Seating and Positioning Approaches for Children and Youth with Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

Interaction with the surrounding environment is a critical part of child development, and youth with cerebral palsy (CP) are often limited in such experiences due to impaired sitting, standing, and walking ability. Children with CP are often unable to participate in daily routines at the same level as typically developing peers. Activities of childhood that occur at the table top, floor circle, desktop, and playground are not easily attained for the child with CP at GMFCS levels III to V. The provision of appropriate positioning supports can be critical to enhancing participation in daily activities. This chapter includes an overview of current issues related to the components and accessories used in seating and wheelchair systems to support and provide optimal posture. It provides a general description of positioning components as well as a detailed table to guide the prescription of position components based on the impairments of the child and the goals of the user. There are many positioning options available for use in a mobility system.