Special Needs Helmets, Autism Helmets, and Protective Headgear for Children and Adults

Who Wears a Special Needs Helmet?

A special needs helmet is a form of protective gear worn to protect the head from injuries due to medical conditions. They are available for children from newborn age to teenage. A special needs helmet can be worn to protect the head after surgery or to help reduce the risk of head injuries. A baby may need to wear a protective helmet who is suffering from plagiocephaly, brachycephaly, or scaphocephaly. Other medical conditions that may cause a child to need a protective helmet are autism, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, or any type of ‘head banging’ seizure condition.

Plagiocephaly is a condition that causes flattening on one part of the head and has several causes. Some babies are born with torticollis, a shortened muscle on one side of the neck that can cause affected children turn their head to the same side frequently. When this occurs with sleeping, this repetition can cause the pliable bones of the skull to flatten. Infants who are sick often can spend more time resting their head towards one direction, causing flattening.

Brachycephaly occurs when the back of the head is flattened, which can produce a wider portion of the skull in the back than in the front. This can be caused by craniosynostosis, a rare closure of the skull sutures before a baby has developed fully. This can also occur when the baby is repeatedly placed on their back to sleep. Without allowing babies to lie on their stomachs or enough time in other sleeping positions, the back of the head can be abnormally widened and flattened.

Scaphocephaly is a condition in which the middle sutures of the skull are closed, call sagittal synostosis. This results in a high midline of the skull, causing the brain to grow upward. In cases of closed sutures, a baby’s brain will continue to grow toward an area where the sutures are not fused. In scaphocephaly, an elongated head that could require a helmet for correction is produced because the brain grows from the back to the front.

How do I Choose a Special Needs Helmet?

To determine the best type of protective helmet depends on the type of seizure behaviors that a child exhibits. If a child falls forward, a helmet with a face bar, face guard or visor may be needed. If a child falls backward, protection should be on the back of the head. A protective helmet should have a chinstrap that can be adjusted so it is snug, but not uncomfortable. The helmet needs to absorb the impact, no matter what direction a child falls, therefore it needs to remain securely on the head. Other considerations include the length of time the helmet will be worn, the degree of the user’s physical activity, the severity and frequency of the seizures, the environment the user will come in contact with, and potential striking surfaces that are in the user’s area, such as walls, furniture and floors.

Special needs helmets are constructed with different materials, such as hard shell, soft shell, and dual core/foam/fabric. Hard shell and soft shell helmets provide protection against traumatic brain injury, and help to shield and secure the head from other injuries. The dual core/foam/fabric constructed helmets tend to be the most lightweight. They can be especially helpful for those with balance disorders, weak neck muscles, autism, and cerebral palsy. This type can also aid with extra head protection in water activities and therapies.

Proper fit is one of the most important aspects in choosing the right helmet for your child. It is recommended to measure the circumference of the head at the level of the eyebrows. The occipital measurement is determined from the eyebrows to the back of the head where the helmet is to end. Then, measure over the top of the head to the top of the ears. If the protective helmet does not fit properly, it may not offer the correct level of safety and security for the child. If it is not comfortable, the user will be reluctant to wear it. A helmet that provides good protection should be engineered specifically to absorb and dissipate energy, providing durability as well as protection. It is highly recommended to consult a health care professional when making a decision about a protective helmet. A child’s particular needs and requirements along with professional expertise will enable the correct fit.

Hulet Smith, OT
Rehabmart Co-Founder & CEO

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