more power, you should shift your weight backward on your backswing. On the other hand, you wouldn't want to make a full swing if you're only trying to putt or tap the ball.
- Keep in mind a half swing with a driver won't generate the same yardage as a half swing with a putter. Practice swing lengths with all of your clubs so you know what yardage you generate with each combination.
- Increase your tilt and power up your backswing to drive the ball. To drive the ball a longer distance, you'll need to give it more lift. Maximize your power by raising your club high and rotating completely into your backswing. When you strike the ball, tilt your front hips and shoulder higher than normal.[12]
- When driving the ball, it's especially important to keep your arms straight. Extending your arms fully and keeping them straight will increase your accuracy.[13]
- Additionally, you should stand with the ball aligned with the toes of your front foot. This will increase the length of your swing, set your club's low point just ahead of the ball, and allow you to generate more lift and power.
- Make low contact with fairway shots. Fairway shots are mid-range to long distance shots, and you need to tweak your technique in order lift the ball off of the ground. A golf swing traces a big circle; think of it like a hula hoop standing upright on the ground. For a fairway shot, the point where the hula hoop touches the ground should be in line with the ball instead of just before it.[14]
- When you make your first shot, you strike the ball off of a tee with a driver. The club has already passed its lowest point and begins to swings upward when it strikes the ball.
- With no tee, generating lift is more difficult. When you hit the ball with an iron, the club's lowest point is just about even with the ball, which helps give the ball lift.
- To accomplish the right low point, set the ball in the center of your stance, rather than toward your front toes as you would with a tee shot.
- Factor in the wind. If the wind is particularly strong when you play, you'll need to adjust your shots accordingly. When playing into the wind, widen your stance, play the ball further back (so it's closer to your back leg), and grip down on the club. You should also swing easier instead of swinging harder.[15]
- If you are playing downwind, focus on getting height into your shots over distance. Play the ball closer to your lead foot.
- If putting into the wind, you need to have a wider stance and more bend at your waist. The putt will have a tendency to move in the same direction as the wind, so adjust it accordingly to prevent the ball from straying too far to one side.
- Keep your club and swing plane square when making straight shots. A straight shot can be difficult to master, as the club must be perfectly square with the ball at the moment of impact. Keep your swing plane, or your imagined hula hoop, aligned with the direction you want the ball to go.[16]
- Remember to keep your arms straight when you're making a mid-range or long distance straight shot.
- Get yourself out a trap with a bunker shot. To make a good bunker shot, choke down on the club with your dominant index finger about from the bottom of the grip. This will give you greater control of the club. Open your stance slightly and keep the ball a bit more forward than usual.[17]
- Dig into the sand with your feet and keep your body still. Aim to make contact with the lower portion of the ball and the sand just beneath it, and swing with your arms to generate lift.
- Play into the green from the outside using an approach shot. Approach shots give you greater distance than a putt but less distance than a mid-range shot. The most common types of approach shots are pitches, flops, and chips.[18]
- A pitch is a high approach shot that forces the ball to fly high and roll very little upon hitting the ground. Make it with a pitch wedge.
- A flop gets even more height and stops almost immediately upon hitting the ground. This shot is usually used to play over obstacles on the green. Use a sand wedge or lob wedge for this type of shot.
- A chip is a low shot, also called a low punch. The ball gets very little height and gently rolls onto the green. Play it off the back of the foot farthest from the target, and use a wedge or a short iron for this type of shot.
- Curve the ball with a fade, draw, slice, or hook. Each of these shots curve at varying degrees, which can help you get the ball closer to the green if you stray off course.[19]
- For a right-handed player, a fade is a mild curve from left to right. Produce a fade with an open club face so the club is turned slightly open (toward the right for a right-handed player) relative to the swing path.
- A draw is a mild curve from outside in, or from right to left for a right-handed player. They tend to be more difficult than fades, but they can give you greater distance and more roll. A club face that's closed relative to the swing path produces draws.
- For a right-handed player, a slice is a large curve from left to right, and a hook is a large curve from right to left. Both do not travel far and tend to go out of control, so they are usually avoided.
