10 minute read
Specialised seating
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF specialised seating
FOR CHILDREN
BY MARTINA TIERNEY - OT AND CLINICAL DIRECTOR AT SEATING MATTERS
In many cases children spend most of their time in a wheelchair to enable their mobility and encourage independence. Often these wheelchairs are designed primarily for mobility and posture with moulded seating. While this type of seating is essential for their current and long term needs, I believe there is also a role for more comfort seating which also provides postural support and pressure management to complement their use of the wheelchair.
This comfort seating should be designed to give the child an alternative to their wheelchair without compromising the therapeutic goals of seating. Often, when children want to get a break from their wheelchair they frequently sit or lie on a sofa or reclining type chair which is not providing appropriate support and negatively affecting their posture. This practice will reduce the effectiveness of their wheelchair by allowing the child to maintain an abnormal posture on the sofa.
It is often hard for an able-bodied person to understand what it feels like to be seated for long periods of time and how a child’s life is affected if they are not seated in the correct chair. This is because an able-bodied person is able to readjust their position before getting uncomfortable.
Comfort in seating is my ultimate goal for my clients. If the child is positioned well and comfortable, their functional ability is increased. They remain longer in their chair and participate more readily in daily activities. Play and activity are a major element in child development. It stimulates their language and communication skills. Seating children in effective seating solutions will improve their physical, cognitive and sensory abilities by encouraging play.
GOALS OF SEATING • To improve functional ability e.g. feeding, drinking, writing etc. • To support, improve or maintain physiological function e.g. swallowing, respiration, digestion, elimination • To maintain or improve psychological function e.g. effective communication, socialising, eye contact and self-image One of the main objectives of seating is to stabilise the pelvis and support the trunk. When the pelvis and trunk are supported
Detects nocturnal Tonic/Clonic seizures including minute prolonged movements from children Detected seizures are notified via the MPPL carer pagers with tone or vibration alert Adjustable sensitivity & Vocalisation microphone Suitable for babies - children - adults SEIZURE DETECTION FOR EPILEPSY Waterproof wireless Perfect emergency call system for elderly/vulnerable alone at home Includes wireless door alarm and movement sensor Totally portable system can be used away from home on holidays, trips etc. GSM HOME CARE/SECURITY DIALLER
Detects nocturnal Tonic/Clonic seizures including minute prolonged movements from children Detected seizures are notified via the MPPL carer pagers with tone or vibration alert Adjustable sensitivity & Vocalisation microphone Suitable for babies - children - adults SEIZURE DETECTION FOR EPILEPSY Waterproof wireless call pendant Perfect emergency call system for elderly/vulnerable alone at home Includes wireless door alarm and movement sensor Totally portable system can be used away from home on holidays, trips etc. GSM HOME CARE/SECURITY DIALLER
Detects nocturnal Tonic/Clonic seizures including minute prolonged movements from children Detected seizures are notified via the MPPL carer pagers with tone or vibration alert Adjustable sensitivity & Vocalisation microphone Suitable for babies - children - adults SEIZURE DETECTION FOR EPILEPSY Waterproof wireless call pendant Perfect emergency call system for elderly/vulnerable alone at home Includes wireless door alarm and movement sensor Totally portable system can be used away from home on holidays, trips etc. GSM HOME CARE/SECURITY DIALLER
Detects nocturnal Tonic/Clonic seizures including minute prolonged movements from children Detected seizures are notified via the MPPL carer pagers with tone or vibration alert Adjustable sensitivity & Vocalisation microphone Suitable for babies - children - adults SEIZURE DETECTION FOR EPILEPSY Waterproof wireless call pendant Perfect emergency call system for elderly/vulnerable alone at home Includes wireless door alarm and movement sensor Totally portable system can be used away from home on holidays, trips etc. GSM HOME CARE/SECURITY DIALLER
CODE: MED-AD10K PRICE £101.42 + VAT CODE: MP5-UT PRICE £170.00 + VAT CODE: MED-AD10K PRICE £101.42 + VAT CODE: MP5-UT PRICE £170.00 + VAT CODE: MED-AD10K PRICE £101.42 + VAT CODE: MP5-UT PRICE £170.00 + VAT CODE: MED-AD10K PRICE £101.42 + VAT CODE: MP5-UT PRICE £170.00 + VAT CODE: MED-AD10K PRICE £101.42 + VAT CODE: MP5-UT PRICE £170.00 + VAT
