Mobility aids and equipment
People with cerebral palsy or other developmental disability who have Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level IV or V need careful consideration of their postural support when seated, transferring, lying and moving. Correct postural support optimises:
- independence, engagement and participation in personal care, social activities, education, employment, recreation and leisure
- function—including chewing, swallowing, saliva management; gastric emptying; breathing, coughing; communication; seeing and eye contact (head control); gait, falls prevention, upper limb function
- joint position and bone growth, by reducing development of contractures, subluxations and dislocations (eg hips); see also Musculoskeletal conditions in people with cerebral palsy
- spine growth and alignment
- comfort, by minimising muscle spasm, pressure areas, and strain on joints (eg shoulder or arm strain in those using a self-propelled wheelchair)
- personal hygiene, by minimising hip adductor spasm
- skin integrity, by reducing pressure areas and preventing skin breakdown; see also Skin problems in people with cerebral palsy.
People with severe epilepsy may benefit from a wheelchair with a reclining function to enable the person to be put into a recovery position after a tonic-clonic seizure.
Wheelchair prescription and prescription of other mobility aids, is usually done by an occupational therapist or physiotherapist with special expertise in this area. Refer to a speech pathologist for recommendations for aids and equipment to enable or optimise communication and mealtimes; see also Communication difficulties.
Regular review of mobility aids and equipment is required to ensure they still meet the person’s needs.
Funding for aids and equipment is available through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).