Seating And Positioning
The correct pediatric mobility system will facilitate play and interaction between the child and their family, environment, and peers. For a child with a mobility impairment, there are various types of pediatric devices tailored to meet the child's needs including manual wheelchairs, power wheelchairs, strollers, and walkers.
Normal development of a child relies greatly on the type of mobility they use to interact with family members and peers, whether it is crawling, walking, or propulsion of a mobility device. Mobility, no matter what the form, impacts the socialization and education of children by allowing them to interact with individuals of similar ages. Without the ability to move around easily, a child may become isolated and/or distanced from their peers. Introduction of mobility aids to a physically challenged child at an early age appears to facilitate psychological, emotional, physical, and cognitive development.
It's amazing to see the effects of proper seating positioning on a child's ability to learn. Providing an upright sitting posture for children with special needs is more important than we ever realized. Therapists can help ensure that a proper fit is made between your child and the seating system you are considering. Special needs seating and positioning systems for children with mild to more severe levels of physical disabilities. Versatile pediatric positioning seat can be used on the floor or attached to a regular chair for tabletop activities and mealtimes. Padded positioning seat is lightweight and easily portable for traveling away from home. latex-free, adjustable for secure support, easy to use, and compact for storage and transport.
MSS Tilt and Recline chair designed for a wide range of children with moderate to severe involvement. This multiple support chair provides a variety of sitting positions including tilt and recline (orientation in space). The MSS Tilt and Recline chair can be ordered as a Floor Sitter or as a High Chair. MSS Tilt and Recline chair standard equipment includes Dining Tray, Hi or Low Base, Pelvic Strap, Trunk Harness, Lateral Supports, Abduction Wedge, Removable Headrest and a Footrest.
On average, a stroller is recommended for children approximately 3 months to 7 years of age. Due to the influence of social norms, it may not be considered socially appropriate for a 13-year-old to utilize a stroller. The height and weight of a child are equally important because of the structural limitations of a stroller. Frequently, the stroller is acquired as a secondary mobility device because of its light weight and its ease of transportation. It is important to keep in mind that if a stroller is going to be used as the primary means of mobility, it does not allow for aggressive seating and positioning, nor does it allow for optimum independent propulsion.