Wheeled Mobility Options and Indications for Children and Youth with Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

Mobility is an important part of development, and independent mobility is an important part of the childhood experience. Children with cerebral palsy (CP) often experience mobility limitations that prevent them from exploring their environments and participating in daily activities and routines at the same rate and duration as their typically developing peers. Identifying appropriate mobility options that children and youth with CP can use to participate in daily activities and routines is critical. This chapter includes an overview of current issues related to wheeled mobility, examination and evaluation for wheeled mobility devices, intervention recommendations that include manual wheelchair and power mobility training, and cases to illustrate interventions for children and youth with CP that include wheeled mobility training.