A therapist addressing form-constancy dysfunction in a stroke patient should primarily use which approach?

• A. Reinforce body knowledge through tactile and proprioceptive stimulation applied in a variety of diverse positions
• B. Mark common objects with colored tape so similar objects can be differentiated from one another
• C. Use tactile cues to feel objects in various positions to increase familiarity with the object
• D. Ask the patient to recite right and left as they interact with their body or the environment

Answer: (C)

Form constancy is the ability to recognize objects as the same even when their appearance changes—different sizes, shapes, or positions. To address this after a stroke, the most effective approach is to give the patient tactile cues and have them feel objects in varied positions and orientations, building a stable recognition of the object regardless of how it’s presented. This hands-on exploration strengthens the mental representation of the object so it can be identified in daily tasks despite changes in form or context. Other strategies might improve body awareness or discrimination in certain contexts, but they don’t target recognizing the same object across different forms as directly as tactile exploration across varied positions does.