Kids On The Move

It is through being mobile that we feel a sense of independence and freedom. As professionals and parents we have the opportunity to be creative in providing mobility for our children. In this particular column we would like to provide you with some "questions" for selecting mobility equipment, in the hopes that it will assist you in your decision-making process. Some of these questions may or may not apply to the individual for whom your are buying. This is simply to be used as a guide.

First: What are your goals for purchasing the product? Are you looking for a product that encourages independent mobility or dependent mobility? This might be the difference between a stroller or a wheelchair and a scooter or walker. Are you looking for a recreational product? This might be an electronic vehicle or as simple as a scooter board. Is this product for therapy? Are you looking to work on gait training, crawling, scooting or wheelchair mobility? Is the product for home, school or institutional use?

Second: What sort of terrain will the child be travelling over? Indoor surfaces? Outdoor surfaces? Does the individual have the ability to maneuver over those surfaces?

Third: Does the product need to grow with the child? Have you measured your child properly?

Fourth: If you are not a therapist ordering this product for a clinic, have you spoken with a therapist to ensure that you are ordering the proper piece of equipment for the child?

Fifth: If you are looking for a piece of equipment to encourage independent mobility, does the product require both control of the lower and upper extremities? If your child, for example, requires support of the lower extremities, is it provided? Will the child be able to support himself/herself at the trunk and head in order to manipulate the product, or are there additional supports provided?Last and most important, will the child be safe using the equipment? Is he/she at a developmental level that will enable him/her to maneuver it safely, not causing harm to himself/herself or others?

Remember that providing mobility does not have to be a frustrating experience if you cover all the bases. You might want to keep this questionnaire handy when speaking with your child's therapist or for your own reference.

For additional questions, feel free to contact us at 1-800-850-8602. Let's get your kids On the Move!

Back to Articles of Interest