Goals for Power Wheelchairs for Children

If a child has a disability or illness that confines him to a wheelchair, he will need to learn to adapt and function in a world meant for walkers. Children should be interviewed, assessed and evaluated before a power chair is chosen for them. There are many types of power wheelchairs, and a child's strength and functioning should be taken into consideration before the chair is ordered.

What Kind of Chair is Needed?

• Determining how the power chair will be used is the first step toward picking the correct chair for a child. A wheelchair expert will need to know if the child plans to use the chair indoors or outdoors, and if outdoors, on what kind of terrain. Other questions to answer relate to the use of the chair (for instance, play, home, school or a combination), how the chair will be transported and if there are any stairs or other obstacles that must be considered.

Mobility

• If a child is given a power chair, she will need to learn to control the joystick, push button, sip-n-puff, trackball or whatever kind of system controls the movement of the wheelchair. Learning to control the speed of the wheelchair, steer it and control braking is a vital step in a child's mobility journey. If a child is a given a manual wheelchair to use as a spare, she will need to learn to navigate the chair using her hands and the wheels to go straight, turn right and left, and go backward.

Child's Happiness

• Because a wheelchair becomes an extension of the child's body and personality, pick colors, features and a style that the child likes. A child should be comfortable in his chair, and feel confident using it. A young girl may want a hot pink chair, while a boy may feel confident in a bright red wheelchair. A child will also need to feel comfortable in the type of power chair chosen. For example, not all children will be able to use a joystick, and this should be considered when choosing a chair for the child.

Safety

• Wheelchair safety for children includes learning to navigate around obstacles, having adequate spatial awareness, planning safe routes, negotiating different surfaces, getting through doorways and up and down hills, and learning to change directions safely. Children may learn these skills from physical therapists, occupational therapists or kinesiotherapists. Learning safety skills is imperative before a child can navigate school, the mall or any other area.

Child/Growing Wheelchairs

• These types of chairs were created to meet the changing needs of growing children who need wheelchairs. Wheelchairs are too costly to replace on a regular basis, and growing chairs have frames that can be converted to larger sizes, cushions that can be made bigger and armrests that get longer as needed.