Pediatric Specialty Chairs, Special Needs Seating, Therapy Chairs, Pediatric Positioning

The Importance of Proper Positioning and Adjustable Mobility

Children with special needs require proper positioning and mobility for safety, security, and comfort. Specialty chairs are ideal devices for children with moderate to severe physical and neurological disabilities to improve and maintain proper body alignment. They offer optimal posture support, and by utilizing the right equipment for seating, the health and independence of children who need additional support are enhanced.

Seating systems provide much-needed freedom, mobility, and safety for disabled children and their parents. They offer tilt in space adjustments, height adjustments, and push handles as well as many other options. They are specifically designed for children with disabilities, such as autism, cerebral palsy, or spinal cord complications. Also, they can be utilized in various chairs as well as a car seat to provide padded protection, body support, and promote an effective seating position.

Bean chairs can rock or be turned over for a stationary seat and some fit two children while others are for individual use. Floor sitters are for children who cannot sit up on their own and need support for the shoulders and upper trunk. This enables children to be independent with the hands free for play while maintaining optimal erect trunk alignment.

What are Seating Systems?

Many seating systems are designed to work in combination with an existing chair at home, school, therapy, or when dining out. The latex-free seating is durable, waterproof, supportive, and soft, along with peel and tear resistant qualities for longer lasting durability. Some systems offer sizes that lengthen the life of the seat by an average of seven years and include hip adjustments which provide 30 degrees of pivot for proper pelvis alignment. Some come with a footrest while others are available with different styles of mobile bases or a push chair base, which is similar to a stroller. There are various sizes to choose from as well as many options for personal needs while allowing for growth and proper alignment.

For a customized fit, choose the right size for the seat cushion, back cushion, headrest, and color. Optional choices include a tray, mobile floor base, push chair base, or car seat. A push chair base turns a seating system into a stroller with tie-downs for bus or van transportation. It also folds up so it can be placed into most vehicle trunks. A mobile floor base may have a hi-low design which brings the functionality of both forward tilt and height adjustability. The forward tilt allows for forward positioning and weight bearing on the floor or the footrest. Forward weight bearing helps promote bone growth, develop muscles, and promote blood circulation.

When the feet are on the floor, a caregiver can work on sit to stand transfers when the legs are halfway to the vertical position. As transfer ability increases, the caregiver can lower the starting point to increase the challenge, and tilt-in-space and hi-low functions are activated with the feet for convenience. The height adjustability brings children to eye level with their peers, either seated at the table or on the floor. The harness design may feature seven points of control with a locking mechanism on the lap strap buckle for safety. Seating systems should be tested and approved for travel.

Other seating systems can be used with mobility bases or wheelchairs that have independently adjustable upper leg supports for leg length, adduction, and abduction. For children requiring increased trunk support, the backrest can tilt 10 to 25 degrees from the upright position. A flexible sacral support provides the ideal posture for the pelvis, and assists in the correction or accommodation of the pelvic tilt. Lateral supports can manage flexible scoliosis in conjunction with a pelvic harness to have 3-point positioning. If additional trunk support is required, a chest pad or harness can be added. To improve functionality, many additional features can be chosen, such as attaching communication systems for those who use augmentative devices.

What are Bean Chairs?

Bean chairs are unique double-duty chairs that can rock on one side or be turned over for a stationary seat. The gentle rocking movement offers a soothing input and its high sides help teach body awareness. Some can fit two children while others are for individual use. The frame is constructed from sturdy birch and the seating area is made with a heavy-duty nylon material. The 2-child style can support up to 200 pounds and the individual style can hold up to 150 pounds. The wood surface is easy to clean with a damp cloth using a disinfectant, or soap and water.

What is a Floor Sitter?

A floor sitter enables children to sit on the floor with friends and family while playing, being read to, or eating, or it can be attached to most standard chairs. It helps children who cannot sit up on their own by providing shoulder and upper truck support to improve development. This eye to eye interaction with others increases independence since the hands are free for playtime while maintaining optimal erect trunk alignment. A floor sitter is intended for children with mild to moderate positioning needs.

Hulet Smith, OT
Rehabmart Co-Founder & CEO

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