- Make adjustments to your stance and grip when you putt. Once you get the ball to the green, you need to switch your club to a putter and tap the ball toward the hole. You'll need to make more pronounced adjustments when you putt than for any other type of shot.[20]
 - Change your grip for a putt. There are many kinds of putting grips, but the basic goal is to draw your hands closer together so they act as a stable unit. Many golfers simply hold their hands closer together at the end of the club, while others switch their top and bottom hand positions.
- Experiment with putting grips; find one that feels natural and focuses the energy of the shot in your shoulders and arms, rather than in your hands. You should only move your shoulders and arms for a putt. Keep your hands and wrists straight.
- Keep your head still when you putt. Play with the ball slightly forward, or just ahead of center toward your lead foot. Visualize the line your ball needs to travel to reach the hole before making your putt.
- Set the length of your swing to the distance from the hole. Don't turn into a full backswing as if you were making a long tee or fairway shot. Draw your arms back by rotating your shoulders, and keep your arms extended as you strike the ball like a swinging pendulum.
EditSelecting the Right Golf Club - Use woods for distance shots. Woods generate greatest distance, and are typically used when you need to make a shot from between .[21]
- Woods can be separated into two broad subcategories: drivers and fairway woods. A driver is also known as the "1 wood." It will give you the greatest distance possible.
- Fairway woods are your 3, 5, and 7 woods. The higher the number, the more loft your shot will get and the shorter the distance will become.
- Woods were once made of wood, but are now usually made of steel, titanium, or other metal alloys.
- Go for irons for mid-range shots. If you're not within putting range but the green is less than away, an iron is usually the best club to choose.[22]
- Irons tend to be a little heavier and generate more lift than woods.
- Irons are numbered 1 through 9. The long irons are 1, 2, and 3 irons, and they have greater distance and minimal loft. The middle irons are 4, 5, and 6 irons, and these tend to be used when the ball is from the green. Short irons are the 7, 8, and 9 irons.
- There are two basic types of irons: cavity backs and blades. Cavity backs are easier for new golfers to use, while blades tend to be more difficult.
- Use a hybrid club in place of long irons. A hybrid club is a mix between a wood and an iron. The shape is similar to that of a wood, but the loft and distance is similar to that of an iron, so hybrids are usually used as replacements for irons. They tend to be easier to use for beginners.[23]
- Usually, 3 and 4 irons are the ones most frequently swapped out for hybrids.
- Try a wedge when you need height. Strictly speaking, a wedge is a type of iron designed to produce increased lift. These clubs are usually used when you need to clear a hazard within a fairly short distance. There are several types of wedges, but the most common include the pitching wedge, sand wedge, gap wedge, and lob wedge.[24]
- Use the pitching wedge on fairways and for chip shots around the green. Pitching wedges produce loft between 40 and 50 degrees.
- Sand wedges are used for sand traps. They have a loft between 55 and 59 degrees.
- Gap wedges fill the distance gap between pitching and sand wedges and usually loft between 51 and 54 degrees. You will get greater distance with a gap wedge than a sand wedge, but less distance than you would with a pitching wedge.
- A lob wedge lofts between 60 and 64 degrees. Use a lob wedge if you need to get the ball over a bunker, water hazard, or other hazard and need to do so over a very short distance.
- Stick with putters for short distances. Once you reach the green, switch to a putter to help you land the ball in the hole.[25]
- The club face of a putter is flat and small. As a result, you can gently tap the ball more easily without causing loft or creating much distance.
- You should always use a putter if you are on the green, and you may also need to use it if you're close to the green.
EditSources and Citations EditQuick Summary
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| How to Redirect an Autistic Child's Harmful Stims Posted: 18 Aug 2018 01:00 AM PDT Do you have a child whose stims cause bodily injury, destruction, or other legitimately negative consequences? This wikiHow will help you learn how to redirect that energy compassionately and effectively. Autistic teens and adults with this problem should read How to Replace Harmful Stims. EditEvaluating the Stim Redirecting stims may be an exhausting task for autistic kids. It's important only to take action when the stim causes actual harm. - Consider whether the stim is actually harmful. Just because a stim is a little odd or noticeable doesn't mean that it's a bad stim. A stim is bad if it fulfills one or more of these criteria:
- Does it cause physical harm? (biting, head-banging)
- Does it pose a health risk? (placing objects in the mouth, spinning until she falls down)
- Does it make a mess or destroy things? (ripping paper)
- Does it violate others' personal space? (playing with their hair without permission)
- Does the autistic child say they want to change the stim?
