Achieving Optimal Seating and Positioning with Wheelchair Users

As therapists, we've all painfully witnessed evidence of poor seating and positioning in our communities (a grocery store visit will almost always offer up at least one instance). But how is it possible that so many fall through the cracks? This course will examine how we can apply the basic therapy principles with which we are already fully familiar to the process of assessing and prescribing wheelchair seating for our patients. You will learn how to prescribe seating that addresses not only the patient's ability to effectively access and move around their environment, but also their comfort and postural stability while seated. You will be able to ensure efficient mobility while at the same time providing the support needed to keep the patient free from injury and pain. We will go over available options for making this happen, including seating components, accessibility options, accessories, and skin protection devices. We will discuss not only basicseating design for the average user, but also tackle more difficult cases, including spasticity, contractures, and posturalabnormalities. Note that this course is focused on proper seating and positioning for wheelchair users and does not address determination of wheelchair type (power versus manual) or mobility of the wheelchair itself.

Highlights

• Principles of postural stability and mobility and how they apply to seating and positioning
• Practical guidelines for seating and positioning that can be applied to all patients requiring a wheelchair
• Transitional strategies that are effective and ergonomically sound for the therapist and patient

Target Audience: Physical Therapists, Physical Therapist Assistants, Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapy Assistants