CODE: MR3 PRICE £124.99 + VAT CODE: MMTBW2 PRICE £74.99 + VAT MEMORY PROMPT SMART HEALTH MONITORING WATCH Create and set memory prompting alarms using photos with text, photo slide shows,videos or audio recordings Easy music and video player with touch screen operation Create memory prompts with your Smartphone or use the easy touch screen menu’s Choice of time displays and screen colour Features include: GPS location to quickly find a missing person Remote heart rate and BP monitoring Daily activity tracking with step counting, sedentary monitoring Waterproof to IP67 Fall detection sensor with SOS alert CODE: MR3 PRICE £124.99 + VAT CODE: MMTBW2 PRICE £74.99 + VAT MEMORY PROMPT SMART HEALTH MONITORING WATCH Create and set memory prompting alarms using photos with text, photo slide shows,videos or audio recordings Easy music and video player with touch screen operation Create memory prompts with your Smartphone or use the easy touch screen Choice of time displays and screen colour Features include: GPS location to quickly find a missing person Remote heart rate and BP monitoring Daily activity tracking with step counting, sedentary monitoring Waterproof to IP67 Fall detection sensor with SOS alert CODE: MR3 PRICE £124.99 + VAT CODE: MMTBW2 PRICE £74.99 + VAT MEMORY PROMPT SMART HEALTH MONITORING WATCH Create and set memory prompting alarms using photos with text, photo slide shows,videos or audio recordings Easy music and video player with touch screen operation Create memory prompts with your Smartphone or use the easy touch screen menu’s Choice of time displays and screen colour Features include: GPS location to quickly find a missing person Remote heart rate and BP monitoring Daily activity tracking with step counting, sedentary monitoring Waterproof to IP67 Fall detection sensor with SOS alert CODE: MR3 PRICE £124.99 + VAT CODE: MMTBW2 PRICE £74.99 + VAT MEMORY PROMPT SMART HEALTH MONITORING WATCH Create and set memory prompting alarms using photos with text, photo slide shows,videos or audio recordings Easy music and video player with touch screen operation Create memory prompts with your Smartphone or use the easy touch screen menu’s Choice of time displays and screen colour Features include: GPS location to quickly find a missing person Remote heart rate and BP monitoring Daily activity tracking with step counting, sedentary monitoring Waterproof to IP67 Fall detection sensor with SOS alert CODE: MR3 PRICE £124.99 + VAT CODE: MMTBW2 PRICE £74.99 + VAT MEMORY PROMPT SMART HEALTH MONITORING WATCH Create and set memory prompting alarms using photos with text, photo slide shows,videos or audio recordings Easy music and video player with touch screen operation Create memory prompts with your Smartphone or use the easy touch screen menu’s Choice of time displays and screen colour Features include: GPS location to quickly find a missing person Remote heart rate and BP monitoring Daily activity tracking with step counting, sedentary monitoring Waterproof to IP67 Fall detection sensor with SOS alert
@MedPageLtd @MedPageltd www.easylinkuk.co.uk 01536 264 869 Medpage Limited T/A Easylink UK | 3 Melbourne House, Corby Gate Business Park, Corby. NN17 5JG | Company # 05468599 SPECIAL OFFERS ON THE DAY @MedPageLtd @MedPageltd www.easylinkuk.co.uk 01536 264 869 Medpage Limited T/A Easylink UK | 3 Melbourne House, Corby Gate Business Park, Corby. NN17 5JG | Company # 05468599 SPECIAL OFFERS ON THE DAY @MedPageLtd @MedPageltd www.easylinkuk.co.uk 01536 264 869 Medpage Limited T/A Easylink UK | 3 Melbourne House, Corby Gate Business Park, Corby. NN17 5JG | Company # 05468599 SPECIAL OFFERS ON THE DAY @MedPageLtd @MedPageltd www.easylinkuk.co.uk 01536 264 869 Medpage Limited T/A Easylink UK | 3 Melbourne House, Corby Gate Business Park, Corby. NN17 5JG | Company # 05468599 SPECIAL OFFERS ON THE DAY @MedPageLtd @MedPageltd www.easylinkuk.co.uk 01536 264 869 Medpage Limited T/A Easylink UK | 3 Melbourne House, Corby Gate Business Park, Corby. NN17 5JG | Company # 05468599 SPECIAL OFFERS ON THE DAY
this allows the child to freely use their hands. Stability is essential for function and in encouraging development and play.
WHAT IS ‘GOOD SITTING’? By approximately 8-10 months old, a typically developing infant demonstrates good sitting posture; • Weight is taken evenly through both hips (ischial tuberosity) • The spine is in midline • The head is balanced and aligned above the hips • The hands are free to interact with their environment When a child has developed this posture, they are able to reach for toys which are outside their midline and retrieve the toy to midline without falling over. However, children with neurological impairment, altered muscle tone or orthopaedic conditions may have reduced ability to hold an upright position against gravity without assistance. This affects their functional ability and can lead to a deterioration in their posture if not dealt within the seating assessment. There is much to consider when assessing the child for a suitable comfort chair. Some of the features which are essential on a complex seat are; • Seat depth adjustability • Back angle recline • Tilt in space • Adjustable footrest • Adjustable width and height • Pressure management Tilt in space is a significant feature which can be used to improve children’s posture, head control and redistribute pressure. This can also
be converted to include forward tilt for self-transferring situations.
Adjustability is an integral feature to accommodate growing
kids, allowing them to adapt and retain the same chair. Adjustable back angle recline in seating allows for accommodating children with limited hip flexion and when used in combination with tilt in space it can prevent sliding from the chair.
Optional lateral supports and supportive pillows can help to maintain or improve midline posture and facilitate function and engagement in activities of daily living such as eating and communicating and playing. The correct use of these features and accessories can also reduce common problems such as falling to the side when seated.
Don’t underestimate the importance of a clinical seating assessment. The needs of the child should be identified and help inform their decision on the type of chair they require to meet their needs both now and in the future.
Seating Matters offer a complimentary, no obligation Seating Assessment.
For more information email contact@seatingmatters.com or call 020 3982 2900
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