Wheelchairs: A Guideline for Each Type of Device

If your child is diagnosed with a condition that may affect their ability to walk, you wonder how do I navigate the healthcare system to help my child get what they need? As an Occupational Therapist with over 10 years of experience in seating and positioning for children, I always make sure that families understand the process. In some cases, a wheelchair doesn’t mean your child will never walk. It may just be that they need a device to help them get from point A to point B so they aren’t tired once they arrive at their destination.

When it comes to seated mobility devices, there is a lot out there. There are clinical guidelines to why a therapist or certified Assistive Technology Specialist (ATP) may recommend a specific device. Below is a general guideline for each type of device. Just like cars, there are different makes and models. Having a discussion with your seating team will help guide you into knowing what is most appropriate for your child and what works best for you.

Strollers:

Strollers are used for children 3 and under or for those who may be able to walk but may get tired over long distances. Another purpose for a stroller is for children who may be able to walk long distances, but due to safety concerns - such as unpredictable seizures or diagnoses that demonstrate impulsive behaviors – require a mobility device. For those children under 3 years old, there are different features of custom strollers that can provide more support than your traditional stroller.

Manual Ultra-Light Weight Wheelchairs:

This type of wheelchair allows your child to independently maneuver around their environment using their arms to push the wheels. In some circumstances, children can use their legs – or even one leg and one arm! Children who may need this type of wheelchair have the postural control to keep their head and body upright.

Tilt-in-Space Wheelchairs:

A tilting wheelchair is exactly what is sounds like – it tilts back to provide support for their head and/or body. Children who need this type of wheelchair may have difficulty keeping their head or body upright and need the support of gravity to tilt them back for support. It is important to be tilted back for those children who cannot reposition themselves as it provides a change in pressure off their bottoms. Our bodies naturally change positions when we are sitting in one place, but for those children who cannot change their position on their own, they require the tilt mechanism to allow them to be repositioned.

Power Wheelchairs:

These wheelchairs are like cars. They provide ease for children who may have difficulty pushing a wheelchair on their own. With use of a joystick or placement of a driving tool on various parts of the wheelchair, it provides independence for children who have the cognitive ability to be safe. With practice, even those with motor impairments can drive a power chair. These chairs can be customized to provide little to maximal supports to allow a child to be safe and independent to drive the wheelchair. It can tilt back to provide support for the body and even allow a child to independently change their position. Evidence has shown that using a powered wheelchair as young as 2 years old can provide both social opportunities and improve cognitive skills.

What is important to know is that all pediatric seating devices are specifically customized for each child. Your child will continue to grow, and your device will grow with you. Like all technology, it might need tune ups for new or replacement parts. That is where a strong relationship with your therapist and your equipment supplier comes in hand. For any questions, please reach out to us at Tiny Transformations!