PEDIATRIC POWER MOBILITY

Written by: MICHELLE L. LANGE, OTR/L, ABDA, ATP/SMS

Early pediatric power wheelchairs were mostly sized-down versions of adult power bases. Some current pediatric power bases are the same size as an adult base, just with smaller seating. Other pediatric options are built for children’s needs from the ground up. In the comparison chart on pages 24 and 25, current pediatric power wheelchairs are shown side-by-side with features such as available seating dimensions, drive wheel configuration and power seating options. No one power wheelchair will meet every child’s needs, and many of these bases include options to further customize the final product.

Growth is an important consideration for children. Each of these pediatric power wheelchairs includes growth in the frame, which is also dependent on the starting width, depth and height for an individual child. Growth can also be built into many seating systems. As this creates quite a potential range of growth, available growth is not included in this chart. It is important to consider available growth in each power base and seating system combination. In addition, this chart does not address transport issues as this is a complex issue we hope to address in a future article.

Current pediatric power wheelchair options are varied and innovative! Let’s get those kids moving!

Links for Pediatric Power Wheelchair Comparison chart (See pages 24 and 25), in order:

CONTACT THE AUTHOR Michelle may be reached at MICHELLELANGE1@OUTLOOK.COM

Michelle Lange, OTR/L, ABDA, ATP/ SMS, is an occupational therapist with 35 years of experience and has been in private practice, Access to Independence, for over 15 years. She is a well-respected lecturer, both nationally and internationally, and has authored numerous texts, chapters and articles. She is the co-editor of Seating and Wheeled Mobility: a clinical resource guide, editor of Fundamentals in Assistive Technology, Fourth Edition NRRTS Continuing Education Curriculum Coordinator and Clinical Editor of NRRTS DIRECTIONS magazine. Lange is a RESNA Fellow and member of the Clinician Task Force. She is a certified ATP, certified SMS and is a senior disability analyst of the ABDA.