Category: On-Time Mobility

“Power Mobility for Infants and Pre-School Children”

Posted on by Audrey Homan

This article is called “Power Mobility for Infants and Pre-School Children”. It is “a brief overview of information regarding the use and introduction of power mobility with infants and preschool children with disabilities. It is intended to provide clinicians with relevant background information and to describe the current best level of evidence.”

It was written by Roslyn Livingstone in 2011. It appeared in Child Development & Rehabilitation.

“RESNA Position on the Application of Power Wheelchairs for Pediatric Users”

Posted on by Audrey Homan

This is a 2009 position paper by the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) on the Application of Power Wheelchairs for Pediatric Users.

RESNA states: “The purpose of this article is to share typical clinical applications as well as provide evidence from the literature supporting the application of power mobility (PM) for young children and to assist practitioners in decision making and justification.”

“Facilitating Child Participation Through Power Mobility”

Posted on by Audrey Homan

Text: recommended researchTamra Yandow and Deborah Sharpe wrote this 2019 research summary of “Facilitating child participation through power mobility”.

The original article appeared in the British Journal of Occupational Therapy, and was written by J. Casey, G. Paleg, and R. Livingstone.

Download this resource:

Getting Started with Power Mobility

Posted on by Audrey Homan

Not sure where to start when introducing power mobility into a classroom environment? This tip sheet is for you! These tips are helpful for other environments as well.

Thumbnail of Getting Started with Power Mobility tipsheet

Download a copy of this resource

Download a copy of our tips for getting started with power mobility:

Takeaways from Permobil’s “Considerations for Maneuvering Through School In A Wheelchair”

Posted on by Audrey Homan

A panel discussion led by Angie Kiger

VEM’s Takeaways:

GOAL: Students in wheelchairs are engaged in activities alongside their peers; their equipment does not define them as a student.

Evaluation

  • EVERYONE on the team should be included in equipment evaluations
  • Consider a trial at school as well as home/clinic
  • Start early!

Communication and Collaboration

  • EVERYONE is responsible for ensuring collaboration between team members
  • Key collaboration is between SLP and PT/OT; consider AAC AND wheelchair access together
  • Over communicating is not a bad thing!

Commuting

  • Know the law for the state/district for what’s needed for bus transport
  • Do a trial run
  • Know and train multiple people to get the child on/off bus

School Environment

  • Assess the ENTIRE school (inside and outside) for accessibility
  • Have a solid evacuation plan
  • Have a back-up plan in case the wheelchair breaks
  • Use short, successful activities for training

What did you think of the webinar? Where could you use this information in your own work?