- Do not attempt to stop stims because they look weird. As a parent, teacher, or educator, it's understandable to be worried about autistic children being bullied. However, modifying the child's behavior for this reason sends the message that bullying is the natural consequence of looking different, and it is their fault for failing to be normal. It is the bullies who need the behavior change, not their victim.
- Spend part of a day teaching students what autism is, and how to be supportive and helpful.
- As a teacher, take bullying very seriously (in all forms, for all victims).
- Cultivate an atmosphere of respect for individual differences. Children will model their behavior after yours.
- Consider whether it is worth the energy to redirect. Teaching takes time and effort. It can be even more effort for the autistic child, if the new stim doesn't work quite as well. Trying to redirect too many stims can harm their self-esteem and ability to focus. Save serious interventions for serious cases.
EditUnderstanding the Stim Once you've determined that the stim causes legitimate harm, it's time to figure out (1) what need it fulfills and (2) what other stims fulfill the same need. - Figure out what triggers the stim. What circumstances arise before the child begins stimming? Keep a journal tracking each instance. Here are some examples. (Keep in mind that possibilities are not limited to this list.)
- Boredom/sensory seeking
- Frustration
- Hunger
- Fear or pain
- Consider what need the child is trying to address. Stimming is a tool. Talk to the child about it if you can, or draw hypotheses based on your log. Here are a few example possibilities:
- Pain management
- Sensory seeking (heavy work, touch, vestibular, etc.)
- Release of pain or emotion
- Cry for help or attention
- Go to the autistic community. There is a group of experienced people who know exactly how these stims work—autistic adults. Try reading blogs and reaching out through the #AskAnAutistic hashtag.
- Read lists of stims.
- Read from autistic adults who had the same stims. What did they use as replacements? Did the replacements work?
- Draw up a list of alternative ways to fulfill the need. The child can try these out and use the ones that work best.
- For a heavy work sensory seeker, try wall push-ups, lifting heavy objects, and grasping the hands and pulling the elbows away from each other.
- For a biter, get gum, candy, and chewy jewelry.
- For a head-banger, try heavy work, hitting their fist or head against couch cushions, or hitting their head against a glider rocker.
EditTalking to the Child - Take the child aside and explain your feelings about their harmful stim. Make it clear why this stim is not a good one, so that they recognize that there is a good reason for them to stop. Then propose your suggestions.
- For example, "It worries me when I see you hitting your head like that. You could hurt yourself. I'm sure it's not fun for you either. What if you tried punching pillows, or hitting your head against couch cushions instead?"
- Many nonverbal children can understand spoken words, even if they look inattentive. Explain it even if you aren't sure that they can understand.
- Have a dialogue about the stim. Ask your child if they have any ideas for replacement stims, and what they think would help them use the harmful stim less. If their ideas are incorporated into the plan, it helps them feel ownership of the process.
- "Do you think chewy jewelry would help?" "Would you like to help me pick out some jewelry from the website?"
- "This is the list of ideas I wrote. What do you think? Should we add or change anything?"
- "Let's go to the store this afternoon, and you can pick out the stim toys you want to try."
- Talk about how you can help. Your support can help the child transition to a better coping mechanism. For example, if your son puts objects in his mouth, and the two of you decide that gum is better, he may not have gum on hand all the time. Make it clear that whenever he wants gum, all he needs to do is ask, and you'll give it to him.
- Discuss prevention for stims that only arise under distress. For example, if your student hits herself when she's upset, talk to her about what makes her so upset, and what you can do to help. Maybe she can't handle noisy classrooms, or she's struggling with English, or she has an underlying condition that's giving her headaches. Address the underlying problem and the bad stim may disappear.
