Pediatric Power Wheelchair Assessment and Training

Length: TBD

Description:

This course presents Pediatric Power Wheelchair Assessment and Training. Many people are hesitant to refer a child for a power wheelchair evaluation, fearing that the child is not yet ready. This course will address how to determine readiness before and during the assessment. If the child is not yet ready, pre-mobility training can be used to develop readiness. This training can be accomplished without the use of an actual power wheelchair. This session will also address power wheelchair assessment strategies to identify needs and define product parameters. Finally, if the child is ready for power wheelchair use, mobility training can optimize skills. Specific mobility training strategies will be presented. Hands-on time will be included.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe three ways to determine motor readiness to use a power wheelchair
• Describe three ways to determine cognitive readiness to use a power wheelchairList three strategies to develop motor readiness to use a power wheelchairIdentify three strategies to develop cognitive readiness to use a power wheelchair
• Synthesize specific pediatric power wheelchair assessment considerations
• Identify two mobility training strategies to optimize power wheelchair driving

Credits: TBD

Instructor:

Michelle Lange, OTR/L, ABDA, ATP/SMS
Michelle is an occupational therapist. She is the co-editor of Seating and Wheeled Mobility: a clinical resource guide, editor of Fundamentals in Assistive Technology, 4th ed., NRRTS Continuing Education Curriculum Coordinator and Clinical Editor of Directions magazine. Michelle is on the teaching faculty of RESNA, a member of the Clinician Task Force, a certified ATP, certified SMS and is a Senior Disability Analyst of the ABDA.

References:

1. Kenyon, L. K., Farris, J., Brockway, K., Hannum, N., & Proctor, K. (2015). Promoting self-exploration and function through an individualized power mobility training program. Pediatric Physical Therapy, 27(2), 200-206.
2. Lange, M. (2018). Power Mobility: Alternative Access Methods. In M. Lange & J. Minkel (Eds.), Seating and Wheeled Mobility: a Clinical Resource Guide (pp. 179-198). Thorofare, NJ: Slack Incorporated.
3. Livingstone, R., & Paleg, G. (2014). Practice considerations for the introduction and use of power mobility for children. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 56(3), 210-221.
4. Dunaway, S., Montes, J., O’Hagen, J., Sproule, D.M., Vivo, D.C.D., & Kaufmann, P. (2013). Independent mobility after early introduction of a power wheelchair in spinal muscular atrophy. Journal of child neurology, 28(5), 576-582.
5. Lange, M. (2016). Introduction to Wheeled Mobility: Considerations is Occupational and Physical Therapy Practice. Western Schools, Brockton, MA.
6. Furumasu, J. (2018). Considerations When Working With the Pediatric Population. In M. Lange & J. Minkel (Eds.), Seating and Wheeled Mobility: a Clinical Resource Guide (pp. 179-198). Thorofare, NJ: Slack Incorporated.