When Is the Right Time to Prescribe a Walking Frame? 29/04/2022 As a pediatric physiotherapist, one of the most frequent questions parents ask me is, "Is my child going to walk?" Naturally, it's up there as one of the most emotive topics. The dream of seeing their child take their first steps is something that all parents hope to witness. It's a highly emotive topic for us physiotherapists, too. Keep Reading
Who Needs Anterior Head Supports? 23/02/2022 Head supports come in a range of shapes, sizes, and configurations. A well-designed head support provides comfort, stability, and alignment of the head and neck, enabling socialization and communication whilst keeping the airway safe for breathing and swallowing.We are often asked by parents, therapists, teachers, and carers what supports can be used to position the head upright. Anterior head supports may seem like they could work, but I usually try to start with other options to correct posture before considering an anterior head support. Keep Reading
How to Select a Dependent Mobility Device: Reviewing Options 17/01/2022 In many cases, recommending a mobility device for an infant who is dependent on a caregiver to be moved from place to place is straightforward. After all, a six-month old with or without a neuromuscular disorder is expected to need a buggy for mobility in the community. As babies grow into toddlers, preschoolers, children, and through adolescence, the decision between a dependent and independent mobility device for an individual with disabilities can become a bit more complex. If you haven't done so already, be sure to read How to Select a Dependent Mobility Device: Identifying Needs.At the end of Part 1 of this series, Linda mentioned that there are three overarching categories of dependent mobility devices: adaptive strollers, transport wheelchairs, and manual wheelchairs (tilt-in-space and standard). In this post, we are going to take a closer look at the two categories of dependent mobility devices that can fall under the umbrella of complex rehab technology (CRT): adaptive strollers and manual wheelchairs. Keep Reading
How to Select a Dependent Mobility Device: Identifying Needs 17/01/2022 When reviewing the intake information of a new patient, it is common for one of the first questions the evaluating team seeks to answer is, "Will the client need a manual wheelchair or a power wheelchair?" Depending on a number of factors such as age and diagnosis, determining a suitable mobility solution prior to seeing the patient in person for the first time can be relatively cut-and-dry. However, determining manual versus power isn't as straightforward when the individual presents with diagnoses such as a developmental disorder, severe cognitive impairments, intellectual disabilities, etc., in addition to their orthopedic impairments. In these cases, the team will likely need to shift the initial focus to answering the question, "With the proper components, setup, and training, does the client exhibit the potential to be independent with mobility or is a dependent mobility device more appropriate?"This two-part blog series will focus on identifying when a dependent mobility device is appropriate and tips for selecting the best style of dependent mobility base. Keep Reading
A Clinical Perspective on Power Seat Elevate 16/12/2021 As technology and design continues to develop, wheelchairs and power seat options have also evolved. Whilst it can be tempting to order a power wheelchair with every option available, it is important as a clinician to understand what the clinical benefits of each power seat function are in order to ensure appropriate scripting and justification – especially when funding is being sorted. Keep Reading