- Give gentle reminders if you notice them using the harmful stim again. They may use the stim unconsciously, forget about the alternatives, et cetera. Speak patiently so that they know you aren't mad at them. Ask them what they should do, or remind them what they should do.
- "LeBron, is that food? Does it belong in your mouth?" "What belongs in your mouth?"
- "What do we do when we want to play with hair?"
- "Remember, when we want to spin, we stop before we get dizzy. Your trampoline is right over there if spinning isn't enough."
- "Honey, you're hurting your head."
- Be compassionate if they are upset. Autistic children may revert to harmful stims if they are under large amounts of stress. Use a very patient tone of voice, and ask as little of them as possible to avoid further stressing them. If they are in danger of harming themselves, give a gentle reminder. Otherwise, choose to remind them once they're calm or just let it slide.
- "Julie, I understand you're upset and hurting. Why don't we put a pillow between your hands and your head so you don't injure yourself?"
- "Please don't bite yourself. Here's your stress ball and chewy toy. Would you like to take one?"
- "Rosario, I saw that you were hitting yourself this morning. You seemed very upset, and I was worried about you. Would you like to talk about what happened?"
- Avoid grabbing or crowding them, as they may panic and lash out.
- Congratulate them when they successfully use the new stim or ask for help. While they probably understand why they should do it, a little encouragement from you never hurts. It will help them remember to keep working on it, feel proud of their progress, and use healthy stims to keep everyone happy and safe.
- "LeBron, I'll get you a carrot right away. Thank you for asking."
- "Rosario, I'm glad that you told me that the classroom was too loud as soon as it started bothering you. You didn't hit yourself once! Feel free to come to me any time you're getting really upset."
- "Julie, I just wanted to say how brave and strong you were, head-butting the couch cushions today instead of punching yourself. You did a wonderful job handling your frustration, and I'm proud of you."
- "Alison, thank you for biting your chewy necklace instead of your hand. Let me know if you want any gum to chew if you get tired of your necklace."
EditPositive Lifestyle The right lifestyle can help an autistic child adapt well to the world and live a happy life. - Give your child plenty of exercise. Activity can help boost mood, improve general health, and moderate the need to stim. Try taking walks, swinging, hiking, climbing, swimming, biking, and whatever the autistic child might enjoy.
- Offer plenty of positive stimming activities. Stimming is important to your child's sense of well-being. Here are some items you can keep around the house for them to interact with:
- Beanbag chair
- Swing
- Fidget toys (tangles, stress balls, and more)
- Floor trampoline
- Lava lamps and fans to watch
- Protect your child from anti-autism influences. Some therapists will try to force compliance, extinguish stimming, or do other things that harm your child. Only take your child to therapy that they enjoy (or at minimum, feel neutral towards). Make it clear to other adults that your child's differences are to be respected.
- ABA therapy can be dangerous, particularly if done by providers who aren't careful in their approach. Be cautious about compliance-based therapies, as they may harm more than they help.
- Steer your child away from negative or unkind people. If your child is mistreated, talk to them and explain that what happened wasn't okay and the child didn't deserve it.
- Autism cannot be cured or ethically suppressed. If someone is claiming that they can do this, beware.
- Work on your child's strengths too. Encourage their special interests and other abilities. Find ways to make them feel competent and talented. Growing up is not only about improving one's weaknesses, but building upon one's strengths.
- Keep communication open. Honor all the child's communication attempts—speech, typing and other forms of AAC, gestures, body language, and behavior. Paying attention to the child's communication encourages them to communicate more. Help them learn to recognize their needs and ask for help when they need it.
- Practice patience. Your child faces many everyday struggles that non-disabled people never have to worry about. If you were in their situation, you'd cry and melt down too. Treat them with compassion, and presume competence, and treat them like they want to behave well.
- Shower them with love. Your child is a person with feelings. Show that you care about them (including the autistic parts of them), and that they are not a burden or tragedy in your eyes. Your acceptance and love are what they need most of all.
- If the replacement stim isn't working very well, it may be that it doesn't address the underlying need. Go back to researching and observing.
EditRelated wikiHows
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