seating & posture for young wheelchair users kidz posture... · and whizz-kidz found a bigger...
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Seating & Posture for Young Wheelchair UsersJulia CunninghamAmanda Hopkin
Are You Sitting Comfortably?
• How many activities do you do throughout the day that involve sitting down?
• Where do you sit?
• What position do you like to sit in?
• How long do you sit for?
Activity: Sit in your preferred position for the next 5 minutes……………
Registered Charity No. 8028722
Why wheelchair mobility?
What are the benefits of early mobility using a wheelchair?
1. Enables progress through developmental stages by participating in mobility
2. Facilitates Playfulness and Curiosity3. Encourages socialisation and language development4. Reduces fatigue and promotes independence and choice
Registered Charity No. 8028723
Advantages of Independent Mobility
Research shows that children
should be provided with access
to a wheelchair to enable them
to become independent as close
as possible to the age when
mobility would be occurring
naturally within normal
childhood development
(Butler 1986)
4
How does posture affect sitting?
Functional sitting is the ability to maintain an upright position and work against the force of gravity to sustain that position in a productive and useful way…………
How does the body achieve this?• Muscle tone and strength• Support from a wide base created from the shape of the hips and
upper legs• Leaning against a back rest• Feet on the floor• Supporting through arm rests• Movement to adjust and be comfortable
Registered Charity No. 8028725
And relax!......
Registered Charity No. 8028726
How easy was it to sit still and not move?
Did this affect your concentration?
What do you think the biggest impact is on
young wheelchair users who participate in
day to day activities from a sitting position?
Why do some children need postural support?Maintain head control with less effort
Allow an upright posture so that they can enable good hand and arm function
Keep support in the correct place to support joints and body shapeAllow for comfort and inability to change position through choice
Allow maximum function, with least effort for as long as possible…
Registered Charity No. 8028727
Malachi powered mobility independence
Registered Charity No. 8028728
‘Now I can go out
and play with my
friends…. and I can
reach in the fridge
without asking my
Mum!!’
Equipment can support and be functional…..
Malachi has a riser on his wheelchair
that enables him to reach and grasp
to places where otherwise he wouldn’t
be able to reach from a sitting position
Malachi has tilt in space on his
wheelchair to allow him to rest when
he has been concentrating hard
Malachi has a shaped back rest that
gives good support to his spine
Malachi has a shaped cushion to help
with his sitting position and a padded
lap belt
Registered Charity No. 8028729
Types of powered wheelchair
Registered Charity No. 80287210
Postural Products – Backs and Cushions
Registered Charity No. 80287211
Postural Seating Systems
Registered Charity No. 80287212
Full seating system with
built in support in back
and cushion with harness
and lap belt. Tray
mounted control for
stability and support to
arms
Assessment through growth and development The twins aged 4 were using seating with support, Whizz-kidz
added a chair with a tilt and riser
At 10 the girls needed custom seating from the wheelchair service and Whizz-Kidz found a bigger chair
Later we changed the controls to make driving easier
At 14 we changed the type of chair and added a recline option to match the recline on their custom seating
Registered Charity No. 80287213
Summary
The opportunity to move independently from a young age is essential to promote social, emotional and skill development.
Postural support enables focus on driving or self propelling, playing and learning whilst maintaining a good anatomical position to reduce fatigue and possible changes to body shape
There are is a variety of seating accessories, seating systems and wheelchairs available.
All equipment needs careful assessment and needs may change during the development and growth of the child
Registered Charity No. 80287214
Find out more about Whizz-Kidz
www.whizz-kidz.org.uk
Make an application
See our clubs groups and training opportunities
Check out our news & download ourApp
And lots more…..
Registered Charity No. 80287215