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eSpecial Needs :: How To Choose A Special Needs Stroller or Wheelchair
How To Choose A Special Needs Stroller or Wheelchair |
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If your child has special needs that include mobility problems, you need to find a safe mobility stroller designed to accommodate her. Most special needs strollers are designed to make taking children with physical disabilities out into the world as easy and comfortable as possible. When determining how to select a wheelchair, mobility pushchair or special needs stroller for a child or adult, there are several factors to consider:
- Talk to your doctor or therapist about any special restrictions or requirements you need to know of when choosing a special needs stroller. Some children need to be kept at a certain angle because they cannot shift their own weight or have poor arm strength, so you may need to choose a stroller that has an adjustable tilt-in-space function. Other models offer reclining seat backs, fixed reclined, or upright seating.
- Check the weight allowances and measurements on adaptive strollers. Select a stroller that will last as your child grows and gains weight but also look at the measurements of the child compared to the stroller. Every child is built differently and it is always recommended to measure the child in a seated position to compare to the stroller’s size. Check with your child’s physical therapist or a medical equipment supplier for assistance.
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Measurement |
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A - Shoulder Width |
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B - Hip Width |
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C - Seat To Top Of Head |
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D - Seat To Shoulder |
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E - Seat To Inside Of Knee |
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F - Back Of Knee To Back Of Heel |
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- Determine the positioning and support needs of the rider. Does the rider have good tone and are they able to sit up on their own? Most chairs offer a variety of add-on accessories to accommodate the needs of any child. Talk to your physical therapist about support for head, trunk, pelvis, legs and feet. Most of these accessories can be added or removed as the child’s needs change.
- Select different strollers for different situations. Some special needs strollers are designed as all-terrain styles which work great for walking on trails or grass while others are designed for quick and easy storage like an umbrella. Does it need to be self-propelling so the child can be mobile on their own?
- Consider the ease in folding and loading a stroller into a vehicle. In many cases, we see parents or caregivers using two models. The child may have an existing model which is used for transport to school. But in everyday life to run up to the grocery store, a smaller model is far more practical. Consider the space in your vehicle and how easily it folds and unfolds. You won't want to have to fight with your stroller to pull it out or put it away, particularly when you're out and about. A good stroller should be easy to set up, operate and dismantle.
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